Stories

A U.S. Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, extracts from the landing zone on an MV-22B Osprey during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel exercise in Troia, Portugal, April 5, 2019 - A U.S. Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, extracts from the landing zone on an MV-22B Osprey during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel exercise in Troia, Portugal, April 5, 2019. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Africa and promote regional stability by conducting military-to-military training exercises throughout Europe and Africa. The aircraft is with SPMAGTF-CR-AF, Marine Forces Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Margaret Gale)

It’s a TRAP: SPMAGTF-CR-AF 19.2 executes training

TROIA, Portugal – The Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, conducted a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel training exercise in Troia, Portugal, Feb. 5, 2019. TRAP rehearsals allow the Marines to become proficient in locating and authenticating isolated personnel. TRAP is a core mission of SPMAGTF-CR-AF and the task force must continuously streamline efficiencies in order to provide a fast and efficient crisis response force.

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U.S. Marines and a U.S. Navy Sailor with Marine Rotational Force-Europe (MRF-E) 19.1 participate in class discussions while visiting the Sami school Tromssa Sameskuvla in Bardufoss, Norway, Nov. 26, 2018 - U.S. Marines and a U.S. Navy Sailor with Marine Rotational Force-Europe (MRF-E) 19.1 participate in class discussions while visiting the Sami school Tromssa Sameskuvla in Bardufoss, Norway, Nov. 26, 2018. The trip allowed Marines to interact with Norwegian students from first to eighth grade and school staff to learn about traditional and modern Sami culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin)

MRF-E 19.1 Visits Sami School

U.S. Marines with Marine Forces Europe and Africa’s Marine Corps Element-Norway visited the Sami school Tromssa Sameskuvla in Bardufoss, Norway, Nov. 26, 2018.

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U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force- Europe 18.1 stand in formation during the transfer of authority ceremony on Setermoen Leir Military Camp, Norway, Oct. 1, 2018. - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force- Europe 18.1 stand in formation during the transfer of authority ceremony on Setermoen Leir Military Camp, Norway, Oct. 1, 2018. MRF-E 18.1 was relieved by MRF-E 19.1 after their seven-month deployment. This is the first deployment of the expanded Marine Corps rotational presence of approximately 700 Marines in Norway, which was announced by the Government of Norway in August. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Victor A. Mancilla)

Marine Rotational Force - Europe Transfer of Authority Ceremony

U.S. Marines and Sailors from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, mark an expanded rotational presence in Norway with a transfer-of-authority ceremony today in Setermoen, Norway, Oct.1, 2018.

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U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 18.1 conduct high-angle fire training with a Mark 19 40mm grenade launcher during a deployment for training exercise at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, July 4, 2018. Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment conducted five days of live-fire ranges, enhancing their operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abrey Liggins/Released) - U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 18.1 conduct high-angle fire training with a Mark 19 40mm grenade launcher during a deployment for training exercise at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, July 4, 2018. Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment conducted five days of live-fire ranges, enhancing their operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abrey Liggins/Released)

Practice Makes Perfect: BSRF 18.1 Marines conduct DFT in Bulgaria

U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 18.1 (BSRF) completed several ranges during a Deployment for Training (DFT) exercise at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, from July 1-5, 2018.

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Marines and sailors with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 18.1 raced for a cure and took home the first and fifth place titles at a Norwegian cancer research benefit near Kristiansten Fortress in Trondheim, Norway, June 2. - Marines and sailors with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 18.1 raced for a cure and took home the first and fifth place titles at a Norwegian cancer research benefit near Kristiansten Fortress in Trondheim, Norway, June 2.

Marines, sailors compete against Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy at cancer charity race

Marines and sailors with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 18.1 raced for a cure and took home the first and fifth place titles at a Norwegian cancer research benefit near Kristiansten Fortress in Trondheim, Norway, June 2.

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180619-M-JL916-1001 - Latvian Military and U.S. Marines

Nato Allies Bring Cheer to Latvian Orphanage With Help From Charity Organization ‘Spirit Of America’, American Embassy

The day’s activities started out with the Marines and Latvian service members introducing themselves to the children with whom they would be spending the day with and exchanging names to help everyone feel more comfortable with one another. The children and service members also performed a fun team-building ‘trust-fall’ exercise to improve the mutual understanding and confidence between the children and the adults. “We partnered one Marine with two of their Latvian counterparts and split them all up into groups with two to three kids to help assist with breaking the language barrier,” said Latvian Pvt. Nils Students, a Latvian National Guardsmen and primary organizer of the ‘Big Brother’ style event. “The kids study English in school, and at events like this, they get to use a lot of that English.”

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U.S. Marine Corps Col. Peter Lee, head of operations for Marine Forces Europe and Africa thanks Maj. Elmars Popakuls, Commander of Latvian National Guard 53rd Infantry Battalion, during the multinational civil engagement ceremony in Bauska, Latvia June 2, 2018 as part of Exercise Saber Strike 2018. The focus of the ceremony was the integration of multinational forces and the enhancement of the relationships between the U.S. Marines and their Latvian military counterparts. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Maj. Greg Wolf/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Peter Lee, head of operations for Marine Forces Europe and Africa thanks Maj. Elmars Popakuls, Commander of Latvian National Guard 53rd Infantry Battalion, during the multinational civil engagement ceremony in Bauska, Latvia June 2, 2018 as part of Exercise Saber Strike 2018. The focus of the ceremony was the integration of multinational forces and the enhancement of the relationships between the U.S. Marines and their Latvian military counterparts. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Maj. Greg Wolf/Released)

4TH LAR MARINES INTERACT WITH LATVIAN LOCALS DURING SABER STRIKE 18

The 4th LAR Marines are conducting a road march from the port of Klaipeda, Lithuania to the training area in Adazai, Latvia and conducting static display events in a few local communities along the way. The focus of the ceremony was the integration of multinational forces and the enhancement of the relationships between the U.S. Marines and their Latvian military counterparts.

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U.S. Marines participating in Exercise Saber Strike 18 stand outside of a U.S. Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) during a static-display event demonstrating military vehicles and gear in Kuršėnai, Lithuania, June 1, 2018. The multinational civil engagement gave the citizens of Kuršėnai the opportunity to interact with the different militaries involved in Exercise Saber Strike 18. Saber Strike is a U.S. joint and multinational exercise conducted at various locations throughout the Baltic States and Poland. The annual exercise prepares Allies to respond to regional crises and enhance the NATO alliance throughout the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adwin Esters/Released) - U.S. Marines participating in Exercise Saber Strike 18 stand outside of a U.S. Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) during a static-display event demonstrating military vehicles and gear in Kuršėnai, Lithuania, June 1, 2018. The multinational civil engagement gave the citizens of Kuršėnai the opportunity to interact with the different militaries involved in Exercise Saber Strike 18. Saber Strike is a U.S. joint and multinational exercise conducted at various locations throughout the Baltic States and Poland. The annual exercise prepares Allies to respond to regional crises and enhance the NATO alliance throughout the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adwin Esters/Released)

MPF OPERATIONS DIRECTLY SUPPORT SABER STRIKE 18

MPF-offload operations such as this highlight the U.S. capabilities to effectively deliver mission essential gear, regardless of location; beach, port or open water.

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African Lion 18 - United States Marines assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team-Europe, disembark a C17 Globemaster III Aircraft during the annual African Lion 18 exercise at Agadir, Morocco, April 13, 2018. Various units from the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force will conduct multi-lateral training with units from the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, as well as contingents from more than a dozen Allied and partner nations. Exercise African Lion is designed to improve interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation’s tactics, techniques and procedures, with a specific focus this year on countering Violent Extremist Organizations and strengthening African partner nations’ capacity to contain regional instability. (Courtesy photo by Steven Buck)

Exercise African Lion 18 Commences in Northern Africa

Allies and partners from 15 countries representing Africa, Europe, and North America are participating in a combined multilateral exercise which will take place until the end of April in Morocco and Tunisia.

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Participants of Amphibious Leaders Expeditionary Symposium- Seminar pose for a group photo Nov. 22, 2017, at NATO Maritime Headquarters in Northwood, U.K. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Marcin Platek) - Participants of Amphibious Leaders Expeditionary Symposium- Seminar pose for a group photo Nov. 22, 2017, at NATO Maritime Headquarters in Northwood, U.K. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Marcin Platek)

COMMITMENT TO ALLIED MARITIME EXCELLENCE: NATO leaders discuss key points ahead of Amphibious Leaders Expeditionary Symposium at JWC Stavanger

NATO leaders from across the Europe and United States recently completed the third iteration of Amphibious Leaders Expeditionary Symposium (ALES). More than 30 maritime and amphibious experts converged on Allied Maritime Command headquarters in Northwood, UK, from November 21 to 22, 2017, to develop a way forward and continue the efforts to enhancing amphibious support to NATO. The progress made in Northwood will inform the next iteration of ALES, which will take place at the Joint Warfighting Center (JWC) Stavanger, Norway in June 2018.

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