Stories

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)

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)

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)

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa inspect suspicious luggage during non-combatant evacuation operation training aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, on Nov. 17, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-AF deployed to conduct limited crisis-response and theater-security operation in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick Osino) - An Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa inspect suspicious luggage during non-combatant evacuation operation training aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, on Nov. 17, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-AF deployed to conduct limited crisis-response and theater-security operation in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick Osino)

A U.S. Marine assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa logistics combat element host a static display after the graduation ceremony at Camp Jinja, Uganda, Oct. 13, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-AF LCE service members facilitated an eight-week training mission in Uganda. SPMAGTF-CR-AF Marines deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick Osino) - A U.S. Marine assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa logistics combat element host a static display after the graduation ceremony at Camp Jinja, Uganda, Oct. 13, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-AF LCE service members facilitated an eight-week training mission in Uganda. SPMAGTF-CR-AF Marines deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick Osino)

U.S. Marine Corps infantry riflemen assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa hold security during the final exercise of urban operations training at Minas De Alquife, Spain, Sept. 11, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-AF deployed to conduct limited crisis response and theater security operations in Europe and North Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jodson B. Graves) - U.S. Marine Corps infantry riflemen assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa hold security during the final exercise of urban operations training at Minas De Alquife, Spain, Sept. 11, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-AF deployed to conduct limited crisis response and theater security operations in Europe and North Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jodson B. Graves)

170816-M-NX410-037.JPG - U.S. Marines with 6th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, and soldiers with the 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion, discuss troop movements over a terrain model after conducting a patrol during the Georgia Deployment Program-Resolute Support Mission Mission Rehearsal Exercise aboard the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Aug. 16, 2017. The MRE is the culminating event of the GDP-RSM in which 6th ANGLICO Marines are working alongside the 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion to demonstrate that the battalion is ready for deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kimberly Aguirre/Released)

A Sailor with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa logistics combat element cuts grass using a weed-whacker during a clean-up event at the Eurialo Castle in Siracusa, Italy, Aug 3, 2017. Marines and Sailors with SPMAGTF-CR-AF LCE joined Italian volunteers in restoring the 2,400 year-old ancient piece of history. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick Osino) - A Sailor with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa logistics combat element cuts grass using a weed-whacker during a clean-up event at the Eurialo Castle in Siracusa, Italy, Aug 3, 2017. Marines and Sailors with SPMAGTF-CR-AF LCE joined Italian volunteers in restoring the 2,400 year-old ancient piece of history. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Patrick Osino)

U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 17.1, Marine Rotational Force Europe 17.1 and Marine Security Guard detachment tour the adjacent neighborhoods to the U.S. Embassy during an embassy reinforcement exercise in Chisinau, Moldova, July 16, 2017. Embassy reinforcement exercises improve emergency preparedness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Patricia A. Morris) - U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 17.1, Marine Rotational Force Europe 17.1 and Marine Security Guard detachment tour the adjacent neighborhoods to the U.S. Embassy during an embassy reinforcement exercise in Chisinau, Moldova, July 16, 2017. Embassy reinforcement exercises improve emergency preparedness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Patricia A. Morris)

A U.S. Marine with Black Sea Rotational Force 17.1 tosses a smoke grenade during a breach drill aboard Adazi Military Base, Latvia, June 9, 2017. The event was a part of Exercise Saber Strike 17, a multinational training exercise with NATO Allies and partner nations to increase cohesion and skills through combined-arms training (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sean J. Berry) - A U.S. Marine with Black Sea Rotational Force 17.1 tosses a smoke grenade during a breach drill aboard Adazi Military Base, Latvia, June 9, 2017. The event was a part of Exercise Saber Strike 17, a multinational training exercise with NATO Allies and partner nations to increase cohesion and skills through combined-arms training (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sean J. Berry)

Armored vehicles with Senegal’s 5th Contingent in Mali and U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa conduct convoy operations during a peacekeeping operations training mission at Thies, Senegal, June 6, 2017. Marines and Sailors with SPMAGTF-CR-AF served as instructors and designed the training to enhance the soldiers’ abilities to successfully deploy in support of United Nations peacekeeping missions in the continent. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Guerra/Released) - Armored vehicles with Senegal’s 5th Contingent in Mali and U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa conduct convoy operations during a peacekeeping operations training mission at Thies, Senegal, June 6, 2017. Marines and Sailors with SPMAGTF-CR-AF served as instructors and designed the training to enhance the soldiers’ abilities to successfully deploy in support of United Nations peacekeeping missions in the continent. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Guerra/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps flight crew with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa, standby while their MV-22B Osprey receives fuel from the BPC Dixmude as part of bilateral training in the Gulf of Cadiz, Spain, Aug. 6, 2016. Bilateral training with partner nations builds interoperability and flexibility for SPMAGTF-CR-AF to conduct a multitude of crisis response missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. John McCombs) - U.S. Marine Corps flight crew with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa, standby while their MV-22B Osprey receives fuel from the BPC Dixmude as part of bilateral training in the Gulf of Cadiz, Spain, Aug. 6, 2016. Bilateral training with partner nations builds interoperability and flexibility for SPMAGTF-CR-AF to conduct a multitude of crisis response missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. John McCombs)

A French Army soldier treats a simulated wound on U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kyle P. Ryan, a machine gunner with Charlie Compnay, 1st Battatlion 8th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa during a combined arms attack aboard Camp Sissonne, France, June 21, 2016. CENZUB provided SPMAGTF-CR-AF Marines with the ability to maintain their proficiencies in urban combat and integrate with French personnel and assets in a realistic scenario. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kassie McDole/Released.) - A French Army soldier treats a simulated wound on U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kyle P. Ryan, a machine gunner with Charlie Compnay, 1st Battatlion 8th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa during a combined arms attack aboard Camp Sissonne, France, June 21, 2016. CENZUB provided SPMAGTF-CR-AF Marines with the ability to maintain their proficiencies in urban combat and integrate with French personnel and assets in a realistic scenario. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kassie McDole/Released.)

U.S. Marines with Bravo company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa secure a simulated civilian as his belongings are being searched during a Non-combatant evacuation operation exercise hosted by French Army Center for Urban Combat Training instructors aboard Camp Sissonne, France, June 21, 2016. SPMAGTF-CR-AF Marines trained alongside a company of French Army soldiers, integrating their skills and resources to form an effective battle plan, similar to what they may face in the event of a future crisis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kassie L. McDole/Released) - U.S. Marines with Bravo company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa secure a simulated civilian as his belongings are being searched during a Non-combatant evacuation operation exercise hosted by French Army Center for Urban Combat Training instructors aboard Camp Sissonne, France, June 21, 2016. SPMAGTF-CR-AF Marines trained alongside a company of French Army soldiers, integrating their skills and resources to form an effective battle plan, similar to what they may face in the event of a future crisis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kassie L. McDole/Released)

Landing support specialists with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa, adjust the straps on a 1,098 pound pallet of Meals, Ready to Eat to an MV-22B Osprey during a helicopter support team exercise aboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, July 6, 2016. External lift training prepares the Marines to efficiently attach cargo to the aircraft and helps qualify air crew in the mission-essential task of rapid insertion and extraction in a possible crisis response scenario. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tia Nagle/Released) - Landing support specialists with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa, adjust the straps on a 1,098 pound pallet of Meals, Ready to Eat to an MV-22B Osprey during a helicopter support team exercise aboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, July 6, 2016. External lift training prepares the Marines to efficiently attach cargo to the aircraft and helps qualify air crew in the mission-essential task of rapid insertion and extraction in a possible crisis response scenario. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tia Nagle/Released)

Lance Cpl. Christopher Parsons, a rifleman with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, watches a Cameroonian soldier with Forces Fusiliers Marins et Palmeurs de Combat shoot their weapon on the range in Limbé, Cameroon, July 1, 2016. Marines share tactics, techniques and skills with the FORFUMAPCO soldiers to combat the illicit trafficking in Cameroon. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexander Mitchell/released) - Lance Cpl. Christopher Parsons, a rifleman with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, watches a Cameroonian soldier with Forces Fusiliers Marins et Palmeurs de Combat shoot their weapon on the range in Limbé, Cameroon, July 1, 2016. Marines share tactics, techniques and skills with the FORFUMAPCO soldiers to combat the illicit trafficking in Cameroon. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexander Mitchell/released)

Sgt. Ryan Underwood, a rifleman with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, gives instruction during the platoon attack range with the Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando in Thies, Senegal, July 22, 2016. Marines and the COFUMACO conducted a three-week training exercise that included advanced combat firing techniques, a machine gun range and a live-fire platoon attack range. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Eric Abrams /released) - Sgt. Ryan Underwood, a rifleman with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, gives instruction during the platoon attack range with the Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando in Thies, Senegal, July 22, 2016. Marines and the COFUMACO conducted a three-week training exercise that included advanced combat firing techniques, a machine gun range and a live-fire platoon attack range. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Eric Abrams /released)

Sgt. Maj. Paul Costa, left, sergeant major of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, cases the colors alongside Lt. Col. Kemper Jones, right, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines during the transfer of authority ceremony aboard Mihail Kognalniceanu Air Base, Romania, Jan. 22, 2016. The rotational force of Marines and sailors gives U.S. European Command the continuous capability to integrate with NATO and partner nations in Eastern Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Immanuel M. Johnson/Released) - Sgt. Maj. Paul Costa, left, sergeant major of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, cases the colors alongside Lt. Col. Kemper Jones, right, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines during the transfer of authority ceremony aboard Mihail Kognalniceanu Air Base, Romania, Jan. 22, 2016. The rotational force of Marines and sailors gives U.S. European Command the continuous capability to integrate with NATO and partner nations in Eastern Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Immanuel M. Johnson/Released)

U.S. Marine Cpl. Kyle Maurer, machine gunner with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, participates in an alert-force drill at Naval Station Rota, Spain, January 23, 2016. The alert force tested the unit’s capabilities by simulating the procedures of reacting to a time-constrained, crisis-response mission. - U.S. Marine Cpl. Kyle Maurer, machine gunner with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, participates in an alert-force drill at Naval Station Rota, Spain, January 23, 2016. The alert force tested the unit’s capabilities by simulating the procedures of reacting to a time-constrained, crisis-response mission.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Matthew A. Sprankle is congratulated by a Spanish Air Force Officer at Morón Air Base, Spain, Jan. 26, 2016, after receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for saving a Senegalese man from drowning on last August. The award is the highest non-combative decoration for heroism awarded by the U.S. Department of the Navy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kassie L. McDole/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Matthew A. Sprankle is congratulated by a Spanish Air Force Officer at Morón Air Base, Spain, Jan. 26, 2016, after receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for saving a Senegalese man from drowning on last August. The award is the highest non-combative decoration for heroism awarded by the U.S. Department of the Navy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kassie L. McDole/Released)

Marines with the Combined Arms Company, Black Sea Rotational Force and Romanian Forces conduct patrols during Platinum Lion 16-2 at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, Jan. 8, 2016. Exercise Platinum Lion provides combined training with NATO Allies and partners, demonstrating our commitment to promoting a peaceful and stable Europe through theatre security cooperation engagements. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Justin T. Updegraff/ Released) - Marines with the Combined Arms Company, Black Sea Rotational Force and Romanian Forces conduct patrols during Platinum Lion 16-2 at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, Jan. 8, 2016. Exercise Platinum Lion provides combined training with NATO Allies and partners, demonstrating our commitment to promoting a peaceful and stable Europe through theatre security cooperation engagements. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Justin T. Updegraff/ Released)