Stories

Sgt. Raheem Boyd, a heavy equipment operator with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa received an American Hero Award aboard Morón Air Base, Spain, Dec. 23, 2015. Boyd, a Birmingham, Alabama native, was recognized for his courageous actions saving another Marine’s life, May, 2015 aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy/Released) - Sgt. Raheem Boyd, a heavy equipment operator with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa received an American Hero Award aboard Morón Air Base, Spain, Dec. 23, 2015. Boyd, a Birmingham, Alabama native, was recognized for his courageous actions saving another Marine’s life, May, 2015 aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy/Released)

Nearly 100 Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa established an evacuation control center for an exercise in Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. The exercise prepared the crisis response unit for a military assisted departure mission. The passenger terminal used hosted a real ECC 19 months ago when SPMAGTF-CR-AF, assisted in the evacuation of U.S. personnel from the U.S. embassy in Tripoli, Libya. U.S. citizens and embassy personnel traveled by ground convoy to neighboring Tunisia, before being flown to NAS Sigonella, where they were processed through the ECC before moving on to other locations. - Nearly 100 Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa established an evacuation control center for an exercise in Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. The exercise prepared the crisis response unit for a military assisted departure mission. The passenger terminal used hosted a real ECC 19 months ago when SPMAGTF-CR-AF, assisted in the evacuation of U.S. personnel from the U.S. embassy in Tripoli, Libya. U.S. citizens and embassy personnel traveled by ground convoy to neighboring Tunisia, before being flown to NAS Sigonella, where they were processed through the ECC before moving on to other locations.

U.S. Marine M1A1 Abrams tanks and Bulgarian T-72 tanks conduct maneuver training 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) - U.S. Marine M1A1 Abrams tanks and Bulgarian T-72 tanks conduct maneuver training 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)

Three Eurofighter Typhoons with the Spanish Air Force escort a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules during an aerial refueling mission, Aug. 13, in Spain. Bilateral exercises such as this one are how Spain and the U.S. foster one of the closest defense partnerships around the world. - Three Eurofighter Typhoons with the Spanish Air Force escort a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules during an aerial refueling mission, Aug. 13, in Spain. Bilateral exercises such as this one are how Spain and the U.S. foster one of the closest defense partnerships around the world.

U.S. service members recently completed the second module of Tactical Intelligence Support to Maritime Operations course for the Ghanaian Navy and Maritime Police Force, Dec. 7-18, at Ghana’s Eastern Naval Command Headquarters here. This course has already paid dividends, according to Foster Kotoku, the Ghanaian Maritime Police Force assistant superintendent. During the two-week course, students from the Ghanaian Maritime Police Force seized an undisclosed amount of illicit drugs from a smuggler on a ferry. With follow-on questioning, the police forces were led to a higher connection in the drug trade. - U.S. service members recently completed the second module of Tactical Intelligence Support to Maritime Operations course for the Ghanaian Navy and Maritime Police Force, Dec. 7-18, at Ghana’s Eastern Naval Command Headquarters here. This course has already paid dividends, according to Foster Kotoku, the Ghanaian Maritime Police Force assistant superintendent. During the two-week course, students from the Ghanaian Maritime Police Force seized an undisclosed amount of illicit drugs from a smuggler on a ferry. With follow-on questioning, the police forces were led to a higher connection in the drug trade.

U.S. Marine noncommissioned officers of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa visited the historic Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, France, Dec. 11-13, a pivotal site featuring the remnants of the amphibious Allied landings during World War II, also known as D-Day. The Marine NCOs are the backbone of service component operations for U.S. European Command that supports numerous NATO-led operations and exercises in Europe that enables the Alliance to continue their proven, enduring partnerships. - U.S. Marine noncommissioned officers of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa visited the historic Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, France, Dec. 11-13, a pivotal site featuring the remnants of the amphibious Allied landings during World War II, also known as D-Day. The Marine NCOs are the backbone of service component operations for U.S. European Command that supports numerous NATO-led operations and exercises in Europe that enables the Alliance to continue their proven, enduring partnerships.

U.S. Marines with Combined Arms Company, Black Sea Rotational Force, conduct field training with Romanian and Moldovan armed forces during Platinum Lynx 16-2 at Smardan Training Area, Romania, Dec. 9, 2015. Exercise Platinum Lynx 16-2 is a NATO-led multinational exercise designed to strengthen combat readiness, increase improve collective capabilities, and maintain proven relationships with allied and partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Melanye E. Martinez/Released) - U.S. Marines with Combined Arms Company, Black Sea Rotational Force, conduct field training with Romanian and Moldovan armed forces during Platinum Lynx 16-2 at Smardan Training Area, Romania, Dec. 9, 2015. Exercise Platinum Lynx 16-2 is a NATO-led multinational exercise designed to strengthen combat readiness, increase improve collective capabilities, and maintain proven relationships with allied and partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Melanye E. Martinez/Released)

An MV-22B Osprey with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa lands aboard Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, Dec. 7, 2015. The Marines participated in a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel training exercise, recovering a simulated downed French pilot and flying him to safety. - An MV-22B Osprey with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa lands aboard Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, Dec. 7, 2015. The Marines participated in a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel training exercise, recovering a simulated downed French pilot and flying him to safety.

Marines introduced the concept of Company Level Intelligence Cells (CLIC) to Land Forces brigade officers and noncommissioned officers of the Baltic allies in Lithuania from Nov. 24- Dec. 3, 2015. The training was conducted as part of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa’s focused implementation plan for military intelligence engagements. In both Baltic nations, small military intelligence corps can benefit from increasing their tactical information-gathering capabilities using concepts like CLIC. - Marines introduced the concept of Company Level Intelligence Cells (CLIC) to Land Forces brigade officers and noncommissioned officers of the Baltic allies in Lithuania from Nov. 24- Dec. 3, 2015. The training was conducted as part of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa’s focused implementation plan for military intelligence engagements. In both Baltic nations, small military intelligence corps can benefit from increasing their tactical information-gathering capabilities using concepts like CLIC.

Lt. Col. Reginald McClam, oncoming commanding officer of Black Sea Rotational Force, gives his remarks during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, July 6, 2015. During the ceremony, 3rd Bn., 8th Marines assumed authority of the Black Sea Rotational Force, a biannual rotation of Marines and Sailors that acts as a Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force through conducting military-to-military engagements and enabling the continuation of regional stability, increasing interoperability, and building and maintaining relationships with allied and partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl. Melanye E. Martinez/Released) - Lt. Col. Reginald McClam, oncoming commanding officer of Black Sea Rotational Force, gives his remarks during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, July 6, 2015. During the ceremony, 3rd Bn., 8th Marines assumed authority of the Black Sea Rotational Force, a biannual rotation of Marines and Sailors that acts as a Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force through conducting military-to-military engagements and enabling the continuation of regional stability, increasing interoperability, and building and maintaining relationships with allied and partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl. Melanye E. Martinez/Released)

Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa extract a simulated downed pilot during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise aboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, August 3. The training allowed Marines to test their ability to rapidly launch and recover a simulated downed pilot. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy/Released) - Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa extract a simulated downed pilot during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise aboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, August 3. The training allowed Marines to test their ability to rapidly launch and recover a simulated downed pilot. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy/Released)

Fabio Venezia, mayor of Troina, Sicily, Italy, pays his respects during a wreath-laying ceremony for the Battle of Troina in World War II in Troina, August 2, 2015. The mayor asked the people of Troina and the American service members to remember the values so many fought and died for: freedom and democracy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released) - Fabio Venezia, mayor of Troina, Sicily, Italy, pays his respects during a wreath-laying ceremony for the Battle of Troina in World War II in Troina, August 2, 2015. The mayor asked the people of Troina and the American service members to remember the values so many fought and died for: freedom and democracy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

Combat Logistics Battalion 6 replaced Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 as Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa Detachment A during a transfer of authority ceremony, July 30, aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. The battalion will be responsible for executing theater security cooperation missions across the African continent. The Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen of SPMAGTF-CR-AF will work with partner nations to develop stronger relationships and increase stability across the continent by increasing the capabilities of the host nation militaries. The training will encompass everything from teaching host nation militaries infantry tactics and small-boat operations to convoy operations and vertical engineering. - Combat Logistics Battalion 6 replaced Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 as Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa Detachment A during a transfer of authority ceremony, July 30, aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. The battalion will be responsible for executing theater security cooperation missions across the African continent. The Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen of SPMAGTF-CR-AF will work with partner nations to develop stronger relationships and increase stability across the continent by increasing the capabilities of the host nation militaries. The training will encompass everything from teaching host nation militaries infantry tactics and small-boat operations to convoy operations and vertical engineering.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Lloyd, with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Black Sea Rotational Force, kicks off the noncommissioned officer development seminar at Vaziani Training Area, July 24. Following the two-week Exercise Agile Spirit, 27 Georgian soldiers and 13 U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force participated in the military-to-military engagement. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Sarah E. Burns) - U.S. Marine Sgt. Lloyd, with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Black Sea Rotational Force, kicks off the noncommissioned officer development seminar at Vaziani Training Area, July 24. Following the two-week Exercise Agile Spirit, 27 Georgian soldiers and 13 U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force participated in the military-to-military engagement. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Sarah E. Burns)

U.S. Marines with 10th Marine Regiment and the Black Sea Rotational Force stand alongside Romanian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Georgian and Bulgarian soldiers during the Exercise Agile Spirit closing ceremony July 22, 2015, at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia. Exercise Agile Spirit 15 involved a NATO Response Force level combined operation that incorporated a wide range of planning and execution challenges during a command post exercise and a field training exercise. - U.S. Marines with 10th Marine Regiment and the Black Sea Rotational Force stand alongside Romanian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Georgian and Bulgarian soldiers during the Exercise Agile Spirit closing ceremony July 22, 2015, at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia. Exercise Agile Spirit 15 involved a NATO Response Force level combined operation that incorporated a wide range of planning and execution challenges during a command post exercise and a field training exercise.

Bulgarian Army Capt. Penio Todoranov, company commander with the 61st Mechanized Brigade, speaks during the closing ceremony of Platinum Lion 15-3. Marines and Sailors with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Black Sea Rotational Force spent two weeks alongside soldiers from Bulgaria, Albania, United Kingdom and Romania during the multi-national NATO training exercise at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. - Bulgarian Army Capt. Penio Todoranov, company commander with the 61st Mechanized Brigade, speaks during the closing ceremony of Platinum Lion 15-3. Marines and Sailors with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Black Sea Rotational Force spent two weeks alongside soldiers from Bulgaria, Albania, United Kingdom and Romania during the multi-national NATO training exercise at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Drew provides over watch of a cordon and search operation during the final exercise of Platinum Lion 15-3. The two-week training exercise is designed to strengthen the partnership between NATO nations and share knowledge to improve military skill sets. The culminating final event consisted of cordon and search operations, intelligence gathering and live-fire maneuver training. Drew is a squad leader with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Black Sea Rotational Force. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Drew provides over watch of a cordon and search operation during the final exercise of Platinum Lion 15-3. The two-week training exercise is designed to strengthen the partnership between NATO nations and share knowledge to improve military skill sets. The culminating final event consisted of cordon and search operations, intelligence gathering and live-fire maneuver training. Drew is a squad leader with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Black Sea Rotational Force.

Marine Cpl. Trevor Thompson, right, an infantryman with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, observes as a member of the Seneglaese Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos moves towards a simulated casualty during a basic skills competition in St. Louis, Senegal, July 2, 2015. More than 15 U.S. Marines and Sailors with the unit held a weapons and combat medical skills competition for more than 30 members of the Fusilier Marins in an effort to build and sustain infantry fundamentals. - Marine Cpl. Trevor Thompson, right, an infantryman with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, observes as a member of the Seneglaese Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos moves towards a simulated casualty during a basic skills competition in St. Louis, Senegal, July 2, 2015. More than 15 U.S. Marines and Sailors with the unit held a weapons and combat medical skills competition for more than 30 members of the Fusilier Marins in an effort to build and sustain infantry fundamentals.

Two Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos search for an enemy position during a final exercise in St. Louis, Senegal, July 8, 2015. The exercise concluded a nearly six-week training evolution between U.S. Marines, sailors and coast guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa and the Senegalese. The training focused on small-boat operations and infantry skills taught to more than 30 members of the Fusilier Marins. - Two Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos search for an enemy position during a final exercise in St. Louis, Senegal, July 8, 2015. The exercise concluded a nearly six-week training evolution between U.S. Marines, sailors and coast guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa and the Senegalese. The training focused on small-boat operations and infantry skills taught to more than 30 members of the Fusilier Marins.

A U.S. Marine with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa emplaces a machine gun on the roof of a notional American Embassy during a training exercise in the urban training facility in Baumholder, Germany, July 6, 2015. More than 78 Marines and sailors conducted the full-mission rehearsal, which demonstrated the unit’s ability to rapidly deploy and conduct embassy reinforcement. - A U.S. Marine with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa emplaces a machine gun on the roof of a notional American Embassy during a training exercise in the urban training facility in Baumholder, Germany, July 6, 2015. More than 78 Marines and sailors conducted the full-mission rehearsal, which demonstrated the unit’s ability to rapidly deploy and conduct embassy reinforcement.

U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, observe a relay of Ghanaian Soldiers completing marksmanship training near Accra, Ghana, June 30, 2015. The Marines and Sailors of SPMAGTF-CR-AF partnered with the Ghana Army for a month-long exercise focused on infantry skills while strengthening the relationship and interoperability between the two forces. - U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, observe a relay of Ghanaian Soldiers completing marksmanship training near Accra, Ghana, June 30, 2015. The Marines and Sailors of SPMAGTF-CR-AF partnered with the Ghana Army for a month-long exercise focused on infantry skills while strengthening the relationship and interoperability between the two forces.

A U.S. Marine with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa shoots out the back of an MV-22B Osprey at a range outside Accra, Ghana, April 13, 2015. The aircrew completed the range to maintain their weapon proficiency while flying. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul Peterson/Released) - A U.S. Marine with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa shoots out the back of an MV-22B Osprey at a range outside Accra, Ghana, April 13, 2015. The aircrew completed the range to maintain their weapon proficiency while flying. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul Peterson/Released)

Two Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos search for an enemy position during a final exercise in St. Louis, Senegal, July 8, 2015. The exercise concluded a nearly six-week training evolution between U.S. Marines, sailors and coast guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa and the Senegalese. The training focused on small-boat operations and infantry skills taught to more than 30 members of the Fusilier Marins. - Two Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos search for an enemy position during a final exercise in St. Louis, Senegal, July 8, 2015. The exercise concluded a nearly six-week training evolution between U.S. Marines, sailors and coast guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa and the Senegalese. The training focused on small-boat operations and infantry skills taught to more than 30 members of the Fusilier Marins.

Forces stand in formation for the opening ceremony of Agile Spirit 15, a multilateral exercise at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia, July 8, 2015. This fifth iteration of the Agile Spirit exercise was established to exercise interoperability with capacity to conduct planning and execution in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Response Force operations with U.S., Georgian Armed, Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, and Lithuania forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rebecca L. Floto, 2nd Marine Division, Combat Camera/ Released) - Forces stand in formation for the opening ceremony of Agile Spirit 15, a multilateral exercise at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia, July 8, 2015. This fifth iteration of the Agile Spirit exercise was established to exercise interoperability with capacity to conduct planning and execution in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Response Force operations with U.S., Georgian Armed, Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, and Lithuania forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rebecca L. Floto, 2nd Marine Division, Combat Camera/ Released)

Albanian soldiers hold their nation's colors during the opening ceremony of Platinum Lion 15-3, June 6, 2015. The two-week training exercise is designed to strengthen the partnerships between the NATO nations and share knowledge to help improve their military skill sets. - Albanian soldiers hold their nation's colors during the opening ceremony of Platinum Lion 15-3, June 6, 2015. The two-week training exercise is designed to strengthen the partnerships between the NATO nations and share knowledge to help improve their military skill sets.