Stories

Lieutenant General John M. Paxton, Jr., commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe talks to Marines, soldiers and a sailor at a training area during a recent visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, the U.S. Embassy and meetings with Georgian political leaders and Georgian Armed Forces leaders. The Marine Corps works in partnership with the Georgian Armed Forces to ensure regional stability and to strengthen military interoperability. The Georgian Deployment Program, started in 2009, is a Marine Forces Europe initiative to help the Georgian Armed Forces, train, deploy and support the International Security Assitance Force (ISAF) and NATO missions in Overseas Contingency Operations. - Lieutenant General John M. Paxton, Jr., commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe talks to Marines, soldiers and a sailor at a training area during a recent visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, the U.S. Embassy and meetings with Georgian political leaders and Georgian Armed Forces leaders. The Marine Corps works in partnership with the Georgian Armed Forces to ensure regional stability and to strengthen military interoperability. The Georgian Deployment Program, started in 2009, is a Marine Forces Europe initiative to help the Georgian Armed Forces, train, deploy and support the International Security Assitance Force (ISAF) and NATO missions in Overseas Contingency Operations.

Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, the Marine Forces Africa commander and guest of honor for the 2012 Theater Marine Conference professional dinner speaks to more than 100 conference attendees and officers and staff non-commissioned officers of MFE and MFA, in Sindelfingen, Germany, Sept. 19. The 5th Annual TMC brought Marines stationed throughout Europe and Africa to come to MFE and MFA headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 18-20, to conduct annual training, and medical and dental screenings not readily available at their outlying duty stations. Some attendees came as far away as Azerbaijan, Morocco, Kenya, Armenia and the United Kingdom. - Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, the Marine Forces Africa commander and guest of honor for the 2012 Theater Marine Conference professional dinner speaks to more than 100 conference attendees and officers and staff non-commissioned officers of MFE and MFA, in Sindelfingen, Germany, Sept. 19. The 5th Annual TMC brought Marines stationed throughout Europe and Africa to come to MFE and MFA headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 18-20, to conduct annual training, and medical and dental screenings not readily available at their outlying duty stations. Some attendees came as far away as Azerbaijan, Morocco, Kenya, Armenia and the United Kingdom.

Gunnery Sgt. Lee A. Nickel, a reconnaissance Marine with Black Sea Rotational Force 12and Detroit, Mich. native participates in a push up contest with a Romanian child at Tabacarie Park in Constanta, Romania June 2. The Marines and sailors of BSRF 12 participated in a weekend of volunteering in celebration of International Children’s Day. Throughout the weekend Marines volunteered in various events including a static display at a local park, playing with orphaned children and a park clean up. - Gunnery Sgt. Lee A. Nickel, a reconnaissance Marine with Black Sea Rotational Force 12and Detroit, Mich. native participates in a push up contest with a Romanian child at Tabacarie Park in Constanta, Romania June 2. The Marines and sailors of BSRF 12 participated in a weekend of volunteering in celebration of International Children’s Day. Throughout the weekend Marines volunteered in various events including a static display at a local park, playing with orphaned children and a park clean up.

Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 act as range coaches for Macedonian soldiers firing machine guns on Babadag Training Area. Soldiers from Armenia and Macedonia trained on multiple live-fire ranges with U.S. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 12 during the nine-day training.::r::::n:: - Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 act as range coaches for Macedonian soldiers firing machine guns on Babadag Training Area. Soldiers from Armenia and Macedonia trained on multiple live-fire ranges with U.S. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 12 during the nine-day training.::r::::n::

Sgt. Maj. James J. McCook, the incoming sergeant major for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, speaks on his appreciation and welcomed arrival as senior enlisted leader from Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, the outgoing sergeant, in a relief-and-appointment ceremony, May 29. The two commands welcomed their new senior enlisted leader, McCook, as they bid farewell to Green during a relief-and-appointment ceremony at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart.::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Sgt. Maj. James J. McCook, the incoming sergeant major for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, speaks on his appreciation and welcomed arrival as senior enlisted leader from Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, the outgoing sergeant, in a relief-and-appointment ceremony, May 29. The two commands welcomed their new senior enlisted leader, McCook, as they bid farewell to Green during a relief-and-appointment ceremony at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart.::r::::n::::r::::n::

As the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps performs in Aisne-Marne Memorial Cemetery, American Marines, to include the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, and citizens as well as French soldiers and locals, including the mayor of the town of Belleau, Ms. Monique Benier, look on as they celebrate Memorial Day on the sacred ground of Belleau Wood. The ceremony marked the 94th anniversary of the battle and embodied the legacy Belleau Wood has given to the Marine Corps and the brotherhood that unites an American-French friendship that has lasted from before the fields of World War I to the current operations in Afghanistan and was attended by Marines from commands all over Europe and the United States, to include: members of the 5th Marine Regiment, Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, and Marine Forces Europe. - As the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps performs in Aisne-Marne Memorial Cemetery, American Marines, to include the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, and citizens as well as French soldiers and locals, including the mayor of the town of Belleau, Ms. Monique Benier, look on as they celebrate Memorial Day on the sacred ground of Belleau Wood. The ceremony marked the 94th anniversary of the battle and embodied the legacy Belleau Wood has given to the Marine Corps and the brotherhood that unites an American-French friendship that has lasted from before the fields of World War I to the current operations in Afghanistan and was attended by Marines from commands all over Europe and the United States, to include: members of the 5th Marine Regiment, Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, and Marine Forces Europe.

Lance Cpl. Matthew E. Robertson, a powerline technician, Air Combat Element, Black Sea Rotational Force 12, inspects the engine of a KC-130 Hercules aircraft after a flight on Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania May 3. Approximately 50 Marines and two KC-130 Hercules aircraft make up the ACE which is tasked with getting the Marines of BSRF and their training partners to their designated training locations. ::r::::n:: (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul D. Zellner)::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Matthew E. Robertson, a powerline technician, Air Combat Element, Black Sea Rotational Force 12, inspects the engine of a KC-130 Hercules aircraft after a flight on Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania May 3. Approximately 50 Marines and two KC-130 Hercules aircraft make up the ACE which is tasked with getting the Marines of BSRF and their training partners to their designated training locations. ::r::::n:: (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul D. Zellner)::r::::n::

Lance Cpl. Adrian Delafuente, a rifleman with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 takes part in dismounted patrol training with Romanian soldiers in Iasi, Romania May 8. The ten-day event included training led by Marine non-commisioned officers. The Black Sea Rotational Force 12 is a Special-Purpose MAGTF with crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance interoperability, promote regional stability and build camaraderie amongst the forces.::r::::n::(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul D. Zellner II)::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Adrian Delafuente, a rifleman with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 takes part in dismounted patrol training with Romanian soldiers in Iasi, Romania May 8. The ten-day event included training led by Marine non-commisioned officers. The Black Sea Rotational Force 12 is a Special-Purpose MAGTF with crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance interoperability, promote regional stability and build camaraderie amongst the forces.::r::::n::(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul D. Zellner II)::r::::n::

Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa honor the sacrifices of American and French troops by studying the history of the First World War battle for Belleau Wood, France. The class was to educate the Marines on the historical facts that surround Belleau Wood as they prepare to honor this legacy by participating in a Memorial Day ceremony on the historic battlefield later this month with the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., the USMC Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Company from Rota, Spain, and elements of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe scheduled to attend. - Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa honor the sacrifices of American and French troops by studying the history of the First World War battle for Belleau Wood, France. The class was to educate the Marines on the historical facts that surround Belleau Wood as they prepare to honor this legacy by participating in a Memorial Day ceremony on the historic battlefield later this month with the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., the USMC Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Company from Rota, Spain, and elements of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe scheduled to attend.

Using a modified take-down technique derived from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, Marine spouses Karen J. Riles and Jennifer J. Rosen, along with Master Sgt. James A. Hall, intelligence chief with Marine Forces Europe and certified rape-prevention instructor, and Kathy Nelson, Family Readiness Officer of Marine Forces Africa and MARFOREUR, practice their ability to deal with an oncoming attacker during a Rape Prevention and Self Defense class. The class, provided by the MARFOREUR Family Readiness Office, taught techniques from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program that have been modified specifically for females, such as moves effective for height-and-weight differences, but also emphasized the importance of situational awareness, risk prevention and developing an offensive and protective mentality. ::r::::n:: - Using a modified take-down technique derived from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, Marine spouses Karen J. Riles and Jennifer J. Rosen, along with Master Sgt. James A. Hall, intelligence chief with Marine Forces Europe and certified rape-prevention instructor, and Kathy Nelson, Family Readiness Officer of Marine Forces Africa and MARFOREUR, practice their ability to deal with an oncoming attacker during a Rape Prevention and Self Defense class. The class, provided by the MARFOREUR Family Readiness Office, taught techniques from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program that have been modified specifically for females, such as moves effective for height-and-weight differences, but also emphasized the importance of situational awareness, risk prevention and developing an offensive and protective mentality. ::r::::n::

Sgt. Jonathan Davis a reconnaissance Marine with the ground command element, Black Sea Rotational Force 12, paints the face of a young boy from a local orphanage while volunteering in Constanta, Romania, April 22. The Marines and sailors of BSRF 12 worked with Hands Across Romania to entertain and feed 250 children from three local orphanages. - Sgt. Jonathan Davis a reconnaissance Marine with the ground command element, Black Sea Rotational Force 12, paints the face of a young boy from a local orphanage while volunteering in Constanta, Romania, April 22. The Marines and sailors of BSRF 12 worked with Hands Across Romania to entertain and feed 250 children from three local orphanages.

U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Kevin Kelly, an observer controller for the Georgian 23rd Light Infantry Battalion's mission rehearsal exercise, back briefs one of the leaders for Scout Platoon, Delta Co., after one of the firefights with enemy insurgents. Kelly is a ground intelligence officer at 2nd Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is a native of Potomac, Maryland and a graduate of College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. - U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Kevin Kelly, an observer controller for the Georgian 23rd Light Infantry Battalion's mission rehearsal exercise, back briefs one of the leaders for Scout Platoon, Delta Co., after one of the firefights with enemy insurgents. Kelly is a ground intelligence officer at 2nd Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is a native of Potomac, Maryland and a graduate of College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.

Lance Cpl. Charles Morone and Sgt. Spenser McAvoy, Company A, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, search the bushes for possible insurgents on a training mission here July 22 during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Agile Spirit is designed to increase interoperability between the forces by exchanging and enhancing each other’s capacity in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations, including: small unit tactics, convoy operations, and counter-Improvised Explosive Device training. - Lance Cpl. Charles Morone and Sgt. Spenser McAvoy, Company A, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, search the bushes for possible insurgents on a training mission here July 22 during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Agile Spirit is designed to increase interoperability between the forces by exchanging and enhancing each other’s capacity in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations, including: small unit tactics, convoy operations, and counter-Improvised Explosive Device training.

Sgt. Spencer McAvoy, a squad leader with Company A, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, clears a room with Georgian soldiers here July 19 during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Agile Spirit is designed to increase interoperability between the forces by exchanging and enhancing each other’s capacity in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations, including: small unit tactics, convoy operations, and counter-Improvised Explosive Device training.::r::::n:: - Sgt. Spencer McAvoy, a squad leader with Company A, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, clears a room with Georgian soldiers here July 19 during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Agile Spirit is designed to increase interoperability between the forces by exchanging and enhancing each other’s capacity in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations, including: small unit tactics, convoy operations, and counter-Improvised Explosive Device training.::r::::n::

During a naturalization ceremony here, Pamela G. Hutchings, field program director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Vienna, Austria, leads Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anastatia M. Dobbs, as she pledges the Oath of Allegiance and officially becomes a U.S. citizen while deployed to Romania. A Navy corpsman for Black Sea Rotational Force 11 with almost 10 years of service, Dobbs’ naturalization ceremony marks the first time a U.S. servicemember has sworn-in to become an American citizen in Romania. The USCIS made a visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu Land Forces base to conduct the ceremony, and has naturalized a total of more than 53,400 members of the U.S. armed forces since September 2001, with over 7,400 being on foreign soil. ::r::::n:: - During a naturalization ceremony here, Pamela G. Hutchings, field program director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Vienna, Austria, leads Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anastatia M. Dobbs, as she pledges the Oath of Allegiance and officially becomes a U.S. citizen while deployed to Romania. A Navy corpsman for Black Sea Rotational Force 11 with almost 10 years of service, Dobbs’ naturalization ceremony marks the first time a U.S. servicemember has sworn-in to become an American citizen in Romania. The USCIS made a visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu Land Forces base to conduct the ceremony, and has naturalized a total of more than 53,400 members of the U.S. armed forces since September 2001, with over 7,400 being on foreign soil. ::r::::n::

The commanding officer of Black Sea Rotational Force 11, Lt. Col. Nelson S. Cardella, goes down with a big splash after Lance Cpl. Robert K. Devaney, motor transport operator and Neptune, N.J., native, hits his target on his first throw. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force joined along U.S. Army soldiers, Navy sailors and Air Force airmen to celebrate the Fourth of July with food and festivities such as a dunk tank, sports competitions, pie and watermelon-eating contests and a tug-o-war. - The commanding officer of Black Sea Rotational Force 11, Lt. Col. Nelson S. Cardella, goes down with a big splash after Lance Cpl. Robert K. Devaney, motor transport operator and Neptune, N.J., native, hits his target on his first throw. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force joined along U.S. Army soldiers, Navy sailors and Air Force airmen to celebrate the Fourth of July with food and festivities such as a dunk tank, sports competitions, pie and watermelon-eating contests and a tug-o-war.

During a period-of-instruction for convoy operations, Cpl. Nicholas Porter, rifleman and Amarillo, Texas, native, Black Sea Rotational Force 11, advises a Serbian soldier on the responsibilities of a “gunner” while doing Improvised-Explosive Device (IED) awareness training. BSRF-11 will be working with the Serbian and Bulgarian troops in Novo Selo training area in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations to advise and build the military capacities of these nations.::r::::n:: - During a period-of-instruction for convoy operations, Cpl. Nicholas Porter, rifleman and Amarillo, Texas, native, Black Sea Rotational Force 11, advises a Serbian soldier on the responsibilities of a “gunner” while doing Improvised-Explosive Device (IED) awareness training. BSRF-11 will be working with the Serbian and Bulgarian troops in Novo Selo training area in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations to advise and build the military capacities of these nations.::r::::n::

At a combat marksmanship range with U.S. Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 11, a Bulgarian machine gunner from the Bulgarian 38th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Light Infantry Brigade, engages targets at distance of up to 200 meters to showcase the Bulgarian Dragunov’s capabilities in suppressive fire. The Ground Combat Element of BSRF-11 conducted counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations with Bulgarians and Serbians to work with foreign soldiers and build the military capacities of partner nations. - At a combat marksmanship range with U.S. Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 11, a Bulgarian machine gunner from the Bulgarian 38th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Light Infantry Brigade, engages targets at distance of up to 200 meters to showcase the Bulgarian Dragunov’s capabilities in suppressive fire. The Ground Combat Element of BSRF-11 conducted counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations with Bulgarians and Serbians to work with foreign soldiers and build the military capacities of partner nations.

Two F-16s from the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, perform a "Calypso pass," which involves Thunderbird 5, lead solo flown by Maj. Aaron Jelinek and Maj. J.R. Williams flying Thunderbird 6, as the opposing solo, for a large crowd at the “Thunder Over the Black Sea” air show held here, June 8, that was attended by local vendors as well as U.S. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 11, to display Romanian and U.S. military air power. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force-11 participated in a “Thunder Over the Black Sea” air show along with U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, and several Romanian aerial demonstration squadrons on June 8 to display Romanian and U.S. air capabilities to the locals in the area. - Two F-16s from the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, perform a "Calypso pass," which involves Thunderbird 5, lead solo flown by Maj. Aaron Jelinek and Maj. J.R. Williams flying Thunderbird 6, as the opposing solo, for a large crowd at the “Thunder Over the Black Sea” air show held here, June 8, that was attended by local vendors as well as U.S. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 11, to display Romanian and U.S. military air power. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force-11 participated in a “Thunder Over the Black Sea” air show along with U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, and several Romanian aerial demonstration squadrons on June 8 to display Romanian and U.S. air capabilities to the locals in the area.

Republic of Georgia Army 2nd Lt. Besik Kapanadze {CENTER}, 3rd Platoon leader, "B" Company, 32nd Light Infantry Battalion, discusses the situational training exercise (STX) with an observer/controller with the Joint Multinational Readiness Center. The Republic of Georgia's 32nd Light Infantry Battalion was conducting cordon searches during their STX training. The STX is the first part of the mission rehearsal exercise, a final evaluation of the 32nd Battalion as they prepare for their deployment to Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Forces there. - Republic of Georgia Army 2nd Lt. Besik Kapanadze {CENTER}, 3rd Platoon leader, "B" Company, 32nd Light Infantry Battalion, discusses the situational training exercise (STX) with an observer/controller with the Joint Multinational Readiness Center. The Republic of Georgia's 32nd Light Infantry Battalion was conducting cordon searches during their STX training. The STX is the first part of the mission rehearsal exercise, a final evaluation of the 32nd Battalion as they prepare for their deployment to Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Forces there.

U.S. Marines amphibious assault vehicles embarked aboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) depart the well deck during the start of a simulated amphibious assault. The combined U.S., Estonian amphibious landing was part of a demonstration of the interoperability between the two forces as part of exercise Baltic Operations 2010. - U.S. Marines amphibious assault vehicles embarked aboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) depart the well deck during the start of a simulated amphibious assault. The combined U.S., Estonian amphibious landing was part of a demonstration of the interoperability between the two forces as part of exercise Baltic Operations 2010.

Latvian President Valdis Zatlers (left) walks with Maj. Gen. (sel.) Tracy L. Garrett, commanding general of the 4th Marine Logistics Group, prior to a distinguished visitor event at several sites around the exercise Baltic Operations 2010 training areas. Since the start the exercise on June 6th, the Marines and Sailors of 4th Landing Support Battalion and Naval Beach Group 2 have been working with members of the Armed Forces of Latvia to conduct maritime preposition force offload operations here. - Latvian President Valdis Zatlers (left) walks with Maj. Gen. (sel.) Tracy L. Garrett, commanding general of the 4th Marine Logistics Group, prior to a distinguished visitor event at several sites around the exercise Baltic Operations 2010 training areas. Since the start the exercise on June 6th, the Marines and Sailors of 4th Landing Support Battalion and Naval Beach Group 2 have been working with members of the Armed Forces of Latvia to conduct maritime preposition force offload operations here.

U.S. Marines and French soldiers gather on the parade field of the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery during a Memorial Day service in honor of the 93rd anniversary of the Battle for Belleau Wood. This year's ceremony marks the first time in 93 years that the Marines of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments have returned to the battlefield together to honor their fallen comrades. More than 1,800 Marines from the 5th and 6th Regiments lost their lives in the 21-day battle that stopped the last German offensive in 1918. - U.S. Marines and French soldiers gather on the parade field of the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery during a Memorial Day service in honor of the 93rd anniversary of the Battle for Belleau Wood. This year's ceremony marks the first time in 93 years that the Marines of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments have returned to the battlefield together to honor their fallen comrades. More than 1,800 Marines from the 5th and 6th Regiments lost their lives in the 21-day battle that stopped the last German offensive in 1918.