Stories

Along a coastal mountain road, a light-armored reconnaissance vehicle, the LAV-25, patrols through a small Norwegian village during Cold Response 14. Cold Response 14 brought together nearly 16,000 troops from 16 countries to train high-intensity operations in the unique climate above the Arctic Circle and strengthen the alliance of partners and their commitment to global security in every clime and place. - Along a coastal mountain road, a light-armored reconnaissance vehicle, the LAV-25, patrols through a small Norwegian village during Cold Response 14. Cold Response 14 brought together nearly 16,000 troops from 16 countries to train high-intensity operations in the unique climate above the Arctic Circle and strengthen the alliance of partners and their commitment to global security in every clime and place.

Marines and Sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response (SP-MAGTF Crisis Response) carry a simulated downed pilot toward an MV-22B Osprey during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel training exercise as part of Theater Marine Integration Training (TMIT) at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Nov. 19, 2013. TMIT was a multi-unit exercise intended to bring together diverse Marine Corps assets to accomplish a unified goal. The units included Black Sea Rotational Force 14, SPMAGTF Crisis Response, Fleet Antiterrorism Support Team, and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa. - Marines and Sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response (SP-MAGTF Crisis Response) carry a simulated downed pilot toward an MV-22B Osprey during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel training exercise as part of Theater Marine Integration Training (TMIT) at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Nov. 19, 2013. TMIT was a multi-unit exercise intended to bring together diverse Marine Corps assets to accomplish a unified goal. The units included Black Sea Rotational Force 14, SPMAGTF Crisis Response, Fleet Antiterrorism Support Team, and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa.

Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy Donaldson, advanced course faculty advisor at the Camp Lejeune staff non-commissioned officer academy and Bangor, New York native, was selected as the Marine instructor to help develop the curriculum and instruction at the Republic of Georgia Senior NCO academy in Tbilisi. Donaldson focused on the Georgian capstone military course for non-commissioned officers which lasts a total of 16 weeks. - Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy Donaldson, advanced course faculty advisor at the Camp Lejeune staff non-commissioned officer academy and Bangor, New York native, was selected as the Marine instructor to help develop the curriculum and instruction at the Republic of Georgia Senior NCO academy in Tbilisi. Donaldson focused on the Georgian capstone military course for non-commissioned officers which lasts a total of 16 weeks.

Lieutenant General Richard Tryon, commander, U.S. Marine Forces, Europe presents Georgian LtCol Terashvili and LtCol Argvliani with awards for their actions during a recent deployment to Afghanistan Sept 19, 2013. The award presentations were incorporated into a departure ceremony for the 10th and 11th rotations of Georgian battalions as they prepare to deploy to the Helmand Province. The LtCol’s trained with U.S. Marines prior to their successful deployment under the Georgian Deployment Program – ISAF commonly referred to as GDP-I. - Lieutenant General Richard Tryon, commander, U.S. Marine Forces, Europe presents Georgian LtCol Terashvili and LtCol Argvliani with awards for their actions during a recent deployment to Afghanistan Sept 19, 2013. The award presentations were incorporated into a departure ceremony for the 10th and 11th rotations of Georgian battalions as they prepare to deploy to the Helmand Province. The LtCol’s trained with U.S. Marines prior to their successful deployment under the Georgian Deployment Program – ISAF commonly referred to as GDP-I.

Marine aviation instructors from Marine Air Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, Yuma, Ariz., introduced Forward Air Controller (Airborne) and Close Air Support concepts, tactics, and procedures for evaluation into the Swedish Air Force’s aviation training with SwAF pilots from the 21st UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Wing and the JAS-39 Gripen Operations, Tactics and Evaluations division, August 5-23 at Malmen Military Base, Linköping, Sweden. - Marine aviation instructors from Marine Air Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, Yuma, Ariz., introduced Forward Air Controller (Airborne) and Close Air Support concepts, tactics, and procedures for evaluation into the Swedish Air Force’s aviation training with SwAF pilots from the 21st UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Wing and the JAS-39 Gripen Operations, Tactics and Evaluations division, August 5-23 at Malmen Military Base, Linköping, Sweden.

Giving full, 360-degree situational awareness to his pilots, Swedish Sgt. David Fredrikson, a UH-60 Black Hawk mission specialist with Swedish Air Force 21st UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Wing, relays the location of the lead aircraft after a final capabilities exercise during a Forward Air Controller (Airborne) military engagement between U.S. Marines and the Swedish Air Force. Marine aviation instructors from Marine Air Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, Yuma, Ariz., introduced Forward Air Controller (Airborne) and Close Air Support concepts, tactics, and procedures for evaluation into the Swedish Air Force’s aviation training with SwAF pilots from the 21st UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Wing and the JAS-39 Gripen Operations, Tactics and Evaluations division, August 5-23 at Malmen Military Base, Linköping, Sweden. - Giving full, 360-degree situational awareness to his pilots, Swedish Sgt. David Fredrikson, a UH-60 Black Hawk mission specialist with Swedish Air Force 21st UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Wing, relays the location of the lead aircraft after a final capabilities exercise during a Forward Air Controller (Airborne) military engagement between U.S. Marines and the Swedish Air Force. Marine aviation instructors from Marine Air Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, Yuma, Ariz., introduced Forward Air Controller (Airborne) and Close Air Support concepts, tactics, and procedures for evaluation into the Swedish Air Force’s aviation training with SwAF pilots from the 21st UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Wing and the JAS-39 Gripen Operations, Tactics and Evaluations division, August 5-23 at Malmen Military Base, Linköping, Sweden.

The Memorial Day ceremony at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery as seen from the woods of Belleau, the historic battlegrounds of The Battle of Belleau Wood, May 26. To celebrate Memorial Day, and to mark the 95th anniversary of the historic Battle of Belleau Wood, U.S. Marines with their French counterparts gathered at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery to commemorate their fallen heroes, May 26. The event was held in the memorial cemetery that lies outside of the historic grounds of Belleau Wood and featured the laying of wreathes, a firing of volleys, the playing of TAPS, raising of the American and French national colors, and a concert by the French military band. The mayor of the village of Bellau along with other military officers and officials representing the U.S. and France were present. Participating units from the U.S. Marines included 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Security Guard Detachment, the Wounded Warrior Regiment and Marine Forces Europe and Africa. French units that participated in the ceremony included the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment and the Musique Principale des Troupes de Marines. - The Memorial Day ceremony at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery as seen from the woods of Belleau, the historic battlegrounds of The Battle of Belleau Wood, May 26. To celebrate Memorial Day, and to mark the 95th anniversary of the historic Battle of Belleau Wood, U.S. Marines with their French counterparts gathered at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery to commemorate their fallen heroes, May 26. The event was held in the memorial cemetery that lies outside of the historic grounds of Belleau Wood and featured the laying of wreathes, a firing of volleys, the playing of TAPS, raising of the American and French national colors, and a concert by the French military band. The mayor of the village of Bellau along with other military officers and officials representing the U.S. and France were present. Participating units from the U.S. Marines included 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Security Guard Detachment, the Wounded Warrior Regiment and Marine Forces Europe and Africa. French units that participated in the ceremony included the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment and the Musique Principale des Troupes de Marines.

An MV-22B Osprey from Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C., lands on Kelley Field during a capabilities demonstration at Kelly Barracks, March 28. U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa, in coordination with U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, the community of U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany, received “hands-on” experience with the MV-22B Osprey during a capabilities exercise on Patch Barracks, Kelly Barracks, and Stuttgart Army Airfield, that helped to familiarize the combatant commands with the possibilities and new abilities the aircraft could provide throughout their respective area of reach. The three MV-22 Osprey crews flew 1400 nautical miles from the Atlantic Ocean, without having to land to refuel, before arriving two days earlier. The MV-22 Osprey possess twice the speed, can fly twice as high, carry three times the payload, and travels five times the distance of other legacy, medium-lift helicopters. - An MV-22B Osprey from Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C., lands on Kelley Field during a capabilities demonstration at Kelly Barracks, March 28. U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa, in coordination with U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, the community of U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany, received “hands-on” experience with the MV-22B Osprey during a capabilities exercise on Patch Barracks, Kelly Barracks, and Stuttgart Army Airfield, that helped to familiarize the combatant commands with the possibilities and new abilities the aircraft could provide throughout their respective area of reach. The three MV-22 Osprey crews flew 1400 nautical miles from the Atlantic Ocean, without having to land to refuel, before arriving two days earlier. The MV-22 Osprey possess twice the speed, can fly twice as high, carry three times the payload, and travels five times the distance of other legacy, medium-lift helicopters.

U.S. Marines and sailors stand at attention next to the Republic of Georgia's 4th Infantry Brigade for the opening ceremony of the Exercise Agile Spirit 13 joint training event. - U.S. Marines and sailors stand at attention next to the Republic of Georgia's 4th Infantry Brigade for the opening ceremony of the Exercise Agile Spirit 13 joint training event.

Republic of Georgia Col. Lasha Beridze, Deputy Chief of Defense, Georgian Armed Forces, awards retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. James Wells, communications chief, Georgia Liaison Team, with Republic of Georgia’s Peacekeeping Operations Medal, during an award ceremony aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 28. The Republic of Georgia’s Peacekeeping Operations Medal is presented in recognition of a servicemember’s significant contributions to Georgian Armed Forces peacekeeping and combat operations. - Republic of Georgia Col. Lasha Beridze, Deputy Chief of Defense, Georgian Armed Forces, awards retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. James Wells, communications chief, Georgia Liaison Team, with Republic of Georgia’s Peacekeeping Operations Medal, during an award ceremony aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 28. The Republic of Georgia’s Peacekeeping Operations Medal is presented in recognition of a servicemember’s significant contributions to Georgian Armed Forces peacekeeping and combat operations.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Sanders, a hospital corpsman with the Black Sea Rotational Force13 and an Elizabeth City, N.C., native, helps a role player, who has a mock injury, onto a stretcher going to the medical aid station. Marines and sailors with the 2013 iteration of BSRF conducted their first noncombatant evacuation mission rehearsal exercise the week of January 7. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Sanders, a hospital corpsman with the Black Sea Rotational Force13 and an Elizabeth City, N.C., native, helps a role player, who has a mock injury, onto a stretcher going to the medical aid station. Marines and sailors with the 2013 iteration of BSRF conducted their first noncombatant evacuation mission rehearsal exercise the week of January 7.

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.

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.

The Marines and sailors of Black Sea Rotational Force 12, pictured here, rescued a Romanian family of four including an infant from a car crash that left the road during inclement weather. The servicemembers were returning from a marathon in Transylvania when they came upon the accident that left the family trapped down a steep embankment. ::r::::n::Group picture:::r::::n::Back row; (Petty Officer Third Class Girien Salazar), (Captain James Flood), (Sgt. Maj. Gary Jacobs), (Master Sgt. Todd Gunter), (Lieutenant Paul Evans), (Lieutenant Derek Owens), (First Sgt. Brian Porter).::r::::n::Front row; (Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Morgan), (Commander Jonathan Kuehne), (Chief Petty Officer Kathy Canady), (Staff Sgt. Darla Richardson), (Staff Sgt. Enid Browne), (Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adrian Weaver), (Gunnery Sgt. Juan Delacruz).::r::::n:: - The Marines and sailors of Black Sea Rotational Force 12, pictured here, rescued a Romanian family of four including an infant from a car crash that left the road during inclement weather. The servicemembers were returning from a marathon in Transylvania when they came upon the accident that left the family trapped down a steep embankment. ::r::::n::Group picture:::r::::n::Back row; (Petty Officer Third Class Girien Salazar), (Captain James Flood), (Sgt. Maj. Gary Jacobs), (Master Sgt. Todd Gunter), (Lieutenant Paul Evans), (Lieutenant Derek Owens), (First Sgt. Brian Porter).::r::::n::Front row; (Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Morgan), (Commander Jonathan Kuehne), (Chief Petty Officer Kathy Canady), (Staff Sgt. Darla Richardson), (Staff Sgt. Enid Browne), (Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adrian Weaver), (Gunnery Sgt. Juan Delacruz).::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.

The 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps General James F. Amos lays a commemorative coin in front of the Iron Mike monument atop a hill in the heart of the Belleau Wood forest during a private Memorial Day ceremony in front of a formation of Marines and French soldiers. The coin is from the Marines of Task Force Belleau Wood, assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Regional Command (Southwest) in Afghanistan. The coin was given to the Commandant during his visit to Afghanistan, May 11-15, 2011. - The 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps General James F. Amos lays a commemorative coin in front of the Iron Mike monument atop a hill in the heart of the Belleau Wood forest during a private Memorial Day ceremony in front of a formation of Marines and French soldiers. The coin is from the Marines of Task Force Belleau Wood, assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Regional Command (Southwest) in Afghanistan. The coin was given to the Commandant during his visit to Afghanistan, May 11-15, 2011.

Georgian soldiers assigned to the 33rd Light Infantry Battalion orient their maps and check their gear prior to stepping off on a training patrol at the Joint Multinational Training Center, here. The soldiers are participating in the Georgia Deployment Program- Mission Readiness Exercise, where a majority of the Marines serving as observer/controllers were from 3rd Bn, 7th Marine Regiment, mentoring the 33rd LIB before they head to Afghanistan this spring. - Georgian soldiers assigned to the 33rd Light Infantry Battalion orient their maps and check their gear prior to stepping off on a training patrol at the Joint Multinational Training Center, here. The soldiers are participating in the Georgia Deployment Program- Mission Readiness Exercise, where a majority of the Marines serving as observer/controllers were from 3rd Bn, 7th Marine Regiment, mentoring the 33rd LIB before they head to Afghanistan this spring.

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.