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.

Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Girien Salazar escorts children to an Independence Day celebration hosted by Black Sea Rotational Force 12 on Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania July 4. Special guests of the event included approximately 200 local orphans from six different homes in the Constanta, Romania area. Black Sea Rotational Force 12 is a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force with crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance interoperability and promote regional stability. - Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Girien Salazar escorts children to an Independence Day celebration hosted by Black Sea Rotational Force 12 on Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania July 4. Special guests of the event included approximately 200 local orphans from six different homes in the Constanta, Romania area. Black Sea Rotational Force 12 is a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force with crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance interoperability and promote regional stability.

Sergeant William Kruger an embark specialist assigned to Blount Island Command watches the ramp lower on the USNS Sgt Mate Kocak during an off-load/cross-leveling operation to retrograde equipment into the caves, belonging to the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway. During this operation more than 150 vehicles and 200 shipping containers were transferred on or off the Kocak and staged for transportation to the caves or loaded back onto the ship. The MCPP-N facility is comprised of eight locations totaling more than 900,000 square feet of storage space. Inside the caves is 471,445 sq. ft. of climate controlled storage space, regulated to between 45 to 55 percent humidity and a regulated temperature of between 45 to 50 degrees. This precise regulation allow for tents, vehicle tires and parts and other climate sensitive equipment to be stored safely, and maintain a high level of accessibility to be readily deployable for any contingency that may arise. - Sergeant William Kruger an embark specialist assigned to Blount Island Command watches the ramp lower on the USNS Sgt Mate Kocak during an off-load/cross-leveling operation to retrograde equipment into the caves, belonging to the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway. During this operation more than 150 vehicles and 200 shipping containers were transferred on or off the Kocak and staged for transportation to the caves or loaded back onto the ship. The MCPP-N facility is comprised of eight locations totaling more than 900,000 square feet of storage space. Inside the caves is 471,445 sq. ft. of climate controlled storage space, regulated to between 45 to 55 percent humidity and a regulated temperature of between 45 to 50 degrees. This precise regulation allow for tents, vehicle tires and parts and other climate sensitive equipment to be stored safely, and maintain a high level of accessibility to be readily deployable for any contingency that may arise.

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::

Lt. Col. Merab Kikabidze, director of the Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense, Georgian Armed Forces, addresses the Black Sea Rotational Force and soldiers from the 4th Infantry Brigade, Georgian Land Forces, during the opening ceremony of Operation Agile Spirit. - Lt. Col. Merab Kikabidze, director of the Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense, Georgian Armed Forces, addresses the Black Sea Rotational Force and soldiers from the 4th Infantry Brigade, Georgian Land Forces, during the opening ceremony of Operation Agile Spirit.

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Scott Conway, a Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO planning officer for BALTOPS 12, explains the goals and expectations of the week-long planning conference to more than 120 military planners representing 13 nations at the Gen. Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania, Feb. 27. BALTOPS 12 (Baltic Operations) is a U.S.-led maritime and land-based exercise conducted throughout the Baltic Sea region that focuses on increasing interoperability of the participating nations. BALTOPS 12 is in the spirit of Partnership for Peace and several NATO assets are expected to participate. - U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Scott Conway, a Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO planning officer for BALTOPS 12, explains the goals and expectations of the week-long planning conference to more than 120 military planners representing 13 nations at the Gen. Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania, Feb. 27. BALTOPS 12 (Baltic Operations) is a U.S.-led maritime and land-based exercise conducted throughout the Baltic Sea region that focuses on increasing interoperability of the participating nations. BALTOPS 12 is in the spirit of Partnership for Peace and several NATO assets are expected to participate.

Two Georgian soldiers from Scout Platoon, Delta Co., 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after the platoon engaged in a firefight with enemy insurgents while on a reconnaissance mission for a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 17. The MRE is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 23rd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise runs Feb. 1 - 24. - Two Georgian soldiers from Scout Platoon, Delta Co., 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after the platoon engaged in a firefight with enemy insurgents while on a reconnaissance mission for a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 17. The MRE is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 23rd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise runs Feb. 1 - 24.

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.

Two Georgian soldiers from the 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after a car bomb detonates at the gates of the unit's Forward Operating Base (FOB) at a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 16. - Two Georgian soldiers from the 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after a car bomb detonates at the gates of the unit's Forward Operating Base (FOB) at a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 16.

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.

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.

Landing support Marines from Charlie Company, 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, head to the beach to set up signal flags to mark the landing area here. The maritime preposition force (MPF) offload conducted here today begins the first phase of the MPF portion of exercise BALTIC OPERATIONS 2010, a multinational maritime exercise designed to increase interoperability between the 12 participating nations and increase maritime safety and security. - Landing support Marines from Charlie Company, 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, head to the beach to set up signal flags to mark the landing area here. The maritime preposition force (MPF) offload conducted here today begins the first phase of the MPF portion of exercise BALTIC OPERATIONS 2010, a multinational maritime exercise designed to increase interoperability between the 12 participating nations and increase maritime safety and security.

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.