Stories

U.S. Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 observe where rounds impacted targets during a battle sight zero exercise while training with the Israel Defense Force Counter-Terrorism Unit aboard Camp Adam, Israel, July 5, 2013. The purpose of the BZO course of fire is to ensure the respective Marines' rifle is properly sighted for future live fire exercises. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. David Rakes, Sr./released) - U.S. Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 observe where rounds impacted targets during a battle sight zero exercise while training with the Israel Defense Force Counter-Terrorism Unit aboard Camp Adam, Israel, July 5, 2013. The purpose of the BZO course of fire is to ensure the respective Marines' rifle is properly sighted for future live fire exercises. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. David Rakes, Sr./released)

U.S. Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 react to a target while training with the Israel Defense Force’s Counter-Terrorism Unit aboard Camp Adam, Israel, July 5, 2013. The purpose of Noble Shirley 13 is to improve interoperability, understanding and cooperation between the IDF and U.S. Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. David Rakes, Sr./released) - U.S. Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 react to a target while training with the Israel Defense Force’s Counter-Terrorism Unit aboard Camp Adam, Israel, July 5, 2013. The purpose of Noble Shirley 13 is to improve interoperability, understanding and cooperation between the IDF and U.S. Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. David Rakes, Sr./released)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Julian D’Orsaneo (left), communications officer for Black Sea Rotational Force 13, discusses tactical employment of communications assets with his counterpart from Azerbaijan’s Operational Capabilities Concept battalion during a bilateral staff planning session in Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, July 21, 2013. BSRF-13 focuses on stability, counter-insurgency, and peacekeeping operations, in order to build partner-nation capacity, enhance interoperability between countries and increase overall effectiveness of participating military forces. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Julian D’Orsaneo (left), communications officer for Black Sea Rotational Force 13, discusses tactical employment of communications assets with his counterpart from Azerbaijan’s Operational Capabilities Concept battalion during a bilateral staff planning session in Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, July 21, 2013. BSRF-13 focuses on stability, counter-insurgency, and peacekeeping operations, in order to build partner-nation capacity, enhance interoperability between countries and increase overall effectiveness of participating military forces.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob Olson, a radio operator with Black Sea Rotational Force 13, helps a soldier with Azerbaijan’s Operational Capabilities Concept battalion program a handheld radio during a communications platoon information exchange part of Exercise Platinum Lion 13 at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, July 20, 2013. BSRF-13 focuses on stability, counter-insurgency, and peacekeeping operations, in order to build partner-nation capacity, enhance interoperability between countries and increase overall effectiveness of participating military forces. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob Olson, a radio operator with Black Sea Rotational Force 13, helps a soldier with Azerbaijan’s Operational Capabilities Concept battalion program a handheld radio during a communications platoon information exchange part of Exercise Platinum Lion 13 at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, July 20, 2013. BSRF-13 focuses on stability, counter-insurgency, and peacekeeping operations, in order to build partner-nation capacity, enhance interoperability between countries and increase overall effectiveness of participating military forces.

Lance Cpl. Andy Davis, a rifleman with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 and Richmond Hill, Ga., native, reads the non-commissioned officer creed during a Corporals Course graduation, June 23, 2013 in Mihail Kogalniceanu Military Base, Romania. Marines with BSRF-13 who attended Corporals Course learned the basics of being a non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps. Corporals Course is a formal school that is a requirement for all corporals that want to be eligible for the rank of sergeant. - Lance Cpl. Andy Davis, a rifleman with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 and Richmond Hill, Ga., native, reads the non-commissioned officer creed during a Corporals Course graduation, June 23, 2013 in Mihail Kogalniceanu Military Base, Romania. Marines with BSRF-13 who attended Corporals Course learned the basics of being a non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps. Corporals Course is a formal school that is a requirement for all corporals that want to be eligible for the rank of sergeant.

Lt. Col. Steven M. Wolf, left, commander of Black Sea Rotational Force 13, and Bulgarian Army Colonel Iavor Mateev, right, officer-in-charge of Bulgarian forces participating in BSRF-13, speak with Bulgarian, Serbian, Romanian and American company commanders at Novo Selo, Bulgaria, following an opening ceremony July, 1, 2013. The opening ceremony marked the beginning of Platinum Lion 13, BSRF-13’s five week exercise in Bulgaria. The exercise allows the U.S. and Balkan military forces to practice stability, counterinsurgency, and peacekeeping operations in order to build partner nation capacity, enhance interoperability between countries and increase the overall effectiveness of the participating partnered nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Hector Alejandro) - Lt. Col. Steven M. Wolf, left, commander of Black Sea Rotational Force 13, and Bulgarian Army Colonel Iavor Mateev, right, officer-in-charge of Bulgarian forces participating in BSRF-13, speak with Bulgarian, Serbian, Romanian and American company commanders at Novo Selo, Bulgaria, following an opening ceremony July, 1, 2013. The opening ceremony marked the beginning of Platinum Lion 13, BSRF-13’s five week exercise in Bulgaria. The exercise allows the U.S. and Balkan military forces to practice stability, counterinsurgency, and peacekeeping operations in order to build partner nation capacity, enhance interoperability between countries and increase the overall effectiveness of the participating partnered nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Hector Alejandro)

Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 simulate a crisis contingency scenario aboard Mihail Kogaliceanu Military Base, Romania May 3, 2013. BSRF-13 serves as a crisis contingency force for the Black Sea region during its six-month deployment. - Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 simulate a crisis contingency scenario aboard Mihail Kogaliceanu Military Base, Romania May 3, 2013. BSRF-13 serves as a crisis contingency force for the Black Sea region during its six-month deployment.

U.S. Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 conduct live fire during exercie Summer Shield 10 aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 24, 2013. Exercise Summer Shield 10 focuses on integration of fires and maneuver in a joint environment to build partner nation capacity while enhancing our interoperability between the United States, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt David Rakes, Sr./released) - U.S. Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 conduct live fire during exercie Summer Shield 10 aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 24, 2013. Exercise Summer Shield 10 focuses on integration of fires and maneuver in a joint environment to build partner nation capacity while enhancing our interoperability between the United States, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt David Rakes, Sr./released)

Corporal Erick R. Salinas repeats the oath as he executes his naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia. Salinas is an infantryman assigned the Georgia Training Team, currently working at Vaziani Training Area training with Georgian soldiers. Ambassador Richard Norland presided over the naturalization ceremony. - Corporal Erick R. Salinas repeats the oath as he executes his naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia. Salinas is an infantryman assigned the Georgia Training Team, currently working at Vaziani Training Area training with Georgian soldiers. Ambassador Richard Norland presided over the naturalization ceremony.

Marines and Sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 hold an opening ceremony for the start of exercise Summer Shield 10 aboard Camp Adazi, April 15, 2013. Exercise Summer Shield 10 focuses on integration of fires and maneuver in a joint environment to build partner nation capacity while enhancing our interoperability between the United States and Latvia.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Dye/released) - Marines and Sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 hold an opening ceremony for the start of exercise Summer Shield 10 aboard Camp Adazi, April 15, 2013. Exercise Summer Shield 10 focuses on integration of fires and maneuver in a joint environment to build partner nation capacity while enhancing our interoperability between the United States and Latvia.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Dye/released)

U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 and the Republic of Georgia Army's 233rd Infantry Battalion participate in the closing ceremony for exercise Agile Spirit aboard Vaziani Airbase, March 30, 2013. - U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 and the Republic of Georgia Army's 233rd Infantry Battalion participate in the closing ceremony for exercise Agile Spirit aboard Vaziani Airbase, March 30, 2013.

Lt. Col. Steve Wolf (center), Col. Ioan-Duru Apafaian (left) stand with Mihal Kogalniceanu mayor, Mrs. Belu Ancuta (right) during the opening ceremony at Mihal Kogalniceanu, Romania. Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 hold an opening ceremony to welcome BSRF-13 to M.K., Romania, April 10, 2013. BSRF-13 will be based out of M.K. and from there they will travel to 21 diffrent countries to promote regional security and engage our partner military forces. - Lt. Col. Steve Wolf (center), Col. Ioan-Duru Apafaian (left) stand with Mihal Kogalniceanu mayor, Mrs. Belu Ancuta (right) during the opening ceremony at Mihal Kogalniceanu, Romania. Marines and sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 13 hold an opening ceremony to welcome BSRF-13 to M.K., Romania, April 10, 2013. BSRF-13 will be based out of M.K. and from there they will travel to 21 diffrent countries to promote regional security and engage our partner military forces.

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.

Admiral James G. Stavridis, the supreme allied commander for Europe and commander of U.S. European Command shakes hands with Lt. Col. Rick Coates, future/current operations officer for Marine Forces, Europe during his tour of the Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa headquarters building. Stavridis walked the halls of the headquarters, stopping to talk to Marines and civilians. This was his last stop before returning to NATO headquarters in Belgium. - Admiral James G. Stavridis, the supreme allied commander for Europe and commander of U.S. European Command shakes hands with Lt. Col. Rick Coates, future/current operations officer for Marine Forces, Europe during his tour of the Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa headquarters building. Stavridis walked the halls of the headquarters, stopping to talk to Marines and civilians. This was his last stop before returning to NATO headquarters in Belgium.

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.

Marine Capt. Brian Hart, officer-in-charge of the Georgia Liaison Team attached with the Republic of Georgia's 42nd Light Infantry Battalion, Bravo Co., gives a few pointers a to some of the Bravo Co. leaders during an out-of-sector battalion clearance operation outside a training village aboard Joint Multinational Readiness Center Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 14. Captain Hart has been mentoring and advising the Georgian soldiers for more than five months. He is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. The Mission Rehearsal Exercise is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 33rd and 42nd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct security operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise ran from Jan. 22 - Feb 22. - Marine Capt. Brian Hart, officer-in-charge of the Georgia Liaison Team attached with the Republic of Georgia's 42nd Light Infantry Battalion, Bravo Co., gives a few pointers a to some of the Bravo Co. leaders during an out-of-sector battalion clearance operation outside a training village aboard Joint Multinational Readiness Center Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 14. Captain Hart has been mentoring and advising the Georgian soldiers for more than five months. He is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. The Mission Rehearsal Exercise is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 33rd and 42nd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct security operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise ran from Jan. 22 - Feb 22.

Soldiers assigned to Georgian Armed Forces, 33rd Battalion enter a building during the close quarter combat portion of a cordon and search exercise, recently in Hohenfels, Germany. These soldiers are completing their mission readiness exercise as the final event of the latest rotation of the Georgia Deployment Program-International Security Assistance Force hosted and executed by Marine Forces, Europe, Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group and U.S. Army soldiers stationed at the Joint-Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. The GDP-I was started in 2009 to provide security cooperation training to the GAF in preparation for their deployments to Afghanistan where they are responsible for their own area of responsibility and work closely with U.S. Marines in the region. - Soldiers assigned to Georgian Armed Forces, 33rd Battalion enter a building during the close quarter combat portion of a cordon and search exercise, recently in Hohenfels, Germany. These soldiers are completing their mission readiness exercise as the final event of the latest rotation of the Georgia Deployment Program-International Security Assistance Force hosted and executed by Marine Forces, Europe, Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group and U.S. Army soldiers stationed at the Joint-Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. The GDP-I was started in 2009 to provide security cooperation training to the GAF in preparation for their deployments to Afghanistan where they are responsible for their own area of responsibility and work closely with U.S. Marines in the region.

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.

Marines with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, hold back Marine role players that are attacking the mock embassy as an evaluator watches and grades them. Marines and sailors with Easy Company, and the 2013 iteration of the Black Sea Rotational Force conducted their first embassy reinforcement mission rehearsal exercise the week of January 7. - Marines with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, hold back Marine role players that are attacking the mock embassy as an evaluator watches and grades them. Marines and sailors with Easy Company, and the 2013 iteration of the Black Sea Rotational Force conducted their first embassy reinforcement mission rehearsal exercise the week of January 7.

TRONDHEIM, Norway - Staff Sergeant Joseph Conradi, embark specialist, Marine Forces, Europe measures the height of equipment on a pallet, while assembling a shipment of sustainment equipment headed to the Republic of Georgia to support the Georgia Deployment Program. During the course of three days a team of five Marines from Marine Forces, Europe, II Marine Expeditionary Force and two airmen from the 819th Red Horse Squadron assembled 14 pallets of gear, set to be delivered to training areas in the Republic of Georgia. The shipment contained tents, a shower system, tool kits, generators, fuel bladders and host of other items, intended to help the Marines and their Georgian counterparts, to enhance the living conditions in training areas in the Republic of Georgia. - TRONDHEIM, Norway - Staff Sergeant Joseph Conradi, embark specialist, Marine Forces, Europe measures the height of equipment on a pallet, while assembling a shipment of sustainment equipment headed to the Republic of Georgia to support the Georgia Deployment Program. During the course of three days a team of five Marines from Marine Forces, Europe, II Marine Expeditionary Force and two airmen from the 819th Red Horse Squadron assembled 14 pallets of gear, set to be delivered to training areas in the Republic of Georgia. The shipment contained tents, a shower system, tool kits, generators, fuel bladders and host of other items, intended to help the Marines and their Georgian counterparts, to enhance the living conditions in training areas in the Republic of Georgia.