NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY NAPLES, Italy -- 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2D MEB), filling the role of Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), welcomed its senior command leadership team as Brig. Gen. Andrew T. Priddy and Sgt. Maj. Joseph Mendez returned to Naples, Italy, July 18th, 2023.
Brig. Gen. Priddy is supported in his role as Task Force Commander by his newly appointed senior enlisted leader, Sgt. Maj. Mendez. Mendez’s selection to serve as senior enlisted leader marks the first time Task Force 61/2 has a sergeant major forward-deployed to assist and advise the task force commander.
“It is vital to have a dedicated senior enlisted leader to ensure we are all operating at our best, and we are very fortunate to have Sgt. Maj. Mendez on our team,” said Brig. Gen. Priddy. “As a command team we look to further develop the Marines and Sailors while also pushing them to operate at the highest level in an ever-changing environment.”
The role of senior enlisted leader is to provide counsel to the commander regarding the welfare and readiness of the Marines in the command. The reach and scope of Task Force 61/2 requires a dedicated senior enlisted leader to maintain the readiness of the task force, look after the welfare of the Marines and support the commander in a dynamic environment.
“It is a privilege to serve alongside Brig. Gen. Priddy as the senior enlisted leader to Task Force 61/2 and 2D MEB,” said Sgt. Maj. Mendez. “I am grateful to be part of the command team and I look forward to developing the Marines in the task force and supporting the unit as the operational tempo continues to increase.”
Mendez brings a wealth of experience to the command. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mendez enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1997. He has enjoyed a prosperous career and served as the senior enlisted leader of four separate commands. Most recently, he served as the regimental senior enlisted leader for Combat Logistics Regiment 2.
Priddy serves as the Commanding General, 2D MEB, Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander, Task Force 61/2, the forward-deployed element of 2D MEB in support of U.S. Sixth Fleet. Task Force 61/2 was established to command and control Fleet Marine Forces and assigned Naval Forces in support of the commander of U.S. Sixth Fleet. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.
As a command team, Brig. Gen. Priddy and Sgt. Maj. Mendez are responsible for ensuring Task Force 61/2 remains a capable headquarters ready to respond to crisis in the U.S. European Command Area of Responsibility for the U.S. Sixth Fleet Commander.