News Releases

U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) and Sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) conduct a Manning the Rails ceremony during their first port visit on their scheduled deployment in Plymouth, United Kingdom, July 28, 2023. The USS Mesa Verde, assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26th MEU(SOC), under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres) - U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) and Sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) conduct a Manning the Rails ceremony during their first port visit on their scheduled deployment in Plymouth, United Kingdom, July 28, 2023. The USS Mesa Verde, assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26th MEU(SOC), under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres)

USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) Arrives in the U.K.

Marines and Sailors from the USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)’S (MEU(SOC)) Bravo Command Element arrived in Plymouth, U.K. for a regularly scheduled port visit, July 28. During the visit, Sailors and Marines will have a chance to experience the rich culture of the area through morale welfare and recreation tours to popular cultural and historical landmarks around the city. This port visit marks the first stop for the USS Mesa Verde while deployed in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) area of operations.

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A U.S. Marine assigned to the San Antonio class amphibious transport docking ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) guides a light armored vehicle belonging to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) onto an LCAC on the Atlantic Ocean, July 25, 2023. The USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26th MEU(SOC) under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michele Clarke) - A U.S. Marine assigned to the San Antonio class amphibious transport docking ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) guides a light armored vehicle belonging to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) onto an LCAC on the Atlantic Ocean, July 25, 2023. The USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26th MEU(SOC) under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michele Clarke)

Bataan ARG and 26th MEU(SOC) Cross-Decks At Sea to Prepare for Distributed Operations

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) showcased their relevance and operational flexibility as the Joint Staff Immediate Response Force by executing a successful cross deck of personnel and equipment, July 25, 2023. Prior to departing the East Coast for their scheduled deployment, personnel and equipment was strategically embarked and spread across the Bataan ARG to support operations within the U.S. 6th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet areas of operations. The concept of distributing the equipment and personnel across the three ships is to ensure each ship is ready and capable to support different missions simultaneously in the case the Bataan ARG had to support distributed operations across the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command region.

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A Marine loads luggage onto a bus as he prepares to deploy for Task Force 61/2 - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Zachary Isberner, financial manager, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2d MEB), loads luggage onto a bus to the airport from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, on May 29, 2023. 2d MEB Marines head to Naples, Italy, for a deployment Task Force 61/2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jack Labrador)

2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Deploys as Task Force 61/2

Marines and Sailors with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2d MEB), II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF), recently deployed to assume the role of Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), a forward-deployed command element supporting U.S. Sixth Fleet operations in the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) area of responsibility on June 9, 2023.

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Marines learn basic coxswain skills during excercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in the Baltic Sea. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jacob Fretto, a platoon commander with Golf Company, 2d Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, learns basic coxswain skills during exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in the Baltic Sea, June 8, 2023. BALTOPS 23 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic region. The exercise led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen the combined response capability critical to preserving the freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy)

U.S. Marines Embark HMS Albion for Exercise BALTOPS 23

U.S. Marines from Golf Company embarked aboard the British Royal Navy’s amphibious assault ship HMS Albion (L14) as part of exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in Tallinn, Estonia, on June 1 to work alongside Royal Marines throughout the two-week exercise. During their first week aboard HMS Albion, the U.S. Marines began a series of familiarization classes and drills under the guidance of X-Ray Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines.

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U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Tashaun Eldridge, a Louisville, KY native and rifleman with Task Force 61/2.3 Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Europe, inspects the application of a tourniquet with a Gabonese Republican soldier, during Judicious Activation 2023 in Libreville, Gabon, Apr. 27, 2023. Task Force 61/2.3 provides capabilities such as rapid response expeditionary anti-terrorism and security operations in support of Commanders, United States European Command and as directed by Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet in order to protect vital naval and national assets. - U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Tashaun Eldridge, a Louisville, KY native and rifleman with Task Force 61/2.3 Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Europe, inspects the application of a tourniquet with a Gabonese Republican soldier, during Judicious Activation 2023 in Libreville, Gabon, Apr. 27, 2023. Task Force 61/2.3 provides capabilities such as rapid response expeditionary anti-terrorism and security operations in support of Commanders, United States European Command and as directed by Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet in order to protect vital naval and national assets.

U.S. Marines Conduct Exercise Judicious Activation 23 in Gabon

U.S. Marines and Sailors from Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team, Europe, operating under Task Force 61/2, U.S. Sixth Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, and U.S. Africa Command, conducted Judicious Activation – Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team 2023, April 24-28, 2023. During Judicious Activation 2023, Marines and Sailors from CTG 61/2.3, stationed in Rota, Spain, participated in a reoccurring bilateral exercise run by USAFRICOM. This year’s iteration was in partnership with the host nation of Gabon...

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Brigadier Gen. Andrew T. Priddy, commanding general, Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2) meet with members of the Turkish Ministry of Health, at Antakya, Türkiye, March 2, 2023. At the request of the Turkish government, U.S. military personnel assigned to Task Force 61/2 and 39th Air Base Wing were tasked with building a field hospital for the citizens who were affected by the Feb. 6 earthquakes. Upon completion of their efforts on March 2, 2023, leaders from Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), and 39th Air Base Wing conducted a final walk-through before the Turkish Ministry of Health began operations at the field hospital. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released) Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released) - Brigadier Gen. Andrew T. Priddy, commanding general, Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2) meet with members of the Turkish Ministry of Health, at Antakya, Türkiye, March 2, 2023. At the request of the Turkish government, U.S. military personnel assigned to Task Force 61/2 and 39th Air Base Wing were tasked with building a field hospital for the citizens who were affected by the Feb. 6 earthquakes. Upon completion of their efforts on March 2, 2023, leaders from Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), and 39th Air Base Wing conducted a final walk-through before the Turkish Ministry of Health began operations at the field hospital. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released) Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released)

Unified Support for our Ally Türkiye

Marines and Sailors from Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), commanded by Brig. Gen. Andrew Priddy, operating under U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR), U.S. Sixth Fleet, and U.S. European Command supported the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts in Türkiye for over ten weeks, standing up a 24-hour crisis center, delivering hundreds of tons of aid, and standing up a field hospital. In coordination with the Government of Türkiye and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) the DoD concluded their earthquake relief support on May 3, 2023. Since Feb 6. the U.S. military, facilitated relief requests from our Turkish Ally by coordinating with USAID following the catastrophic earthquakes that tragically struck Türkiye and Syria.

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Three U.S. Marines saved a man’s life in Tallin, Estonia, when they found him unconscious and asphyxiated in a local restaurant, May 7, 2023. - Three U.S. Marines saved a man’s life in Tallin, Estonia, when they found him unconscious and asphyxiated in a local restaurant, May 7, 2023.

U.S. Marines Save Life of Local Estonian Citizen

Three U.S. Marines saved a man’s life in Tallin, Estonia, when they found him unconscious and asphyxiated in a local restaurant, May 7, 2023. Lance Cpl. Colton Allen, Lance Cpl. Christopher Butemeyer, and Lance Cpl. Aiden Morey decided to eat at a local restaurant called Hesburger. While eating, they noticed a man unconscious in a booth nearby. When they moved closer to examine the distressed man, his lips were noticeably blue and his skin began to match. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the three Marines, assigned to Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), Mobile Reconnaissance Company (CTG 61/2.4), sprang into action.

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Keithshawn Bailey, a Bridgeport, Connecticut, native and a high mobility artillery rocket system crew chief with Hotel Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, under tactical control of Task Force 61/2 poses for a photo during Formidable Shield in Andoya, Norway on May 10, 2023. “Being a part of Hotel Battery has done a lot for me as an NCO, as a Marine, and as a man. I have been extremely fortunate to have good people around me at all levels: staff ncos, officers, and junior Marines.” said Bailey. “They’re a big part of why I re-enlisted.” Formidable Shield is a biennial, integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) exercise involving a series of live-fire events against subsonic, supersonic, and ballistic targets, incorporating multiple Allied ships, aircraft, and ground forces working across battlespaces to deliver effects. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emma Gray) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Keithshawn Bailey, a Bridgeport, Connecticut, native and a high mobility artillery rocket system crew chief with Hotel Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, under tactical control of Task Force 61/2 poses for a photo during Formidable Shield in Andoya, Norway on May 10, 2023. “Being a part of Hotel Battery has done a lot for me as an NCO, as a Marine, and as a man. I have been extremely fortunate to have good people around me at all levels: staff ncos, officers, and junior Marines.” said Bailey. “They’re a big part of why I re-enlisted.” Formidable Shield is a biennial, integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) exercise involving a series of live-fire events against subsonic, supersonic, and ballistic targets, incorporating multiple Allied ships, aircraft, and ground forces working across battlespaces to deliver effects. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emma Gray)

HIMARS in the High North: U.S. Marines With Task Force 61/2 Conduct Exercise Formidable Shield 2023

ANDØYA, Norway – Hiking close to 2,000 feet above sea level through snow and ice in northern Norway, a team from Task Force 61/2’s Commander, Task Group (CTG) 61/2.4 (MRC), loaded down with five days of man-packed mission-essential gear and provisions, took their positions. The team was charged with conducting surveillance and providing targeting data for U.S. High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Norwegian National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) units, as they worked together to counter a simulated threat at sea. They were employed as a cueing asset for targeting, providing tracks and locations of vessels to adjacent reconnaissance forces and Task Force 61/2 of potential offshore targets.

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A U.S. Navy explosive ordinance disposal technician rappels from a CV-2 Osprey - A U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Garrison Lathrop, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician with EOD Mobile Unit 8 rappels from a CV-22 Osprey during helicopter rope suspension techniques training with U.S. airmen from 7th Special Operations Squadron near Mildenhall, England, United Kingdom, June 16, 2022. Task Force 61/2 is executing the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Concept for Stand-in Forces (SIF) to generate small, highly versatile units that integrate Marine Corps and Navy forces. Task Force 61/2 is deployed in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dylan Chagnon)

Dedicated Multi-Domain Sensing Force

Naples, Italy – U.S. Marines and Sailors from 2d Reconnaissance Battalion (2d Recon Bn) and 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (2d LAR), 2d Marine Division (2d MARDIV), operating under Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), and U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Sixth Fleet (NAVEUR/SIXTHFLT), deployed to Europe to conduct operations and participate in multiple bilateral and integrated training exercises throughout the NAVEUR/SIXTHFLT area of operations. Commander Task Group (CTG) 61/2.4 (2d LAR) and CTG 61/2.5 (2d Recon Bn) provide TF 61/2, naval and joint force commanders with dedicated multi-domain reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance (RXR) capabilities. TF 61/2 is executing the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ concept for Stand-in Forces (SIF) to generate small, highly versatile units that integrate Marine Corps and Navy forces.

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Brigadier Gen. Andrew T. Priddy, commanding general, Task Force 61/2, and a member of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) greet a member of the Turkish Ministry of Health, at Antakya, Türkiye, March 2, 2023. At the request of the Turkish government, U.S. military personnel assigned to Task Force 61/2 and 39th Air Base Wing were tasked with building a field hospital for the citizens who were affected by the Feb. 6 earthquakes. Upon completion of their efforts on March 2, 2023, leaders from Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), and 39th Air Base Wing conducted a final walk-through before the Turkish Ministry of Health began operations at the field hospital. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released) - Brigadier Gen. Andrew T. Priddy, commanding general, Task Force 61/2, and a member of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) greet a member of the Turkish Ministry of Health, at Antakya, Türkiye, March 2, 2023. At the request of the Turkish government, U.S. military personnel assigned to Task Force 61/2 and 39th Air Base Wing were tasked with building a field hospital for the citizens who were affected by the Feb. 6 earthquakes. Upon completion of their efforts on March 2, 2023, leaders from Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), and 39th Air Base Wing conducted a final walk-through before the Turkish Ministry of Health began operations at the field hospital. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released)

U.S. Department of Defense completes ‘Turn-key’ Hospital

Antakya, Türkiye – United States Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen constructed and organized a 100-bed emergency hospital in less than one week, as part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s continuous commitment to assist survivors of the catastrophic earthquakes in Türkiye. U.S. Naval Forces Europe, in coordination with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) facilitated the construction of the field hospital at the request of the government of Türkiye, with assistance from the 633d Surgical Operations Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Medical Installation Support Team (MIST).

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U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to Incirlik Air Base offload a field hospital to aid the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, Feb. 22, 2023. The field hospital was delivered by a Boeing 747 aircraft from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia to Incirlik on February 22. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released) - U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to Incirlik Air Base offload a field hospital to aid the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, Feb. 22, 2023. The field hospital was delivered by a Boeing 747 aircraft from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia to Incirlik on February 22. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released)

U.S. Department of Defense delivers Field Hospital to Türkiye

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Türkiye – At the request of the government of Türkiye, United States Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen worked around the clock to deliver an emergency field hospital from the continental United States to Incirlik Air Base in Türkiye, Feb. 22, 2023, as part of the United States’ continuous commitment to assist survivors of the catastrophic earthquake. U.S. Naval Forces Europe, in coordination with U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), and U.S. Air Force (USAF) Air Combat Command (ACC) facilitated the delivery of the Department of Defense provided field hospital, with assistance from staffs in Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, and Langley Air Force Base, Va.

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