News Releases

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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).

Read More

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.

Read More

U.S. Army CH-47F Chinook assigned to 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division (1AD CAB), delivers relief supplies to AFAD, the Turkish relief authority, in Göksun, Türkiye, Feb. 16, 2023. The 1AD CAB provides dynamic lift capability in direct support of USAID and Turkish relief efforts, to those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye. 1AD CAB is one of several U.S. military units supporting Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), operating under U.S. Sixth Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR), and U.S. European Command as part of the International Turkish disaster relief efforts. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. William Thompson) - U.S. Army CH-47F Chinook assigned to 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division (1AD CAB), delivers relief supplies to AFAD, the Turkish relief authority, in Göksun, Türkiye, Feb. 16, 2023. The 1AD CAB provides dynamic lift capability in direct support of USAID and Turkish relief efforts, to those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye. 1AD CAB is one of several U.S. military units supporting Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2), operating under U.S. Sixth Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR), and U.S. European Command as part of the International Turkish disaster relief efforts. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. William Thompson)

Allied Assistance

GÖKSUN, Türkiye- U.S. military aircraft are now transporting tents, cots, food, and other humanitarian aid throughout Türkiye after receiving requests from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). Early Thursday morning, U.S. helicopters, flying out of Incirlik Air Base, arrived in the snow-covered mountains of Göksun, less than 80 miles away from the epicenter of the earthquake. As the aircraft hovered for landing, volunteers stood just beyond the landing zone along a basketball court, waiting to offload equipment and supplies.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Andrew Priddy, commanding general of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and deputy commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, left, walks with Col. Calvin Powell, 39th Air Base Wing commander, right, after arriving at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, Feb 9, 2023. The U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy personnel were tasked to assist with leading the response force following a series of earthquakes that struck central-southern Türkiye on Feb 6, 2023. As a fellow NATO ally, the U.S. Government mobilized personnel to assist in Türkiye in their response efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David D. McLoney) - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Andrew Priddy, commanding general of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and deputy commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, left, walks with Col. Calvin Powell, 39th Air Base Wing commander, right, after arriving at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, Feb 9, 2023. The U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy personnel were tasked to assist with leading the response force following a series of earthquakes that struck central-southern Türkiye on Feb 6, 2023. As a fellow NATO ally, the U.S. Government mobilized personnel to assist in Türkiye in their response efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David D. McLoney)

Unified DoD Efforts Supporting Türkiye

INCIRLIK, 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) and U.S. Sixth Fleet arrived at Incirlik Air Base in support of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, Feb. 9. The U.S. Department of Defense established a Command and Control Center, commanded by Priddy, to support requirements from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and to coordinate all U.S. military operations, following a 7.8-magnititude earthquake that tragically struck Türkiye on Feb. 6.

Read More

Kearsarge ARG and 22nd MEU participate in Northern Viking 2022

U.S. Sailors and Marines from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit joined Allied Nations in kicking off the U.S. Sixth Fleet-planned and executed exercise Northern Viking 2022 (NV22) in Keflavik, Iceland, April 2, 2022. NATO Allied Nations participating in NV22 include France, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the U.S. These combined forces will bring significant capabilities across the air, land and at-sea domains to a Joint and Coalition live exercise. U.S. Navy and Marine Corps forces include units from the Kearsarge ARG and embarked 22nd MEU under the command and control of Task Force 61/2. The Kearsarge ARG includes the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship and Kearsarge ARG flagship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the San-Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) and the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) homeported in the U.S. state of Virginia. “The Kearsarge ARG and 22nd MEU stand together with our NATO partners and Allies committed to a forward naval presence in the Sixth Fleet area of operations,” said Captain David Guluzian, commander of the Keasarge ARG and embarked Amphibious Squadron SIX. “Northern Viking is an opportunity to provide valuable interoperability experience across the NATO Alliance, emphasizing the importance of the Arctic and North Atlantic region through combined training in Iceland, a key NATO Ally critical to collective security.” Embarked commands with the Kearsarge ARG include Amphibious Squadron SIX, Fleet Surgical Team 2, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 4, Naval Beach Group 2, Beach Master Unit 2 and the 22nd MEU. “This exercise will provide critical training for the MEU and is a good opportunity to demonstrate the interoperability and effectiveness of the United States, Iceland and NATO Allied maritime forces,” said Col. Paul Merida, commanding officer, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. Col. Merida and his MEU team serve as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious missions across the full range of military operations. The 22nd MEU is based out of the U.S. state of North Carolina and includes the command element; the aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron, 263 (Reinforced); the ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, and the logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion 26. NV22 seeks to strengthen interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Iceland and Allied Nations and enables execution of multi-domain command and control of joint and coalition forces in the defense of Iceland and the Sea Lines of Communication in the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom Gap. The exercise includes amphibious landings, expeditionary and construction capability, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance with forces demonstrating skills in events across multiple domains, climates, and vignettes to enhance interchangeability and interoperability. The Kearsarge ARG-MEU team is participating in NV22 in support of global maritime operations and security in support of Allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa. Amphibious ready groups and larger amphibious task forces provide military commanders a wide range of flexible capabilities including maritime security operations, expeditionary power projection, strike operations, forward naval presence, crisis response, sea control, deterrence, counter-terrorism, information operations, security cooperation and counter-proliferation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. For imagery and other products related to exercise Northern Viking, please visit www.dvidshub.net/feature/northernviking2022. For additional information on the Kearsarge ARG, please visit official websites at Amphibious Squadron SIX www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/cpr6 USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/lhd3 USS Arlington (LPD 24) www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/lpd24 USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/lsd44 For social media updates from the Kearsarge ARG, please visit Amphibious Squadron SIX www.facebook.com/PHIBRON6/ USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) www.facebook.com/Kearsarge/ USS Arlington (LPD 24) www.facebook.com/USSARLINGTON/ USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) www.facebook.com/GunstonHall/ For additional information on the 22d MEU, please visit 22d MEU Official Website www.22ndmeu.marines.mil/ 22d MEU Facebook www.facebook.com/22ndMEU/ 22d MEU Twitter www.twitter.com/22nd_MEU/ 22d MEU Instagram www.instagram.com/22MEU/

Read More