News Releases

Archive: July, 2023

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.