U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force conduct a training press conference with Communication Strategy and Operations Marines during Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise-23, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 16, 2023. MEFEX is an exercise that develops command and control capabilities and warfighting functions of the MEF staff as an operational command in preparation for crisis across the spectrum of conflict. In the scenario, MEF staff developed the ability to coordinate with non-governmental organizations, U. S. Agency for International Development, and other agencies in response to a foreign humanitarian crisis. - U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force conduct a training press conference with Communication Strategy and Operations Marines during Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise-23, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 16, 2023. MEFEX is an exercise that develops command and control capabilities and warfighting functions of the MEF staff as an operational command in preparation for crisis across the spectrum of conflict. In the scenario, MEF staff developed the ability to coordinate with non-governmental organizations, U. S. Agency for International Development, and other agencies in response to a foreign humanitarian crisis.

Thomas Richard, left, installation restoration program manager, Laura Spung, center, installation restoration program assistant, and William Hagen Ratliff, right, underground storage tank program manager, all with the Environmental Quality Branch, pose for a photo after receiving the 2022 Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy Environmental Awards for Environmental Restoration after an awards presentation on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 21, 2022. The SECDEF and SECNAV Environmental Awards recognize installations, teams, and individuals for their accomplishments in innovative and cost-effective environmental management strategies supporting mission readiness. - Thomas Richard, left, installation restoration program manager, Laura Spung, center, installation restoration program assistant, and William Hagen Ratliff, right, underground storage tank program manager, all with the Environmental Quality Branch, pose for a photo after receiving the 2022 Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy Environmental Awards for Environmental Restoration after an awards presentation on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 21, 2022. The SECDEF and SECNAV Environmental Awards recognize installations, teams, and individuals for their accomplishments in innovative and cost-effective environmental management strategies supporting mission readiness.

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, exit a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a Raid Course on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 30, 2022. The Raid was one of several training events part of Marine Air Ground Task Force Interoperability Course, an Expeditionary Operations Training Group led training and evaluation event focused on combining elements of the MAGTF during the initial training phases of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Pre-deployment training program. - U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, exit a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a Raid Course on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 30, 2022. The Raid was one of several training events part of Marine Air Ground Task Force Interoperability Course, an Expeditionary Operations Training Group led training and evaluation event focused on combining elements of the MAGTF during the initial training phases of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Pre-deployment training program.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Brandon Mote, crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-772, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, leads Dutch Marines with Marine Squadron Carib, Netherlands Marine Corps, to a CH-53E Super Stallion for aerial transport in support of exercise Caribbean Urban Warrior on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 28, 2022. The exercise is a bilateral training evolution designed to increase interoperability between U.S. and partner forces. - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Brandon Mote, crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-772, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, leads Dutch Marines with Marine Squadron Carib, Netherlands Marine Corps, to a CH-53E Super Stallion for aerial transport in support of exercise Caribbean Urban Warrior on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 28, 2022. The exercise is a bilateral training evolution designed to increase interoperability between U.S. and partner forces.

Norwegian Army Lt. Col. Per Espen Strande, commanding officer, Norwegian Military Intelligence Battalion, exchanges a challenge coin with U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Eric Tee, commanding officer, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, during a visit aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 15, 2021. II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) intelligence commanders welcomed their counterparts with a tour of facilities and workspaces showcasing their capabilities. II MEF hosts also briefed on intelligence integration, mission accomplishment, and strengthening partnerships amongst the individual units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres) - Norwegian Army Lt. Col. Per Espen Strande, commanding officer, Norwegian Military Intelligence Battalion, exchanges a challenge coin with U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Eric Tee, commanding officer, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, during a visit aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 15, 2021. II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) intelligence commanders welcomed their counterparts with a tour of facilities and workspaces showcasing their capabilities. II MEF hosts also briefed on intelligence integration, mission accomplishment, and strengthening partnerships amongst the individual units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres)

U.S. Marine Sgt. Nicholas D. Niner caries tubes during Large Scale Exercise 2021 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 8, 2021. LSE 2021 demonstrates the Navy’s ability to employ precise, lethal, and overwhelming force globally across three naval component commands, five numbered fleets, and 17 time zones. LSE 2021 merges live and synthetic training capabilities to create an intense, robust training environment. It will connect high-fidelity training and real-world operations, to build knowledge and skills needed in today’s complex, multi-domain, and contested environment. - U.S. Marine Sgt. Nicholas D. Niner caries tubes during Large Scale Exercise 2021 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 8, 2021. LSE 2021 demonstrates the Navy’s ability to employ precise, lethal, and overwhelming force globally across three naval component commands, five numbered fleets, and 17 time zones. LSE 2021 merges live and synthetic training capabilities to create an intense, robust training environment. It will connect high-fidelity training and real-world operations, to build knowledge and skills needed in today’s complex, multi-domain, and contested environment.

Foreign liaison officers pose for a group photo at Range 36 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Mar. 17. - Foreign liaison officers pose for a group photo at Range 36 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Mar. 17.

A Simulator Integration Center and Range Control Operations Complex employee helps set up a convoy simulator for Israeli Defense Forces leaders during a tour from II Marine Expeditionary Force personnel which showcased various simulation and training facilities on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Mar. 10, 2021. - A Simulator Integration Center and Range Control Operations Complex employee helps set up a convoy simulator for Israeli Defense Forces leaders during a tour from II Marine Expeditionary Force personnel which showcased various simulation and training facilities on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Mar. 10, 2021.

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Ernesto Santa Ana, with the Naval Medical Research Center, collects blood samples from a Marine participant with the COVID-19 Health Action Response for Marines (CHARM) study on Camp Johnson, N.C., Mar. 3, 2021. - U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Ernesto Santa Ana, with the Naval Medical Research Center, collects blood samples from a Marine participant with the COVID-19 Health Action Response for Marines (CHARM) study on Camp Johnson, N.C., Mar. 3, 2021.

Marine Forces Special Operations Command celebrates 15 years of commitment, diligence and professionalism as a component in support of Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 22. - Marine Forces Special Operations Command celebrates 15 years of commitment, diligence and professionalism as a component in support of Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 22.

A Navy seaman wearing personal protective equipment stands on the driver's side of a vehicle and talks to a service member who is sitting in his vehicle. - Navy Seaman Christian Monieno, assigned to the Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, N.C., prepares to conduct a COVID-19 screening on Marine Corps Cpl. Menelik Collins, a combat photographer assigned to the Communication Strategy and Operations Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, at the new Combined Respiratory Aid Station, Jan. 8, 2021.

U.S. Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, brace for an explosion on range Golf-36, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 12, 2020. Range G-36 is the newest addition to the Camp Lejeune training environment. This range is designed to accommodate company-size assaults and evolutions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacqueline Parsons) - U.S. Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, brace for an explosion on range Golf-36, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 12, 2020. Range G-36 is the newest addition to the Camp Lejeune training environment. This range is designed to accommodate company-size assaults and evolutions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacqueline Parsons)

A U.S. Marine provides security with an M2 Browning .50 Caliber machine gun during Exercise Reindeer II in Setermoen, Norway, Nov. 25. - A U.S. Marine provides security with an M2 Browning .50 Caliber machine gun during Exercise Reindeer II in Setermoen, Norway, Nov. 25.