News

A U.S. Marine takes the first step to cross a day-old bridge during Exercise Thunder Reindeer in Setermoen, Norway, May 27. - A U.S. Marine takes the first step to cross a day-old bridge during Exercise Thunder Reindeer in Setermoen, Norway, May 27.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division prepare to launch an attack during the Eager Lion 16 final exercise in Al Quweyrah, Jordan, May 24, 2016. Eager Lion is a recurring exercise between partner nations designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability, and enhance regional security and stability. - Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division prepare to launch an attack during the Eager Lion 16 final exercise in Al Quweyrah, Jordan, May 24, 2016. Eager Lion is a recurring exercise between partner nations designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability, and enhance regional security and stability.

Members of the Jordanian 77th Marines Battalion engage targets during a squad attacks exercise in Al Quweyrah, Jordan, May 19, 2016. Eager Lion is a recurring exercise between partner nations designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability, and enhance regional security and stability. - Members of the Jordanian 77th Marines Battalion engage targets during a squad attacks exercise in Al Quweyrah, Jordan, May 19, 2016. Eager Lion is a recurring exercise between partner nations designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability, and enhance regional security and stability.

Members of the Jordanian 77th Marines Battalion advance to clear a room during a military operation in urban terrain tactics exercise in Al Quweyrah, Jordan, May 16, 2016. Eager Lion is a recurring exercise between partner nations designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability, and enhance regional security and stability. - Members of the Jordanian 77th Marines Battalion advance to clear a room during a military operation in urban terrain tactics exercise in Al Quweyrah, Jordan, May 16, 2016. Eager Lion is a recurring exercise between partner nations designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability, and enhance regional security and stability.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division arrive at a training area to conduct squad-level exercises in Al Quweyrah, Jordan, May 14. Eager Lion is a recurring exercise between partner nations designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability, and enhance regional security and stability. - Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division arrive at a training area to conduct squad-level exercises in Al Quweyrah, Jordan, May 14. Eager Lion is a recurring exercise between partner nations designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability, and enhance regional security and stability.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, launch a round during a live-fire mortar exercise with 81 mm mortar systems in preparation for the unit’s upcoming deployment at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 21,2016. The Marines worked with the mortar systems until the late evening, sending more than 350 rounds downrange, and accomplished their goal of having more than 90 percent of their rounds impact on their designated targets. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, launch a round during a live-fire mortar exercise with 81 mm mortar systems in preparation for the unit’s upcoming deployment at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 21,2016. The Marines worked with the mortar systems until the late evening, sending more than 350 rounds downrange, and accomplished their goal of having more than 90 percent of their rounds impact on their designated targets.

Marines with Combined Anti-Armor Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, conduct patrols during a patrol training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 16, 2015. The unit practiced patrolling techniques both on foot and mounted in Humvees in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan. - Marines with Combined Anti-Armor Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, conduct patrols during a patrol training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 16, 2015. The unit practiced patrolling techniques both on foot and mounted in Humvees in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan.

A landing craft air cushion-class hovercraft approaches Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, for a beach landing exercise, Oct. 27, 2015, during Blue Chromite 2016. Blue Chromite is a large-scale, cost effective on-island training event lead by 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - A landing craft air cushion-class hovercraft approaches Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, for a beach landing exercise, Oct. 27, 2015, during Blue Chromite 2016. Blue Chromite is a large-scale, cost effective on-island training event lead by 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment rush to a wire trap to set up a Bangalore charge to destroy the trap during a demolitions exercise with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion at Engineer Training Area 7 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. Marines with 2/2 increased their proficiency and knowledge with various charges and techniques with the help of 2nd CEB. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment rush to a wire trap to set up a Bangalore charge to destroy the trap during a demolitions exercise with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion at Engineer Training Area 7 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. Marines with 2/2 increased their proficiency and knowledge with various charges and techniques with the help of 2nd CEB.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Akito Yagi attaches vegetation to his sniper rifle while performing stalking drills during Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Imazu, Takashima, Japan, Sept. 10, 2015. The Marines sat up on a high embankment, trying to catch the JGSDF stalking the target with binoculars. Forest Light is a semiannual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and multiple field training events, conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF. Yagi is a sniper with 50th Infantry Regiment, 14th Brigade. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Akito Yagi attaches vegetation to his sniper rifle while performing stalking drills during Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Imazu, Takashima, Japan, Sept. 10, 2015. The Marines sat up on a high embankment, trying to catch the JGSDF stalking the target with binoculars. Forest Light is a semiannual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and multiple field training events, conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF. Yagi is a sniper with 50th Infantry Regiment, 14th Brigade.

Sgt. Sugimoto Yoshitaka fires the Type 01 LMAT Anti-Tank Missile System during Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Imazu, Takashima, Japan, Sept. 7, 2015. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines shared knowledge about different anti-tank missile systems. After giving specifications of their respective weapon systems, the two forces used practice rounds to demonstrate how well the weapon systems work. Forest Light will take place Sept. 7-18 with approximately 240 Marines working next to 350 JGSDF members. The exercise will consist of mortar live fire, establishing forward arming and refueling points training, helicopter borne skills and combined arms procedures. Sugimoto is an anti-tank missile man with 50th infantry regiment, 14th Brigade. - Sgt. Sugimoto Yoshitaka fires the Type 01 LMAT Anti-Tank Missile System during Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Imazu, Takashima, Japan, Sept. 7, 2015. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines shared knowledge about different anti-tank missile systems. After giving specifications of their respective weapon systems, the two forces used practice rounds to demonstrate how well the weapon systems work. Forest Light will take place Sept. 7-18 with approximately 240 Marines working next to 350 JGSDF members. The exercise will consist of mortar live fire, establishing forward arming and refueling points training, helicopter borne skills and combined arms procedures. Sugimoto is an anti-tank missile man with 50th infantry regiment, 14th Brigade.

U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self Defense Force members salute as each nations’ national anthem plays marking the beginning of Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Imazu, Takashima, Japan, Sept. 6, 2015. Forest Light will take place Sept. 7-18 with approximately 240 Marines working next to 350 JGSDF members. The exercise will consist of combined mortar live fire, establishing forward arming and refueling points, combined helicopter borne skills and combined-arms training. The JGSDF members are from 50th Infantry Regiment, 14th Brigade. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self Defense Force members salute as each nations’ national anthem plays marking the beginning of Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Imazu, Takashima, Japan, Sept. 6, 2015. Forest Light will take place Sept. 7-18 with approximately 240 Marines working next to 350 JGSDF members. The exercise will consist of combined mortar live fire, establishing forward arming and refueling points, combined helicopter borne skills and combined-arms training. The JGSDF members are from 50th Infantry Regiment, 14th Brigade. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member prepares to fire a 120mm mortar during Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Imazu, Takashima, Japan, Sept. 6, 2015. The JGSDF and U.S. Marines took turns calling fire missions, prepping the mortar for fire, and firing the mortar. Forest Light is a semi-annual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and multiple field training events conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF. The JGSDF member is from 50th Infantry Regiment, 14th Brigade. - A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member prepares to fire a 120mm mortar during Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Imazu, Takashima, Japan, Sept. 6, 2015. The JGSDF and U.S. Marines took turns calling fire missions, prepping the mortar for fire, and firing the mortar. Forest Light is a semi-annual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and multiple field training events conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF. The JGSDF member is from 50th Infantry Regiment, 14th Brigade.

Marines with Alpha Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, roll through smoke to meet Marines with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, during an integrated exercise at Landing Zone Dodo, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 2, 2015. The purpose of the exercise was to allow Marine infantry and tankers to work together. - Marines with Alpha Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, roll through smoke to meet Marines with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, during an integrated exercise at Landing Zone Dodo, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 2, 2015. The purpose of the exercise was to allow Marine infantry and tankers to work together.

A Marine with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, motivates another member of his platoon to keep firing during training at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 5, 2015. Marines with the unit conducted training on the virtual range to improve weapon proficiency without leaving a large logistical footprint. - A Marine with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, motivates another member of his platoon to keep firing during training at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 5, 2015. Marines with the unit conducted training on the virtual range to improve weapon proficiency without leaving a large logistical footprint.

Petty Officer 3rd Class James Hyles (left), a Combat Lifesaver instructor with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, explains to a student how to keep the victim stable during the practical application portion of the Combat Lifesaver course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 6, 2015. The three-day CLS course consisted of classroom instruction and practical application that included treating serious wounds that could occur in a combat situation. - Petty Officer 3rd Class James Hyles (left), a Combat Lifesaver instructor with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, explains to a student how to keep the victim stable during the practical application portion of the Combat Lifesaver course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 6, 2015. The three-day CLS course consisted of classroom instruction and practical application that included treating serious wounds that could occur in a combat situation.

Marine scout sniper candidates with Scout Sniper Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment fire at targets from an unknown distance during a live-fire exercise at SR-10 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 22, 2015. The live-fire exercise was the last event during a two-week Basic Scout Sniper Course Preparation Course. - Marine scout sniper candidates with Scout Sniper Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment fire at targets from an unknown distance during a live-fire exercise at SR-10 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 22, 2015. The live-fire exercise was the last event during a two-week Basic Scout Sniper Course Preparation Course.

Lance Cpl. Richard Emmis, a rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment and native of Corona, California, posts security during a patrol to identify improvised explosive devices aboard Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, April 21, 2015. Locating IEDs prepares Marines with 1st Bn., 2nd Marines for their upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan this fall. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Immanuel Johnson/Released) - Lance Cpl. Richard Emmis, a rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment and native of Corona, California, posts security during a patrol to identify improvised explosive devices aboard Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, April 21, 2015. Locating IEDs prepares Marines with 1st Bn., 2nd Marines for their upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan this fall. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Immanuel Johnson/Released)

Pfc. Kevin J. Oronaponce, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, applies a tourniquet to a mannequin during the final test for the Combat Trauma Care Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 24, 2015. The mannequins were equipped with a system that allows artificial blood to bleed from various wounds and recorded voices to talk, providing a more realistic experience. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. David N. Hersey/Released) - Pfc. Kevin J. Oronaponce, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, applies a tourniquet to a mannequin during the final test for the Combat Trauma Care Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 24, 2015. The mannequins were equipped with a system that allows artificial blood to bleed from various wounds and recorded voices to talk, providing a more realistic experience. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. David N. Hersey/Released)

Assault amphibious vehicles sit silently on Onslow Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 8, 2015. A platoon of AAVs, filled with a company of infantry Marines from Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, embarked on the USS Wasp off the coast of Onslow Beach to prepare for the next day’s mechanized infantry assault. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin T. Updegraff/ Released) - Assault amphibious vehicles sit silently on Onslow Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 8, 2015. A platoon of AAVs, filled with a company of infantry Marines from Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, embarked on the USS Wasp off the coast of Onslow Beach to prepare for the next day’s mechanized infantry assault. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin T. Updegraff/ Released)

Lance Cpl. Austin Steifer, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, fires the M32 grenade launcher during a live-fire range aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 9, 2015. The M32 is a semi-automatic grenade launcher capable of holding up to six 40mm rounds and reaching a distance up to 400 meters. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/Released)  - Lance Cpl. Austin Steifer, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, fires the M32 grenade launcher during a live-fire range aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 9, 2015. The M32 is a semi-automatic grenade launcher capable of holding up to six 40mm rounds and reaching a distance up to 400 meters. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/Released) 

First Sgt. Brian Moody, first sergeant, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, patrols through southern Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2014. The operation was designed to deter enemy insurgents from operating in the southern area of Helmand province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released) - First Sgt. Brian Moody, first sergeant, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, patrols through southern Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2014. The operation was designed to deter enemy insurgents from operating in the southern area of Helmand province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released)