News

General Joseph F. Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller Jr., commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, salute during honors for II MEF’s 240th Marine Corps birthday celebration at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 7, 2015. Dunford, the guest of honor for the ball, praised the Marines for their accomplishments during the past year, particularly operations in support of crises response and participation during Exercises African Lion, the largest U.S. military exercise on the continent of Africa, and Bold Alligator, the largest amphibious military exercise on the East Coast. - General Joseph F. Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller Jr., commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, salute during honors for II MEF’s 240th Marine Corps birthday celebration at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 7, 2015. Dunford, the guest of honor for the ball, praised the Marines for their accomplishments during the past year, particularly operations in support of crises response and participation during Exercises African Lion, the largest U.S. military exercise on the continent of Africa, and Bold Alligator, the largest amphibious military exercise on the East Coast.

Scout sniper screener candidates with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment run with packs weighing approximately 45 pounds during a physical fitness assessment at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 20, 2015. The screener aims to prepare candidates for the Scout Sniper Basic Course. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kirstin Merrimarahajara/ released) - Scout sniper screener candidates with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment run with packs weighing approximately 45 pounds during a physical fitness assessment at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 20, 2015. The screener aims to prepare candidates for the Scout Sniper Basic Course. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kirstin Merrimarahajara/ released)

Marines and sailors with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 22, 2015. During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller Jr., commanding general of II MEF, assumed command of II MEF from Maj. Gen. William D. Beydler. - Marines and sailors with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 22, 2015. During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller Jr., commanding general of II MEF, assumed command of II MEF from Maj. Gen. William D. Beydler.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen Eric Smith, commander of U.S. Marine Forces-South, speaks to leaders of the Special Missions Training Center during the Belize Delegation visit to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 22, 2015. The purpose of the visit was to assess the capabilities of U.S. forces, discern opportunities for Belize forces to train alongside Marines and sustain enduring partnerships between the two countries in their efforts to counter transnational organized crime. (From left to right: U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Matthew Baer, executive officer of the Special Missions Training Center; U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Eric Smith, commander of U.S. Marine Forces-South; U.S Navy Lt. Kerry Michaud, officer-in-charge for the Center for Security Forces Learning Site Camp Lejeune.) - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen Eric Smith, commander of U.S. Marine Forces-South, speaks to leaders of the Special Missions Training Center during the Belize Delegation visit to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 22, 2015. The purpose of the visit was to assess the capabilities of U.S. forces, discern opportunities for Belize forces to train alongside Marines and sustain enduring partnerships between the two countries in their efforts to counter transnational organized crime. (From left to right: U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Matthew Baer, executive officer of the Special Missions Training Center; U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Eric Smith, commander of U.S. Marine Forces-South; U.S Navy Lt. Kerry Michaud, officer-in-charge for the Center for Security Forces Learning Site Camp Lejeune.)

A Marine with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment provides security as Marines in his platoon set up an urban charge on a door during a demolitions exercise with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion at Engineer Training Area 7 on 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. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexander Mitchell/released) - A Marine with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment provides security as Marines in his platoon set up an urban charge on a door during a demolitions exercise with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion at Engineer Training Area 7 on 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. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexander Mitchell/released)

Sailors with 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, practice gray belt techniques during a combat lifesaver and tactical casualty combat care training while integrating Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and patrolling exercises at the Goettge Memorial Field House training area aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 18, 2015. The exercise served to give the sailors a basic understanding of MCMAP and patrolling fundamentals while maintaining TCCC standards, and to align their training and readiness standards with those of 2nd MLG. (Marine Corps photo taken/released by Cpl. Tyler A. Andersen) - Sailors with 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, practice gray belt techniques during a combat lifesaver and tactical casualty combat care training while integrating Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and patrolling exercises at the Goettge Memorial Field House training area aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 18, 2015. The exercise served to give the sailors a basic understanding of MCMAP and patrolling fundamentals while maintaining TCCC standards, and to align their training and readiness standards with those of 2nd MLG. (Marine Corps photo taken/released by Cpl. Tyler A. Andersen)

Marines, sailors and civilian workers, with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, discuss different techniques when dealing with a suicidal subject during an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training class, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 14-18, 2015. ASIST is a five-day workshop where candidates learn how to appropriately interact with someone who is having suicidal thoughts and also become instructors on how to teach the class to other service members in their units. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/released)  - Marines, sailors and civilian workers, with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, discuss different techniques when dealing with a suicidal subject during an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training class, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 14-18, 2015. ASIST is a five-day workshop where candidates learn how to appropriately interact with someone who is having suicidal thoughts and also become instructors on how to teach the class to other service members in their units. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/released) 

A CH-53 Super Stallion lifts up cargo during a helicopter suspension training exercise at Landing Zone Albatross aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 2, 2015. In real world events, helicopter support team training is critical to mission accomplishment because it provides the ability to quickly and efficiently provide support to Marines on the ground, loading and unloading important equipment such as small vehicles, supplies, and food rations in a moment’s notice. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler A. Andersen) - A CH-53 Super Stallion lifts up cargo during a helicopter suspension training exercise at Landing Zone Albatross aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 2, 2015. In real world events, helicopter support team training is critical to mission accomplishment because it provides the ability to quickly and efficiently provide support to Marines on the ground, loading and unloading important equipment such as small vehicles, supplies, and food rations in a moment’s notice. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler A. Andersen)

Lance Cpl. Austin Swalwell, a light armored vehicle crewman with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, observes an area with hidden simulated improvised explosive devices during an observation lanes sweep aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 03, 2015. Throughout the training, the Marines used three different types of searches in order to find hidden IEDs in the surrounding area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chris Garcia/Released) - Lance Cpl. Austin Swalwell, a light armored vehicle crewman with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, observes an area with hidden simulated improvised explosive devices during an observation lanes sweep aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 03, 2015. Throughout the training, the Marines used three different types of searches in order to find hidden IEDs in the surrounding area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chris Garcia/Released)

A Marine with 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, helps prepare another Marine with his parachute during parachute operations at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., Sept. 2, 2015. The Marines jumped from an altitude of 1,250 feet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joey Mendez/ Released) - A Marine with 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, helps prepare another Marine with his parachute during parachute operations at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., Sept. 2, 2015. The Marines jumped from an altitude of 1,250 feet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joey Mendez/ Released)