News

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, fire on a mock enemy bunker and provide suppressive fire for an assault team during a live-fire exercise on Range P28 aboard Fort A.P. Hill, Va., Sept. 5. The range was built specifically for the unit as a training aid to increase overall unit readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jorden M. Wells / Released) - Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, fire on a mock enemy bunker and provide suppressive fire for an assault team during a live-fire exercise on Range P28 aboard Fort A.P. Hill, Va., Sept. 5. The range was built specifically for the unit as a training aid to increase overall unit readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jorden M. Wells / Released)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – The families of Cpl. Johnathan T. Yale and Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter bow their heads in prayer during a dedication ceremony to rename the Wallace Creek Dining Hall in honor of the two Marines Aug. 28, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Yale and Haerter died protecting their fellow Marines in Iraq when they engaged and stopped a truck loaded with 2,000 pounds of explosives before it reached its intended target in April 2008. Both Marines were posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michelle M. Mohn) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – The families of Cpl. Johnathan T. Yale and Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter bow their heads in prayer during a dedication ceremony to rename the Wallace Creek Dining Hall in honor of the two Marines Aug. 28, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Yale and Haerter died protecting their fellow Marines in Iraq when they engaged and stopped a truck loaded with 2,000 pounds of explosives before it reached its intended target in April 2008. Both Marines were posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michelle M. Mohn)

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division completed their Agoge combat training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., August 2014. The Agoge, originally used to train the next generation of ancient Spartan warriors, immerses the Marines in a simulated combat environment, where every hour is dedicated to training for the art of war. The battalion spent several days conducting mock offensive and defensive operations in the field. During the week and a half of training, Marine advisers ran the unit’s personnel through a series of combat simulations. In the training’s culminating event, the Marines conducted helicopter insertion and extraction drills and assaulted enemy positions. The live-fire operation allowed the unit to test its ability to use combined-arms warfare and fire-and-maneuver tactics. - Marines from 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division completed their Agoge combat training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., August 2014. The Agoge, originally used to train the next generation of ancient Spartan warriors, immerses the Marines in a simulated combat environment, where every hour is dedicated to training for the art of war. The battalion spent several days conducting mock offensive and defensive operations in the field. During the week and a half of training, Marine advisers ran the unit’s personnel through a series of combat simulations. In the training’s culminating event, the Marines conducted helicopter insertion and extraction drills and assaulted enemy positions. The live-fire operation allowed the unit to test its ability to use combined-arms warfare and fire-and-maneuver tactics.

Lance Cpl. Garrick R. Upton, an Amphibious Assault Vehicle operator with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, shouts a warning back to his crew as he splashes into the surf of the Atlantic Ocean in an AAV aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 31, 2014. 2nd AABn joined with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division to conduct a training mission to transport the Expeditionary Fire Support System, which is an Internally Transportable-Strike vehicle towing the 120mm mortar, during aerial and amphibious insertions. - Lance Cpl. Garrick R. Upton, an Amphibious Assault Vehicle operator with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, shouts a warning back to his crew as he splashes into the surf of the Atlantic Ocean in an AAV aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 31, 2014. 2nd AABn joined with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division to conduct a training mission to transport the Expeditionary Fire Support System, which is an Internally Transportable-Strike vehicle towing the 120mm mortar, during aerial and amphibious insertions.

Cpl. Cory Paradine, a Kings Park, N.Y., native and anti-tank missile man with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, received the Purple Heart Medal during a ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 23, 2014. Maj. Gen. James W. Lukeman, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, presented Paradine the medal during the ceremony and thanked him for his service. Paradine was wounded while serving in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in support of Afghan and coalition forces during Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lucas J. Hopkins) - Cpl. Cory Paradine, a Kings Park, N.Y., native and anti-tank missile man with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, received the Purple Heart Medal during a ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 23, 2014. Maj. Gen. James W. Lukeman, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, presented Paradine the medal during the ceremony and thanked him for his service. Paradine was wounded while serving in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in support of Afghan and coalition forces during Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lucas J. Hopkins)

Marines and Sailors from Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division participated in several live-fire exercises July 21-22 at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The service members were part of the Scout Sniper platoon, and were broken into two 4-man teams. The teams consisted of a team leader, an assistant team leader, a light machine gunner and a rifleman. Each team completed drills ranging from observation and photography to elimination of enemy targets. Many scenarios ended with the teams providing suppressive fire, and doing a shoot, move, communicate style of withdrawal. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Ryan Young/ released) - Marines and Sailors from Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division participated in several live-fire exercises July 21-22 at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The service members were part of the Scout Sniper platoon, and were broken into two 4-man teams. The teams consisted of a team leader, an assistant team leader, a light machine gunner and a rifleman. Each team completed drills ranging from observation and photography to elimination of enemy targets. Many scenarios ended with the teams providing suppressive fire, and doing a shoot, move, communicate style of withdrawal. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Ryan Young/ released)

Lt. Col. Derek E. Lane, the commanding officer for 8th Communication Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, gives a post-event speech to his Marines following the company’s Trash Dash event aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 11, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Lucas J. Hopkins/Released). - Lt. Col. Derek E. Lane, the commanding officer for 8th Communication Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, gives a post-event speech to his Marines following the company’s Trash Dash event aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 11, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Lucas J. Hopkins/Released).

Col. Robert Fulford, commanding officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sgt. Maj. Scott Schmitt, command Sgt. Maj. of the MEU, spoke to Marines and Sailors from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division about the upcoming Black Sea Rotational Force deployment July 10, 2014 at Camp Lejuene, N.C. Fulford and Schmitt wrapped up the speeches by answering questions from the Marines about the deployment and telling the battalion the 26th MEU is looking forward to working with them. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Young/ released) - Col. Robert Fulford, commanding officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sgt. Maj. Scott Schmitt, command Sgt. Maj. of the MEU, spoke to Marines and Sailors from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division about the upcoming Black Sea Rotational Force deployment July 10, 2014 at Camp Lejuene, N.C. Fulford and Schmitt wrapped up the speeches by answering questions from the Marines about the deployment and telling the battalion the 26th MEU is looking forward to working with them. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Young/ released)