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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.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, hang up their unit flag during exercise Intrepid Maven 23.2, Feb. 19, 2023. Intrepid Maven is a bilateral exercise between USMARCENT and the IDF designed to improve interoperability, strengthen partner-nation relationships in the U.S. Central Command area of operations and improve both individual and bilateral unit readiness. - U.S. Marines with 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, hang up their unit flag during exercise Intrepid Maven 23.2, Feb. 19, 2023. Intrepid Maven is a bilateral exercise between USMARCENT and the IDF designed to improve interoperability, strengthen partner-nation relationships in the U.S. Central Command area of operations and improve both individual and bilateral unit readiness.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Austin Merrill, a heavy equipment operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, directs a 624K tractor rubberized wheel articulated steering multipurpose during a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief exercise, Jan. 23 in Mullikulam. CARAT/MAREX Sri Lanka is a bilateral exercise between Sri Lanka and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, practice humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and strengthen maritime understanding, partnerships, and interoperability. In its 28th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner forces’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Austin Merrill, a heavy equipment operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, directs a 624K tractor rubberized wheel articulated steering multipurpose during a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief exercise, Jan. 23 in Mullikulam. CARAT/MAREX Sri Lanka is a bilateral exercise between Sri Lanka and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, practice humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and strengthen maritime understanding, partnerships, and interoperability. In its 28th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner forces’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Austin Grimes, a chaplain with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, leads a chapel service aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Jan. 22. The 13th MEU is embarked on the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of the Makin Island and amphibious transport dock ships USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) and USS Anchorage (LPD 23), and operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Austin Grimes, a chaplain with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, leads a chapel service aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Jan. 22. The 13th MEU is embarked on the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of the Makin Island and amphibious transport dock ships USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) and USS Anchorage (LPD 23), and operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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. Navy Rear Adm. Mark A. Melson, commander of Task Force 76, speaks with a Republic of Singapore Navy admiral during a meeting to discuss Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training/Marine Exercise Singapore, Jan. 9. CARAT/MAREX Singapore is a bilateral exercise between Singapore and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime cooperation. In its 28th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner forces’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark A. Melson, commander of Task Force 76, speaks with a Republic of Singapore Navy admiral during a meeting to discuss Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training/Marine Exercise Singapore, Jan. 9. CARAT/MAREX Singapore is a bilateral exercise between Singapore and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime cooperation. In its 28th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner forces’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.