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The Honorable James F. Geurts, acting Under Secretary of the Navy, visited Camp Lejeune, N.C., on April 9 to observe emerging technologies being demonstrated at the Naval Integration in Contested Environments Advanced Naval Technology Exercise 2021. Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, U.S. Marine Corps deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration, and Vice Adm. James Kilby, deputy chief of naval operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities accompanied Geurts during the visit. NICE ANTX 2021, which runs through April 15, brings together private industry, academia and government labs to showcase technologies that incorporate new concepts in naval warfare, such as Distributed Maritime Operations and Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations. The exercise also provides an avenue for the military to assess capabilities and technology owners to receive feedback on their product’s efficacy. - The Honorable James F. Geurts, acting Under Secretary of the Navy, visited Camp Lejeune, N.C., on April 9 to observe emerging technologies being demonstrated at the Naval Integration in Contested Environments Advanced Naval Technology Exercise 2021. Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, U.S. Marine Corps deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration, and Vice Adm. James Kilby, deputy chief of naval operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities accompanied Geurts during the visit. NICE ANTX 2021, which runs through April 15, brings together private industry, academia and government labs to showcase technologies that incorporate new concepts in naval warfare, such as Distributed Maritime Operations and Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations. The exercise also provides an avenue for the military to assess capabilities and technology owners to receive feedback on their product’s efficacy.

The Marine Corps’ first MQ-9A at an undisclosed location in the Central Command area of responsibility. The MQ-9A completed 10,000 flight hours in support of Marine Corps Forces, Central Command operations on March 31, 2021. - The Marine Corps’ first MQ-9A at an undisclosed location in the Central Command area of responsibility. The MQ-9A completed 10,000 flight hours in support of Marine Corps Forces, Central Command operations on March 31, 2021.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during a U.S. Air Forces Central Agile Combat Employment event, March 1, 2021. AFCENT’s ACE capstone event enhances theater airpower competencies, validating operational capabilities and command and control while simultaneously strengthening regional partnerships. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th MEU are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during a U.S. Air Forces Central Agile Combat Employment event, March 1, 2021. AFCENT’s ACE capstone event enhances theater airpower competencies, validating operational capabilities and command and control while simultaneously strengthening regional partnerships. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th MEU are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

U.S. Marines with Echo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, advance during a force on force exercise at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, March 4, 2021. The Marines from both platoons in Echo Battery competed against each other to enhance their capabilities as provisional infantry. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Echo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, advance during a force on force exercise at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, March 4, 2021. The Marines from both platoons in Echo Battery competed against each other to enhance their capabilities as provisional infantry. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fire a FIM-92 stinger missile from a Mark VI patrol boat during a live fire exercise in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 27, 2021. - Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fire a FIM-92 stinger missile from a Mark VI patrol boat during a live fire exercise in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 27, 2021.