News

Landing Craft Air Cushion 25 prepares to land aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s Onslow Beach during a training exercise with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, March 11, 2011. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and will continue to conduct a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU’s ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - Landing Craft Air Cushion 25 prepares to land aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s Onslow Beach during a training exercise with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, March 11, 2011. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and will continue to conduct a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU’s ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Corporal Timothy Dorsey, a sensor surveillance operator with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, carefully covers surveillance equipment during an operational check aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 10, 2010. This equipment will survey areas of interest during the MEU's upcoming deployment. The Marine and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently participating in their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - Corporal Timothy Dorsey, a sensor surveillance operator with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, carefully covers surveillance equipment during an operational check aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 10, 2010. This equipment will survey areas of interest during the MEU's upcoming deployment. The Marine and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently participating in their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Seaman Robert E. Graham, 22, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit corpsman, is among those who provide healthcare and a friendly face to fellow sailors and Marines every day. The Cleveland native has served in the Navy for a year and is prepared for deployment with the 22nd MEU. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and will continue to conduct a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU’s ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - Seaman Robert E. Graham, 22, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit corpsman, is among those who provide healthcare and a friendly face to fellow sailors and Marines every day. The Cleveland native has served in the Navy for a year and is prepared for deployment with the 22nd MEU. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and will continue to conduct a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU’s ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, search a vehicle during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 3, 2011. Marines with BLT learned how to conduct TRAP missions to prepare for their upcoming deployment with the MEU. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the midst of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, search a vehicle during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 3, 2011. Marines with BLT learned how to conduct TRAP missions to prepare for their upcoming deployment with the MEU. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the midst of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Sergeant Joseph M. Perez, left, who served as squad leader, 1st squad, 3rd platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7 in Afghanistan, is awarded the Silver Star Medal by Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, during a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Feb. 28, 2011. Second Battalion, 2nd Marines, is the Battalion Landing Team for the 22nd MEU. Perez received the award for his actions while on patrol in Helmand Province, Dec. 27, 2009. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - Sergeant Joseph M. Perez, left, who served as squad leader, 1st squad, 3rd platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7 in Afghanistan, is awarded the Silver Star Medal by Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, during a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Feb. 28, 2011. Second Battalion, 2nd Marines, is the Battalion Landing Team for the 22nd MEU. Perez received the award for his actions while on patrol in Helmand Province, Dec. 27, 2009. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

(From right to left) Sergeant Major William E. Heyob, Capt. Brandon J. Gorman, Cpl. John D. Carney and Sgt. Joseph M. Perez, all with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to receive personal awards from Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Feb. 28, 2011. The Marines received the awards for their heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - (From right to left) Sergeant Major William E. Heyob, Capt. Brandon J. Gorman, Cpl. John D. Carney and Sgt. Joseph M. Perez, all with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to receive personal awards from Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Feb. 28, 2011. The Marines received the awards for their heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

A Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device warrant is read for 1st Sgt. Chris J. Adams, the company first sergeant for Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, during an awards ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 25, 2011. Adams received his award from Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Owens, the deputy commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, for heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - A Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device warrant is read for 1st Sgt. Chris J. Adams, the company first sergeant for Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, during an awards ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 25, 2011. Adams received his award from Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Owens, the deputy commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, for heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.