Videos

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Dec. 7, 2017) - U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3 and USS America give a motivating message to the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy for this year's Army-Navy football game aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). The 15th MEU and America Amphibious Ready Group are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, and to preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Hannah Perkins)

U.S 5th FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS - Marines and Sailors with the Company A. of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team in action. The 15th MEU and America Amphibious Ready Group are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Timothy Valero)

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS - U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and America Amphibious Ready Group wish family and friends a happy Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, 2017. The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and America ARG are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and to preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Hannah Perkins/Released)

ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 23, 2017) Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer visited Sailors and Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the America Amphibious Ready Group aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) Thanksgiving Day. America is the flagship for the America Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video Sgt. Hannah Perkins)

Cpl. Smalling, a law enforcement Marine with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Command Element, shares a little bit about himself and his deployment. Smalling, the 15th MEU and America Amphibious Ready Group are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, and to preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region.

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Battalion Landing Team started their portion of Alligator Dagger 17, a two-week combat rehearsal in Djibouti, to increase proficiency and readiness in the 5th Fleet area of operation, by reintroducing basic marksmanship skills and weapons familiarization. “This basic sustainment training keeps the Marines’ edges sharp so we maintain that constant force of readiness,” said Staff Sgt. Rogan Nichols, the platoon sergeant for third platoon, Company A. “This is why we are known as the force in readiness, and it’s what our MEU is prepared for.” The BLT culminated the training by conducting squad supported live-fire, fire-and-movement attacks, which incorporated company organic assets as wells scout snipers exercising the combat orders process. The BLT successfully completed all training expectations and reinforced the strength of their teams from the bottom up making the BLT as a whole fundamentally more effective and responsive. “This training helped the Marines get to the next tier of confidence in their weapons systems, intimately learning about their day and night optics and how to use both in low-light and other harsh situations, as well as built a familiarity with rest of their gear issued for deployment,” Nichols added. The Battalion Landing Team worked in extreme conditions to prepare themselves as well as the rest of the 15th MEU for seamless and quick response to crises situations even in the most unforgiving terrain and climate. “This exercise acclimated us to operating in 5th Fleet’s environment,” said 1st Lt. Patrick Neichter, the platoon commander of 2nd platoon, Company B. “Alligator Dagger was necessary so we are prepared to respond to any type of crises situation while the 15th MEU is operating in the 5th Fleet area of operation.” From heat acclamation and building and using terrain models to conduct live-fire squad attacks, the BLT built their confidence of the key leaders as well as the small unit leaders perfecting readiness, the Marines’ leadership skills and the overall abilities of the 15th MEU.

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 8, 2017) Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force conduct a visit, board, search and seizure mission aboard USS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB 3) during exercise Alligator Dagger 2017. VBSSs are conducted to capture and control a suspected enemy vessel in order to combat terrorism, piracy and smuggling operations on the sea. Available expeditionary Navy/Marine Corps forces stand ready aboard ships to assure allies, deter potential adversaries and provide persistent U.S. presence. Alligator Dagger provides opportunity to enhance capabilities in critical mission sets inherent to the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Capt. Maida Zheng/Released)"

Cpl. Devonte Perry from New Bern, North Carolina and a chief dispatcher with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Logistic Combat Element shares why he enlisted in the Marine Corps.

Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, dedicated their boathouse compound in honor of 1st Sgt. Edward Smith at marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., August 7, 2017. Smith passed away in April of 2003 as a result of wounds sustained while leading his Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His strength, character, and dedication to duty will continue to inspire Marines of 1st Recon Bn. for years to come. Marines honored and recognized 1st Sgt. Smith's wife and children during the ceremony. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Justin Huffty and Lance Cpl. Preston Hightower)

PACIFIC OCEAN -- U.S. Marines with C. Battery, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team conduct a deck shoot aboard USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), Aug. 7, 2017. The 15th MEU and America Amphibious Ready Group are operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance regional partnerships and serve as a ready-response capability for any type of contingency. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. F. Cordoba)

PACIFIC OCEAN -- The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and America Amphibious Ready Group practiced launching and recovering aircraft using visual cues only. This training ensures the blue-green team has the ability to conduct flight operations without the aid of radio, navigational, and Air Traffic Control Support. The 15th MEU and America ARG are operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance regional partnerships and serve as a ready-response capability for any type of contingency. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Hannah Perkins)

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and America Amphibious Ready Group deployed Friday, July 8, 2017 for the Western Pacific deployment in support of fleet and combatant commanders. The Blue-Green Team serves as the Nation's crisis response and contingency team.

Lt. Gen. L. A. Craparotta, Maj. Gen E. M. Smith, and...

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and America Amphibious Ready Group completed the Certification Exercise, their third and final at-sea training period prior to deployment. The 15th MEU and America ARG are tried, test and proven capable to support any mission that may come their way during deployment.

An MV-22B Osprey prepares to depart off the USS AMERICA, during PHIBRON-MEU integration training. The Osprey’s wings fold into a 63-foot, 18-foot by 18-foot configuration, which takes up less space on ship. It has the speed, endurance, and survivability needed to fight and win on tomorrow’s battlefield.

U.S. Marines with Golf Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines and Soldiers with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force conduct a 120mm Mortar Range Fire during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 14, 2017. The range was held to share artillery capabilities knowledge between JGSDF soldiers and U.S. Marines. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Laboy/Released)