U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command

U.S. Marines with Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 19.2, conduct MV-22 Osprey landing qualifications with the U.S.S. Lewis B. Puller, an Expeditionary Staging Base - 3 (ESB-3) naval vessel in an undisclosed location, Nov. 14, 2019. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a quick reaction force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Rhita A. Danielt)

Sgt Diaz was the SPMAGTF's Commanding Officers special guest at our celebration for the Marine Corps' 244t birthday. On November 2nd, she was meritoriously promoted after only two and a half years in the service. Her strong work ethic and dedication to our country and corps epitomize what it means to be a Marine. Happy Birthday Marines!

U.S. Marines assigned to Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) 19.2, conduct MV-22 Osprey landing qualifications, logistics support, and refueling operations with expeditionary staging base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) in an undisclosed location, Oct. 30, 2019. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a quick reaction force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Rhita Daniel)

U.S. Marines with Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 19.2, conduct MV-22 Osprey landing qualifications and logistics run with the USS Lewis B. Puller, an Expeditionary Staging Base - 3 (ESB-3) naval vessel in an undisclosed location, Oct. 29, 2019. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a quick reaction force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Kyle C. Talbot)

U.S. Marines and Sailors with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines and Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 19.2, rehearse a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) drill in an undisclosed location, Oct. 29, 2019. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a quick reaction force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rhita A. Daniel)

U.S. Marines assigned to Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) 19.2, conduct MV-22 Osprey landing qualifications, logistics support, and refueling operations with expeditionary staging base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) in an undisclosed location, Oct. 28, 2019. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a quick reaction force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl Rhita Daniel)

DJIBOUTI (Sept. 6, 2017) - U.S. Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit execute a round count after firing an M777 towed 155 mm howitzer during Alligator Dagger 2017 in the Arta region of Djibouti, Africa Sept. 6, 2017. Exercise Alligator Dagger 2017 is a two-week exercise that prepares incoming Naval Amphibious Forces and Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Amphibious Readiness Group/ Marine Expeditionry Unit teams to integrate and synchronize warfighting capabilities for missions in the U.S. Central Command's area of operations. Through cooperation with U.S. Africa Command, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, and the Djiboutian government, these Sailors and Marines made use of the ranges near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, as well as used the camp's facilitues and resources, to exercise amphibious assault capabilities and coordinate their effors for successful joint operations. (US Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Priest)

DJIBOUTI, Africa (Sept. 11, 2017) - U.S. Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit direct simulated airstikes from two AV-8B Harrier II aircraft during Alligator Dagger 2017 in the Arta region of Djibouti, Africa, Sept. 11, 2017. Alligator Dagger 2017 is a two-week exercise that prepares incoming Naval Amphibious Forces and Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Amphibious Readiness Group/ Marine Expeditionary Unit teams to integrate and synchronize warfighting capabilities for missions in the U.S. Central Command's area of operations. Through cooperation with U.S. Africa Command, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, and the Djiboutian government, these Sailors and Marines made use of the ranges near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, as well as used the camp's facilities and resources, to exercise amphibious assault capabilities and coordinate their efforts for successful joint operations. (US Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. Priest)

DJIBOUTI (Sept. 4-20, 2017) - Alligator Dagger is the largest regional amphibious combat rehearsal to integrate and synchronize TF 51/5’s warfighting capabilities and those of adjacent U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Special Operations Forces’ units. TF 51/5’s dedicated, unilateral combat rehearsal provides our Navy and Marine Corps team the opportunity to practice, rehearse and exercise integrated capabilities that are available to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) both afloat and ashore. This critical amphibious combat proficiency training will ensure our forces are postured and prepared to execute operations at sea, from the sea and ashore. The two-week combat rehearsal, launched from international waters off the coast of Djibouti and executed on land in the vicinity of Arta Beach, is synchronized with each ARG/MEU’s entry into the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR). Approximately 2,000 Sailors and Marines from the America-class amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), the command ship for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3; USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52); USS San Diego (LPD 22); 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU); USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3); Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command; Battalion Landing Team 1/5; Aviation Combat Element VMM-161 (reinforced) and the Logistics Combat Element CLB-15 are participating in the third iteration of the Naval Amphibious Forces, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) led-combat rehearsal.

DJIBOUTI (Sept. 4-20, 2017) - Alligator Dagger is the largest regional amphibious combat rehearsal to integrate and synchronize TF 51/5’s warfighting capabilities and those of adjacent U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Special Operations Forces’ units. TF 51/5’s dedicated, unilateral combat rehearsal provides our Navy and Marine Corps team the opportunity to practice, rehearse and exercise integrated capabilities that are available to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) both afloat and ashore. This critical amphibious combat proficiency training will ensure our forces are postured and prepared to execute operations at sea, from the sea and ashore. The two-week combat rehearsal, launched from international waters off the coast of Djibouti and executed on land in the vicinity of Arta Beach, is synchronized with each ARG/MEU’s entry into the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR). Approximately 2,000 Sailors and Marines from the America-class amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), the command ship for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3; USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52); USS San Diego (LPD 22); 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU); USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3); Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command; Battalion Landing Team 1/5; Aviation Combat Element VMM-161 (reinforced) and the Logistics Combat Element CLB-15 are participating in the third iteration of the Naval Amphibious Forces, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) led-combat rehearsal.