An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


News Stories

U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC)

USS Arlington (LPD 24) and 22nd MEU join Turkish exercise

by USS Arlington (LPD 24) Public Affairs and 22 MEU COMMSTRAT
28 May 2022

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) transits the Caribbean Sea en route to Haiti to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, Aug. 21, 2021.
The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) transits the Caribbean Sea en route to Haiti to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, Aug. 21, 2021. Arlington is deployed to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts in Haiti following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 14, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jack D. Aistrup/Released)
The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) transits the Caribbean Sea en route to Haiti to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, Aug. 21, 2021.
210821-N-MD802-1349
The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) transits the Caribbean Sea en route to Haiti to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, Aug. 21, 2021. Arlington is deployed to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts in Haiti following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 14, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jack D. Aistrup/Released)
Photo By: MC2 Jack Aistrup
VIRIN: 220528-N-DK722-1001
IZMIR, Turkey -- San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), attached to the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived off the coast of Izmir, Turkey to support the Turkish-led multinational exercise EFES Combined Joint Live-Fire Exercise 2022 (EFES22), May 27, 2022.

While in vicinity of Izmir, Arlington and elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will conduct amphibious ship-to-shore and air operations to off-load U.S. Marine Corps equipment and vehicles to support EFES22 to strengthen interoperability with a key NATO ally.

“Exercise EFES is a great opportunity for the Marines of the 22 MEU to hone our proficiency and interoperability with our Turkish Allies and other partners participating in the exercise,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Myette, executive officer of the 22nd MEU. “Over the next two weeks, we will train side by side with our Turkish allies, demonstrating the combined effectiveness of Allied forces operating from the sea and projecting firepower and maneuver assets ashore.”

EFES22 will include integrated aviation, amphibious landings, and bilateral artillery and light armored reconnaissance live-fire training between the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team and Turkish Armed Forces. Commander, Task Force (CTF) 61/2 will lead U.S. force participation, which consists of elements attached to the Kearsarge ARG and 22 MEU.

The Kearsarge ARG and embarked 22nd MEU are under the command and control of Task Force 61/2. The ARG consists of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3); the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24); and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).

Embarked commands with the Kearsarge ARG include Amphibious Squadron SIX, 22nd MEU, Fleet Surgical Team 2, Fleet Surgical Team 4, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 4, Naval Beach Group 2, and Beach Master Unit 2.

The 22nd MEU includes the command element; the aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); the ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 2/6 (Reinforced); and the logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion 26.

Amphibious ready groups and larger amphibious task forces provide military commanders a wide range of flexible capabilities including maritime security operations, expeditionary power projection, strike operations, forward naval presence, crisis response, sea control, deterrence, counter-terrorism, information operations, security cooperation and counter-proliferation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and Partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.


 
Navy.mil  |  Navy.com  |  Navy FOIA  | USFF FOIA DoD Accessibility/Section 508  |  No Fear Act  |  Open Government  |  Plain Writing Act 
USA.gov  |  Veterans Crisis Line  |  VA Vet Center  |  FVAP  |   DoD Safe Helpline  |  Navy SAPR  |  NCIS Tips  |  Privacy Policy  |  Site Map  |  Contact US
 
Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command   |   1562 Mitscher Ave., Suite 250   |   Norfolk, Virginia 23551-2487
Official U.S. Navy Website
Veteran's Crisis Line