San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) sails underway in the Caribbean Sea, after U.S. Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Maritime Raid Force, both with Littoral Combat Force-24, conducted a long range fast-rope rehearsal from a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), LCF-24, at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, June 4, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)
San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) sails underway in the Caribbean Sea, after U.S. Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Maritime Raid Force, both with Littoral Combat Force-24, conducted a long range fast-rope rehearsal from a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), LCF-24, at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, June 4, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Maritime Raid Force, both with Littoral Combat Force-24, conduct a long range fast-rope rehearsal from a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), LCF-24, at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, June 4, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (U.S. Marine Corps video)
May29,2026
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Assumes the Watch as Littoral Combat Force-24,
Advancing Operation Southern Spear in USSOUTHCOM AOR
PUERTO RICO — The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has officially assumed the mission as the premier tactical force-in-readiness within the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility. Operating under the designation of Littoral Combat Force-24, the command offers tactical options via an agile Marine Air-Ground Task Force of over 1,300 Marines and Sailors to the theater. Commanded by U.S. Marine Corps Col. Ryan Lynch, LCF-24 is directly nested under Joint Force Maritime Component Command and Joint Task Force 84-2 to support Operation Southern Spear.
“The Marines and Sailors of LCF-24 are...
U.S. Marine Pfc. Herbert A. Littleton was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for falling on an enemy grenade to save the lives of his Marines. Named in his honor, the Pfc. Littleton Award is intended to recognize individuals who exemplify the same courage and spirit that defined Pfc. Littleton’s service.
Sgt. Lucas Camacho, a ground electronics transmission systems maintainer with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit was selected for the...
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece – U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG)-24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) conducted a readiness and sustainment training exercise focused on core mission essential tasks at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, July 13-17, 2024.