Photo By Cpl. Isaac Llanez Delgado | U.S. Marines with Bravo Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER, Calif. — U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division (2nd MARDIV) and French marines with the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment (21st RIMa), 6th Light Armoured Brigade (6th LAB) conducted the first ever live-fire bilateral training together during the Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) as part of Service Level Training Exercise 4-26 (SLTE 4-26).
The 21st RIMa integrated with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment during the Marine Air Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise, which is a portion of the overarching ITX, where they conducted a bilateral defense and maneuvered around the training area alongside U.S. Marines.
“It is particularly important for us to train alongside our Marine Corps counterparts for three main reasons,” said Capt. Imran, a company commander with 21st RIMa. “First, it allows us to build mutual understanding in combat by sharing our operational procedures, our TTPs. Second, it enhances tactical integration, particularly through a better understanding of the orders process, which enables and facilitates joint operations if required. Finally, it provides an opportunity to share knowledge, particularly in the area of tactical innovation. Indeed, given the evolution of the modern battlefield, particularly with regard to unmanned systems, counter-UAS, and robotic technologies, we need to share these emerging capabilities and lessons learned in order to adapt and advance rapidly.”
The French marines arrived at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), California, in mid-July to conduct preparatory ranges and training ahead of the exercise’s live-fire scenarios. They conducted precision-fire ranges and military operations in urbanized terrain assaults alongside MCAGCC staff, as well as training on unmanned ground vehicles with 2nd MARDIV’s unmanned systems Center of Excellence. The preparatory training culminated in the historic execution of a live-fire ITX, with U.S. forces shoulder to shoulder with one of their oldest allies.
“There are numerous advantages to this training, the most significant being the opportunity to integrate with the 2nd Marine Regiment and further strengthen the partnership between the 6th LAB and 2nd MARDIV,” said Imran. “The other benefits are particularly valuable for my company. First and foremost, MCAGCC provides outstanding training areas for our unit. In addition, the challenging conditions allow us to build both physical and mental resilience while becoming accustomed to operating in a different environment - the desert.”
SLTE 4-26 has allowed the 2nd Marine Regiment and the 21st RIMa to validate combat readiness, deployability and increase their lethality through complex, integrated training designed to replicate the demands of expeditionary operations. The exercise challenges Marines and sailors to operate in a contested environment while integrating fires, maneuver, logistics and emerging technologies across the battlespace. Through this training, 2nd Marine Regiment continues to refine their ability to rapidly deploy, integrate with joint and allied forces, and remain prepared to respond to a range of contingencies.
"Marines and Sailors are our ultimate warfighting advantage,"said Col. Edward Holton, commanding officer, 2nd Marine Regiment."Training alongside the 6th LAB amplifies that advantage by strengthening our relationships and combining our capabilities to build combat lethality. Hosting the 21st RIMa at SLTE 4-26 and integrating them directly into our team ensures our combined forces stand fully mission-ready for any contingency. Croche et Tient and Keep Moving!"
2nd MARDIV and 6th LAB have a long-standing partnership and have trained together in numerous major exercises since 2014. Both units have a strong focus on expeditionary capabilities which allow them to work well together strengthening human, technical and procedural interoperability. SLTE 4-26 is just the latest major exercise used to enhance that partnership and warfighting capability.
2nd MARDIV is a multi-mission, scalable force that provides combat-ready formations to deter aggression and respond to crises globally. Operating from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the division stands ready to execute expeditionary operations, crisis response, and large-scale combat operations as part of a MAGTF.
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2026 09:52 |
| Story ID: | 573244 |
| Location: | CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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