A Bolt-M autonomous air vehicle equipped with an antipersonnel payload controlled by U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 6th Marine Regiment, strikes a designated target during an organic loitering munitions range at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 28, 2026. The live-fire event validated the operational employment of the Bolt-M loitering munition system, a critical component of the Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) initiative designed to enhance battalion lethality ahead of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge Borjas)
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Martial arts and combative sports are a skillset many people use for various ways. Some want to learn how to defend themselves in case they are ever attacked. Others have been involved in these sports for years and compete professionally. For U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Charles Copeland, the fire and effects coordination center chief at the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), martial arts and combative sports taught him how to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
Copeland grew up in a small town in Minnesota . Even when he was younger, he always found himself being told he couldn’t participate in challenging sports because of his smaller stature compared to the rest of the kids around him.
“I just...
SOUDA BAY, Greece – U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), embarked aboard the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) conducted advanced ARG/MEU readiness sustainment training, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Feb. 16-20, 2024.
