U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Sean Blue, incoming speaks with Marines and sailors as the new Sergeant Major of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Apr. 18, 2024. The relief and appointment ceremony serves as the official changeover between Sergeants Major, honoring the outgoing Sergeant’s Major contributions during his tenure and allowing the oncoming SgtMaj to introduce himself to the Marines now under his charge. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo)
Marines and Sailors assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) will return home in several waves beginning Mar. 16, 2024 after successfully completing an extended eight-month deployment embarked aboard the amphibious warships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) in U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/6th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet areas of operations.
The BATARG is comprised of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), and the Harpers Ferry class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50).
Upon leaving the east coast of North Carolina for deployment in July 2023, the...
