US Marine Corps in Joint Military Training in Albania

TIRANA – US Marine Corps UH-1Y Venoms and AH-1W Super Cobras assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and attached to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) participated in a live-fire training exercise in Bize, Albania, June 22, 2020, reported dvids portal on Wednesday.

The exercise was planned alongside Albanian allied forces and consisted of aviation ordnance-delivery training aimed at increasing readiness and reinforcing the partnership between the US and Albania.

“The BATARG and 26th MEU are excited about the opportunity to build on the live-fire exercise conducted by the US Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Det. 1, with our Albanian partners less than two months ago,” said Capt. Lance Lesher, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 8.

“This valuable ARGMEU training ensures that along with the Albanian military, we maintain peak mission readiness in any environment, including the challenges associated with combat operations during a pandemic,” he said.

By utilizing the overland ranges in Albania, UH-1Y Venom and AH-1W Super Cobra pilots assigned to the 26th MEU were able to become more proficient in conducting live-fire tactical maneuvering in a challenging, mountainous environment.

ARGMEUs operate continuously across the globe and provide the geographic combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, flexible and responsive sea-based MAGTF. The blue-green team is fully capable of conducting operations across a full spectrum of conventional, unconventional and hybrid warfare. Training such as this strengthens the execution of mission-essential tasks alongside NATO allies.

Bataan ARG and 26th MEU consist of more than 4,000 total Sailors and Marines, who are operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.