"Aviation Combat Element"

#13159550

5 January 2026

AV-8B Harrier II aircraft assigned to the Aviation Combat Element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit launch from the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of amphibious and maritime security operations.

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#13159552

5 January 2026

An AV-8B Harrier II aircraft assigned to the Aviation Combat Element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit conducts a vertical landing on the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of amphibious and maritime security operations.

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#13159542

5 January 2026

In July 2011, the USS Bataan (LHD-5), a Wasp-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Navy, operates in the Mediterranean Sea during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. 6th Fleet. It embarks with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, providing amphibious power projection, command and control, and support to maritime security operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and regional crisis response, including the initial phases of operations related to the Libyan crisis. The naval task group consists of USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), and USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41), and is augmented by elements of Amphibious Squadron 6, Naval Beach Group, Fleet Surgical Team 8, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28. The Aviation Combat Element of the 22nd MEU, centered on Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263, operates MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AV-8B Harrier II, AH-1W Super Cobra, and UH-1N Huey aircraft to provide assault support, logistical lift, close air support, armed escort, and command and control in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force ashore.

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#13159543

5 January 2026

In July 2011, the USS Bataan (LHD-5), a Wasp-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Navy, operates in the Mediterranean Sea during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. 6th Fleet. It embarks with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, providing amphibious power projection, command and control, and support to maritime security operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and regional crisis response, including the initial phases of operations related to the Libyan crisis. The naval task group consists of USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), and USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41), and is augmented by elements of Amphibious Squadron 6, Naval Beach Group, Fleet Surgical Team 8, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28. The Aviation Combat Element of the 22nd MEU, centered on Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263, operates MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AV-8B Harrier II, AH-1W Super Cobra, and UH-1N Huey aircraft to provide assault support, logistical lift, close air support, armed escort, and command and control in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force ashore.

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#13159544

5 January 2026

In July 2011, the USS Bataan (LHD-5), a Wasp-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Navy, operates in the Mediterranean Sea during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. 6th Fleet. It embarks with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, providing amphibious power projection, command and control, and support to maritime security operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and regional crisis response, including the initial phases of operations related to the Libyan crisis. The naval task group consists of USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), and USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41), and is augmented by elements of Amphibious Squadron 6, Naval Beach Group, Fleet Surgical Team 8, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28. The Aviation Combat Element of the 22nd MEU, centered on Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263, operates MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AV-8B Harrier II, AH-1W Super Cobra, and UH-1N Huey aircraft to provide assault support, logistical lift, close air support, armed escort, and command and control in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force ashore.

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#13159545

5 January 2026

In July 2011, the USS Bataan (LHD-5), a Wasp-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Navy, operates in the Mediterranean Sea during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. 6th Fleet. It embarks with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, providing amphibious power projection, command and control, and support to maritime security operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and regional crisis response, including the initial phases of operations related to the Libyan crisis. The naval task group consists of USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), and USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41), and is augmented by elements of Amphibious Squadron 6, Naval Beach Group, Fleet Surgical Team 8, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28. The Aviation Combat Element of the 22nd MEU, centered on Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263, operates MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AV-8B Harrier II, AH-1W Super Cobra, and UH-1N Huey aircraft to provide assault support, logistical lift, close air support, armed escort, and command and control in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force ashore.

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#13159546

5 January 2026

The MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28) lifts off from the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of maritime security and amphibious operations.

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#13159547

5 January 2026

The MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28) lifts off from the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of maritime security and amphibious operations.

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#13159548

5 January 2026

The MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28) lifts off from the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of maritime security and amphibious operations.

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#13159555

5 January 2026

The MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28) lifts off from the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of maritime security and amphibious operations.

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#13159549

5 January 2026

MV-22B Osprey aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263 lift off from the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of amphibious and maritime security operations.

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#13159551

5 January 2026

The MV-22B Osprey aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263 conducts a vertical landing on the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of amphibious and maritime security operations.

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#13159553

5 January 2026

The MV-22B Osprey aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263 conducts a vertical landing on the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of amphibious and maritime security operations.

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#13159554

5 January 2026

MV-22B Osprey aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263 lift off from the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of amphibious and maritime security operations.

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#13159556

5 January 2026

An MV-22B Osprey aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263 is photographed from another Osprey in flight with its rear ramp open while en route to Naval Air Station Sigonella in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of amphibious and maritime security operations.

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#10656786

19 October 2023

The Bulgarian Navy is extinguishing a fire during the 27th national naval exercise 'Breeze 2023' in Varna, east of Sofia. The main goal of the exercise is to enhance interoperability and interaction between the navies of the participating countries. This is achieved by performing joint tasks and conducting a broad range of combat actions at sea, in an operation aimed at ensuring maritime security in the region. Warships, aviation, personnel, forces, and assets from the naval forces of Bulgaria, Albania, Belgium, Great Britain, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Romania, USA, Turkey, France, the NATO Naval Command, the Command for Special Operations in Europe (SOCEUR), the NATO Maritime Interdiction Training Center (NMIOTC), the NATO Force Integration Staff Element in Bulgaria (NFIU), the Joint Forces Command, the Land Forces, and the Air Force are all participating.

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