Marine Expeditionary Unit Transits Panama Canal

Aug. 3, 2026 | By Marine Corps Capt. Shawn Doublet, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit |

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit — operating as Littoral Combat Force 24 — transited the Panama Canal, Aug. 1, aboard the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio.

Marking the first time a Marine expeditionary unit has navigated the canal since 2008, this large-scale maneuver is a demonstration of the Marine Corps' capacity for rapid global mobility, maritime dominance and seamless power projection.

"This historic transit is a powerful testament to the flexibility and readiness of Littoral Combat Force 24," said Marine Corps Col. Ryan Lynch, LCF 24 commanding officer. "Our ability to seamlessly navigate this critical waterway alongside our Navy partners, aboard the USS San Antonio, demonstrates our capability to rapidly project power and respond to crises anywhere in the [U.S.] Southern Command area of responsibility. We are ready to operate straight from the sea, at a moment's notice."

The transit serves as a validation of the littoral combat force concept and the modern Marine air-ground task force. It proves the unit's ability to navigate narrow waterways and project assets ashore without relying on established military basing, underscoring the Marine Corps' enduring role as the nation's premier readiness force, perfectly calibrated for contested littoral regions.

The foundation of this capability is the unbreakable teamwork between the Navy and the Marine Corps. The interoperability displayed highlights a fully integrated naval force supporting combatant commander objectives.

Since its completion, the Panama Canal has served as a vital strategic pathway for the U.S. and its allies. The canal allows naval vessels to rapidly shift between the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, saving weeks of travel around South America.

Navigating this critical maritime shortcut ensures the U.S. military can maintain a flexible, responsive posture — surging ships and troops to meet emerging crises across hemispheres without delay.

By moving fluidly through the canal, the team proved its unrestricted access to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, which spans Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Whether tasked with humanitarian disaster relief, bolstering regional partnerships or deterring aggression, this force can reach anywhere in the region to deliver tailored, decisive effects.

USS San Antonio Assumes Relief Mission in Venezuela

July 13, 2026 | By Navy Lt. j.g. Paul Archer, U.S. 4th Fleet |

Supporting ongoing disaster relief efforts, the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio arrived at the port in La Guaira, Venezuela, July 9, relieving the USS Fort Lauderdale as the primary maritime component of the State Department-led humanitarian assistance mission following the devastating June 24 earthquakes. 

After the Fort Lauderdale's historic arrival June 28 — the first Navy port call to Venezuela in decades — the San Antonio will now take over as the primary afloat coordination hub and continue sustained recovery efforts. The ship's robust command-and-control infrastructure enables U.S. Southern Command to work seamlessly with the State Department, interagency partners and Venezuelan authorities to distribute resources and direct rapid relief operations across the affected areas. 

"The sailors and Marines of [the] USS Fort Lauderdale and Littoral Combat Force 24 have worked tirelessly to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela," said Navy Capt. Jiwan Mack, USS Fort Lauderdale commanding officer. "Our Navy-Marine Corps team remains ready to respond rapidly to emerging crisis." 

The continuous presence of a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock in port is a critical force multiplier for the interagency relief operation. Designed for extended, self-sustaining operations, the ship requires minimal local security, logistical support or port resources. This approach ensures that all local Venezuelan assets can remain entirely focused on domestic recovery rather than supporting the U.S. presence. 

Beyond serving as a communication hub, the San Antonio brings advanced onboard medical facilities, an expansive flight deck to support ongoing rotary-wing search and rescue operations, and a well deck capable of launching amphibious landing craft to deliver heavy cargo and vital supplies directly to damaged coastal infrastructure. 

"We are prepared to continue the vital mission that [the] USS Fort Lauderdale began," said Navy Capt. Tom Uhl, USS San Antonio commanding officer. "The presence of [the] USS San Antonio and Littoral Combat Force 24 in La Guaira represents more than just a transition of ships; it demonstrates the resolve and inherent capabilities of the Navy-Marine Corps team in supporting Department of State-led disaster response efforts to bring relief to the Venezuelan people."

The transition between the two Navy vessels was executed safely and efficiently, with the San Antonio immediately integrating with U.S. aviation assets already operating in the region, including elements of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 48 and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365.

At the direction of Southcom, assigned U.S. military forces are supporting State Department-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Venezuela. Planning for continued U.S. military support remains ongoing in close coordination with the State Department, the Venezuelan government and international partners contributing to the relief effort. 

The U.S. military forces supporting Venezuela are built for rapid, short-term response to stabilize a crisis, minimize immediate suffering and save lives. This presence is temporary, remaining active for as long as requested, ready to transition relief tasks to nongovernmental organizations, international aid groups and local authorities as soon as the immediate crisis is stabilized.

Navy's Environment and Energy Programs Sail to Inner Harbor for Baltimore Navy Week

From Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division

BALTIMORE (NNS) -- The Navy's energy and environmental programs will be on display during Baltimore's Star-Spangled Sailabration and Navy Week activities from June 14-17.

The event is one of a series of activities planned to commemorate the War of 1812 bicentennial.

The Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division (N45) will have an exhibit aboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17) in the Baltimore Inner Harbor June 14-15 and at Fort McHenry during the air show June 16-17.

Visitors to the N45 exhibits can learn about Navy initiatives such as marine mammal protection, waste management at sea, and energy conservation. The exhibit aboard San Antonio will highlight specific environmental systems on Navy ships, including a plastic waste processor disk.

Information on how the Navy manages waste at sea and on base, along with free copies of Currents, the Navy's energy and environmental magazine; posters; worksheets for kids, and other free educational materials will be available to the public. The Navy's environmental quality mascot, EQ Pelican, will provide free photo opportunities for families during the weekend events.

"The War of 1812 was the conflict in which the U.S. Navy came of age, serving notice to the world that it was a force to be reckoned with. In the two centuries since, the U.S. Navy has become the world's preeminent naval power, not only in combat capability, but also in commitment to protect the natural environment," said John Quinn, N45's acting director. "Baltimore Navy Week is a wonderful opportunity for Baltimore visitors to learn about our nation's naval heritage and to discover the many things their Navy does every day to protect and preserve the environment for future generations."

To learn more about Baltimore Navy Week, visit http://www.navyweek.org/baltimore2012/index.html.

USS San Antonio Earns "Battle E"

From Naval Surface Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The officers and crew of USS San Antonio (LPD 17) were today presented with the Battle "Battle E" award by the commander of Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 4.

"Everyone who believes that San Antonio is still broken and on the sidelines will now realize that we are not," said San Antonio Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Neil Koprowski. "We won the Battle E. We are back and ready to take on all missions."

San Antonio was recognized for superior performance over the past year, and for several significant achievements, displaying excellence in maritime warfare capabilities, engineering/survivability, command and control, and the type commander's Safety Award.

The Battle E award is based on a yearlong overall evaluation of San Antonio accomplishments during training exercises, various command inspections and nomination by their immediate superior in command COMPHIBRON 4.

"It's all of you that are making this ship succeed," said Capt. Peter Pagano, commander, COMPHIBRON 4, during a morning all-hands call aboard San Antonio. "It's the officers, chiefs and Sailors on this ship, down to the most junior seaman that will continue to do so through INSURV (Board of Inspection and Survey assessment scheduled to begin April 23). You all should be very proud to be San Antonio Sailors."

Eligibility for the award required a consistent day-to-day demonstration of excellence and superior achievement during all certifications and qualifications conducted following departure from the shipyard last year.

San Antonio may now display the big white letter "E" with the black shadow on its super structure along several other awards as a testament to the focus, teamwork, pride and ownership demonstrated throughout a rigorous maintenance and basic phase.

Second Fleet Ships Prepared to Provide Assistance Following Irene

Emergency relief operations by the military happen more often than you think.  Check out these Navy and Coast Guard books.

From Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Units from Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet stand able and ready Aug. 27 to support emergency response from the sea and land if requested in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

Twenty-seven ships got underway from Hamptons Roads, Va., area Aug. 25 and rendezvoused with 11 other units already underway to avoid storm damage and maintain fleet readiness.

The ships have safely moved around the storm and are now coming in behind it, prepared to provide any requested support.

"Our ships have safely maneuvered out of the way of Hurricane Irene, to avoid the destructive winds and seas," said Vice Adm. Daniel Holloway, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet. "We are now in position to respond if called upon to meet emergent needs and provide support to efforts along the east coast of the United States with a variety of capabilities from the sea including search and rescue, medical support and aviation lift."

USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS New York (LPD 21), USS San Antonio (LPD 17), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and USS Ponce (LPD 15) are available to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard with search and rescue efforts and medical evacuation if requested.

Wasp and other amphibious and support ships have helicopters available that can provide heavy and medium lift from a sea based staging area, provide surface/air ship-to-shore movement, search and rescue and trauma response capabilities and are ready to render assistance if called upon.

Navy P-3 Orion aircraft are poised to provide full motion video capability after Hurricane Irene passes in order to provide the government the ability to see what ground conditions are like in the aftermath of the storm.

Additional heavy and medium lift helicopters are being made available to support from the land as well. Other units are making preparations to support if required and include: a mobile dive salvage unit, a naval mobile construction battalion air detachment, an underwater construction team and an expeditionary command element naval mobile construction battalion.

Navy personnel and their families should use the Navy Family and Accountability and Assessment System, http://go.usa.gov/kQ4, call their command or call the Navy Personnel Command Emergency Coordination Center, (877) 414-5358, to muster with their respective commands.

A variety of information is available in support of family readiness during hurricane season including:

- State of Virginia Emergency Management, http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia, which has many resources for planning and preparing emergency kits, developing evacuation plans and addressing specific special needs for children, the elderly and others.

- Virginia Department of Transportation Hurricane Evacuation Guide, http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hurricane_defauLT.asp, which provides more detailed information for preparing for a hurricane, hurricane evacuation and public shelters in Virginia.

- Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness Guide, http://www.preparehr.org/documents/RedCrossReadyHurricaneGuide2pg.pdf, which provides general overview of tips and guidelines for hurricane preparedness.

- Prepare Hampton Roads website, http://www.preparehr.org, which provides valuable tips for preparing for high winds and evacuation.

- Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready America Hurricane webpage, http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html, which has various information including about returning to your home following a disaster.