U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Cobra and UH-1Y Venom crews conducted live fire exercises off the Caribbean coast, firing heavy machine gun and rocket systems as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable deployment, the command stated.
The drills, captured in a series of official images released by the 22nd MEU, show a UH-1Y Venom crew chief engaging targets with a GAU-21 .50-calibre machine gun while an AH-1Z Cobra fired rockets during separate serials on 16 and 22 September 2025.
The exercises were conducted while the ships and aircraft were underway in the Caribbean Sea as part of forces deployed in support of U.S. Southern Command missions, and the imagery underscores the MEU’s focus on maritime strike, close air support, and interdiction tasks, the press release stated.
SOUTHCOM framed the activity as training that sharpens expeditionary aviation tactics and improves interoperability with partner agencies. “Transnational criminal organisations threaten the security, prosperity, and health of our hemisphere,” Adm. Alvin Holsey is quoted as saying in the release.
“By forming a JTF around II MEF headquarters, we enhance our ability to detect, disrupt, and dismantle illicit trafficking networks faster and at greater depth – together with our U.S. and partner-nation counterparts.” (the press release stated)
The 22nd MEU’s helicopters practised firing from moving ships, and rehearsed the sensor to shooter linkages that help turn airborne observations into precision interdictions at sea. The press material noted the exercises support broader SOUTHCOM objectives, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance integration, and the expansion of real time intelligence fusion between U.S. military, federal law enforcement, and partner nations.
Lt. Gen. Calvert Worth, the II MEF commander and designated Joint Task Force leader, is quoted describing his force as “trained, equipped, and ready to lead this Joint Task Force,” and stressing the mission’s maritime emphasis, “our team will leverage maritime patrols, aerial surveillance, precision interdictions, and intelligence sharing to counter illicit traffic”.
