USS Makin Island ARG/15th MEU arrives off Somali Coast

201218-M-UY835-1052 INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 18, 2020) – U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to land on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island. The F-35Bs provide close air support to Operation OCTAVE QUARTZ. The mission of OOQ is to reposition U.S. DOD forces in Somalia to other East Africa operating locations while maintaining pressure on violent extremists and supporting partner forces.



By Cpl. Patrick Crosley Joint Task Force-Quartz Indian Ocean Dec 22, 2020
More in Operations
U.S. Forces Conduct Strikes Supporting Somali National Army, Targeting al Shabaab
In support of a military operation led by the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted airstrikes against al Shabaab on Aug. 1, 2025.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting al Shabaab
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against al Shabaab on July 25, 2025.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conduct Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an operation against the ISIS-Somalia terrorist network in Somalia on July 25.
Read more
More in Operations
U.S. Forces Conduct Strikes Supporting Somali National Army, Targeting al Shabaab
In support of a military operation led by the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted airstrikes against al Shabaab on Aug. 1, 2025.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting al Shabaab
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against al Shabaab on July 25, 2025.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conduct Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an operation against the ISIS-Somalia terrorist network in Somalia on July 25.
Read more
More in Operations
U.S. Forces Conduct Strikes Supporting Somali National Army, Targeting al Shabaab
In support of a military operation led by the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted airstrikes against al Shabaab on Aug. 1, 2025.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting al Shabaab
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against al Shabaab on July 25, 2025.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conduct Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an operation against the ISIS-Somalia terrorist network in Somalia on July 25.
Read more