US Navy announces 2026 Expeditionary Warfare Excellence Awards recipients

Published Jul 23, 04:22 PM UTC

The U.S. Navy announced the 2026 recipients of the Expeditionary Warfare Excellence Awards, recognizing top-performing sailors and Marines from the 2025 calendar year. The awards honor those who significantly influenced the future of naval expeditionary warfare and amphibious capabilities through innovation, leadership, and teamwork. Navy recipients include Lt. Cmdr. Tyler Biggs (Officer of the Year) and Petty Officer 1st Class Bryant Campos (Enlisted Sailor of the Year). Marine Corps recipients include Maj. Nicholas Leeds (Officer of the Year) and Master Sgt. Patrick Keeling (Staff NCO of the Year), both from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit/Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. The article notes the Iwo Jima ARG's recent 10-month deployment in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, participation in Operation Southern Spear against narcoterrorist operations, and involvement in the January 3 capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.