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A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit lifts a cargo container during external load sustainment training at Blackstone Army Airfield Jan. 16, 2012. The day of training enabled VMM-261’s pilots to meet their semiannual training requirements, and it supported sustainment for the helicopter crew chiefs and CLB 24’s Helicopter Support Team. The training focuses on the MEU’s capability to use helicopters to move critical assets such as food, water and artillery cannons. - A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit lifts a cargo container during external load sustainment training at Blackstone Army Airfield Jan. 16, 2012. The day of training enabled VMM-261’s pilots to meet their semiannual training requirements, and it supported sustainment for the helicopter crew chiefs and CLB 24’s Helicopter Support Team. The training focuses on the MEU’s capability to use helicopters to move critical assets such as food, water and artillery cannons.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon provide medical attention to simulated casualties during a mock night raid at a Virginia Beach police training facility here Jan.17, 2012. The Recon Marines executed the raid with Security Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, as part of the 24th MEU’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20, which focuses on conducting off-base missions near the towns of Farmville and Creeds to prepare for the various operations they may conduct while deployed. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon provide medical attention to simulated casualties during a mock night raid at a Virginia Beach police training facility here Jan.17, 2012. The Recon Marines executed the raid with Security Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, as part of the 24th MEU’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20, which focuses on conducting off-base missions near the towns of Farmville and Creeds to prepare for the various operations they may conduct while deployed.

Cpl. Charles Ulrich, a flightline mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, works on an AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter Jan. 13, 2012, here. The Sparta, N.J., native said he joined the Marine Corps because he wanted to work on helicopters and be a Marine like his grandfather. The unit’s upcoming deployment will be the first time the Iraq war veteran will deploy with a MEU. - Cpl. Charles Ulrich, a flightline mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, works on an AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter Jan. 13, 2012, here. The Sparta, N.J., native said he joined the Marine Corps because he wanted to work on helicopters and be a Marine like his grandfather. The unit’s upcoming deployment will be the first time the Iraq war veteran will deploy with a MEU.

(Right) Lance Cpl. Nicholas Verdisco, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to fuel an MV-22 Osprey with a Helicopter Expedient Refueling System, here, Jan. 14, 2012. The Marines refueled the aircraft to support a simulated airfield seizure at Farmville Municipal Airport as part of the 24th MEU’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20. RUT focuses on conducting off-base missions near the town of Farmville, Va., to prepare for the various operations they may conduct during their upcoming deployment. - (Right) Lance Cpl. Nicholas Verdisco, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to fuel an MV-22 Osprey with a Helicopter Expedient Refueling System, here, Jan. 14, 2012. The Marines refueled the aircraft to support a simulated airfield seizure at Farmville Municipal Airport as part of the 24th MEU’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20. RUT focuses on conducting off-base missions near the town of Farmville, Va., to prepare for the various operations they may conduct during their upcoming deployment.

Lance Cpl. Ewen DeWitt, a machine gunner with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, mounts a M-2 .50-caliber machine gun on top of an Internally Transportable Vehicle during the Defense of the Amphibious Task Force Naval qualification exercise aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Dec. 3, 2011. DATF is one of many qualifications that make up Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The DATF drill allowed the Marines to integrate with their Navy counterparts to rehearse how they would protect the ships of the amphibious ready group while traveling through high threat areas at sea. - Lance Cpl. Ewen DeWitt, a machine gunner with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, mounts a M-2 .50-caliber machine gun on top of an Internally Transportable Vehicle during the Defense of the Amphibious Task Force Naval qualification exercise aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Dec. 3, 2011. DATF is one of many qualifications that make up Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The DATF drill allowed the Marines to integrate with their Navy counterparts to rehearse how they would protect the ships of the amphibious ready group while traveling through high threat areas at sea.

A CH-53E Super Stallion lands on the USNS Arctic during a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure, Dec. 7, 2011 The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON-8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. The CH-53E helicopters are a detachment from HMH-464 based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU. - A CH-53E Super Stallion lands on the USNS Arctic during a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure, Dec. 7, 2011 The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON-8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. The CH-53E helicopters are a detachment from HMH-464 based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU.

Private First Class Robert Roessler, a rifleman with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sights in on his M-16 A4 service rifle during training drills aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Dec. 6, 2011. The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. - Private First Class Robert Roessler, a rifleman with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sights in on his M-16 A4 service rifle during training drills aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Dec. 6, 2011. The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Cpl. Steven Escobar, a rifleman with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, communicates with his platoon commander after setting into position during the Mechanized Raid Course Nov. 9, at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain training facility aboard Camp Lejeune. The course took place Nov. 7-18 to prepare the company to serve as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's mechanized raid force. - Cpl. Steven Escobar, a rifleman with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, communicates with his platoon commander after setting into position during the Mechanized Raid Course Nov. 9, at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain training facility aboard Camp Lejeune. The course took place Nov. 7-18 to prepare the company to serve as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's mechanized raid force.

Cpl. Darrell Kincaid, a rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, eats a vegetarian Meal Ready to Eat during the Motorized Raid Course Oct. 26, at Stone Bay's Home Station Lane Training complex here. The course took place Oct. 24 to Nov. 4 to prepare the company to serve as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's motorized raid force. Kincaid, a native of Victor, W. Va., prides himself on being a vegetarian and still maintaining a high level of physical fitness. (USMC Photo by: Sgt. Richard Blumenstein/ Released) - Cpl. Darrell Kincaid, a rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, eats a vegetarian Meal Ready to Eat during the Motorized Raid Course Oct. 26, at Stone Bay's Home Station Lane Training complex here. The course took place Oct. 24 to Nov. 4 to prepare the company to serve as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's motorized raid force. Kincaid, a native of Victor, W. Va., prides himself on being a vegetarian and still maintaining a high level of physical fitness. (USMC Photo by: Sgt. Richard Blumenstein/ Released)