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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)

Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, prepare to conduct a simulated raid during the Motorized Raid Course Nov. 3, at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain Training facility aboard Camp Lejeune. 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. (USMC Photo by: Sgt. Richard Blumenstein/ Released) - Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, prepare to conduct a simulated raid during the Motorized Raid Course Nov. 3, at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain Training facility aboard Camp Lejeune. 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. (USMC Photo by: Sgt. Richard Blumenstein/ Released)

An AV-8B Harrier commences a vertical landing on the flight deck off the USS Iwo Jima during deck landing qualifications as part of the Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) / 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) Oct. 24, 2011. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 and is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establish the working relationships and practices necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The AV-8B Harriers are a detachment from VMA-542 based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - An AV-8B Harrier commences a vertical landing on the flight deck off the USS Iwo Jima during deck landing qualifications as part of the Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) / 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) Oct. 24, 2011. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 and is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establish the working relationships and practices necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The AV-8B Harriers are a detachment from VMA-542 based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::

Col. Frank Donovan, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's commanding officer, speaks to all in attendance during the MEU's activation ceremony at W.P.T. Hill Field, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 29. The ceremony served as an opportunity for Donovan to address the Marines and sailors of his command and their families. The ceremony was held to officially composite the 24th MEU with its subordinate units Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 24. - Col. Frank Donovan, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's commanding officer, speaks to all in attendance during the MEU's activation ceremony at W.P.T. Hill Field, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 29. The ceremony served as an opportunity for Donovan to address the Marines and sailors of his command and their families. The ceremony was held to officially composite the 24th MEU with its subordinate units Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 24.

Sgt. Maj. John McGovern passes his sword to Col. Francis Donovan, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a relief and appointment ceremony Sept. 28, at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Building. During the ceremony McGovern relinquished his position as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos. - Sgt. Maj. John McGovern passes his sword to Col. Francis Donovan, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a relief and appointment ceremony Sept. 28, at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Building. During the ceremony McGovern relinquished his position as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos.

Lance Cpl. Tommy Bahr, a rifleman with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, scans over his sights while posting security Military Operations in Urban Terrain training at the Urban Assault Course on Fort Pickett, Va., Sep. 11, 2011. More than 900 Marines and Sailors will take part in the Deployment for Training exercise at Fort Pickett, Sept. 6-23. The battalion is scheduled to attach to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit a few days after the training. - Lance Cpl. Tommy Bahr, a rifleman with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, scans over his sights while posting security Military Operations in Urban Terrain training at the Urban Assault Course on Fort Pickett, Va., Sep. 11, 2011. More than 900 Marines and Sailors will take part in the Deployment for Training exercise at Fort Pickett, Sept. 6-23. The battalion is scheduled to attach to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit a few days after the training.

Pfc. Eric Solon, a machine gunner with Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, overcomes an obstacle while conducting a leadership training exercise at the Leadership Reaction Course on Fort Pickett, Va., Sep. 14, 2011. More than 900 Marines and Sailors are taking part in the Deployment for Training exercise at Fort Pickett, Sept. 6-23. The battalion is scheduled to attach to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit as its Battalion Landing Team a few days after the training. - Pfc. Eric Solon, a machine gunner with Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, overcomes an obstacle while conducting a leadership training exercise at the Leadership Reaction Course on Fort Pickett, Va., Sep. 14, 2011. More than 900 Marines and Sailors are taking part in the Deployment for Training exercise at Fort Pickett, Sept. 6-23. The battalion is scheduled to attach to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit as its Battalion Landing Team a few days after the training.

Pfc. Jingyi Sun, an assaultman with Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, climbs down a ladder after clearing the roof of a building during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training at the Urban Assault Course on Fort Pickett, Va., Sep. 12, 2011. More than 900 Marines and Sailors are taking part in the Deployment for Training exercise at Fort Pickett, Sept. 6-23. The battalion is scheduled to attach to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit a few days after the training. - Pfc. Jingyi Sun, an assaultman with Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, climbs down a ladder after clearing the roof of a building during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training at the Urban Assault Course on Fort Pickett, Va., Sep. 12, 2011. More than 900 Marines and Sailors are taking part in the Deployment for Training exercise at Fort Pickett, Sept. 6-23. The battalion is scheduled to attach to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit a few days after the training.