Marine Corps cannon crewmen, Bravo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit endure unforgiving heat as they fire more than 200 rounds from their M777 A2 155 mm Howitzers during an artillery live fire range. This is only one of several training exercises the Marines of the 24th MEU have completed during their deployment throughout the Middle East. - Marine Corps cannon crewmen, Bravo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit endure unforgiving heat as they fire more than 200 rounds from their M777 A2 155 mm Howitzers during an artillery live fire range. This is only one of several training exercises the Marines of the 24th MEU have completed during their deployment throughout the Middle East.

Marines attached to Combine Anti-Armor Team Platoon, Team 2, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, get some hands-on training with how to properly apply a tourniquet during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care class May 16. - Marines attached to Combine Anti-Armor Team Platoon, Team 2, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, get some hands-on training with how to properly apply a tourniquet during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care class May 16.

Cpl. Daniel Mallory, a squad leader with 1st platoon, Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, posts security at the rear of an assault amphibious vehicle (AAV) as team leader Lance Cpl. Daniel Pursley, exits towards their objective point during a mechanized assault as part of a live fire range in Djibouti, Africa, March 29. The infantry Marines initially closed with their objective riding through the mountainous, desert environment, in the back of Assault Amphibious Vehicles from the 24th MEU's Amphibious Assault Vehicle platoon. 24th MEU Marines performed a series of sustainment exercises, as well as bi-lateral training alongside the French military, during a month-long rotation of units from 24th MEU conducting training in the east-African country. The 24th MEU currently serves as the theatre reserve force for Central Command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex Sauceda) - Cpl. Daniel Mallory, a squad leader with 1st platoon, Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, posts security at the rear of an assault amphibious vehicle (AAV) as team leader Lance Cpl. Daniel Pursley, exits towards their objective point during a mechanized assault as part of a live fire range in Djibouti, Africa, March 29. The infantry Marines initially closed with their objective riding through the mountainous, desert environment, in the back of Assault Amphibious Vehicles from the 24th MEU's Amphibious Assault Vehicle platoon. 24th MEU Marines performed a series of sustainment exercises, as well as bi-lateral training alongside the French military, during a month-long rotation of units from 24th MEU conducting training in the east-African country. The 24th MEU currently serves as the theatre reserve force for Central Command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex Sauceda)

Marines with 2nd LAR, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pariticipated in a desert survival course taught by the 5th Regiment, French Army Mar. 11. The Marines learned how to gather water, capture wildlife and prepare it for consumption and simple anti-personnel traps. The course was one of many training stations Marines participated in as the 24th MEU conducts sustainment training in DJibouti throughout the month. - Marines with 2nd LAR, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pariticipated in a desert survival course taught by the 5th Regiment, French Army Mar. 11. The Marines learned how to gather water, capture wildlife and prepare it for consumption and simple anti-personnel traps. The course was one of many training stations Marines participated in as the 24th MEU conducts sustainment training in DJibouti throughout the month.

Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark a Landing Craft, Air Cushioned vessel from Assault Craft Unit – 4, to Onlsow Beach, N.C. to prepare for a Humanitarian Assistance exercise Oct. 31 as part of the 24th MEU’s Composite Unit Training Exercise. The HA exercise tested the 24th MEU’s ability to operate as the landing force of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group for its upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alex C. Guerra) - Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark a Landing Craft, Air Cushioned vessel from Assault Craft Unit – 4, to Onlsow Beach, N.C. to prepare for a Humanitarian Assistance exercise Oct. 31 as part of the 24th MEU’s Composite Unit Training Exercise. The HA exercise tested the 24th MEU’s ability to operate as the landing force of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group for its upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alex C. Guerra)

Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast rope from a Ch-53E Super Stallion aboard USS Nassau's flight deck during the MEU's Composite Training Unit Exercise Oct. 29. The 24th MEU's COMPTUEX pre-deployment training integrates Marines and sailors of the USS Nassau Ready Group in preparation for its upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alex C. Guerra) - Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast rope from a Ch-53E Super Stallion aboard USS Nassau's flight deck during the MEU's Composite Training Unit Exercise Oct. 29. The 24th MEU's COMPTUEX pre-deployment training integrates Marines and sailors of the USS Nassau Ready Group in preparation for its upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alex C. Guerra)

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion / 9th Marine Regiment Alpha Company 3rd Platoon, attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, perform dry runs before a live fire exercise in a shoot house at Camp Atterbury, IN September 25, 2009. This training, being held during the 24th MEU's Realistic Urban Training evolution, prepares the Marines for missions where they will have to enter and take control of buildings that may have enemy combatants in them while they are deployed with the 24th MEU. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson) - Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion / 9th Marine Regiment Alpha Company 3rd Platoon, attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, perform dry runs before a live fire exercise in a shoot house at Camp Atterbury, IN September 25, 2009. This training, being held during the 24th MEU's Realistic Urban Training evolution, prepares the Marines for missions where they will have to enter and take control of buildings that may have enemy combatants in them while they are deployed with the 24th MEU. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson)

Marines from 1st Battalion / 9th Marine Regiment, Alpha Company, 2nd platoon, attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, execute patrolling exercises during the mechanized raid course aboard Camp Lejeune, NC. This training evolution will prepares the Marines for the hazards that they may face while patrolling in other countries while deployed with the 24th MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson) - Marines from 1st Battalion / 9th Marine Regiment, Alpha Company, 2nd platoon, attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, execute patrolling exercises during the mechanized raid course aboard Camp Lejeune, NC. This training evolution will prepares the Marines for the hazards that they may face while patrolling in other countries while deployed with the 24th MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson)

Pfc. Tony J. Desselle, rifleman, 2nd platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, leads his Marines to a collection area as a MV-22 Osprey, from Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron -162, 24th MEU, takes flight after transporting Marines to a raid training facility at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Aug. 19, during the Heliborne Company Raid Course. Charlie Company trained with Special Operations Training Group to become the 24th MEU’s helo raid force for its upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alex C. Guerra) - Pfc. Tony J. Desselle, rifleman, 2nd platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, leads his Marines to a collection area as a MV-22 Osprey, from Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron -162, 24th MEU, takes flight after transporting Marines to a raid training facility at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Aug. 19, during the Heliborne Company Raid Course. Charlie Company trained with Special Operations Training Group to become the 24th MEU’s helo raid force for its upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alex C. Guerra)