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Corpsman inserts a nasal tube into the nasal cavity of a Marine volunteer during the Combat Lifesaver Course, aboard the USS Iwo Jima, March 30. - Corpsman inserts a nasal tube into the nasal cavity of a Marine volunteer during the Combat Lifesaver Course, aboard the USS Iwo Jima, March 30.

First to fight, first to aid

Saving lives on the battlefield is a difficult job that Navy corpsmen have been doing with the highest level of proficiency for decades. Now they are getting some help, by teaching Marines the skills to help keep each other in the fight. Aboard the USS Iwo Jima, a select few 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines were chosen to attend the Combat

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24th MEU ACE conquers carrier quals

As darkness falls across the face of the deep, the horizon pours away its last drops of light and leaves the world black and empty. Rotor blades snap through the air like lightning as grey shapes emerge from the void, appearing like a dream aboard the swaying deck of a shapeless ship. In the blink of an eye, a pair of CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters

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Cpl. Jason Emmerich, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (Reinforced) crew chief, fires an M2 .50 caliber machinegun during aerial gunnery practice March 31, 2006. HMM-365 (Rein.) is the Aviation Combat Element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit which is currently participating in an Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise in preparation for an upcoming deployment. - Cpl. Jason Emmerich, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (Reinforced) crew chief, fires an M2 .50 caliber machinegun during aerial gunnery practice March 31, 2006. HMM-365 (Rein.) is the Aviation Combat Element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit which is currently participating in an Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

24th MEU ACE ‘lock and load’ Ma Deuce: photo essay

Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (Reinforced) practiced their aerial gunnery skills March 31 during the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise March 27 through April 12.As the Aviation Combat Element of the 24th MEU, pilots and crew chiefs who fly aboard the CH-46E Sea Knight will be called upon to

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A Landing Craft Air Cushioned debarks from the USS Iwo Jima during the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise March 29, 2006. - A Landing Craft Air Cushioned debarks from the USS Iwo Jima during the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise March 29, 2006.

24th MEU loads ships for ESGEX

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in conjunction with the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group is conducting its Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise, March 27 through April 12, in the coastal waters of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. As the training evolution began, Marines and Sailors worked together as a cohesive team. The Marines

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Maj. Michael S. Reed, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (Reinforced) operations officer, guides a discussion of Mark Bowden?s ?Blackhawk Down? during a professional military education class March 24. HMM-365 (Rein.) is currently participating in an Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise and is scheduled to deploy to the European and Central Command theaters of operations. - Maj. Michael S. Reed, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (Reinforced) operations officer, guides a discussion of Mark Bowden?s ?Blackhawk Down? during a professional military education class March 24. HMM-365 (Rein.) is currently participating in an Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise and is scheduled to deploy to the European and Central Command theaters of operations.

24th MEU ACE learns from history

It’s the type of radio traffic that hits strong like a gut-shot. A breathless voice shouts, “Blackhawk down,” into a dusty transmitter and well-laid plans and tactics scatter with the wreckage and twisted metal of a downed helicopter. Amongst the debris also lie the assumptions of untouchable aviation assets -- destroyed by a few rocket propelled

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2nd Marine Division - 2nd Marine Division

Bronze Star awarded for actions in Iraq

Three Marines were awarded the Bronze Star Medal during a ceremony held at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters building March 21, 2006. Lt. Gen. James F. Amos, II MEF commanding general, awarded three Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment the medal for actions during their last combat deployment to Iraq. Gunnery Sgt. Ryan P.

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Lance Cpl. Christian G. Calderon, Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Battalion Landing Team 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit team leader provides security at a port facility March 11. The training was part of the 24th MEU's Training in an Urban Environment Exercise taking place in Hampton Roads, Va. - Lance Cpl. Christian G. Calderon, Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Battalion Landing Team 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit team leader provides security at a port facility March 11. The training was part of the 24th MEU's Training in an Urban Environment Exercise taking place in Hampton Roads, Va.

24th MEU Marines hold firm during TRUEX

A two-man team of insurgents slither through a tree line toward a water treatment facility, explosives in hand. Masked by the cover of darkness, they snicker at one another in the moonlight – they know they’re invisible. Cresting a berm, they’re stopped in their tracks by a squad of Marines, M-16 rifles trained on their foreheads. As the Marines

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Sheik Abdulamir al-Jaber speaks with Lt. Gen. James F. Amos, II Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general during a cultural immersion dinner March 10. Al-Jaber said he had traveled from southern Iraq just 20 days ago to help train the Marines in Iraqi culture during the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Training in an Urban Environment Exercise. - Sheik Abdulamir al-Jaber speaks with Lt. Gen. James F. Amos, II Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general during a cultural immersion dinner March 10. Al-Jaber said he had traveled from southern Iraq just 20 days ago to help train the Marines in Iraqi culture during the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Training in an Urban Environment Exercise.

Sheik helps 24th MEU win hearts and minds

The battle for hearts and minds isn’t won where the metal meets the man. It’s not won with superior technology, 5,000-pound, laser-guided bombs or from inside a command post. It’s won in the warmth of the home, surrounded by smoky wisps of apple-scented tobacco, sitting face to face with the leader of 35,000 local citizens. The training necessary

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Maritime Special Purpose Force Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit insert at a raid site March 10, 2006. The raid was part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Units Training in an Urban Environment, or TRUEX, taking place in the Hampton Roads, Va., area. - Maritime Special Purpose Force Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit insert at a raid site March 10, 2006. The raid was part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Units Training in an Urban Environment, or TRUEX, taking place in the Hampton Roads, Va., area.

24th MEU takes stronghold

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Special Purpose Force performed a raid at a simulated insurgent stronghold as part of the MEUs Training in an Urban Environment exercise taking part throughout the Hampton Roads, Va., area. The MSPF was supported by a fleet of helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (Reinforced), the MEUs

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Action! 24th MEU goes ‘Hollywood’

Marines and Sailors with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, were “Hollywood Marines” for a day during their participation in cultural and combat immersion training here March 5. Explosions, Iraqi-American extras and small-arms fire created the “hyper-realistic” environment catered by special effects technicians whose primary focus

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