Cpl. Richard Swafford, Battalion Landing Team, Headquarters and Support Battalion confidential materials clerk with the 24th MEU stares out over the thousands of memorial headstones at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial located at Belleau Wood, France, on June 22. Approximately 48 Marines made the journey to Belleau Wood during a liberty period while deployed. - Cpl. Richard Swafford, Battalion Landing Team, Headquarters and Support Battalion confidential materials clerk with the 24th MEU stares out over the thousands of memorial headstones at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial located at Belleau Wood, France, on June 22. Approximately 48 Marines made the journey to Belleau Wood during a liberty period while deployed.

Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit make their way down the pier, a few hours after the ship arrived in Marseille, France, June 20. Many of the MEU?s Marines are enjoying their first-ever port call, a once-standard but recently rare feature of MEU deployments. - Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit make their way down the pier, a few hours after the ship arrived in Marseille, France, June 20. Many of the MEU?s Marines are enjoying their first-ever port call, a once-standard but recently rare feature of MEU deployments.

Navy Petty Officer Third Class Brent Booze, a Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman serving aboard the USS Iwo Jima with Headquarters and Support Battalion, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), has put his dream of playing baseball for the Navy on hold to deploy. The MEU last week began an expected six-month deployment to the European and Central Command theaters of operations. The MEU is composed of its command element; Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (Reinforced); and Marine Service Support Group 24. - Navy Petty Officer Third Class Brent Booze, a Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman serving aboard the USS Iwo Jima with Headquarters and Support Battalion, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), has put his dream of playing baseball for the Navy on hold to deploy. The MEU last week began an expected six-month deployment to the European and Central Command theaters of operations. The MEU is composed of its command element; Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (Reinforced); and Marine Service Support Group 24.

Marines with the 1st Marine Regiment/8th Marine Battalion's (1/8) Weapons Company and Alpha Company practice "Fast roping" on the flight deck of the USS Iwo Jima while on deployment with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). (US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Andrew Carlson) - Marines with the 1st Marine Regiment/8th Marine Battalion's (1/8) Weapons Company and Alpha Company practice "Fast roping" on the flight deck of the USS Iwo Jima while on deployment with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). (US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Andrew Carlson)

Navy Commander Gary W. Carr, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit chaplain and a Lansing, Mich., native, performs evening prayer aboard the USS Iwo Jima June 11. The 24th MEU last week began an expected six-month deployment to the European and Central Command theaters of operation. - Navy Commander Gary W. Carr, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit chaplain and a Lansing, Mich., native, performs evening prayer aboard the USS Iwo Jima June 11. The 24th MEU last week began an expected six-month deployment to the European and Central Command theaters of operation.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit practice using a Talon 3B robotics system aboard the USS Iwo Jima.::n::The Marines are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24.::n::The 24th MEU, a versatile Air Ground Task Force that features several rifle companies, tanks, artillery and a reinforced helicopter squadron, is headed for the European and Central Command Theaters of Operations. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit practice using a Talon 3B robotics system aboard the USS Iwo Jima.::n::The Marines are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24.::n::The 24th MEU, a versatile Air Ground Task Force that features several rifle companies, tanks, artillery and a reinforced helicopter squadron, is headed for the European and Central Command Theaters of Operations.

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's (MEU) Command Element depart from Camp Lejeune, NC and board the USS Iwo Jima to kick off the MEU's 2006 - 2007 deployment. (US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Andrew Carlson) - Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's (MEU) Command Element depart from Camp Lejeune, NC and board the USS Iwo Jima to kick off the MEU's 2006 - 2007 deployment. (US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Andrew Carlson)