Lance Cpl. Brandon Duff (Left) and Lance Cpl. Craig W. Mehlenbeck, assaultmen from Weapons platoon, Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launch a high explosive rocket from a MK153 Shoulder-fired, Multi-purpose, Assault Weapon (SMAW) in the mountains of Djibouti, Africa, during a live fire range March 28, 2010. 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 Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl) - Lance Cpl. Brandon Duff (Left) and Lance Cpl. Craig W. Mehlenbeck, assaultmen from Weapons platoon, Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launch a high explosive rocket from a MK153 Shoulder-fired, Multi-purpose, Assault Weapon (SMAW) in the mountains of Djibouti, Africa, during a live fire range March 28, 2010. 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 Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

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)

A 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marine cracks eggs into a mixing bowl during the preparation of breakfast aboard USS Mesa Verde April 4. Before most Marines and Sailors rise from their beds, there are a few who are already on the job ensuring the rest have a nutritious breakfast to wake up to. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is currently entering the third month of their deployment along with the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and has tasked out several of their Marines and Sailors to man the lines on the messdecks on each ship. - A 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marine cracks eggs into a mixing bowl during the preparation of breakfast aboard USS Mesa Verde April 4. Before most Marines and Sailors rise from their beds, there are a few who are already on the job ensuring the rest have a nutritious breakfast to wake up to. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is currently entering the third month of their deployment along with the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and has tasked out several of their Marines and Sailors to man the lines on the messdecks on each ship.

An M1A1 Abrams battle tank from Tank Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires off a 120mm round towards a target tank hull during a live-fire range in Djibouti, Africa, March 30, 2010. The Marine tank platoon engaged various targets alongside the French Foreign Legion’s 13th Demi-Brigade as part of a bi-lateral training exercise where both military forces learned about each other armored capabilities. The 24th MEU performed a series of sustainment and bi-lateral training exercises alongside the French military during a month-long rotation of troops from the 24th MEU in Djibouti. The 24th MEU deployed in January aboard Navy ships of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, and is currently serving as the theatre reserve force for Central Command. The training in Djibouti is one of the various training exercise the 24th MEU is conducting while in CENTCOM. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex C. Sauceda) - An M1A1 Abrams battle tank from Tank Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires off a 120mm round towards a target tank hull during a live-fire range in Djibouti, Africa, March 30, 2010. The Marine tank platoon engaged various targets alongside the French Foreign Legion’s 13th Demi-Brigade as part of a bi-lateral training exercise where both military forces learned about each other armored capabilities. The 24th MEU performed a series of sustainment and bi-lateral training exercises alongside the French military during a month-long rotation of troops from the 24th MEU in Djibouti. The 24th MEU deployed in January aboard Navy ships of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, and is currently serving as the theatre reserve force for Central Command. The training in Djibouti is one of the various training exercise the 24th MEU is conducting while in CENTCOM. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex C. Sauceda)

Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) crewmen from the AAV platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a water gunnery range at a beach in Djibouti, Africa, March 25, 2010. The water range was the first time in 20 years that this AAV platoon performed this type of aquatic marksmanship training. The range was one of a series of sustainment and bilateral exercises the 24th MEU conducted in the east-African country throughout the month of March. The 24th MEU is currently on a seven-month deployment aboard ships of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and is currently the theatre reserve force for Central Command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl) - Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) crewmen from the AAV platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a water gunnery range at a beach in Djibouti, Africa, March 25, 2010. The water range was the first time in 20 years that this AAV platoon performed this type of aquatic marksmanship training. The range was one of a series of sustainment and bilateral exercises the 24th MEU conducted in the east-African country throughout the month of March. The 24th MEU is currently on a seven-month deployment aboard ships of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and is currently the theatre reserve force for Central Command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines and Sailors aboard USS Mesa Verde manned static displays where tour groups could interact with Marines and some of the equipment and weapons they employ. The tour groups were part of a three day exhibition where vessels from 13 nations gathered at a port in Doha and allowed visitors to have a look at what it's like to live aboard each of their ships. USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), part of the Nassau Amphibious Readiness Group, joined 12 other warships from around the world at the Doha international port to participate in the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference March 29-31. - 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines and Sailors aboard USS Mesa Verde manned static displays where tour groups could interact with Marines and some of the equipment and weapons they employ. The tour groups were part of a three day exhibition where vessels from 13 nations gathered at a port in Doha and allowed visitors to have a look at what it's like to live aboard each of their ships. USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), part of the Nassau Amphibious Readiness Group, joined 12 other warships from around the world at the Doha international port to participate in the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference March 29-31.

Col. Thierry Burkhard (center), commanding officer of the French Foreign Legion's 13th Demi-Brigade, is given a presentation on the capabilities of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit by the unit's commanding officer, Col. Pete Petronzio (left) during a key leader engagement visit between the U.S. Marines, Navy and French Foreign Legion aboard USS Nassau, March 31, 2010. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Robert Shuford) - Col. Thierry Burkhard (center), commanding officer of the French Foreign Legion's 13th Demi-Brigade, is given a presentation on the capabilities of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit by the unit's commanding officer, Col. Pete Petronzio (left) during a key leader engagement visit between the U.S. Marines, Navy and French Foreign Legion aboard USS Nassau, March 31, 2010. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Robert Shuford)

Sgt. Brian Behan, section leader, 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, congratulates his teammate during a soccer game at a community outreach event at the National School for the Protection of Children in Djibouti City, Djibouti, March 20. The Marines took time out from their training schedule to talk with the children and squeeze in a few soccer games at two such outreach events on March 20 and March 26. The 24th MEU is currently conducting a series of training exercies in Djibouti while deployed as the theater reserve for Central Command. The 24th MEU is an expeditionary, rapid-response force ready to perform a variety of missions ranging from humanitarian relief to full-scale combat operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt James Frank) - Sgt. Brian Behan, section leader, 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, congratulates his teammate during a soccer game at a community outreach event at the National School for the Protection of Children in Djibouti City, Djibouti, March 20. The Marines took time out from their training schedule to talk with the children and squeeze in a few soccer games at two such outreach events on March 20 and March 26. The 24th MEU is currently conducting a series of training exercies in Djibouti while deployed as the theater reserve for Central Command. The 24th MEU is an expeditionary, rapid-response force ready to perform a variety of missions ranging from humanitarian relief to full-scale combat operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt James Frank)

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.

Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl, combat camera chief, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, spent the day volunteering with a group of children at the Rehabilitation Institute of Active Learning center in Adliya, Kingdom of Bahrain, March 14. Kiehl was one of a group of servicemembers currently deployed with USS Ashland that volunteered to interact with disabled children attending RIA, as part of a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command community relations event. Marines and Sailors the 24th MEU and USS Ashland visited the RIA center during their first liberty port in Bahrain. 24th MEU is currently on seven-month deployment aboard ships of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, and is serving as CENTCOM's theatre reserve force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex C. Sauceda) - Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl, combat camera chief, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, spent the day volunteering with a group of children at the Rehabilitation Institute of Active Learning center in Adliya, Kingdom of Bahrain, March 14. Kiehl was one of a group of servicemembers currently deployed with USS Ashland that volunteered to interact with disabled children attending RIA, as part of a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command community relations event. Marines and Sailors the 24th MEU and USS Ashland visited the RIA center during their first liberty port in Bahrain. 24th MEU is currently on seven-month deployment aboard ships of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, and is serving as CENTCOM's theatre reserve force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex C. Sauceda)