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)

LCpl. Andrew Revei sits sporting a shaved head with his buddies, also sporting shaved heads, to show support for Andrew's younger brother Abraham, who is fighting cancer back stateside while Andrew is deployed. While taking a rest after firing at a shooting range in Djibouti, Africa, Andrew, 24, from Baltimore, proudly stated that his fellow Marines of weapons platoon, Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, want to send a message of support to his brother during his battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Shortly after the 24th MEU deployed, Abraham, 22, was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Disease and began chemotherapy. Andrew's platoon, along with most of their Bravo Co. shaved their heads to signify that they are fighting with Abraham in spirit. - LCpl. Andrew Revei sits sporting a shaved head with his buddies, also sporting shaved heads, to show support for Andrew's younger brother Abraham, who is fighting cancer back stateside while Andrew is deployed. While taking a rest after firing at a shooting range in Djibouti, Africa, Andrew, 24, from Baltimore, proudly stated that his fellow Marines of weapons platoon, Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, want to send a message of support to his brother during his battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Shortly after the 24th MEU deployed, Abraham, 22, was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Disease and began chemotherapy. Andrew's platoon, along with most of their Bravo Co. shaved their heads to signify that they are fighting with Abraham in spirit.

Marines of Combined Anti-Armor Team, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit send live rounds down range during a live-fire machine gun range using the M240-B Medium Machine Gun and M2 .50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun at a range in the mountainous terrain of Djibouti, Africa March 8. The 24th MEU is conducting several ranges and many other training exercises in Djibouti to keep the Marine's skills sharp while deployed. (Marine Corps photo by: Lance Cpl. David J. Beall) - Marines of Combined Anti-Armor Team, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit send live rounds down range during a live-fire machine gun range using the M240-B Medium Machine Gun and M2 .50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun at a range in the mountainous terrain of Djibouti, Africa March 8. The 24th MEU is conducting several ranges and many other training exercises in Djibouti to keep the Marine's skills sharp while deployed. (Marine Corps photo by: Lance Cpl. David J. Beall)

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines and USS Ashland Sailors line up to receive a barbeque meal and cold beverages aboard the USS Ashland flight deck during the USS Ashland Steel Beach Barbeque March 7. The Steel Beach event provided the Marines and Sailors aboard USS Ashland with a grilled meal, beverages, and recreation. Navy and U.S. Marine servicemembers created and organized the Steel Beach event to reward the Marines and Sailors for their hard work during their deployment. The 24th MEU continues to tour through Central Command area of operations and prepares for several bilateral and sustainment training in various countries. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex C. Sauceda) - 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines and USS Ashland Sailors line up to receive a barbeque meal and cold beverages aboard the USS Ashland flight deck during the USS Ashland Steel Beach Barbeque March 7. The Steel Beach event provided the Marines and Sailors aboard USS Ashland with a grilled meal, beverages, and recreation. Navy and U.S. Marine servicemembers created and organized the Steel Beach event to reward the Marines and Sailors for their hard work during their deployment. The 24th MEU continues to tour through Central Command area of operations and prepares for several bilateral and sustainment training in various countries. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex C. Sauceda)

Sgt. William Anderson, police sergeant, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launches Sgt. Matthew Butler, motor transport chief, 24th MEU, into the air with a counter to the rear hand choke during their Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Course in the hangar bay aboard USS Nassau Feb. 15. MCMAP entails many types of hand to hand combat training and ground fighting. Marines and Sailors are currently going through a refresher course and will soon work to advance their skills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David J. Beall) - Sgt. William Anderson, police sergeant, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launches Sgt. Matthew Butler, motor transport chief, 24th MEU, into the air with a counter to the rear hand choke during their Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Course in the hangar bay aboard USS Nassau Feb. 15. MCMAP entails many types of hand to hand combat training and ground fighting. Marines and Sailors are currently going through a refresher course and will soon work to advance their skills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David J. Beall)