Sgt. Casey McCarthy, a data network specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Communications Section, poses by a wall of servers, here, Jan. 19, 2012. The Montgomery, Ala., native’s job in the Marine Corps centers on a gambit of computer-centric tasks such as: assembling servers, establishing and trouble shooting a tactical data network, uploading software and more. McCarthy helps maintain the 24th MEU’s data network system during the unit’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20. The exercise serves to prepare and certify the Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU for the various operations they may conduct during their upcoming deployment. - Sgt. Casey McCarthy, a data network specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Communications Section, poses by a wall of servers, here, Jan. 19, 2012. The Montgomery, Ala., native’s job in the Marine Corps centers on a gambit of computer-centric tasks such as: assembling servers, establishing and trouble shooting a tactical data network, uploading software and more. McCarthy helps maintain the 24th MEU’s data network system during the unit’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20. The exercise serves to prepare and certify the Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU for the various operations they may conduct during their upcoming deployment.

A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit lifts a cargo container during external load sustainment training at Blackstone Army Airfield Jan. 16, 2012. The day of training enabled VMM-261’s pilots to meet their semiannual training requirements, and it supported sustainment for the helicopter crew chiefs and CLB 24’s Helicopter Support Team. The training focuses on the MEU’s capability to use helicopters to move critical assets such as food, water and artillery cannons. - A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit lifts a cargo container during external load sustainment training at Blackstone Army Airfield Jan. 16, 2012. The day of training enabled VMM-261’s pilots to meet their semiannual training requirements, and it supported sustainment for the helicopter crew chiefs and CLB 24’s Helicopter Support Team. The training focuses on the MEU’s capability to use helicopters to move critical assets such as food, water and artillery cannons.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon provide medical attention to simulated casualties during a mock night raid at a Virginia Beach police training facility here Jan.17, 2012. The Recon Marines executed the raid with Security Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, as part of the 24th MEU’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20, which focuses on conducting off-base missions near the towns of Farmville and Creeds to prepare for the various operations they may conduct while deployed. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon provide medical attention to simulated casualties during a mock night raid at a Virginia Beach police training facility here Jan.17, 2012. The Recon Marines executed the raid with Security Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, as part of the 24th MEU’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20, which focuses on conducting off-base missions near the towns of Farmville and Creeds to prepare for the various operations they may conduct while deployed.

Cpl. Charles Ulrich, a flightline mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, works on an AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter Jan. 13, 2012, here. The Sparta, N.J., native said he joined the Marine Corps because he wanted to work on helicopters and be a Marine like his grandfather. The unit’s upcoming deployment will be the first time the Iraq war veteran will deploy with a MEU. - Cpl. Charles Ulrich, a flightline mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, works on an AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter Jan. 13, 2012, here. The Sparta, N.J., native said he joined the Marine Corps because he wanted to work on helicopters and be a Marine like his grandfather. The unit’s upcoming deployment will be the first time the Iraq war veteran will deploy with a MEU.

(Right) Lance Cpl. Nicholas Verdisco, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to fuel an MV-22 Osprey with a Helicopter Expedient Refueling System, here, Jan. 14, 2012. The Marines refueled the aircraft to support a simulated airfield seizure at Farmville Municipal Airport as part of the 24th MEU’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20. RUT focuses on conducting off-base missions near the town of Farmville, Va., to prepare for the various operations they may conduct during their upcoming deployment. - (Right) Lance Cpl. Nicholas Verdisco, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to fuel an MV-22 Osprey with a Helicopter Expedient Refueling System, here, Jan. 14, 2012. The Marines refueled the aircraft to support a simulated airfield seizure at Farmville Municipal Airport as part of the 24th MEU’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20. RUT focuses on conducting off-base missions near the town of Farmville, Va., to prepare for the various operations they may conduct during their upcoming deployment.