Sgt. Christopher Schneider, left, an artillery mechanic and section leader with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Lance Cpl. Alejandro Torrez, an artillery mechanic with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, work together to fix a part for a 120 mm towed mortar system while ashore, June 24, 2012. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations as a theater reserve and crisis response force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of operations. - Sgt. Christopher Schneider, left, an artillery mechanic and section leader with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Lance Cpl. Alejandro Torrez, an artillery mechanic with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, work together to fix a part for a 120 mm towed mortar system while ashore, June 24, 2012. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations as a theater reserve and crisis response force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of operations.

Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Perry, a Middlesex, N.J., native and the motor transportation chief with Motor Transportation Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a picture in front of a 7 ton truck in the USS Gunston Hall's well deck, June 17, 2012. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater reserve and crisis response force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Perry, a Middlesex, N.J., native and the motor transportation chief with Motor Transportation Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a picture in front of a 7 ton truck in the USS Gunston Hall's well deck, June 17, 2012. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater reserve and crisis response force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Petty Officer 1st Class Logan Viers, a hospital corpsman from the shock and trauma platoon with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fills his plate with food during a celebration of the 114th birthday of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps aboard the USS New York, June 17, 2012. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater reserve and crisis response force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Petty Officer 1st Class Logan Viers, a hospital corpsman from the shock and trauma platoon with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fills his plate with food during a celebration of the 114th birthday of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps aboard the USS New York, June 17, 2012. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater reserve and crisis response force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

MSgt. Anthony Goodwater, left, a Charleston, S.C., native and combat engineer with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a photo with 1st Lt. Martin Orech, of the Ugandan Army, during a training mission in Uganda, June 15, 2012. Goodwater previously trained Orech at the Marine Corps' Combat Engineer Officer Course in 2010 and was reunited with Orech unexpectedly when he was sent to Uganda to assist in training Ugandan soldiers. - MSgt. Anthony Goodwater, left, a Charleston, S.C., native and combat engineer with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a photo with 1st Lt. Martin Orech, of the Ugandan Army, during a training mission in Uganda, June 15, 2012. Goodwater previously trained Orech at the Marine Corps' Combat Engineer Officer Course in 2010 and was reunited with Orech unexpectedly when he was sent to Uganda to assist in training Ugandan soldiers.

Staff Sgt. Zachary Burghart, a Maritime Raid Force team leader, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, verifies scope settings on an M107 .50 cal Special Application Scoped Rifle, or SASR, during bilateral live-fire training with members of the Jordanian 77th Marine Reconnaissance Battalion here, May 8, 2012. The bilateral training is part of Exercise Eager Lion 12, taking place throughout the month of May and designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of over 19 participating partner nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU who, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater security and crisis response force. - Staff Sgt. Zachary Burghart, a Maritime Raid Force team leader, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, verifies scope settings on an M107 .50 cal Special Application Scoped Rifle, or SASR, during bilateral live-fire training with members of the Jordanian 77th Marine Reconnaissance Battalion here, May 8, 2012. The bilateral training is part of Exercise Eager Lion 12, taking place throughout the month of May and designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of over 19 participating partner nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU who, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater security and crisis response force.