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Lance Cpl. Kevin Midgley, a Westlake, Ohio, native and team leader with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, climbs a rope as part of a water obstacle course in Djibouti, Aug. 30, 2012. The course is a part of a Training Force, or T-Force, package focused on primitive infantry skills. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout the U.S. Central Command in the Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Lance Cpl. Kevin Midgley, a Westlake, Ohio, native and team leader with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, climbs a rope as part of a water obstacle course in Djibouti, Aug. 30, 2012. The course is a part of a Training Force, or T-Force, package focused on primitive infantry skills. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout the U.S. Central Command in the Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Lance Cpl. Aaron Waters, a Camdler, N.C., native and Lance Cpl. Michael Schineider, a Cleveland native, both with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, work together carrying fresh fruits, vegetables and dry goods during a replenishment at sea detail aboard the USS Iwo Jima, Aug. 29, 2012. During the RAS the USS Iwo Jima took on fuel, food supplies and mail to sustain the ship through the next few weeks. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Lance Cpl. Aaron Waters, a Camdler, N.C., native and Lance Cpl. Michael Schineider, a Cleveland native, both with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, work together carrying fresh fruits, vegetables and dry goods during a replenishment at sea detail aboard the USS Iwo Jima, Aug. 29, 2012. During the RAS the USS Iwo Jima took on fuel, food supplies and mail to sustain the ship through the next few weeks. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Light Armored Reconnaissance platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, hand over a simulated enemy combatant to French Marines during a bilateral training raid in Djibouti, Aug. 27, 2012. A small contingent of the 24th MEU is currently ashore in Djibouti conducting various unilateral, bilateral and joint exercises. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Light Armored Reconnaissance platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, hand over a simulated enemy combatant to French Marines during a bilateral training raid in Djibouti, Aug. 27, 2012. A small contingent of the 24th MEU is currently ashore in Djibouti conducting various unilateral, bilateral and joint exercises. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

DJIBOUTI (Aug. 27, 2012) – French Marines fire RT-F1 120 mm rifled towed mortars during a live-fire exercise while training with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Djibouti, Aug. 27, 2012. Both nations spent Aug. 25-27 strengthening alliances and discussing tactics and procedures for the U.S. Marine Corps version of the French mortar, the M-327 120 mm Expeditionary Fire Support System, or EFSS. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility serving as a theater reserve providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Marine Corps) - DJIBOUTI (Aug. 27, 2012) – French Marines fire RT-F1 120 mm rifled towed mortars during a live-fire exercise while training with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Djibouti, Aug. 27, 2012. Both nations spent Aug. 25-27 strengthening alliances and discussing tactics and procedures for the U.S. Marine Corps version of the French mortar, the M-327 120 mm Expeditionary Fire Support System, or EFSS. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility serving as a theater reserve providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Marine Corps)

USS IWO JIMA (June 9, 2012) - 1st Lt. Thomas Smith, a Lexington, S.C., Native with the Command Element, 24th MEU, pose for a family photo prior to talking with his wife and children, through a video teleconference aboard the USS Iwo Jima, June 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl) - USS IWO JIMA (June 9, 2012) - 1st Lt. Thomas Smith, a Lexington, S.C., Native with the Command Element, 24th MEU, pose for a family photo prior to talking with his wife and children, through a video teleconference aboard the USS Iwo Jima, June 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

Cpl. Joshua Brooks, a machine gunner from Petoskey, Mich., with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M-2 .50 cal. machine gun, Aug. 12, 2012, on Udairi Range, Kuwait. The Marines are in Kuwait as part of a 24th MEU sustainment training package. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Cpl. Joshua Brooks, a machine gunner from Petoskey, Mich., with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M-2 .50 cal. machine gun, Aug. 12, 2012, on Udairi Range, Kuwait. The Marines are in Kuwait as part of a 24th MEU sustainment training package. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security after assaulting a beachhead during an amphibious training raid in Djibouti, Aug. 15, 2012. Elements of the 24th MEU are operating in and around Djibouti, taking part in and coordinating various unilateral exercises and bilateral events with foreign militaries. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in support of U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security after assaulting a beachhead during an amphibious training raid in Djibouti, Aug. 15, 2012. Elements of the 24th MEU are operating in and around Djibouti, taking part in and coordinating various unilateral exercises and bilateral events with foreign militaries. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in support of U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, move to their firing positions prior to conducting a multiple target, live-fire range on the flight deck of USS Iwo Jima, Aug. 19, 2012. The Marines conduct various live fire ranges while underway to keep their skills sharp during deployment. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, move to their firing positions prior to conducting a multiple target, live-fire range on the flight deck of USS Iwo Jima, Aug. 19, 2012. The Marines conduct various live fire ranges while underway to keep their skills sharp during deployment. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (July 22, 2012) U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, use a rapid ground refueling system from an MV-22 Osprey to refuel an M1A1 Abrams tank from the 24th MEU's Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment at Udairi Range in Kuwait, July 22, 2012. The Marines are in Kuwait as part of a 24th MEU sustainment training package. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater reserve and crisis response force, providing support for maritime security and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein/Released) - CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (July 22, 2012) U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, use a rapid ground refueling system from an MV-22 Osprey to refuel an M1A1 Abrams tank from the 24th MEU's Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment at Udairi Range in Kuwait, July 22, 2012. The Marines are in Kuwait as part of a 24th MEU sustainment training package. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater reserve and crisis response force, providing support for maritime security and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein/Released)

UGANDA - Soldiers with the Uganda People's Defense Force move forward with weapons at the ready as a training team of U.S. Marines coaches them in small unit tactics and marksmanship. The Uganda forces are expecting to participate in the African Union Mission in Somalia. The Marines are made up of members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 12. (Photo provided by 1stLt. Herman Davis, USMC) - UGANDA - Soldiers with the Uganda People's Defense Force move forward with weapons at the ready as a training team of U.S. Marines coaches them in small unit tactics and marksmanship. The Uganda forces are expecting to participate in the African Union Mission in Somalia. The Marines are made up of members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 12. (Photo provided by 1stLt. Herman Davis, USMC)