An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Marines

Photos

Filter

An MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced) takes off from the USS New York (LPD 21) flight deck during flight operations Jan. 5, 2015. New York, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group/24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan B. Trejo/Released)

An MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced) takes off from the USS New York (LPD 21) flight deck during flight operations Jan. 5, 2015. New York, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group/24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan B. Trejo/Released)

Photo by

An MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, hovers over the flight deck of the USS New York, at sea, Jan. 5, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek)

An MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, hovers over the flight deck of the USS New York, at sea, Jan. 5, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek)

Photo by Cpl. Todd Michalek

Engineman 2nd Class Brittany Smith, from Chicago, monitors an MCS Console during an engineering training drill aboard the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Jan. 5, 2015. Fort McHenry, part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group/24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam Austin/Released)

Engineman 2nd Class Brittany Smith, from Chicago, monitors an MCS Console during an engineering training drill aboard the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Jan. 5, 2015. Fort McHenry, part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group/24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam Austin/Released)

Photo by

An MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck aboard the USS New York, at sea, Jan. 5, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek)

An MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck aboard the USS New York, at sea, Jan. 5, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek)

Photo by Cpl. Todd Michalek

Marines assigned to Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in a live-fire exercise on the flight deck aboard USS Iwo Jima Jan. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/Released)

Marines assigned to Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in a live-fire exercise on the flight deck aboard USS Iwo Jima Jan. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/Released)

Photo by

Marines assigned to Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, record their shot placements during a live-fire exercise on the flight deck aboard USS Iwo Jima Jan. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/Released)

Marines assigned to Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, record their shot placements during a live-fire exercise on the flight deck aboard USS Iwo Jima Jan. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/Released)

Photo by

Lance Cpl. Collins Lipscomb, an infantry rifleman assigned to Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires his M16A4 service rifle during a live-fire exercise on the flight deck aboard USS Iwo Jima Jan. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/Released)

Lance Cpl. Collins Lipscomb, an infantry rifleman assigned to Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires his M16A4 service rifle during a live-fire exercise on the flight deck aboard USS Iwo Jima Jan. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/Released)

Photo by

Lance Cpl. Dani A. Zunun, a combat videographer assigned to 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, captures video imagery during a live-fire exercise on the flight deck aboard USS Iwo Jima Jan. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/Released)

Lance Cpl. Dani A. Zunun, a combat videographer assigned to 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, captures video imagery during a live-fire exercise on the flight deck aboard USS Iwo Jima Jan. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/Released)

Photo by

Marines assigned to 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit lay out 5.56mm ball ammunition in preparation for a live-fire exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima Jan. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/Released)

Marines assigned to 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit lay out 5.56mm ball ammunition in preparation for a live-fire exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima Jan. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis/Released)

Photo by

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit watch as the USNS Kanawha maneuver itself into position in preparation for a replenishment-at-sea aboard the USS New York, Dec. 30, 2014. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek)

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit watch as the USNS Kanawha maneuver itself into position in preparation for a replenishment-at-sea aboard the USS New York, Dec. 30, 2014. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek)

Photo by Cpl. Todd Michalek

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit move a trailer in the well deck of the USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 14. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit move a trailer in the well deck of the USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 14. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis

Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan C. Meek, a boatswain’s mate with the USS Iwo Jima, signals to a Humvee driver in the well deck of the ship, Dec. 14. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan C. Meek, a boatswain’s mate with the USS Iwo Jima, signals to a Humvee driver in the well deck of the ship, Dec. 14. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis

Lance Cpl. Alexander D. Desir, an administrative specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists with the on-load of personnel and equipment aboard the USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 14. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Lance Cpl. Alexander D. Desir, an administrative specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists with the on-load of personnel and equipment aboard the USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 14. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis

A Navy Landing Craft, Utility, or LCU, transports vehicles with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 14, 2014. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

A Navy Landing Craft, Utility, or LCU, transports vehicles with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 14, 2014. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis

Seaman Michael Cundiff, a boatswain’s mate with the USS Iwo Jima, navigates a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, or MTVR 7-ton, onto the ship, Dec. 14, 2014. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Seaman Michael Cundiff, a boatswain’s mate with the USS Iwo Jima, navigates a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, or MTVR 7-ton, onto the ship, Dec. 14, 2014. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit ride a Navy Landing Craft, Utility, or LCU, to the USS Iwo Jima off the coast of Morehead City, N.C., Dec. 14. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit ride a Navy Landing Craft, Utility, or LCU, to the USS Iwo Jima off the coast of Morehead City, N.C., Dec. 14. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek

A Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit unloads sea bags in Morehead City, N.C., Dec. 13. Marines staged equipment prior to embarking on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

A Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit unloads sea bags in Morehead City, N.C., Dec. 13. Marines staged equipment prior to embarking on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stage equipment and bags at Morehead City, N.C., Dec. 13. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stage equipment and bags at Morehead City, N.C., Dec. 13. The 24th MEU embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment Dec. 12-14. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit unload sea bags in Morehead City, N.C., Dec. 13, 2014. Marines staged equipment prior to embarking on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit unload sea bags in Morehead City, N.C., Dec. 13, 2014. Marines staged equipment prior to embarking on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2015 deployment. The 24th MEU is scheduled to support operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek

Marines with Security Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, perform practice drills with an M240B machine gun in the hangar bay aboard the USS Iwo Jima, Oct. 25, 2014. The Marines are participating in their final exercise as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise before their deployment at the end of the year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek)

Marines with Security Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, perform practice drills with an M240B machine gun in the hangar bay aboard the USS Iwo Jima, Oct. 25, 2014. The Marines are participating in their final exercise as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise before their deployment at the end of the year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek)

Photo by Cpl. Todd F. Michalek