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Marines

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A girl has a conversation with Santa Clause before sitting on his lap during the annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion on Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marines with the 24th MEU and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

A girl has a conversation with Santa Clause before sitting on his lap during the annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion on Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marines with the 24th MEU and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Petersheim

A child presents a gift to Santa Clause during the annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marines with the 24th MEU and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

A child presents a gift to Santa Clause during the annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marines with the 24th MEU and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Santa Clause speaks with a child during the annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion on Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

Santa Clause speaks with a child during the annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion on Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Santa Clause gives a hug to a girl during the annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion on Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marines with the 24th MEU and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

Santa Clause gives a hug to a girl during the annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion on Camp Lejeune, N.C. Marines with the 24th MEU and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Santa Clause playfully lifts a child’s ponytail above her head during an annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion, Camp Lejeune N.C. Marines with the 24th MEU and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

Santa Clause playfully lifts a child’s ponytail above her head during an annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion, Camp Lejeune N.C. Marines with the 24th MEU and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

A Marine and his family pose with Santa Clause during the annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion, Camp Lejeune N.C. Marines with the 24th MEU and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

A Marine and his family pose with Santa Clause during the annual 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas Party Dec. 8, at the Marston Pavilion, Camp Lejeune N.C. Marines with the 24th MEU and their families gathered together to celebrate the holiday season.

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

Staff Sgt. Kevin Groff, a CH-53 helicopter crew chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron HMH-464, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, watches the horizon after off loading Marines to conduct a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission on the USNS Arctic, Dec. 5. The Marines conducted three simulated EVBSS mission as part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX.) The EVBSS training is meant to prepare the Marines and Sailors to board vessels from sea and air. COMPTUEX, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, is the second of three at-sea exercises meant to build cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Staff Sgt. Kevin Groff, a CH-53 helicopter crew chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron HMH-464, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, watches the horizon after off loading Marines to conduct a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission on the USNS Arctic, Dec. 5. The Marines conducted three simulated EVBSS mission as part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX.) The EVBSS training is meant to prepare the Marines and Sailors to board vessels from sea and air. COMPTUEX, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, is the second of three at-sea exercises meant to build cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad Kiehl

Marines with the Security Element, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to fast rope from a CH-53 Super Stallion Helicopter onto the USNS Arctic to conduct a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission Dec. 5. The Marines conducted three simulated EVBSS mission as part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX.) The EVBSS training is meant to prepare the Marines and Sailors to board vessels from sea and air. COMPTUEX, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, is the second of three at-sea exercises meant to build cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Marines with the Security Element, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to fast rope from a CH-53 Super Stallion Helicopter onto the USNS Arctic to conduct a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission Dec. 5. The Marines conducted three simulated EVBSS mission as part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX.) The EVBSS training is meant to prepare the Marines and Sailors to board vessels from sea and air. COMPTUEX, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, is the second of three at-sea exercises meant to build cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad Kiehl

Marines with the Security Element, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are transported by a CH-53 Super Stallion Helicopter to the USNS Arctic to conduct a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission Dec. 5. The Marines conducted three simulated EVBSS mission as part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX.) The EVBSS training is meant to prepare the Marines and Sailors to board vessels from sea and air. COMPTUEX, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, is the second of three at-sea exercises meant to build cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Marines with the Security Element, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are transported by a CH-53 Super Stallion Helicopter to the USNS Arctic to conduct a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission Dec. 5. The Marines conducted three simulated EVBSS mission as part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX.) The EVBSS training is meant to prepare the Marines and Sailors to board vessels from sea and air. COMPTUEX, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, is the second of three at-sea exercises meant to build cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad Kiehl

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon walk toward a CH-53 Super Stallion Helicopter waiting to transport them to the USNS Arctic to conduct a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission, Dec. 5. Marines with the 24th MEU’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon and Security Element, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, conducted three simulated EVBSS mission as part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX.) The EVBSS training is meant to prepare the Marines and Sailors to board vessels from sea and air. COMPTUEX, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, is the second of three at-sea exercises meant to build cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon walk toward a CH-53 Super Stallion Helicopter waiting to transport them to the USNS Arctic to conduct a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission, Dec. 5. Marines with the 24th MEU’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon and Security Element, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, conducted three simulated EVBSS mission as part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX.) The EVBSS training is meant to prepare the Marines and Sailors to board vessels from sea and air. COMPTUEX, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, is the second of three at-sea exercises meant to build cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad Kiehl

USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) –Two MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land on the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima Oct. 25, 2011, during the 24th MEU’s first at sea period with Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8). The landings are part of the qualification process for the pilots during the PHIBRON/MEU Integration Exercise, known as PMINT. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 and is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establishing the working relationships necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The MV-22 Ospreys are home based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. (Official USMC Photo by: GySgt Chad R. Kiehl/ Released)

USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) –Two MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land on the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima Oct. 25, 2011, during the 24th MEU’s first at sea period with Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8). The landings are part of the qualification process for the pilots during the PHIBRON/MEU Integration Exercise, known as PMINT. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 and is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establishing the working relationships necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The MV-22 Ospreys are home based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. (Official USMC Photo by: GySgt Chad R. Kiehl/ Released)

Photo by GySgt. Chad Kiehl

USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) – A MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land on the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima Oct. 25, 2011, during the 24th MEU’s first at sea period with Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8). The landings are part of the qualification process for the pilots during the PHIBRON/MEU Integration Exercise, known as PMINT. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 and is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establishing the working relationships necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The MV-22 Ospreys are home based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. (Official USMC Photo by: GySgt Chad R. Kiehl/ Released)

USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) – A MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land on the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima Oct. 25, 2011, during the 24th MEU’s first at sea period with Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8). The landings are part of the qualification process for the pilots during the PHIBRON/MEU Integration Exercise, known as PMINT. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 and is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establishing the working relationships necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The MV-22 Ospreys are home based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. (Official USMC Photo by: GySgt Chad R. Kiehl/ Released)

Photo by GySgt. Chad Kiehl

Cpl. Wacey Lanier holds his nine-month-old son, Kinser, at the Camp LeJeune Bitz Elementary School Aug. 12 after returning from a seven-month deployment. Lanier, is a data network specialist with Command Element, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Cpl. Wacey Lanier holds his nine-month-old son, Kinser, at the Camp LeJeune Bitz Elementary School Aug. 12 after returning from a seven-month deployment. Lanier, is a data network specialist with Command Element, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Photo by Cpl. Richard Blumenstein

Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pull their gear off a truck at the French Creek recreation center on Aug. 12 after returning from a seven-month deployment .

Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pull their gear off a truck at the French Creek recreation center on Aug. 12 after returning from a seven-month deployment .

Photo by Cpl. Richard Blumenstein

Lance Cpl. Robert Bryant gives his one-year-old daughter, Eliza, a playful raspberry while holding her near the Camp LeJeune movie theater Aug. 12 after returning from a seven-month deployment. Bryant is a rifleman with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Lance Cpl. Robert Bryant gives his one-year-old daughter, Eliza, a playful raspberry while holding her near the Camp LeJeune movie theater Aug. 12 after returning from a seven-month deployment. Bryant is a rifleman with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Photo by Cpl. Richard Blumenstein

Cpl. Kevin Dabrowski holds his three-month-old son, Garrett, while his wife Evelyn looks on, near the Camp LeJeune movie theater Aug. 12. Dabrowski returned home from a seven-month deployment and is a rifleman with the Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Cpl. Kevin Dabrowski holds his three-month-old son, Garrett, while his wife Evelyn looks on, near the Camp LeJeune movie theater Aug. 12. Dabrowski returned home from a seven-month deployment and is a rifleman with the Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Photo by Cpl. Richard Blumenstein

Family members display welcome home signs for Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit returning from an eight- month deployment to Marine Corps Air Statio NC August 11.

Family members display welcome home signs for Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit returning from an eight- month deployment to Marine Corps Air Statio NC August 11.

Photo by Cpl. Richard Blumenstein

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, unload their personal gear off the USS Nassau at Morehead City Port, NC Aug. 12. The Marines are returning from a seven-month deployment from Haiti, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, unload their personal gear off the USS Nassau at Morehead City Port, NC Aug. 12. The Marines are returning from a seven-month deployment from Haiti, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Photo by LCpl. Michael Petersheim

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit return from an eight month deployment to Camp LeJeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River and Cherry Point, NC August 13. Marines offload personal gear as they are transported to meet their family and friends at their unit.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit return from an eight month deployment to Camp LeJeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River and Cherry Point, NC August 13. Marines offload personal gear as they are transported to meet their family and friends at their unit.

Photo by LCpl. Michael Petersheim

Marines with VMM-162 while deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit return from an eight month deployment to Marine Corps Air Statio NC August 11. Family and friends are reunited with their Marines.

Marines with VMM-162 while deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit return from an eight month deployment to Marine Corps Air Statio NC August 11. Family and friends are reunited with their Marines.

Photo by LCpl Michael J. Petershmeim