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Marines

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A chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear defense specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit gets comfortable in a Trellchem level-B training suit during a hazardous materials equipment class aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 15, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis)

A chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear defense specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit gets comfortable in a Trellchem level-B training suit during a hazardous materials equipment class aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 15, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Austin Lewis

Chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear defense specialists with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit put on personal protective equipment during a hazardous materials equipment class aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 15, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis)

Chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear defense specialists with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit put on personal protective equipment during a hazardous materials equipment class aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 15, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Austin A. Lewis)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Austin Lewis

A Marine with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes part in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Jan. 16, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols)

A Marine with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes part in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Jan. 16, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols)

Photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols

Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, take part in a a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Jan. 16, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols)

Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, take part in a a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Jan. 16, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols)

Photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols

Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, perform tactical reloads during a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Jan. 16, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols)

Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, perform tactical reloads during a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Jan. 16, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols)

Photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols

Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, take part in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Jan. 16, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols)

Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, take part in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), Jan. 16, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols)

Photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 18, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dani A. Zunun)

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 18, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dani A. Zunun)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dani Zunun

A Marine from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit fires his rifle during a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 18, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dani A. Zunun)

A Marine from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit fires his rifle during a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 18, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dani A. Zunun)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dani Zunun

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit receive a safety brief before participating in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 18, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dani A. Zunun)

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit receive a safety brief before participating in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 18, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dani A. Zunun)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dani Zunun

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 18, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dani A. Zunun)

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 18, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dani A. Zunun)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dani Zunun

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

A 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force Marine jumps out of an MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th MEU, during Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise aboard the USS Iwo Jima, at sea, Sept. 11, 2014. The Marines with the MRF conducted a Reconnaissance and Surveillance exercise inserting by air.

A 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force Marine jumps out of an MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th MEU, during Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise aboard the USS Iwo Jima, at sea, Sept. 11, 2014. The Marines with the MRF conducted a Reconnaissance and Surveillance exercise inserting by air.

Photo by Sgt. Devin Nichols