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

Col. Frank Donovan, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to the unit before the start of a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013, at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fired of the M9 pistol, and completed a combined total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace)

Col. Frank Donovan, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to the unit before the start of a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013, at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fired of the M9 pistol, and completed a combined total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace)

Photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace

Sgt. Robert Tosh, a primary safety officer with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, demonstrates proper handling of the M9 pistol to a group of first-time shooters before the start of a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013, at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fired of the M9 pistol, and completed a combined total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace)

Sgt. Robert Tosh, a primary safety officer with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, demonstrates proper handling of the M9 pistol to a group of first-time shooters before the start of a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013, at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fired of the M9 pistol, and completed a combined total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace)

Photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace

Maj. Ross Parrish, the operations officer for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires on a target during a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013, at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fired of the M9 pistol, and completed a combined total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace)

Maj. Ross Parrish, the operations officer for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires on a target during a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013, at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fired of the M9 pistol, and completed a combined total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace)

Photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace

Cpl. Kevin McAden, a data communications specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives a command to load his M9 pistol from Sgt. Michael Foist, a primary safety officer, as part of a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013, at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fired of the M9 pistol, and completed a combined total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace)

Cpl. Kevin McAden, a data communications specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives a command to load his M9 pistol from Sgt. Michael Foist, a primary safety officer, as part of a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013, at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fired of the M9 pistol, and completed a combined total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace)

Photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013 at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fire of the M9 pistol and completed a combined group total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013 at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fire of the M9 pistol and completed a combined group total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III

Kim Donovan reads a volunteer appreciation award alongside her husband, Col. Frank Donovan, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, at their home during an appreciation luncheon for the unit's command element family readiness assistants, Feb. 28, 2013. The family readiness team organized social gatherings, workshops and lunches to keep the unit's spouses informed during the unit's 2012 deployment.

Kim Donovan reads a volunteer appreciation award alongside her husband, Col. Frank Donovan, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, at their home during an appreciation luncheon for the unit's command element family readiness assistants, Feb. 28, 2013. The family readiness team organized social gatherings, workshops and lunches to keep the unit's spouses informed during the unit's 2012 deployment.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III

Col. Frank Donovan, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, presents a volunteer appreciation award to Heidi Barksdale, a family readiness assistant, at the commander's home during an appreciation luncheon for the unit's command element family readiness assistants, Feb. 28, 2013. The family readiness team organized social gatherings, workshops and lunches to keep the unit's spouses informed during the unit's 2012 deployment.

Col. Frank Donovan, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, presents a volunteer appreciation award to Heidi Barksdale, a family readiness assistant, at the commander's home during an appreciation luncheon for the unit's command element family readiness assistants, Feb. 28, 2013. The family readiness team organized social gatherings, workshops and lunches to keep the unit's spouses informed during the unit's 2012 deployment.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III

USS NEW YORK – off the coast of North Carolina – A crew member from the USS New York directs a Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion hovercraft, or LCAC, as it carries Marines and equipment from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to their home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed for nine months as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

USS NEW YORK – off the coast of North Carolina – A crew member from the USS New York directs a Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion hovercraft, or LCAC, as it carries Marines and equipment from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to their home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed for nine months as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

USS NEW YORK off the coast of North Carolina – Assault Amphibious Vehicles from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark the USS New York on their home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed for nine months as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

USS NEW YORK off the coast of North Carolina – Assault Amphibious Vehicles from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark the USS New York on their home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed for nine months as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

USS NEW YORK, off the coast of North Carolina – Assault Amphibious Vehicles from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark the USS New York on their home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed for nine months as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

USS NEW YORK, off the coast of North Carolina – Assault Amphibious Vehicles from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark the USS New York on their home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed for nine months as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

MOREHEAD CITY PORT FACILITY, N.C. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit disembark the USS New York on their return home after a nine-month deployment, Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

MOREHEAD CITY PORT FACILITY, N.C. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit disembark the USS New York on their return home after a nine-month deployment, Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

MOREHEAD CITY PORT FACILITY, N.C. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit disembark the USS New York on their return home after a nine-month deployment, Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

MOREHEAD CITY PORT FACILITY, N.C. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit disembark the USS New York on their return home after a nine-month deployment, Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Friends and family members wait patiently for Marines and Sailors with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to return home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Friends and family members wait patiently for Marines and Sailors with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to return home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Sgt. Jose Alvarez, a motor transportation mechanic with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to return home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Sgt. Jose Alvarez, a motor transportation mechanic with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to return home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – A Marine with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducts an interview with his family and a local news reporter after returning home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – A Marine with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducts an interview with his family and a local news reporter after returning home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – A Marine with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embraces his family after returning home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – A Marine with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embraces his family after returning home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Staff Sgt. Patrick Hammer, an infantry platoon sergeant with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embraces his family after returning home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Staff Sgt. Patrick Hammer, an infantry platoon sergeant with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embraces his family after returning home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

MOREHEAD CITY PORT FACILITY, N.C. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit disembark the USS New York on their return home after a nine-month deployment, Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

MOREHEAD CITY PORT FACILITY, N.C. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit disembark the USS New York on their return home after a nine-month deployment, Dec. 16, 2012. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU returned to the U.S. after being deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They offloaded from the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall using amphibious vehicles, aircraft, and the Morehead City Port facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Pfc. Stephen Frame, left, and Lance Cpl. Anthony Fedga, both cannon crewmen with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stacks baggage aboard the USS New York, Dec. 13, 2012, in preparation for the MEU's offload. The 24th MEU is returning home in time for the holidays after spending most of 2012 deployed in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility as an expeditionary crisis response force, maintaining presence aboard the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group within the U.S. Central, European and Africa Commands. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Pfc. Stephen Frame, left, and Lance Cpl. Anthony Fedga, both cannon crewmen with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stacks baggage aboard the USS New York, Dec. 13, 2012, in preparation for the MEU's offload. The 24th MEU is returning home in time for the holidays after spending most of 2012 deployed in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility as an expeditionary crisis response force, maintaining presence aboard the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group within the U.S. Central, European and Africa Commands. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Pfc. Stephen Frame, a native of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., a cannon crewman with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stacks baggage aboard the USS New York, Dec. 13, 2012, in preparation for the MEU's offload. The 24th MEU is returning home in time for the holidays after spending most of 2012 deployed in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility as an expeditionary crisis response force, maintaining presence aboard the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group within the U.S. Central, European and Africa Commands. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Pfc. Stephen Frame, a native of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., a cannon crewman with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stacks baggage aboard the USS New York, Dec. 13, 2012, in preparation for the MEU's offload. The 24th MEU is returning home in time for the holidays after spending most of 2012 deployed in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility as an expeditionary crisis response force, maintaining presence aboard the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group within the U.S. Central, European and Africa Commands. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim