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Marines

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Lance Cpl. Curtis Overholt, a native of Kent, Ohio, and rifleman with Alpha Company, 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)

Lance Cpl. Curtis Overholt, a native of Kent, Ohio, and rifleman with Alpha Company, 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

First Sgt. Gregory Mitchell, the battery 1st sergeant for India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to his Marines during reintegration training aboard the USS New York, Dec. 11, 2012. 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)

First Sgt. Gregory Mitchell, the battery 1st sergeant for India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to his Marines during reintegration training aboard the USS New York, Dec. 11, 2012. 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

First Sgt. Gregory Mitchell, the battery 1st sergeant for India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to his Marines during reintegration training aboard the USS New York, Dec. 11, 2012. 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)

First Sgt. Gregory Mitchell, the battery 1st sergeant for India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to his Marines during reintegration training aboard the USS New York, Dec. 11, 2012. 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

Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve A. Barnes, a hospital corpsman with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a photo in the hospital bay of the USS New York, Dec. 10, 2012. Barnes has spent the last nine months deployed with the 24th MEU, which is currently returning home after completing a successful deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force in the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve A. Barnes, a hospital corpsman with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a photo in the hospital bay of the USS New York, Dec. 10, 2012. Barnes has spent the last nine months deployed with the 24th MEU, which is currently returning home after completing a successful deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force in the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III

Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve A. Barnes, a hospital corpsman with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a photo in the hospital bay of the USS New York, Dec. 10, 2012. Barnes has spent the last nine months deployed with the 24th MEU, which is currently returning home after completing a successful deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force in the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve A. Barnes, a hospital corpsman with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a photo in the hospital bay of the USS New York, Dec. 10, 2012. Barnes has spent the last nine months deployed with the 24th MEU, which is currently returning home after completing a successful deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force in the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III

Cpl. Luis G. Rivera, center, a native of Brownsville, Texas, and radio operator with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives a Certificate of Commendation aboard the USS New York, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is coming home from a nine-month deployment with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group in which they served as an expeditionary crisis response force in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (Official USMC Photo by: Cpl. Michael J. Petersheim/Released)

Cpl. Luis G. Rivera, center, a native of Brownsville, Texas, and radio operator with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives a Certificate of Commendation aboard the USS New York, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is coming home from a nine-month deployment with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group in which they served as an expeditionary crisis response force in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (Official USMC Photo by: Cpl. Michael J. Petersheim/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

USS IWO JIMA, Atlantic Ocean (Dec. 9, 2012) - Lance Cpl. David Calle, a Miami, Fla., native with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, checks his shot group after conducting a live-fire night training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

USS IWO JIMA, Atlantic Ocean (Dec. 9, 2012) - Lance Cpl. David Calle, a Miami, Fla., native with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, checks his shot group after conducting a live-fire night training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Lance Cpl. John Graham, a Southwest City, Mo., native with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, checks his shot group after conducting a night live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Lance Cpl. John Graham, a Southwest City, Mo., native with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, checks his shot group after conducting a night live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Marines with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, checks his shot group after conducting a night live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Marines with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, checks his shot group after conducting a night live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Marines with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to conduct a night live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Marines with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to conduct a night live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Lance Cpl. David Calle, a Miami, Fla., native with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts a live-fire night training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Lance Cpl. David Calle, a Miami, Fla., native with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts a live-fire night training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Marines with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load their magazines in preparation to conduct a night live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Marines with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load their magazines in preparation to conduct a night live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Cpl. Chris Leoni, a Naples, Fla., native with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, makes adjustments to his M4 carbine service rifle during a live-fire training exercise on the flight deck of USS, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Cpl. Chris Leoni, a Naples, Fla., native with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, makes adjustments to his M4 carbine service rifle during a live-fire training exercise on the flight deck of USS, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Marines with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, check their shot groups after conducting a live-fire training exercise to confirm their aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Marines with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, check their shot groups after conducting a live-fire training exercise to confirm their aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Marines with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to conduct a live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Marines with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to conduct a live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Lance Cpl. Timothy Wade, a Boston, Mass., native with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, loads his magazine in preparation to conduct a live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Lance Cpl. Timothy Wade, a Boston, Mass., native with Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, loads his magazine in preparation to conduct a live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Lance Cpl. Timothy Wade, a Boston, Mass., native with Security Element, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, loads his magazine in preparation to conduct a live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Lance Cpl. Timothy Wade, a Boston, Mass., native with Security Element, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, loads his magazine in preparation to conduct a live-fire training exercise aboard USS Iwo Jima, Dec. 9, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central, Africa and European Commands, assisted the Navy in safeguarding sea lanes, and conducted various bilateral and unilateral training events in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit attached to the USS New York's combat cargo element watch an MH-60S Knight Hawk land aboard the New York's flight deck, Dec. 8, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is coming home from a nine-month deployment with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group in which they served as an expeditionary crisis response force in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (Official USMC Photo by: Cpl. Michael J. Petersheim/Released)

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit attached to the USS New York's combat cargo element watch an MH-60S Knight Hawk land aboard the New York's flight deck, Dec. 8, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is coming home from a nine-month deployment with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group in which they served as an expeditionary crisis response force in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (Official USMC Photo by: Cpl. Michael J. Petersheim/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit attached to the USS New York's combat cargo element offload bags and equipment from an MH-60S Knight Hawk aboard the USS New York, Dec. 8, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is coming home from a nine-month deployment with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group in which they served as an expeditionary crisis response force in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (Official USMC Photo by: Cpl. Michael J. Petersheim/Released)

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit attached to the USS New York's combat cargo element offload bags and equipment from an MH-60S Knight Hawk aboard the USS New York, Dec. 8, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is coming home from a nine-month deployment with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group in which they served as an expeditionary crisis response force in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (Official USMC Photo by: Cpl. Michael J. Petersheim/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Lt. Col. David Sosa, the commanding officer of Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, discusses upcoming post-deployment concerns with 24th MEU leadership aboard the USS New York, Dec. 8, 2012. 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 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Lt. Col. David Sosa, the commanding officer of Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, discusses upcoming post-deployment concerns with 24th MEU leadership aboard the USS New York, Dec. 8, 2012. 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 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson