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Marines

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DJIBOUTI (Sept. 30, 2012) - Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, execute patrolling training through the coastal mountains of Djibouti, Sept. 30, 2012. The training was part of a three-week exercise comprising basic infantry skills and desert survival techniques. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in U.S. Central Command and the Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

DJIBOUTI (Sept. 30, 2012) - Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, execute patrolling training through the coastal mountains of Djibouti, Sept. 30, 2012. The training was part of a three-week exercise comprising basic infantry skills and desert survival techniques. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in U.S. Central Command and the Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III

(DJIBOUTI, Sept. 30, 2012) - Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, attempt to light a campfire during a desert survival training course in Djibouti, Sept. 30, 2012. The training was part of a three-week exercise comprising basic infantry skills and desert survival techniques. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in U.S. Central Command and the Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

(DJIBOUTI, Sept. 30, 2012) - Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, attempt to light a campfire during a desert survival training course in Djibouti, Sept. 30, 2012. The training was part of a three-week exercise comprising basic infantry skills and desert survival techniques. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in U.S. Central Command and the Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a live-fire speed reload drill with M-9 Beretta pistols during sustainment training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman, Oct 5, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a live-fire speed reload drill with M-9 Beretta pistols during sustainment training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman, Oct 5, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire M-9 Beretta pistols during sustainment training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 5, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire M-9 Beretta pistols during sustainment training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 5, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - Cpl. Ryahm Toole, an Easton, Pa., native and a military policeman with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, draws an M-9 Beretta pistol during sustainment training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 5, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - Cpl. Ryahm Toole, an Easton, Pa., native and a military policeman with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, draws an M-9 Beretta pistol during sustainment training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 5, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - Cpl. Ryahm Toole, an Easton, Pa., native and a military policeman with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M-9 Beretta pistol during sustainment training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 5, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - Cpl. Ryahm Toole, an Easton, Pa., native and a military policeman with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M-9 Beretta pistol during sustainment training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 5, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - Sgt. Anthony Francisco, a Nutley, N.J., native and combat engineer with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, draws an M-9 Beretta pistol during sustainment training, Oct. 5, 2012, on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - Sgt. Anthony Francisco, a Nutley, N.J., native and combat engineer with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, draws an M-9 Beretta pistol during sustainment training, Oct. 5, 2012, on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - A Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M-9 Beretta pistol during sustainment training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 5, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS GUNSTON HALL, Gulf of Oman (Oct. 5, 2012) - A Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M-9 Beretta pistol during sustainment training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 5, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

Sgt. Christopher Repreza, the supply warehouse chief for Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, places the first chevron on newly promoted Sgt. Guillermo Villalbaflores, a landing support specialist, also with CLB 24, during a promotion ceremony aboard the USS New York, Oct. 1, 2012. Repreza is from Los Angeles and Villalbaflores is from Houston, Texas. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Sgt. Christopher Repreza, the supply warehouse chief for Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, places the first chevron on newly promoted Sgt. Guillermo Villalbaflores, a landing support specialist, also with CLB 24, during a promotion ceremony aboard the USS New York, Oct. 1, 2012. Repreza is from Los Angeles and Villalbaflores is from Houston, Texas. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson

Lt. Col. Aaron W. Adams, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit executive officer, administers the oath of office to Capt. Allion Smyczynski during her promotion ceremony aboard the USS New York, Oct. 1, 2012. Smyczynski's husband, Capt. Mike Smyczynski, is deployed on the USS Fort McHenry but watched the ceremony via a video teleconference system, shown at right. Allison Smyczynski is the officer-in-charge of the Combat Logistics Battalion 24 detachment aboard the New York and CLB's motor transport platoon commander. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Lt. Col. Aaron W. Adams, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit executive officer, administers the oath of office to Capt. Allion Smyczynski during her promotion ceremony aboard the USS New York, Oct. 1, 2012. Smyczynski's husband, Capt. Mike Smyczynski, is deployed on the USS Fort McHenry but watched the ceremony via a video teleconference system, shown at right. Allison Smyczynski is the officer-in-charge of the Combat Logistics Battalion 24 detachment aboard the New York and CLB's motor transport platoon commander. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson

Lt. Col. Aaron W. Adams, right, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit executive officer, administers the oath of office to Gunnery Sgt. Derek Brossman during his promotion ceremony aboard the USS New York, Oct. 1, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Lt. Col. Aaron W. Adams, right, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit executive officer, administers the oath of office to Gunnery Sgt. Derek Brossman during his promotion ceremony aboard the USS New York, Oct. 1, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson

Maj. Gregory Goober, left, places rank insignia on the collar of newly promoted Capt. Mason Sanford during his promotion ceremony aboard the USS New York, Oct. 1, 2012. Goober is the commanding officer of India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the BLT's senior Marine aboard the New York. Sanford is the BLT's logistics officer aboard the ship. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Maj. Gregory Goober, left, places rank insignia on the collar of newly promoted Capt. Mason Sanford during his promotion ceremony aboard the USS New York, Oct. 1, 2012. Goober is the commanding officer of India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the BLT's senior Marine aboard the New York. Sanford is the BLT's logistics officer aboard the ship. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson

Capts. Mason Sanford and Allison Smyczynski, both with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pose for a photograph after their promotions aboard the USS New York, Oct. 1, 2012. Sanford and Smyczynski attended Officer Candidate School, The Basic School and Logistics Officer Course together. Sanford, a Cooperstown, N.Y., native is a logistics officer with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Smyczynski is the officer-in-charge of the Combat Logistics Battalion 24 detachment aboard the New York and CLB's motor transport platoon commander. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Capts. Mason Sanford and Allison Smyczynski, both with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pose for a photograph after their promotions aboard the USS New York, Oct. 1, 2012. Sanford and Smyczynski attended Officer Candidate School, The Basic School and Logistics Officer Course together. Sanford, a Cooperstown, N.Y., native is a logistics officer with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Smyczynski is the officer-in-charge of the Combat Logistics Battalion 24 detachment aboard the New York and CLB's motor transport platoon commander. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Photo by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson

Sgt. Rebecca Allor, a Heartland Mich., native with the Command Element, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is promoted to her current rank of Sergeant in the US Marine Corps during a ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Oct 1, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

Sgt. Rebecca Allor, a Heartland Mich., native with the Command Element, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is promoted to her current rank of Sergeant in the US Marine Corps during a ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Oct 1, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R Kiehl

Sgt. Michael Cox, a Brighton Ill., native with the Command Element, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is promoted to his current rank of Sergeant in the US Marine Corps by Col. Frank Donovan, commanding officer of the 24th MEU during a ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Oct 1, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

Sgt. Michael Cox, a Brighton Ill., native with the Command Element, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is promoted to his current rank of Sergeant in the US Marine Corps by Col. Frank Donovan, commanding officer of the 24th MEU during a ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Oct 1, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R Kiehl

Cpl. Robert Korthas II, a Anderson Ind., native with the Command Element, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is promoted to his current rank of Corporal in the US Marine Corps during a ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Oct 1, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

Cpl. Robert Korthas II, a Anderson Ind., native with the Command Element, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is promoted to his current rank of Corporal in the US Marine Corps during a ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Oct 1, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R Kiehl

Cpl. Kyle Taylor, a Hearns Texas, native with the Command Element, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is promoted to his current rank of Corporal in the US Marine Corps during a ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Oct 1, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

Cpl. Kyle Taylor, a Hearns Texas, native with the Command Element, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is promoted to his current rank of Corporal in the US Marine Corps during a ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Oct 1, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R Kiehl

USS IWO JIMA, U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (Sept 22, 2012) -Marines from the airframes section of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct engine maintenance on an MV-22B Osprey in the hangar of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Sept 22, 2012. The aviation maintenance crews work around the clock to ensure the 24th MEU's aircraft are always ready to fly in support of the various missions they could be called for. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf)

USS IWO JIMA, U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (Sept 22, 2012) -Marines from the airframes section of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct engine maintenance on an MV-22B Osprey in the hangar of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Sept 22, 2012. The aviation maintenance crews work around the clock to ensure the 24th MEU's aircraft are always ready to fly in support of the various missions they could be called for. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

USS IWO JIMA, U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (Sept 22, 2012) -Lance Cpl. Matthew Dixon, a native of Mt. Olive, Miss., and flight line mechanic from the airframe section with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts engine maintenance for an MV-22B Osprey the hangar of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Sept 22, 2012. The aviation maintenance crews work around the clock to ensure the 24th MEU's aircraft are always ready to fly in support of the various missions they could be called for. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf)

USS IWO JIMA, U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (Sept 22, 2012) -Lance Cpl. Matthew Dixon, a native of Mt. Olive, Miss., and flight line mechanic from the airframe section with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts engine maintenance for an MV-22B Osprey the hangar of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Sept 22, 2012. The aviation maintenance crews work around the clock to ensure the 24th MEU's aircraft are always ready to fly in support of the various missions they could be called for. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf

USS IWO JIMA, U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (Sept 22, 2012) -Lance Cpl. Alex Dively, a native of Bedford, Pa., and air frame mechanic from the airframes section with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts engine maintenance on an MV-22B Osprey in the hangar of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Sept 22, 2012. The aviation maintenance crews work around the clock to ensure the 24th MEU's aircraft are always ready to fly in support of the various missions they could be called for. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf)

USS IWO JIMA, U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (Sept 22, 2012) -Lance Cpl. Alex Dively, a native of Bedford, Pa., and air frame mechanic from the airframes section with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts engine maintenance on an MV-22B Osprey in the hangar of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Sept 22, 2012. The aviation maintenance crews work around the clock to ensure the 24th MEU's aircraft are always ready to fly in support of the various missions they could be called for. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf