USS IWO JIMA, NAVAL STATION ROTA (Nov. 11, 2012) - Sgt. Maj. of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Octaviano Gallegos , (left), and Col. Frank Donovan, commanding officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, salute the colors during the 237th Marine Corps birthday ceremony aboard USS Iwo Jima Nov. 11, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility as a disaster relief and crisis response force. Since deploying in March, they have supported a variety of missions in the U.S. Central 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. The 24th MEU is scheduled to return to their home bases in North Carolina later this year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl/Released)