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AV-8 Harriers with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fly in formation after conducting aerial refueling training operations, Sept 23. The training consisted of MV-22B Ospreys and AV-8B Harriers conducting aerial refueling with the 24th MEU's KC-130J Hercules aircraft to practice the skills needed for long-range flight operations. 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. - AV-8 Harriers with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fly in formation after conducting aerial refueling training operations, Sept 23. The training consisted of MV-22B Ospreys and AV-8B Harriers conducting aerial refueling with the 24th MEU's KC-130J Hercules aircraft to practice the skills needed for long-range flight operations. 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.

Marines salute during the playing of the national anthem during a memorial ceremony, Sept. 20. During the ceremony, Marines paid tribute to Sgt. Bradley Atwell, an aircraft electrical, instrument and flight control systems technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, from Kokomo, Ind. Atwell was killed in action while engaging insurgents during an attack on Camp Bastion, Sept. 14. - Marines salute during the playing of the national anthem during a memorial ceremony, Sept. 20. During the ceremony, Marines paid tribute to Sgt. Bradley Atwell, an aircraft electrical, instrument and flight control systems technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, from Kokomo, Ind. Atwell was killed in action while engaging insurgents during an attack on Camp Bastion, Sept. 14.

An instructor gives advice to fellow Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, as they provide suppressive fire during a training exercise as part of the Forge Academy Sept. 18. The Forge Academy is an approximately four-week long course designed to improve the proficiency of 1/6?s fireteam leaders. Throughout the course, the students were educated on troop welfare, the psychological and physiological effects of combat, infantry tactics and the responsibilities of being a fireteam leader. - An instructor gives advice to fellow Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, as they provide suppressive fire during a training exercise as part of the Forge Academy Sept. 18. The Forge Academy is an approximately four-week long course designed to improve the proficiency of 1/6?s fireteam leaders. Throughout the course, the students were educated on troop welfare, the psychological and physiological effects of combat, infantry tactics and the responsibilities of being a fireteam leader.

A Marine corporal with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stretches before conducting morning physical training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Aden, Sept. 15, 2012. The PT was part of a command-sponsored Corporal's Course that took place both ashore in Kuwait and aboard the ship. 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. - A Marine corporal with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stretches before conducting morning physical training on the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall in the Gulf of Aden, Sept. 15, 2012. The PT was part of a command-sponsored Corporal's Course that took place both ashore in Kuwait and aboard the ship. 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.

Lance Cpl. Jethel Hernandez, a machine gunner with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and a native of Sioux City, Iowa, carries his M-240 machine gun while conducting a foot patrol during a helicopter raid on an enemy-held town, September 22. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps? force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Lance Cpl. Jethel Hernandez, a machine gunner with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and a native of Sioux City, Iowa, carries his M-240 machine gun while conducting a foot patrol during a helicopter raid on an enemy-held town, September 22. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps? force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

An AV-8B Harrier II Plus with Marine Attack Squadron 211, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), awaits its next mission on the tarmac at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Sept. 18, 2012. The aircraft provides air support to the ground units throughout Helmand and Nimroz provinces. Despite a roller coaster week for the squadron, VMA-211 remains fully operational and continues to provide support to ground troops throughout Regional Command Southwest?s area of operations. - An AV-8B Harrier II Plus with Marine Attack Squadron 211, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), awaits its next mission on the tarmac at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Sept. 18, 2012. The aircraft provides air support to the ground units throughout Helmand and Nimroz provinces. Despite a roller coaster week for the squadron, VMA-211 remains fully operational and continues to provide support to ground troops throughout Regional Command Southwest?s area of operations.

Gunnery Sgt. Rodolfo Gonzalez, disbursing chief, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, reads a book in his office, on the USS Peleliu, Sept. 22. The United Through Reading program helps connect servicemembers to their family members by providing them the opportunity to record themselves reading a book to their loved ones. The recordings can be up to 30 minutes long. If the servicemembers brought the book with them, they can mail the book with the recording back home. If they didn?t bring books, they can borrow one from the unit. - Gunnery Sgt. Rodolfo Gonzalez, disbursing chief, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, reads a book in his office, on the USS Peleliu, Sept. 22. The United Through Reading program helps connect servicemembers to their family members by providing them the opportunity to record themselves reading a book to their loved ones. The recordings can be up to 30 minutes long. If the servicemembers brought the book with them, they can mail the book with the recording back home. If they didn?t bring books, they can borrow one from the unit.

U.S. Marines with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, participate in a Key Leader Engagement lane during Enhanced Mohave Viper Range 220, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. July 19, 2011. The training was in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. - U.S. Marines with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, participate in a Key Leader Engagement lane during Enhanced Mohave Viper Range 220, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. July 19, 2011. The training was in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.