The Blue Angels fly over Marina Green, San Francisco, during the San Francisco Fleet Week 2014 Air Show, Oct. 11. In partnership with the U.S. Navy, the Marine Corps is a force perfectly designed and suited for both crisis response and maritime security. No forces are more suitable to addressing emerging humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs than naval amphibious forces. - The Blue Angels fly over Marina Green, San Francisco, during the San Francisco Fleet Week 2014 Air Show, Oct. 11. In partnership with the U.S. Navy, the Marine Corps is a force perfectly designed and suited for both crisis response and maritime security. No forces are more suitable to addressing emerging humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs than naval amphibious forces.

A CH-53E Super Stallion lowers a M777 Howitzer and its ammunition onto a landing zone aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., as part of a reactionary combat training exercise Sept. 30, 2014. The purpose of the exercise was to build cohesion between and the aircraft’s crew and the Marines on the ground handling the equipment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Olivia C. McDonald/Released) - A CH-53E Super Stallion lowers a M777 Howitzer and its ammunition onto a landing zone aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., as part of a reactionary combat training exercise Sept. 30, 2014. The purpose of the exercise was to build cohesion between and the aircraft’s crew and the Marines on the ground handling the equipment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Olivia C. McDonald/Released)

A F-35B Lightning II with Marine Operational and Test Evaluation Squadron 22 taxies under a canopy aboard Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 9. This is the squadron’s first F-35 Lightning II. - A F-35B Lightning II with Marine Operational and Test Evaluation Squadron 22 taxies under a canopy aboard Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 9. This is the squadron’s first F-35 Lightning II.

New Orleans - John Zimmer, a security specialist at Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, stands in the octagon minutes before his fight at the Caged Warrior Championship V on Oct. 4th, 2014, in Patterson, La. This was Zimmer’s first time competing in a mixed martial arts fight. - New Orleans - John Zimmer, a security specialist at Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, stands in the octagon minutes before his fight at the Caged Warrior Championship V on Oct. 4th, 2014, in Patterson, La. This was Zimmer’s first time competing in a mixed martial arts fight.

An F/A-18 Hornet takes off from Andersen Air Force Base Oct. 1 during Forager Fury III. The overarching training exercise,which emphasizes tactical aviation and aviation ground to further develop a distributed, expeditionary combat capability while training within the Marianas Island range complex. The aircraft is with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 currently assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. - An F/A-18 Hornet takes off from Andersen Air Force Base Oct. 1 during Forager Fury III. The overarching training exercise,which emphasizes tactical aviation and aviation ground to further develop a distributed, expeditionary combat capability while training within the Marianas Island range complex. The aircraft is with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 currently assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets are parked during Forager Fury III on Andersen Air Force Base Sept. 30. The aircraft are from multiple squadrons and were used in close air support, forward air controller training, air interdiction, air-to-air missions, defensive counter-air and offensive counter-air training events. The overarching training exercise involving 1,300 personnel emphasizes tactical aviation and aviation ground support on a unit level to further develop a distributed, expeditionary combat capability within the Marianas Island range complex. - Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets are parked during Forager Fury III on Andersen Air Force Base Sept. 30. The aircraft are from multiple squadrons and were used in close air support, forward air controller training, air interdiction, air-to-air missions, defensive counter-air and offensive counter-air training events. The overarching training exercise involving 1,300 personnel emphasizes tactical aviation and aviation ground support on a unit level to further develop a distributed, expeditionary combat capability within the Marianas Island range complex.

Two Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopters with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific land on Echo Field, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, during the first day of Forager Fury III on Sept. 24, 2014. Echo Field is a 7,000 by 500 foot runway cleared by Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 heavy equipment operators. An estimated 1300 personnel are participating in FF III, which is a Marine Corps led exercise involving a full spectrum of fixed wing and rotary aircraft operations between Guam and Tinian. FF III began Sept. 24, and is scheduled to continue through Oct. 6. - Two Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopters with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific land on Echo Field, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, during the first day of Forager Fury III on Sept. 24, 2014. Echo Field is a 7,000 by 500 foot runway cleared by Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 heavy equipment operators. An estimated 1300 personnel are participating in FF III, which is a Marine Corps led exercise involving a full spectrum of fixed wing and rotary aircraft operations between Guam and Tinian. FF III began Sept. 24, and is scheduled to continue through Oct. 6.

A rifleman with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, hikes to his company objective during the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 23, 2014. The MCCRE is designed to be a final evaluation to ensure the Marines are prepared to be deployed. The battalion is slated to deploy as the ground combat element of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit next year. - A rifleman with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, hikes to his company objective during the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 23, 2014. The MCCRE is designed to be a final evaluation to ensure the Marines are prepared to be deployed. The battalion is slated to deploy as the ground combat element of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit next year.

Marines purchase food and drinks from a local vendor Sept. 20 during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014 at a compound near Tinian’s North Field, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei) - Marines purchase food and drinks from a local vendor Sept. 20 during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014 at a compound near Tinian’s North Field, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei)

Marines load a diver propulsion device into a combat rubber raiding craft Sept. 20 at U.S. Naval Base Guam during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. The device aids the Marines conducting night infiltration. Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only exercise integrating Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities, which provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners. The Marines are reconnaissance men with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines load a diver propulsion device into a combat rubber raiding craft Sept. 20 at U.S. Naval Base Guam during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. The device aids the Marines conducting night infiltration. Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only exercise integrating Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities, which provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners. The Marines are reconnaissance men with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines load into the MV-22B Osprey to prepare to fast rope during the Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques course Aug. 20 at the Central Training Area. The students finalized their practical applications portion by performing rappels out of the aircraft. The Marines are with various units across III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF. - Marines load into the MV-22B Osprey to prepare to fast rope during the Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques course Aug. 20 at the Central Training Area. The students finalized their practical applications portion by performing rappels out of the aircraft. The Marines are with various units across III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF.

Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force practice loading and unloading inert rounds into the Non-Lethal, Tube-Launched Munitions System during their practical application training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 14, 2014. Marine Corps Systems Command Optics and Non-Lethal Systems is fielding the system that sends non-lethal munitions out as far as 500 meters and uses an audible bang to deter a crowd or a person with mal-intent. Its intended use is for military checkpoints. - Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force practice loading and unloading inert rounds into the Non-Lethal, Tube-Launched Munitions System during their practical application training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 14, 2014. Marine Corps Systems Command Optics and Non-Lethal Systems is fielding the system that sends non-lethal munitions out as far as 500 meters and uses an audible bang to deter a crowd or a person with mal-intent. Its intended use is for military checkpoints.

Manti Te’o, a San Diego Chargers’ linebacker, signs an autograph for a child during a military appreciation day aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 27. The Chargers practiced with the MCAS Miramar Falcons before socializing with fans. - Manti Te’o, a San Diego Chargers’ linebacker, signs an autograph for a child during a military appreciation day aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 27. The Chargers practiced with the MCAS Miramar Falcons before socializing with fans.