U.S. Marine Cpl. Michael Bumanglag (left) and Lance Cpl. Erik Delgadillo (right), with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, Task Force Al Asad, search for the impact site of a 122 mm rocket aboard Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, Jan. 4, 2015. Soldiers and Marines are taking prudent measures to protect the members of Task Force Al Asad from the threat of indirect fire. - U.S. Marine Cpl. Michael Bumanglag (left) and Lance Cpl. Erik Delgadillo (right), with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, Task Force Al Asad, search for the impact site of a 122 mm rocket aboard Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, Jan. 4, 2015. Soldiers and Marines are taking prudent measures to protect the members of Task Force Al Asad from the threat of indirect fire.

1st Lt. William Tidd, center, from Angola, Indiana, confers with other members of the Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team after responding to a natural disaster scenario Jan. 13 at Camp Hansen. The HAST responds to areas that have been struck by natural disasters and determine how much supply and resources are required to assist the affected area. Tidd is the assistant officer in charge of the HAST, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. - 1st Lt. William Tidd, center, from Angola, Indiana, confers with other members of the Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team after responding to a natural disaster scenario Jan. 13 at Camp Hansen. The HAST responds to areas that have been struck by natural disasters and determine how much supply and resources are required to assist the affected area. Tidd is the assistant officer in charge of the HAST, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commanding general of Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan speaks at a deactivation ceremony for MEB-A aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 9; symbolically closing another chapter in Marine Corps history following the 13-year conflict known as Operation Enduring Freedom. Marine Expeditionary Brigade - Afghanistan officially took authority of Regional Command (Southwest) from II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Feb. 5, 2014, and assumed the responsibility to lead coalition operations in Helmand and Nimroz provinces. The Marines completed operations and departed Afghanistan Oct. 27, 2014. “Ultimately the real end state was responsible transitioning and I think we did that in good order, and we should be proud of that,” added Yoo to his remarks. - Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commanding general of Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan speaks at a deactivation ceremony for MEB-A aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 9; symbolically closing another chapter in Marine Corps history following the 13-year conflict known as Operation Enduring Freedom. Marine Expeditionary Brigade - Afghanistan officially took authority of Regional Command (Southwest) from II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Feb. 5, 2014, and assumed the responsibility to lead coalition operations in Helmand and Nimroz provinces. The Marines completed operations and departed Afghanistan Oct. 27, 2014. “Ultimately the real end state was responsible transitioning and I think we did that in good order, and we should be proud of that,” added Yoo to his remarks.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division fire a FGM-148 Javelin at a firing range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 6, 2015. The Javelin missile system is most often used by teams of two, a gunner and assistant gunner, although it can be used by one person if necessary. While the gunner aims and fires the missile itself, the assistant gunner remains on the lookout for potential targets and threats, and ensures the back blast area of the missile launcher is clear of obstructions and personnel. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division fire a FGM-148 Javelin at a firing range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 6, 2015. The Javelin missile system is most often used by teams of two, a gunner and assistant gunner, although it can be used by one person if necessary. While the gunner aims and fires the missile itself, the assistant gunner remains on the lookout for potential targets and threats, and ensures the back blast area of the missile launcher is clear of obstructions and personnel.

Sgt. Maj. Devon A. Lee, center, salutes Lt. Col. Larry G. Brown and Sgt. Maj. Timonthy J. Rudd during a post and relief ceremony Jan. 8 at hangar 525 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. . Sgt. Maj. Devon A. Lee passes on his reponsibilities as the squadron sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Timonthy J. Rudd. Marines are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. - Sgt. Maj. Devon A. Lee, center, salutes Lt. Col. Larry G. Brown and Sgt. Maj. Timonthy J. Rudd during a post and relief ceremony Jan. 8 at hangar 525 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. . Sgt. Maj. Devon A. Lee passes on his reponsibilities as the squadron sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Timonthy J. Rudd. Marines are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, work with the Marines and sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit as they guide a Navy landing craft air cushion onto Onslow Beach aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 16, 2014. Marines loaded vehicles, personnel and ammunition aboard the LCACs to be transported to the USS Fort McHenry. - Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, work with the Marines and sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit as they guide a Navy landing craft air cushion onto Onslow Beach aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 16, 2014. Marines loaded vehicles, personnel and ammunition aboard the LCACs to be transported to the USS Fort McHenry.

Gunnery Sgt. Gabriel Machado, left, Master Sgt. Raul Argumedo, center, and Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Bateman jump in tandem from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft Nov. 20, 2014 over Ie Shima Training Facility, off the northwest coast of Okinawa, Japan. The Marines jumped from an altitude of 10,000 feet during the high speed training. Machado, from New York, New York, is an air delivery specialist with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Argumedo, from Los Angeles, California, is an air delivery specialist with the battalion. Bateman, from Gaithersburg, Maryland, is a reconnaissance man with the battalion. - Gunnery Sgt. Gabriel Machado, left, Master Sgt. Raul Argumedo, center, and Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Bateman jump in tandem from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft Nov. 20, 2014 over Ie Shima Training Facility, off the northwest coast of Okinawa, Japan. The Marines jumped from an altitude of 10,000 feet during the high speed training. Machado, from New York, New York, is an air delivery specialist with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Argumedo, from Los Angeles, California, is an air delivery specialist with the battalion. Bateman, from Gaithersburg, Maryland, is a reconnaissance man with the battalion.

Kenny R. White, Marine veteran, native of San Diego, Calif., listens as Mathieu Brundige, tank crewman, 1st Tank Battalion, explains the functionalities of the M1A1 Abrams on the units tank ramp, Dec. 22, 2014. White served as a tank crewman for 17 years as a reservist in 4th Tank Battalion. - Kenny R. White, Marine veteran, native of San Diego, Calif., listens as Mathieu Brundige, tank crewman, 1st Tank Battalion, explains the functionalities of the M1A1 Abrams on the units tank ramp, Dec. 22, 2014. White served as a tank crewman for 17 years as a reservist in 4th Tank Battalion.

U.S. Marine Capt. Nathan D. Bedle, with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response – Africa, and a Spanish soldier with 1st Mountain Troops Command conduct a trail recon a during mountain warfare training in Candanchu, Spain, Dec. 16, 2014. The exercise, which was conducted with the Spanish, allowed the Marines to gain greater knowledge of mountain warfare tactics, techniques and procedures while enhancing interoperability with the Spanish and strengthening the U.S. partnership with Spain. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is a self-mobile crisis response force that conducts missions to protect U.S. personnel, property, and interests in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. - U.S. Marine Capt. Nathan D. Bedle, with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response – Africa, and a Spanish soldier with 1st Mountain Troops Command conduct a trail recon a during mountain warfare training in Candanchu, Spain, Dec. 16, 2014. The exercise, which was conducted with the Spanish, allowed the Marines to gain greater knowledge of mountain warfare tactics, techniques and procedures while enhancing interoperability with the Spanish and strengthening the U.S. partnership with Spain. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is a self-mobile crisis response force that conducts missions to protect U.S. personnel, property, and interests in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.

Lance Cpl. Homero Campos, left, and Lance Cpl. Chara J. Savoey, set up a hasty communications tower at Bombing Target Range 11, Piney Island, N.C., Dec. 18, 2014. Campos is an unmanned aerial vehicle maintainer with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 and native of Kingston, N.Y. Savoey is a field radio operator with the squadron and is native of Oakland, Calif. - Lance Cpl. Homero Campos, left, and Lance Cpl. Chara J. Savoey, set up a hasty communications tower at Bombing Target Range 11, Piney Island, N.C., Dec. 18, 2014. Campos is an unmanned aerial vehicle maintainer with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 and native of Kingston, N.Y. Savoey is a field radio operator with the squadron and is native of Oakland, Calif.

Marines exit a Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer during Underwater Egress Training Dec. 9 at the Hansen Aquatics Center. The Marines are with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and they are conducting pre-deployment preparations for the regularly-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines exit a Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer during Underwater Egress Training Dec. 9 at the Hansen Aquatics Center. The Marines are with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and they are conducting pre-deployment preparations for the regularly-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Janneh Felix conducts classroom training on outboard engines with members of the Beninese Navy in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 18, 2014. Felix, a New York, N.Y., native, is part of a team of Marines and Coast Guardsmen from SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa, working alongside the Beninese Navy, trading knowledge of mechanical tactics, techniques and procedural skills while conducting engine maintenance on Honda BF225 outboard engines. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Janneh Felix conducts classroom training on outboard engines with members of the Beninese Navy in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 18, 2014. Felix, a New York, N.Y., native, is part of a team of Marines and Coast Guardsmen from SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa, working alongside the Beninese Navy, trading knowledge of mechanical tactics, techniques and procedural skills while conducting engine maintenance on Honda BF225 outboard engines.

Minister of Defense Valerin Troenco shakes hands with Lt. Col. Joel Schmidt, the commanding officer of Black Sea Rotational Force 14, during the closing ceremony of the Anti-Armor Workshop between U.S. Marines and Moldovan soldiers in Balti, Moldova, Dec. 12. The Marines and Moldovans built a mutual understanding of firing procedures and characteristics on advanced anti-armor weapons systems, including: Moldova’s Rocket Propelled Grenade system and 70mm Recoiless Rifle (SPG), and America’s FGM-148 Javelin man-portable anti-tank missile, AT-4 Anti-Tank Weapon, and the Shoulder-launched Multipupose Assault Weapon, Dec. 8-12. - Minister of Defense Valerin Troenco shakes hands with Lt. Col. Joel Schmidt, the commanding officer of Black Sea Rotational Force 14, during the closing ceremony of the Anti-Armor Workshop between U.S. Marines and Moldovan soldiers in Balti, Moldova, Dec. 12. The Marines and Moldovans built a mutual understanding of firing procedures and characteristics on advanced anti-armor weapons systems, including: Moldova’s Rocket Propelled Grenade system and 70mm Recoiless Rifle (SPG), and America’s FGM-148 Javelin man-portable anti-tank missile, AT-4 Anti-Tank Weapon, and the Shoulder-launched Multipupose Assault Weapon, Dec. 8-12.