U. S. Marine Corps Cpl. Zachary Devaney, a military working dog handler with the Provost Marshal’s Office, Security and Emergency Services Battalion, directs military working dog, Don, through the obedience course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 17, 2019 Handlers and their K9, spend over 50 hours training and developing their bond every week. - U. S. Marine Corps Cpl. Zachary Devaney, a military working dog handler with the Provost Marshal’s Office, Security and Emergency Services Battalion, directs military working dog, Don, through the obedience course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 17, 2019 Handlers and their K9, spend over 50 hours training and developing their bond every week.

Recon Challenge 2019: Team LOWLIFE proves bonds not broken by time - U.S. Marines with 3rd platoon, commonly known as “LOWLIFE,” Force Reconnaissance Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), pose for a photo in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in June of 2010. Nine years later, team “LOWLIFE” is participating in the annual Recon Challenge, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, May 16, 2019. The Recon Challenge is a 30-mile obstacle course held to honor fallen Reconnaissance Marines. The team will be carrying Jonathon Blank, who was medically retired after both of his legs were severed after stepping on an improvised explosive device, during a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Oct. 26, 2010. (Courtesy photo by Jonathon Blank.)

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Sam Lamonda fireman carries a simulated casualty during a combined anti-armor team mounted patrol training event during Exercise Bougainville I at Marines Corps Training Area Bellows, March 15, 2018. Throughout the CAAT training, the Marines had to react to simulated improvised explosive devices and ambushes. Exercise Bougainville I is used to train U.S. Marines to fight at the small-unit level and build their proficiency for future deployments. Lamonda, a native of Columbus, Ohio, is with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment. He graduated from Worthington Kilbourne High School. - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Sam Lamonda fireman carries a simulated casualty during a combined anti-armor team mounted patrol training event during Exercise Bougainville I at Marines Corps Training Area Bellows, March 15, 2018. Throughout the CAAT training, the Marines had to react to simulated improvised explosive devices and ambushes. Exercise Bougainville I is used to train U.S. Marines to fight at the small-unit level and build their proficiency for future deployments. Lamonda, a native of Columbus, Ohio, is with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment. He graduated from Worthington Kilbourne High School.

Sgt. Anthony Carbajal, an explosive ordnance disposal team leader with 2nd EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, removes dirt surrounding a controlled improvised explosive device during a training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 19, 2016. The unit conducted the training to test the effects of different types of excavation charges. - Sgt. Anthony Carbajal, an explosive ordnance disposal team leader with 2nd EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, removes dirt surrounding a controlled improvised explosive device during a training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 19, 2016. The unit conducted the training to test the effects of different types of excavation charges.

Mongolian Armed Forces Lt. Col. B. Baasaadorj practices the steps of launching an unmanned aerial vehicle during the UAV training portion of Khaan Quest 2016 at Five Hills Training Area near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, May 27. The training equipped MAF members with a deeper understanding of the purpose and operations of UAVs and how they can be used during peacekeeping missions. Khaan Quest 2016 is an annual, multinational peacekeeping operations exercise hosted by the Mongolian Armed Forces, co-sponsored by U.S. Pacific Command, and supported by U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. Khaan Quest, in its 14th iteration, is the capstone exercise for this year’s Global Peace Operations Initiative program. The exercise focuses on training activities to enhance international interoperability, develop peacekeeping capabilities, build to mil-to-mil relationships, and enhance military readiness. - Mongolian Armed Forces Lt. Col. B. Baasaadorj practices the steps of launching an unmanned aerial vehicle during the UAV training portion of Khaan Quest 2016 at Five Hills Training Area near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, May 27. The training equipped MAF members with a deeper understanding of the purpose and operations of UAVs and how they can be used during peacekeeping missions. Khaan Quest 2016 is an annual, multinational peacekeeping operations exercise hosted by the Mongolian Armed Forces, co-sponsored by U.S. Pacific Command, and supported by U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. Khaan Quest, in its 14th iteration, is the capstone exercise for this year’s Global Peace Operations Initiative program. The exercise focuses on training activities to enhance international interoperability, develop peacekeeping capabilities, build to mil-to-mil relationships, and enhance military readiness.

U.S. Pacific Command Commander, Admiral Harry Harris speaks with the President of Mongolia, The Honorable Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj during the Khan Quest 2016 opening ceremony at Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, May 22. Khan Quest 2016 is an annual multinational peacekeeping operations exercise conducted in Mongolia and is the capstone exercise for this year’s Global Peace Operations Initiative program. - U.S. Pacific Command Commander, Admiral Harry Harris speaks with the President of Mongolia, The Honorable Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj during the Khan Quest 2016 opening ceremony at Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, May 22. Khan Quest 2016 is an annual multinational peacekeeping operations exercise conducted in Mongolia and is the capstone exercise for this year’s Global Peace Operations Initiative program.

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U.S. Marines call in for Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians after discovering a possible IED during counter-IED training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Feb. 12, 2016. The Marines were testing out the pilot course of Marine Corps Engineer School, Defeat the Device branch, Counter-IED Training Class. The Marines participating in the training are with Company A, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division. - U.S. Marines call in for Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians after discovering a possible IED during counter-IED training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Feb. 12, 2016. The Marines were testing out the pilot course of Marine Corps Engineer School, Defeat the Device branch, Counter-IED Training Class. The Marines participating in the training are with Company A, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

Lynn Kinney (left), Megan McClung (center) and Amy Forsythe(right) served together during their deployment to Camp Fallujah, Iraq in 2006. They were assigned to the Camp Pendleton-based I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Public Affairs Office. This photo was taken at Camp Fallujah in April 2006. McClung was killed by an IED in Ramadi, Iraq, Dec. 6, 2006. Kinney, now a staff sergeant, serves as the public affairs chief for I MEF at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Forsythe transferred out of the Marine Corps and now serves as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves. - Lynn Kinney (left), Megan McClung (center) and Amy Forsythe(right) served together during their deployment to Camp Fallujah, Iraq in 2006. They were assigned to the Camp Pendleton-based I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Public Affairs Office. This photo was taken at Camp Fallujah in April 2006. McClung was killed by an IED in Ramadi, Iraq, Dec. 6, 2006. Kinney, now a staff sergeant, serves as the public affairs chief for I MEF at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Forsythe transferred out of the Marine Corps and now serves as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

Lance Corporal John Roan, left, a squad leader with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment positively identified an improvised explosive device just before speaking with one of the instructors during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 29, 2015. Marines at ITX demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive operations. - Lance Corporal John Roan, left, a squad leader with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment positively identified an improvised explosive device just before speaking with one of the instructors during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 29, 2015. Marines at ITX demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive operations.

Xxenos, a military working dog, rests during one of his combat deployments.The retired MWD passed away earlier this year at the age of 10. Xxenos had been retired three years and deployed three times during his career; twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. Xxenos was a Marine specialized search dog. - Xxenos, a military working dog, rests during one of his combat deployments.The retired MWD passed away earlier this year at the age of 10. Xxenos had been retired three years and deployed three times during his career; twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. Xxenos was a Marine specialized search dog.

An explosive ordnance disposal technician undergoes the decontamination process after leak, seal, package and decontamination training April 21 at the gas chamber on Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Explosive ordnance disposal technicians and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense specialists placed a leaking ordnance package in the gas chamber, using chlorobenzylidene malonitrile, also known as tear gas, to simulate the emission of harmful gases. - An explosive ordnance disposal technician undergoes the decontamination process after leak, seal, package and decontamination training April 21 at the gas chamber on Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Explosive ordnance disposal technicians and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense specialists placed a leaking ordnance package in the gas chamber, using chlorobenzylidene malonitrile, also known as tear gas, to simulate the emission of harmful gases.

Explosive ordnance technicians with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion patrol a field for improvised explosive devices using a compact metal detector during a demolition exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 14, 2015. The exercise is part of the unit’s preparations for an upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa and gave Marines hands-on training with tools that allow them to neutralize hazards while causing minimal damage in urban settings. - Explosive ordnance technicians with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion patrol a field for improvised explosive devices using a compact metal detector during a demolition exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 14, 2015. The exercise is part of the unit’s preparations for an upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa and gave Marines hands-on training with tools that allow them to neutralize hazards while causing minimal damage in urban settings.