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U.S. Marines case the regimental colors during a deactivation ceremony on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 28. - U.S. Marines case the regimental colors during a deactivation ceremony on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 28.

Cpl. John C. Fisher, squad leader, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, leads his Marines through Range 410 while participating in Integrated Training Exercise 3-16 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 9, 2016. 2/8 came from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to participate in ITX 3-16. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dave Flores/Released) - Cpl. John C. Fisher, squad leader, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, leads his Marines through Range 410 while participating in Integrated Training Exercise 3-16 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 9, 2016. 2/8 came from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to participate in ITX 3-16. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dave Flores/Released)

Pfc. Adam J. Wiscombe, a rifleman with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, rushes down range during a fire-team attack exercise as part of the battalion field exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 26, 2016. The FEX, now in the final week of operations, previously tested Marines on basic infantry fundamentals such as patrolling and land navigation. - Pfc. Adam J. Wiscombe, a rifleman with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, rushes down range during a fire-team attack exercise as part of the battalion field exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 26, 2016. The FEX, now in the final week of operations, previously tested Marines on basic infantry fundamentals such as patrolling and land navigation.

Cpl. Kody Biggs, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, makes his down river, around a trail that is known to have notional improvised explosive devices during an attack evolution at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 20, 2016. The Marines conducted patrols, ambushes and assaults to prepare of their upcoming Integrated Training Exercise. - Cpl. Kody Biggs, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, makes his down river, around a trail that is known to have notional improvised explosive devices during an attack evolution at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 20, 2016. The Marines conducted patrols, ambushes and assaults to prepare of their upcoming Integrated Training Exercise.

Artillery rounds fired by Marines with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment make impact at Observation Post 3 during a battalion field exercise held by 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 15, 2016. The battalion coordinated with artillery, mortars and rotary-wing aircraft to direct fire support. - Artillery rounds fired by Marines with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment make impact at Observation Post 3 during a battalion field exercise held by 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 15, 2016. The battalion coordinated with artillery, mortars and rotary-wing aircraft to direct fire support.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment pauses as he fires during the sniper marksmanship assessment as part of Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 24, 2015. During ITX, Marines demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive stability operations. - A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment pauses as he fires during the sniper marksmanship assessment as part of Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 24, 2015. During ITX, Marines demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive stability operations.

A Marine with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment fires downrange while maintaining contact with Marines to his right during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 26, 2015. During ITX, Marines demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive stability operations. - A Marine with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment fires downrange while maintaining contact with Marines to his right during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 26, 2015. During ITX, Marines demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive stability operations.

A Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment sights in during the defensive phase of the Battalion Assault Course, the culminating event for Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 6, 2015. The BAC assessed a battalion’s ability to conduct offensive and defensive operations integrating elements from the Air Combat Element and Logistics Combat Element. - A Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment sights in during the defensive phase of the Battalion Assault Course, the culminating event for Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 6, 2015. The BAC assessed a battalion’s ability to conduct offensive and defensive operations integrating elements from the Air Combat Element and Logistics Combat Element.

Sgt. Ian Rivera, an intelligence analyst with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, is responsible for the rescue of two people, including an Army captain, during a vehicular accident that occurred on Interstate 95, Nov. 25, 2015. Rivera is a native of Virginia Beach, Va. - Sgt. Ian Rivera, an intelligence analyst with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, is responsible for the rescue of two people, including an Army captain, during a vehicular accident that occurred on Interstate 95, Nov. 25, 2015. Rivera is a native of Virginia Beach, Va.

A Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment prepares to fire during the counterattack of the Battalion Assault Course, the culminating event for Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 6, 2015. The BAC integrates all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force in order to defeat a large simulated enemy force. - A Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment prepares to fire during the counterattack of the Battalion Assault Course, the culminating event for Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 6, 2015. The BAC integrates all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force in order to defeat a large simulated enemy force.

Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, board an MV-22 Osprey after recovering a downed pilot during a tactical recovery of aircraft personnel mission as part of Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 5, 2015. Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are participating in a wide variety of exercises throughout ITX to prepare for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa. - Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, board an MV-22 Osprey after recovering a downed pilot during a tactical recovery of aircraft personnel mission as part of Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 5, 2015. Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are participating in a wide variety of exercises throughout ITX to prepare for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa.

Marine candidates with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, halt during a patrol as part of the Scout Sniper Platoon screening at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 23, 2015. The exercise required candidates to move to an extraction point while evading the enemy. - Marine candidates with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, halt during a patrol as part of the Scout Sniper Platoon screening at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 23, 2015. The exercise required candidates to move to an extraction point while evading the enemy.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment pauses as he fires during the sniper marksmanship assessment as part of Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 24, 2015. During ITX, Marines demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive stability operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Immanuel M. Johnson/Released) - A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment pauses as he fires during the sniper marksmanship assessment as part of Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 24, 2015. During ITX, Marines demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive stability operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Immanuel M. Johnson/Released)

Pfc. Douglas Masters, a mortar man with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, calibrates his compass by reading a predetermined azimuth before a land navigation course in preparation for the scout sniper platoon screener, Oct. 14, 2015, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. More than 15 Marines with the battalion are taking part in the course to prepare themselves for the scout sniper platoon screener. - Pfc. Douglas Masters, a mortar man with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, calibrates his compass by reading a predetermined azimuth before a land navigation course in preparation for the scout sniper platoon screener, Oct. 14, 2015, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. More than 15 Marines with the battalion are taking part in the course to prepare themselves for the scout sniper platoon screener.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment fires the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during a company sized combined-arms attack on range SR-9 at Marine corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 24, 2015. During the training, Alpha Company fired the M4 carbine, the M16 A4 service rifle, M249 Squad Automatic Weapons, M240B machine guns, M2 .50 caliber heavy machine guns, MK19 40mm grenade launchers and M224 60mm lightweight mortar systems. - A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment fires the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during a company sized combined-arms attack on range SR-9 at Marine corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 24, 2015. During the training, Alpha Company fired the M4 carbine, the M16 A4 service rifle, M249 Squad Automatic Weapons, M240B machine guns, M2 .50 caliber heavy machine guns, MK19 40mm grenade launchers and M224 60mm lightweight mortar systems.

Capt. Thomas Haynes, a fire direction officer with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, is part of the fire support coordination center for the fire support training conducted on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 17, 2015. After the FST leaders decide what they would like to use as a killing asset, the call goes through the fire support coordination center for approval. - Capt. Thomas Haynes, a fire direction officer with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, is part of the fire support coordination center for the fire support training conducted on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 17, 2015. After the FST leaders decide what they would like to use as a killing asset, the call goes through the fire support coordination center for approval.

Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Regiment, advance on a simulated village during a field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 25, 2015. They assaulted a simulated town, set up a defensive position and waited to repel simulated attacks in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response. - Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Regiment, advance on a simulated village during a field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 25, 2015. They assaulted a simulated town, set up a defensive position and waited to repel simulated attacks in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response.

Lance Cpl. Dale Dibble, a mortarman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment looks through the sight on the M224 60 mm Mortar Lightweight Company Mortar System during a 10-day long 60 mm Mortar Lightweight Company Mortar System course under the direction of the Division Combat Skills Center at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 10, 2015. The course began with classroom instruction over the weapons system in which they learned how to boresight, misfire procedures and deflection changes for elevation before the unit moves into live-fire. - Lance Cpl. Dale Dibble, a mortarman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment looks through the sight on the M224 60 mm Mortar Lightweight Company Mortar System during a 10-day long 60 mm Mortar Lightweight Company Mortar System course under the direction of the Division Combat Skills Center at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 10, 2015. The course began with classroom instruction over the weapons system in which they learned how to boresight, misfire procedures and deflection changes for elevation before the unit moves into live-fire.

Lance Cpl. Levi Hall with Golf Company, Black Sea Rotational Force, sights in on the M240B medium machine gun at the support-by-fire position during the dry-run of the U.S. and Romanian platoon attacks at Babadag Training Area, July 2. This week-long engagement is part of a continuous military skills series between BSRF and the Romanian 307th Naval Infantry. - Lance Cpl. Levi Hall with Golf Company, Black Sea Rotational Force, sights in on the M240B medium machine gun at the support-by-fire position during the dry-run of the U.S. and Romanian platoon attacks at Babadag Training Area, July 2. This week-long engagement is part of a continuous military skills series between BSRF and the Romanian 307th Naval Infantry.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment fire an M-72 light anti-tank weapon during a live-fire rocket range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 5, 2015. The purpose of the exercise was to build confidence, camaraderie and weapon proficiency throughout the unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kirstin Merrimarahajara/released) - Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment fire an M-72 light anti-tank weapon during a live-fire rocket range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 5, 2015. The purpose of the exercise was to build confidence, camaraderie and weapon proficiency throughout the unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kirstin Merrimarahajara/released)

Marines with Charlie Compnay, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, conduct patrols through an urban training town during a counter improvised explosive device training exercise, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 22, 2015. The Marines were faced with the threat of simulated improvised explosive devices and mock-enemies throughout their patrols. They wore masks to protect their faces while using simulated rounds to suppress the enemies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kaitlyn Klein/Released) - Marines with Charlie Compnay, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, conduct patrols through an urban training town during a counter improvised explosive device training exercise, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 22, 2015. The Marines were faced with the threat of simulated improvised explosive devices and mock-enemies throughout their patrols. They wore masks to protect their faces while using simulated rounds to suppress the enemies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kaitlyn Klein/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John Hall, a rifleman with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, fires an AT-4 anti-armor weapon during a live-fire training exercise in Sierra Del Retin, Spain, March 24, 2015. Marines with SPMAGTF-CR-AF conducted a live-fire training exercise at the Spanish Marines’ training facility to maintain and uphold their infantryman skills. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John Hall, a rifleman with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, fires an AT-4 anti-armor weapon during a live-fire training exercise in Sierra Del Retin, Spain, March 24, 2015. Marines with SPMAGTF-CR-AF conducted a live-fire training exercise at the Spanish Marines’ training facility to maintain and uphold their infantryman skills.

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment patrol alongside a road during an exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 22. The Marines conducted reconnaissance and security patrols to enhance their combat skills and readiness for future deployments. - Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment patrol alongside a road during an exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 22. The Marines conducted reconnaissance and security patrols to enhance their combat skills and readiness for future deployments.

John L. L'Abbe, native of Boise, Idaho, served with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division from 1942 to 1945. L'Abbe was hit in the legs by a grenade at the Battle of Tarawa. While lying on the beach injured, a Japanese officer tried to slay L'Abbe with his sword. L'Abbe seized the enemy's sword and killed him with it. The photo is courtesy of L'Abbe, who sent this newspaper clipping in a letter addressed to 2nd Bn., 8th Marines, Nov. 18, 2014. - John L. L'Abbe, native of Boise, Idaho, served with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division from 1942 to 1945. L'Abbe was hit in the legs by a grenade at the Battle of Tarawa. While lying on the beach injured, a Japanese officer tried to slay L'Abbe with his sword. L'Abbe seized the enemy's sword and killed him with it. The photo is courtesy of L'Abbe, who sent this newspaper clipping in a letter addressed to 2nd Bn., 8th Marines, Nov. 18, 2014.

Role players protest outside of a simulated embassy while a Marine with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division stands guard at a Military Operations on Urban Terrain town aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 30, 2014. The Marines provided security for the embassy as part of an embassy reinforcement operation in conjunction with Exercise Bold Alligator 2014. Bold Alligator is a scenario-driven, simulation-supported, amphibious assault exercise and is the largest exercise held on the East Coast. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted through Nov. 10. The battalion is participating in the exercise to prepare for the unit’s upcoming deployment as the ground combat element for the Black Sea Rotational Force. - Role players protest outside of a simulated embassy while a Marine with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division stands guard at a Military Operations on Urban Terrain town aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 30, 2014. The Marines provided security for the embassy as part of an embassy reinforcement operation in conjunction with Exercise Bold Alligator 2014. Bold Alligator is a scenario-driven, simulation-supported, amphibious assault exercise and is the largest exercise held on the East Coast. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted through Nov. 10. The battalion is participating in the exercise to prepare for the unit’s upcoming deployment as the ground combat element for the Black Sea Rotational Force.