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Sgt. Chris Fitzpatrick, an Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician with EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, briefs his team before participating in a simulated raid during a breaching course at Camp Lejeune N.C., Jan. 14, 2016. Marines switch leadership positions throughout the entire course to keep the unit proficient. - Sgt. Chris Fitzpatrick, an Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician with EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, briefs his team before participating in a simulated raid during a breaching course at Camp Lejeune N.C., Jan. 14, 2016. Marines switch leadership positions throughout the entire course to keep the unit proficient.

Sgt. Caleb Renner, the chief chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear instructor with II Marine Headquarters Group, gives an hour-long class on how to properly wear and function in a M50 gas mask at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 8, 2016. The chamber is a routine exercise to ensure the durability of each Marines gear while exposed to chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, or CS gas, which is a bi-annual qualification requirement for Marines. - Sgt. Caleb Renner, the chief chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear instructor with II Marine Headquarters Group, gives an hour-long class on how to properly wear and function in a M50 gas mask at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 8, 2016. The chamber is a routine exercise to ensure the durability of each Marines gear while exposed to chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, or CS gas, which is a bi-annual qualification requirement for Marines.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 conduct external lifts in conjunction with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 302 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 6, 2016. The Marines with CLB 2 are responsible for directing the aircraft from the ground and attaching the load with the help from the crew chief, thus giving them the capability to move heavy loads in a combat environment. - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 conduct external lifts in conjunction with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 302 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 6, 2016. The Marines with CLB 2 are responsible for directing the aircraft from the ground and attaching the load with the help from the crew chief, thus giving them the capability to move heavy loads in a combat environment.

Marines with 2nd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, depart from a Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 7, 2015. The purpose of the training was to teach the Marines about the dangers during Humvee rollovers and how to properly react in case they ever faced it. - Marines with 2nd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, depart from a Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 7, 2015. The purpose of the training was to teach the Marines about the dangers during Humvee rollovers and how to properly react in case they ever faced it.

First Lt. Chris Christeson, a platoon commander with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, plans for the next fire mission during a limited objective experiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 8, 2015. The unit partnered with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory and 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, to test direct fire missions from an artillery platoon while supporting an infantry company landing team. - First Lt. Chris Christeson, a platoon commander with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, plans for the next fire mission during a limited objective experiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 8, 2015. The unit partnered with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory and 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, to test direct fire missions from an artillery platoon while supporting an infantry company landing team.

An MV-22B Osprey, operated by a crew with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, carries cargo during a night time external lifts operation at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 14, 2015. Marines with 2nd TSB supported the exercise to facilitate the required flight hours for student pilots, and practice their own skills as a helicopter support team securing transportation of resources for Marines that would need it in a real-world operation. - An MV-22B Osprey, operated by a crew with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, carries cargo during a night time external lifts operation at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 14, 2015. Marines with 2nd TSB supported the exercise to facilitate the required flight hours for student pilots, and practice their own skills as a helicopter support team securing transportation of resources for Marines that would need it in a real-world operation.

A Marine with Alpha Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, awaits the order to lock down the hatches as the unit prepares to conduct company-level beach operations on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Dec. 5, 2015. During this exercise the unit conducted maneuvers as a mechanized infantry company in preparation for upcoming operations. - A Marine with Alpha Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, awaits the order to lock down the hatches as the unit prepares to conduct company-level beach operations on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Dec. 5, 2015. During this exercise the unit conducted maneuvers as a mechanized infantry company in preparation for upcoming operations.

Lance Cpl. Tyler, Shiels, right, conducts a search of Cpl. Kyle Lamprich during a security forces training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 30, 2015. More than 30 Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion participated in the week-long training, covering a full spectrum of scenarios they may encounter while deployed. Shiels and Lamprich are both low altitude air defense gunners with the squadron. - Lance Cpl. Tyler, Shiels, right, conducts a search of Cpl. Kyle Lamprich during a security forces training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 30, 2015. More than 30 Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion participated in the week-long training, covering a full spectrum of scenarios they may encounter while deployed. Shiels and Lamprich are both low altitude air defense gunners with the squadron.

Pfc. William K. Blackwood communicates with members of his convoy during a combat convoy simulator at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 9, 2015. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion tested their combat skills and decision making as they maneuvered through a simulated desert, mimicking the possible scenarios they could encounter while in a real-life scenario. The training simulator allowed the Marines to efficiently train in a controlled environment without sacrificing safety or accuracy. Blackwood is a low altitude air defense gunner with 2nd LAAD based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. - Pfc. William K. Blackwood communicates with members of his convoy during a combat convoy simulator at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 9, 2015. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion tested their combat skills and decision making as they maneuvered through a simulated desert, mimicking the possible scenarios they could encounter while in a real-life scenario. The training simulator allowed the Marines to efficiently train in a controlled environment without sacrificing safety or accuracy. Blackwood is a low altitude air defense gunner with 2nd LAAD based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.

Lance Cpl. Zachary Miller, a motor vehicle operator with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division function checks a Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher during a Machine Gunners Course at the Division Combat Skills Center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 15, 2015. During the course the Marines were trained how to properly disassemble, reassemble and maintain the M249 squad automatic weapon, the M240B machine gun, Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun and the MK19 automatic grenade launcher. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. David N. Hersey/Released) - Lance Cpl. Zachary Miller, a motor vehicle operator with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division function checks a Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher during a Machine Gunners Course at the Division Combat Skills Center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 15, 2015. During the course the Marines were trained how to properly disassemble, reassemble and maintain the M249 squad automatic weapon, the M240B machine gun, Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun and the MK19 automatic grenade launcher. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. David N. Hersey/Released)

A critical skills operator with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command searches the horizon for the objective zone from the ramp of a KC-130J Super Hercules during parachute training above Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 6, 2015. CSOs were supported by Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Aerial deliveries are one of the mission essential skills VMGR-252 provides in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. - A critical skills operator with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command searches the horizon for the objective zone from the ramp of a KC-130J Super Hercules during parachute training above Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 6, 2015. CSOs were supported by Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Aerial deliveries are one of the mission essential skills VMGR-252 provides in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Assault amphibious vehicles sit silently on Onslow Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 8, 2015. A platoon of AAVs, filled with a company of infantry Marines from Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, embarked on the USS Wasp off the coast of Onslow Beach to prepare for the next day’s mechanized infantry assault. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin T. Updegraff/ Released) - Assault amphibious vehicles sit silently on Onslow Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 8, 2015. A platoon of AAVs, filled with a company of infantry Marines from Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, embarked on the USS Wasp off the coast of Onslow Beach to prepare for the next day’s mechanized infantry assault. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin T. Updegraff/ Released)

Cpl. Sierra K. Tilson, rifleman with 3rd Platoon, Company A, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, fires the M203 grenade launcher during a live-fire range at the Verona Loop training area, near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 14, 2015. Marines with Co. A conducted live-fire training, squad attacks, and patrolling in preparation for their upcoming assessment at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks. - Cpl. Sierra K. Tilson, rifleman with 3rd Platoon, Company A, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, fires the M203 grenade launcher during a live-fire range at the Verona Loop training area, near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 14, 2015. Marines with Co. A conducted live-fire training, squad attacks, and patrolling in preparation for their upcoming assessment at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks.