U.S. Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, depart from an MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th MEU, after returning to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, from a seven-month deployment. The 11th MEU is returning home after being deployed aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, having completed operations and exercises in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility. - U.S. Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, depart from an MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th MEU, after returning to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, from a seven-month deployment. The 11th MEU is returning home after being deployed aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, having completed operations and exercises in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility.

A U.S. Marine observers an illumination round fired from an 81mm mortar system during a call for fire exercise, Oct. 4. - A U.S. Marine observers an illumination round fired from an 81mm mortar system during a call for fire exercise, Oct. 4.

11th MEU Marines - 190729-M-MI961-1026 CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (July 29, 2019) Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fires an AT-4 on a range during live-fire training. The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th MEU are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jared Sabins/Released)

MAG-16 Stands Ready - Twenty seven MV-22B Ospreys and 16 CH-53E Super Stallions with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), line up as part of the mass flight at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 6, 2019. In a dynamic display of strength, the aircraft showcased the tactical capabilities and combat power the MAG-16 uses to defend the nation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya)

Lance Cpl. Christian Frohlich, a radio operator with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liasion Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, relays coordinates to the objective area of a naval gunfire bombing range on San Clemente Island, Feb. 21, 2016, during the supporting arms coordination center exercise (SACCEX) portion of Exercise Iron Fist 2016. The SACCEX provides U.S. and Japanese forces with hands-on experience in tactics proven to be effective in securing enemy-occupied shorelines during large-scale amphibious assaults. - Lance Cpl. Christian Frohlich, a radio operator with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liasion Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, relays coordinates to the objective area of a naval gunfire bombing range on San Clemente Island, Feb. 21, 2016, during the supporting arms coordination center exercise (SACCEX) portion of Exercise Iron Fist 2016. The SACCEX provides U.S. and Japanese forces with hands-on experience in tactics proven to be effective in securing enemy-occupied shorelines during large-scale amphibious assaults.

A rifleman assigned to Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, provides security from an amphibious assault vehicle, during a live-fire platoon level assault, during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Feb. 9, 2016. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and Marines to strengthen warfighting capabilities in ship to shore operations. - A rifleman assigned to Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, provides security from an amphibious assault vehicle, during a live-fire platoon level assault, during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Feb. 9, 2016. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and Marines to strengthen warfighting capabilities in ship to shore operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Justin Urbany (Right,) 81mm mortar section leader, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, gives a range safety brief to Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers, prior to a live-fire mortar range, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 1, 2016. This mortar range is a part of the second of four phases of training the soldiers of the JGSDF and USMC will be conducting during Exercise Iron Fist. This phase focuses on small unit skills and tactics before moving on to larger scale operations. - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Justin Urbany (Right,) 81mm mortar section leader, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, gives a range safety brief to Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers, prior to a live-fire mortar range, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 1, 2016. This mortar range is a part of the second of four phases of training the soldiers of the JGSDF and USMC will be conducting during Exercise Iron Fist. This phase focuses on small unit skills and tactics before moving on to larger scale operations.

Soldiers of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army Infantry Regiment Scout Sniper Program move out on a patrol through an area with mock enemies to practice breaking contact drills during an abbreviated scout sniper course, instructed by U.S. Marine Corps instructors, during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 1, 2016 Break contact drills are important as sniper teams are typically small, with limited firepower and ammunition. During break contact drills, the team moves to a location where the enemy cannot observe and fire upon them. - Soldiers of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army Infantry Regiment Scout Sniper Program move out on a patrol through an area with mock enemies to practice breaking contact drills during an abbreviated scout sniper course, instructed by U.S. Marine Corps instructors, during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 1, 2016 Break contact drills are important as sniper teams are typically small, with limited firepower and ammunition. During break contact drills, the team moves to a location where the enemy cannot observe and fire upon them.

Cpl. Andrew J. Citriniti, a military policeman with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Sauquoit, New York native, practices close quarter tactics aboard the USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Oct. 11. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Laura Y. Raga/ RELEASED) - Cpl. Andrew J. Citriniti, a military policeman with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Sauquoit, New York native, practices close quarter tactics aboard the USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Oct. 11. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Laura Y. Raga/ RELEASED)