the commanding officer of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), cuts a cake during a 244th Marine Corps birthday celebration - 191110-M-EC058-1038 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 10, 2019) U.S. Marine Corps Col. Fridrik Fridriksson, the commanding officer of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), cuts a cake during a 244th Marine Corps birthday celebration aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are conducting routine operations as part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dalton S. Swanbeck)

Ordnance Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load an AIM- 9X Sidewinder missile onto an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft prior to a defensive combat air patrol rehearsal aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, Pacific Ocean, August 7, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. - Ordnance Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load an AIM- 9X Sidewinder missile onto an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft prior to a defensive combat air patrol rehearsal aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, Pacific Ocean, August 7, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations.

Cpl. Ryan Gilligan, a fire direction control man, with the 120mm Mortar Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), records information passed to him from the forward observers for a notional fire mission, during mission processing training in the Gulf of Aden, Dec. 8, 2015. The platoon conducts training while afloat in order to maintain readiness to support the 26th MEU. The MEU is deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. - Cpl. Ryan Gilligan, a fire direction control man, with the 120mm Mortar Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), records information passed to him from the forward observers for a notional fire mission, during mission processing training in the Gulf of Aden, Dec. 8, 2015. The platoon conducts training while afloat in order to maintain readiness to support the 26th MEU. The MEU is deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Peter A. Lawson, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, uses an EOD hook and line kit to maneuver an inert 82mm mortar shell replica during an EOD demonstration aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge in the Arabian Gulf Dec. 12, 2015. The EOD exploration event afforded Marines in other occupations the opportunity to learn about the equipment and responsibilities of EOD Marines. The 26th MEU is embarked on the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and is deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. - U.S. Marine Sgt. Peter A. Lawson, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, uses an EOD hook and line kit to maneuver an inert 82mm mortar shell replica during an EOD demonstration aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge in the Arabian Gulf Dec. 12, 2015. The EOD exploration event afforded Marines in other occupations the opportunity to learn about the equipment and responsibilities of EOD Marines. The 26th MEU is embarked on the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and is deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, rehearse urban operation tactics aboard USS Rushmore at sea in the Pacific Ocean, June 1, 2015. BLT 3/1 constantly trains for the unknown in order to respond to the needs of the MEU while deployed. These drills keep the Marines in a constant state of combat readiness while at sea. - U.S. Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, rehearse urban operation tactics aboard USS Rushmore at sea in the Pacific Ocean, June 1, 2015. BLT 3/1 constantly trains for the unknown in order to respond to the needs of the MEU while deployed. These drills keep the Marines in a constant state of combat readiness while at sea.