U.S. Marine Sgt. Erik Maehler, left, demonstrates loading a M9 Beretta pistol to Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Sunshine Padilla aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Maehler is a member of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force and Padilla is a hospital corpsman with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th MEU. The Marines practice marksmanship fundamentals dry to ensure safety and accuracy when shooting. The 15th MEU is embarked on the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. - U.S. Marine Sgt. Erik Maehler, left, demonstrates loading a M9 Beretta pistol to Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Sunshine Padilla aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Maehler is a member of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force and Padilla is a hospital corpsman with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th MEU. The Marines practice marksmanship fundamentals dry to ensure safety and accuracy when shooting. The 15th MEU is embarked on the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Guillermo Lopez, with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides medical attention to a distressed mariner aboard the USS Rushmore (LSD 47) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, June 10, 2015. Rushmore rendered assistance to the distressed mariners in the waters between the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Once on board, evacuees were provided food and medical attention by Marines and sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Essex Amphibious Ready Group. - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Guillermo Lopez, with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides medical attention to a distressed mariner aboard the USS Rushmore (LSD 47) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, June 10, 2015. Rushmore rendered assistance to the distressed mariners in the waters between the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Once on board, evacuees were provided food and medical attention by Marines and sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Essex Amphibious Ready Group.

U.S. Marine Pfc. Cody Dunlap throws a simulated grenade during squad tactics and maneuver training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 26, 2015. Dunlap is an automatic rifleman with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. As the ground combat element for the 15th MEU, BLT 3/1 is preparing for their upcoming deployment by enhancing their combat skills and learning to work as a cohesive unit. - U.S. Marine Pfc. Cody Dunlap throws a simulated grenade during squad tactics and maneuver training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 26, 2015. Dunlap is an automatic rifleman with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. As the ground combat element for the 15th MEU, BLT 3/1 is preparing for their upcoming deployment by enhancing their combat skills and learning to work as a cohesive unit.

U.S. Marine Pfc. Jacob Piazza, right, fires a .50-caliber machine gun at targets during realistic urban training aboard Camp Roberts, Calif., Dec. 14, 2014. Piazza is a rifleman with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The training prepares the 15th MEU’s Marines for their upcoming deployment, enhancing their combat skills in environments similar to those they may find in future missions. - U.S. Marine Pfc. Jacob Piazza, right, fires a .50-caliber machine gun at targets during realistic urban training aboard Camp Roberts, Calif., Dec. 14, 2014. Piazza is a rifleman with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The training prepares the 15th MEU’s Marines for their upcoming deployment, enhancing their combat skills in environments similar to those they may find in future missions.

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force conduct a raid during realistic urban training aboard Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Dec. 5, 2014. RUT prepares the Marines of the 15th MEU for their upcoming deployment, enhancing their combat skills in environments similar to those they may find in future missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anna Albrecht/Released) - U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force conduct a raid during realistic urban training aboard Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Dec. 5, 2014. RUT prepares the Marines of the 15th MEU for their upcoming deployment, enhancing their combat skills in environments similar to those they may find in future missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anna Albrecht/Released)

Lance Cpl. Ronald Hinson from Heath Springs, South Carolina, competes in the push up challenge portion of the Shanghai Commanders’ Cup Nov. 14 at Camp Schwab. The meet tested the Marines in nine categories, ranging from fun events like softball and sumo wrestling to pull-up and push-up competitions. Every event was performed in a team setting further reinforcing camaraderie and cohesion. Hinson is a cyber-network operator with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - Lance Cpl. Ronald Hinson from Heath Springs, South Carolina, competes in the push up challenge portion of the Shanghai Commanders’ Cup Nov. 14 at Camp Schwab. The meet tested the Marines in nine categories, ranging from fun events like softball and sumo wrestling to pull-up and push-up competitions. Every event was performed in a team setting further reinforcing camaraderie and cohesion. Hinson is a cyber-network operator with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.