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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. 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)