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A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during a U.S. Air Forces Central Agile Combat Employment event, March 1, 2021. AFCENT’s ACE capstone event enhances theater airpower competencies, validating operational capabilities and command and control while simultaneously strengthening regional partnerships. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th 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 Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during a U.S. Air Forces Central Agile Combat Employment event, March 1, 2021. AFCENT’s ACE capstone event enhances theater airpower competencies, validating operational capabilities and command and control while simultaneously strengthening regional partnerships. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th 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 Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

Marine Corps Capt. Paul Keller, a pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, assesses the firmness of the expeditionary safety equipment that he flawlessly landed an MV-22 Osprey on after the aircraft experienced a technical malfunction with its landing gear, Oct. 9, 2015 in Southwest Asia. - Marine Corps Capt. Paul Keller, a pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, assesses the firmness of the expeditionary safety equipment that he flawlessly landed an MV-22 Osprey on after the aircraft experienced a technical malfunction with its landing gear, Oct. 9, 2015 in Southwest Asia.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alabiso, right, a military information operations advisor with Task Force Al Asad, helps an Iraqi soldier with the 7th Iraqi Army Division set up a Radio in a Box at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Sept. 28, 2015. The RIAB was provided by Iraq’s Ministry of Defense through the Iraq Train and Equip Fund. The fund was established by Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, a part of the multinational coalition force that helps improve the Iraqi military’s ability to fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant by providing training and advice to its soldiers and officers. - U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alabiso, right, a military information operations advisor with Task Force Al Asad, helps an Iraqi soldier with the 7th Iraqi Army Division set up a Radio in a Box at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Sept. 28, 2015. The RIAB was provided by Iraq’s Ministry of Defense through the Iraq Train and Equip Fund. The fund was established by Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, a part of the multinational coalition force that helps improve the Iraqi military’s ability to fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant by providing training and advice to its soldiers and officers.

Lance Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed poses for a photo with a Humvee aboard Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, July 4, 2015. Mohammed is originally from Baghdad and is now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a supply Marine. He is currently deployed as an Arabic interpreter for Task Force Al Taqaddum. - Lance Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed poses for a photo with a Humvee aboard Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, July 4, 2015. Mohammed is originally from Baghdad and is now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a supply Marine. He is currently deployed as an Arabic interpreter for Task Force Al Taqaddum.

A U.S. Marine aircraft crewman with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, performs pre-flight checks on a KC-130J Hercules aircraft before takeoff in the Central Command area of operations, Feb. 23, 2015. The Marines, sailors and aircraft with VMGR 352 support SPMAGTF – CR – CC by transporting supplies, equipment, and personnel to various locations in the region. - A U.S. Marine aircraft crewman with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, performs pre-flight checks on a KC-130J Hercules aircraft before takeoff in the Central Command area of operations, Feb. 23, 2015. The Marines, sailors and aircraft with VMGR 352 support SPMAGTF – CR – CC by transporting supplies, equipment, and personnel to various locations in the region.

An Iraqi squad leader assigns a soldier his area of responsibility during defense training aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Feb. 08, 2015. The training gave the soldiers a greater understanding of basic ambush and defense maneuvers. - An Iraqi squad leader assigns a soldier his area of responsibility during defense training aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Feb. 08, 2015. The training gave the soldiers a greater understanding of basic ambush and defense maneuvers.

U.S. Marine Chief Warrant Officer 2 Juan Rodriguez, an explosive ordnance disposal officer with Task Force Al Asad, and brigade-level leaders of the Iraqi Army walk through an improvised explosive device training lane aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Jan. 31, 2015. The classes showed the leadership the training their soldiers will receive in the future and gave them a look at tactics being used today by Da'esh. - U.S. Marine Chief Warrant Officer 2 Juan Rodriguez, an explosive ordnance disposal officer with Task Force Al Asad, and brigade-level leaders of the Iraqi Army walk through an improvised explosive device training lane aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Jan. 31, 2015. The classes showed the leadership the training their soldiers will receive in the future and gave them a look at tactics being used today by Da'esh.

U.S. Navy Seaman Barry Sullivan, corpsman, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, Task Force Al Asad, demonstrates to Iraqi soldiers the proper way to evaluate and move a notional casualty after an Improvised Explosive Device detonation at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Jan. 18, 2015. Coalition forces are facilitating training in the Build Partnership Capacity program designed to equip Iraqi army units with the training and knowledge necessary to degrade and defeat Daesh in Iraq. - U.S. Navy Seaman Barry Sullivan, corpsman, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, Task Force Al Asad, demonstrates to Iraqi soldiers the proper way to evaluate and move a notional casualty after an Improvised Explosive Device detonation at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Jan. 18, 2015. Coalition forces are facilitating training in the Build Partnership Capacity program designed to equip Iraqi army units with the training and knowledge necessary to degrade and defeat Daesh in Iraq.