U.S. Marine Sgt. Daniel Mullis, left, teaches nomenclature and handling techniques for the M9 Beretta pistol during a female engagement team class aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Mullis is More
Colonel Vance L. Cryer thanks his Marines for their hard work and dedication to ensuring the successful completion of PANAMAX 14 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 15, 2014. The annual training, sponsored by U More
Corporal Rene Gonzalez, data network specialist, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stretches before sharpening his skills as a soccer player in Oceanside, Calif., July 7, 2014. Gonzalez, 21, is from Joliet, Illin More
Corporal Ashton Tyler, warehouse clerk, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, relaxes from the rigors of work by singing aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 15, 2014. Tyler, 22, is from Charleston, South Carolina. (U More
Lance Cpl. Benjamin J. Provoznik, left, intelligence specialist, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, relaxes from the stressors of work by playing video games with a friend aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 19, 2 More
Sergeant Wayne Miller, left, defends Sgt. Kevin Santiago during a one-on-one basketball game aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 29, 2014. Miller, 26, is from Orlando and is a Marine air-ground task force plann More
Sergeant Benjamin Eric-King Smith racks the billiard balls before playing a round in Oceanside, Calif., July 22, 2014. Smith, 24, is from Wilmington, Delaware and is currently the transportation coordinator for More
Gunnery Sgt. Phillip Veracruz believes the tools to being a leader are having passion, motivation, knowledge, and an open mind. Veracruz, 38, is from San Antonio and is currently the assistant operations chief More
Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and 9th Communications Battalion, along with volunteers from the Temecula Rotary Club donate their time to beautify the home of Robert Davis, a retired Marine in More
Colonel Vance L. Cryer presents Cpl. Justin G. Rush with the Good Conduct medal during an awards ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug 15, 2014. Cryer, who is from Fort Worth, Texas, is the commanding off More
Chief Hospital Corpsman Emmanuel B. Essienete considers leadership to be the most successful skill he has gained in his 18 years of service. Essienete, 36, was born in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria, and moved to Los More
Gunnery Sgt. Jose D. Alvizo has tailored his leadership style to one basic principle; set an example that others will want to follow. Alvizo, logistics chief, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 35, is from Fort Wo More
Corporal Freddy Cantu mentally prepares for his daily workout session aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2014. Cantu, 22, is from Bakersfield, Calif., and is a cyber-network administrator for the 15th M More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Monica M. Coleman, right, relaxes after work with fellow Marines aboard Marine Corps Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 6, 2014. Coleman, 20, is from San Antonio, and is a mot More
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Cassie Utsey encourages independence in her Marines and believes Marines gain more experience by taking charge and learning from their mistakes. Utsey, 28, is from Toxey, Ala., and is the More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Lance Allen T. Sanchez relieves stress by breakdancing aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 22, 2014. Sanchez, 21, is from Tamuning, Guam and is a food service specialist with 15th Marine More
U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Joaquin F. Malavet, left, and Col. Vance L. Cryer, and U.S. Navy Capt. Clinton A. Carroll and Rear Adm. Fernandez L. Ponds cut a cake during the integration ceremony for the Essex Amphibi More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Oai Tran simulates assaulting a beach with steep earth during an urban-climber course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 30, 2014. Tran, 21, from Hayward, Calif., is an infantry rifleman with More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Cody Stephens has his new rank pinned on during a promotion ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 1, 2014. Stephens, 20, is a light-armored vehicle mechanic with the 15th Marine Ex More
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Adam R. Morrison demonstrates ascension techniques during urban-climber course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 02, 2014. Morrison, 29, from Puyallaup, Wash. is the staff noncommissio More
U.S. Marine Pfc. Anthony M. Prohaska prepares to throw a baseball aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 6, 2014. Prohaska, 21, is from Fort Myers, Fla., and is an administrative specialist with the 15th Marine Ex More
U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. David H. Berger addresses Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit about the importance of their role in the unit’s success during the MEU’s composite ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, More
U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Wilfred Rivera speaks to his Marines about the legacy of Combat Logistics Battalion 15 during the unit’s 27th birthday ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 10, 2014. Rivera is the c More
U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, use a terrain model to go over a scheme of maneuver during a helicopter-raid exercise aboard Camp Pe More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Michael Clifton inspects a Very Small Aperture Terminal-Large system aboard Camp Pendleton Calif., Oct. 20, 2014. Clifton, 24, from Galveston, Texas, is an AN/TRC-170 technician with the 15th M More
U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct airborne-sustainment training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 21, 2014. The Force Recon Detachment is scheduled to More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Jose W. Delgado conducts rock drills with his squad during a vertical-assault raid course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 27, 2014. Delgado is from Shirley, N.Y., and is a squad leader with More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, coordinate an assault on a target during a vertical-assault raid course aboard Camp Pen More
A U.S. Marine with Force Reconnaissance Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts combatant diver operations aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 31, 2014. Combat diving techniques are used by Force R More
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receive role players acting as American citizens at an evacuation control center during non-combatant evacuation operation traini More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Burk trains his Marines on weapons handling during a combined arms exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 10, 2014. Burk is a team le More
A U.S. Marine with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force climbs a caving ladder during maritime interoperability training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 7, 2015. MIT prepares the MRF for More
A UH-1Y Venom hovers before a fast-rope mission during maritime interoperability training aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 10, 2015. MIT prepares the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force aim at a target from a helicopter during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 13, 2015. MIT More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force approach a gas and oil platform in a rigid-hull inflatable boat during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Santa Barbar More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force climb a caving ladder during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif., Jan. 16, 2015. MIT prepares the More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Alexander Dalziel asses enemy threat during squad tactics and maneuver training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 29, 2015. Dalziel is a team leader with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to embark onto the USS Essex (LHD 2) to begin Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) aboard Naval Base San Diego More
U.S. Marine Col. Vance L. Cryer speaks to Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., before departing to Naval Base San Diego in preparation for Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expe More
U.S. Navy sailor Petty Officer 2rd Class Kazmin Stan raises the morning colors aboard the USS Essex (LHD-2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) aboard Naval Base Sa More
U.S. Marines on a landing craft, air cushion embark onto the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) off the coast of San Diego Feb. 23, 2015. The 15t More
An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launches off the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Uni More
USS Anchorage (LPD 23), right, and the USS Kidd (DDG 100) travel ahead of the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) off the coast of San Diego Feb. More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force prepare to depart USS Essex (LHD 2) on a combat rubber raiding craft during Amphibious Squadron Three/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integra More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force depart the USS Essex (LHD 2) in combat rubber raiding craft towards a training beach to execute a precision raid aboard Camp Pendleton More
U.S. Marines and Sailors perform a foreign object damage walk on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) aboard Naval Base San Diego March 16, 2015. FOD walks More
U.S. Marines and Sailors enjoy the view as they leave port on the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) aboard Naval Base San Diego March 16, 2015. The 15th MEU is embarked aboard More
U.S. Navy Sailors scan the sea for suspicious vessels aboard the flight-deck of the USS Essex (LHD-2) during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) March 16, 2015. COMPTUEX is designed to help Marines and More
U.S. Marines with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, move water jugs to clear room on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LDH 2) during Compo More
U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, check the deck as they land an MV-22B Osprey aboard the USS Essex (LHD-2) during Composite Training Unit Exer More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stretch out on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD-2) after physical training off the More
U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 73 with Assault Craft Unit 5, prepares to enter the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of San Diego March 21, 2015. The LCAC More
U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 73 with Assault Craft Unit 5, glides across the ocean during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of San Diego March 21, 2015. The LCAC was transporting More
U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kristen Prier, right, checks for wounds on a simulated casualty during a mass casualty drill as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) aboard the USS Essex (LD More
A U.S. Marine with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast ropes in the hanger bay of the USS Essex (LDH 2) during Composite Training Unit E More
A U.S. Navy Sailor with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group medical staff tends to simulated wounded Marines during a mass casualty drill as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) aboard the USS Essex More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, refresh their rifle-handling skills by firing at targets aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) d More
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit take off in a MV-22B Osprey during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of San Diego March 26, 2015. The 15th More
U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Dakota Griffin, left, directs Landing Craft, Air Cushion 65 onto a training beach aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) March 27, 2 More
U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, listen to role players during a meeting with local security officials and non-governmental organizations during Compo More
A U.S. Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, adjusts piping for a water purification project as part of a simulated foreign humanitarian assistance mission during Certificat More
An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launches off the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Certification Exercise (CERTEX) off the coas More
CH-53E Sea Stallions with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to transport Marines on a long-range amphibious raid during Certification Exercise (CERTEX) a More
A MV-22B Osprey is prepared for flight during Certification Exercise (CERTEX) off the coast of San Diego, April 19, 2015. The Osprey has been fitted with a system of systems that provides small unit leaders wit More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Andrew Kocan scouts the area on a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV-25) during Certification Exercise (CERTEX) aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 19, 2015. Kocan is a scout leader with 1st Light Arm More
U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group man the rails aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) as they depart San Diego, May 11, 2015, for a seven-month deploym More
U.S. Navy Sailors with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group guide a CH-53E Sea Stallion into the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) off the coast of San Diego, May 11, 2015. The Marines and Sailors of the 15th Mar More
An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Medium TIltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launches off the flight deck of the USS Essex (LDH 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 13, 2015. The 15th More
A U.S. Marine with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, simulates clearing an objective in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LDH 2) at sea in t More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Zachary Maples and Navy Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman Christine Lachico paint a logo on equipment in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LDH 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 16, More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, establish security aboard Bellows Air Force Station, Hawaii, May 17, 2015. The Marines More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, compete in an ultimate football game aboard Marine Corps Base, Hawaii, May 19, 2015. Th More
U.S. Marines the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit depart Oahu aboard a landing craft unit off the coast of Hawaii, May 20, 2015. The Marines with the 15th MEU returned to the USS Essex (LHD 2) after completing su More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit take a moment of silence in front of the memorial of Cpl. Joshua Barron and Lance Cpl. Matthew Determan aboard the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at se More
U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Essex Amphibious Ready Group practice Marine Corps Martial Arts Program drills in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacif More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, wait to hear their next command before firing at targets aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) a More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Roman Fernandez, right, gets Vaseline applied to his face to compensate for glove friction in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 29, 2015. Fernandez is a t More
A cake waits to be cut during a Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month celebration in the mess deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 30, 2015. Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month is ce More
U.S. Marine Col. Vance L. Cryer, right, congratulates Sgt. Derrick Difronzo during a promotion ceremony on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) in the Pacific Ocean, June 1, 2015. Cryer is the commanding of More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Roman Fernandez gives a boxing lesson in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) in the Philippine Sea, June 2, 2015. Fernandez is a team leader with with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3 More
U.S. Marines with Light Armored Reconnaissance Detachment, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, take a knee to perform a tactical-reload drill with their ri More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Taylor Bukoski, left, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, shakes hands with Lt. Col. James Fallon, after his promotion ceremony aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Fallon is the e More
GULF OF ADEN (July 4, 2015) U.S. Marines and Sailor with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Essex Amphibious Ready Group, grill out during a steel beach picnic on the flight deck of the amphibious assault s More
A U.S. Marine with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit practices handling the M9 Beretta pistol during a female engagement team class aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The Marines are partici More
Corporal Rene Gonzalez, data network specialist, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes a practice shot in Oceanside, Calif., July 7, 2014. Gonzalez, 21, is from Joliet, Illinois, and is stationed aboard Camp Pe More
Lance Cpl. Benjamin J. Provoznik, intelligence specialist, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, relaxes from the stressors of work by playing video games aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 19, 2014. Provoznik, 19, More
Sergeant Benjamin Eric-King Smith aims the cue ball while playing a round of billiards in Oceanside, Calif., July 22, 2014. Smith, 24, is from Wilmington, Delaware and is currently the transportation coordinato More
Corporal Ashton Tyler, warehouse clerk, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, donates her time to beautify the home of Robert Davis, a retired Marine in Menifee, Calif., Aug. 9, 2014. Marines enthusiastically contrib More
Corporal Freddy Cantu pushes his body to its physical limitations during a workout session aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2014. Cantu, 22, is from Bakersfield, Calif., and is a cyber-network adminis More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Monica M. Coleman conducts maintenance quality checks on her Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement aboard Marine Corps Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 6, 2014. Coleman, 20, i More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. D'Vonte Robinson tours the USS Essex (LHD-2) after the integration ceremony for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group aboard Naval Base San Diego, Sept. 26, 2014. Robinson is an administrative More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Oai Tran practices ascension techniques during urban-climber course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 02, 2014. Tran, 21, from Hayworth, Calif., is an infantry rifleman with 1st Platoon, Lima More
U.S. Marine Pfc. Anthony M. Prohaska poses with a baseball aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 6, 2014. Prohaska, 21, is from Fort Myers, Fla., and is an administrative specialist with the 15th Marine Expeditio More
U.S. Marine Master Sgt. Joseph Kelly, left, holds the unit organizational colors while Lt. Col. Wilfred Rivera attaches campaign streamers during Combat Logistics Battalion 15’s 27th birthday ceremony aboard Ca More
U.S. Marine Col. Vance L. Cryer addresses his Marines about the importance of Marine expeditionary units during the composite ceremony for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Dailey provides security during a helicopter-raid exercise aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 16, 2014. Dailey is a team leader with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd More