U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Joaquin F. Malavet is announced during the integration ceremony for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group aboard Naval Base San Diego, Sept. 26, 2014. Malavet is the deputy commanding general More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Dominique Sparacino, left, uses sand to camouflage himself during urban-climber course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 30, 2014. Sparacino, 21, from Salt Lake City, is an assaultman More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Douglass Jorgensen climbs a building during urban-climber course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 02, 2014. Jorgensen, 19, from Gary, Iowa., is an Infantry Rifleman with 3rd Platoon, L More
U.S. Marine Pfc. Anthony M. Prohaska fields and throws 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
A U.S. Marine’s son pulls the lanyard on an M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer after the composite ceremony for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 10, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Paul Luna radios for an extraction during a helicopter-raid exercise aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 16, 2014. Luna is a squad leader with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalio More
A U.S. Marine with Force Reconnaissance Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, jumps out of a CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft during airborne-sustainment training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 21, 201 More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Roman Fernandez provides security during a vertical-assault raid course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 29, 2014. Fernandez, 21, is from Madera, Calif., and is a team leader with Lima Compa More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Jose W. Delgado prepares to lead his squad on a on a night raid exercise during a vertical-assault raid course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 27, 2014. Delgado is from Shirley, N.Y., and i More
U.S. Marine Pfc. Chevon Ferrell-Collard posts security while evacuees are escorted to a safe location during a simulated noncombatant evacuation operation Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 19, 2014. Ferrell-Collard More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force climb a caving ladder during maritime interoperability training at Stu Segall studios in San Diego, Calif., Jan. 8, 2015. MIT prepares More
U.S Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force practice boarding techniques on the ATLS-9701 during maritime interoperability training in the San Diego Bay, Calif., Jan. 11, 2015. MIT More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Zack Ray prepares to engage targets from a helicopter during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 13, 2015. Ray is a slackman with the 15th Marine Ex 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
A UH-1Y Venom departs after recovering a simulated casualty during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif., Jan. 16, 2015. MIT prepares the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Mar 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
A landing craft, air cushion prepares to 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 15th ME More
U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. Carl E. Mundy III speaks to Marines and Sailors aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) at sea Feb. 26, 2015. Mundy i More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force disembark the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) off the coast of San More
U.S. Marines and Sailors enjoy some sun as they prepare to 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 emba More
A U.S. Marine with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, practices loading ordnance onto an MV-22B Osprey aboard the USS Essex (LDH 2) during More
An MV-22B Osprey carrying U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to land on the USS Essex (LHD-2) during Composite Training Unit Exercise ( More
MV-22B Ospreys cover and align on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD-2) during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) March 18, 2015. The Marines are loading equipment and personnel required for their n More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stretch out after physical training on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD-2) off the More
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load simulated casualties onto an MV-22B Osprey during a mass casualty drill as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUE More
U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Essex Amphibious Ready Group medical staff tend to a simulated wounded Marine during a mass casualty drill as part of Composite Training Unit More
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, make plans for leveling the ground during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 26, 20 More
A role-player acting as a foreign government doctor comforts an injured person during a simulated humanitarian relief mission during Certification Exercise (CERTEX) aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 11, 2015 More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, aim in on targets during Certification Exercise (CERTEX) aboard Blythe Airport, Calif., More
A contractor supporting the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit uses a digital interoperability system aboard an MV-22B Osprey during Certification Exercise (CERTEX) off the coast of San Diego, April 19, 2015. The O More
U.S. Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Detachment, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, patrol the area during Certification Exercise (CERTEX) a More
A landing craft, air cushion and an MV-22B Osprey approach the USS Essex (LHD-2) off the coast of San Diego, May 11, 2015. The Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and ESSEX ARG were depar 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 Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman Christine Lachico stencils a logo on equipment in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LDH 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 16, 2015. Lachico is part of avi More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to stage the rifles for the memorial of Cpl. Joshua Barron and Lance Cpl. Matthew Determan aboard the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in 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 takes a breather between matches in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 29, 2015. Fernandez is a team leader with Lima Company, Battalion La More
U.S. Marine Col. Vance L. Cryer, second from right, congratulates Cpl. Willie Harris during a promotion ceremony on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) in the East China Sea, June 1, 2015. Cryer is the com More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Kuamutsua Xiong, right, concentrates on his breathing during a body hardening session in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) in the Philippine Sea, June 2, 2015. Xiong is a company radio op More
U.S. Marines with Light Armored Reconnaissance Detachment, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, practice tactical and speed-reload drills with their rifles More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Ian Eckelberg is pinned by his fellow Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit during a promotion ceremony aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The 15th MEU is embarked More
GULF OF ADEN (July 4, 2015) U.S. Marines and Sailor with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Essex Amphibious Ready Group, duke it out in a basketball game during a steel beach picnic on the flight deck of t More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, use ladders to breach a fence during a vertical-assault raid course aboard Camp Pendlet More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Corey W. Dahmen provides security during non-combatant evacuation operation training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 19, 2014. Dahmen is a rifleman with Lima Company, Battalion Landin More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force post security for a caving ladder climb during maritime interoperability training at Stu Segall studios in San Diego, Calif., Jan. 8, 2 More
U.S Marines and U.S. Navy Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force transit in a Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat during maritime interoperability training in the San Diego Bay, Calif., More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force hover in an MH-60 during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif., Jan. 15, 2015. MIT prepares the MRF More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force provide security on the lower deck of a gas and oil platform during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Santa Barbara, More
A U.S. Navy sailor directs LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicles off a landing craft, air cushion onto the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) off the coa More
U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. Carl E. Mundy III, middle, speaks to Marines and Sailors aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) at sea Feb. 26, 20 More
A U.S. Marine with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, walks along the wings of an MV-22B Osprey to conduct maintenance during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditio More
A U.S. Marine with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stands near his MV-22B Osprey while there is a pause in action aboard the flight-deck of the USS Essex (LHD- More
A U.S. Marine with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, runs along the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD-2) off the coast of San Diego March 1 More
A U.S. Navy Sailor with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, runs to the aid of simulated casualties during a mass casualty drill as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) More
U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Essex Amphibious Ready Group medical staff transport simulated wounded Marine during a mass casualty drill as part of Composite Training Unit More
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, level out ground in preparation for constructing Southwest Asia huts for a simulated Foreign Humanitarian Assistance project duri More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embark a landing craft, air cushion after the completion of a foreign humanitarian assistance mission aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., during Certification Exe More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, practice buddy rushes during Certification Exercise (CERTEX) aboard Blythe Airport, Cal More
A landing craft, air cushion approaches the USS Essex (LHD-2) off the coast of San Diego, May 11, 2015. The Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and ESSEX ARG were departing for a seven-mon More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Roman Fernandez, right, and 1st Lt. Paul Hollwedel show their speed during a boxing match in hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 29, 2015. Fernandez is a team More
U.S. Marine Col. Vance L. Cryer congratulates Cpl. Kendrick Thimothee during a promotion ceremony on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) in the East China Sea, June 1, 2015. Cryer is the commanding officer More
A U.S. Marine with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, concentrates on his breathing during a body hardening session in the hangar bay of the More
U.S. Marines with Light Armored Reconnaissance Detachment, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, advance while waiting for the call to perform a speed-reload More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Justine Orr is pinned by her fellow Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit during a promotion ceremony aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The 15th MEU is embarked on More
GULF OF ADEN (July 4, 2015) U.S. Marine Sgt. Sean Bernstein, left, tests out his guitar skills during a steel beach cookout on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Bernstein is a me More
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Fernandez L. Ponds is announced during the integration ceremony for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group aboard Naval Base San Diego, Sept. 26, 2014. Ponds is the commander of Expeditionary Stri More
U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, man a security post during non-combatant evacuation operation training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., More
U.S. Marines with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force prepare to approach a vessel in a rigid-hull inflatable boat during maritime interoperability training aboard Naval Base San Diego, Calif., More
U.S Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force post security while boarding the ATLS-9701 during maritime interoperability training in the San Diego Bay, Calif., Jan. 11, 2015. MIT pr More
A U.S. Navy sailor directs an LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle off a landing craft, air cushion onto the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) off the c More
U.S. Marines and Sailors await Maj. Gen. Carl E. Mundy III to speak aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) at sea Feb. 26, 2015. Mundy is More
A U.S. Marine with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Detachment, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, checks out surrounding terrain during Certification Exe More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Douglas B. Schaefer, right, reads a promotion warrant during a promotion ceremony on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) in the East China Sea, June 1, 2015. Schaefer is the sergeant More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Robert Barela III is pinned by his fellow Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit during a promotion ceremony aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The 15th MEU is embar More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, boost a Marine over a wall during a vertical-assault raid course aboard Camp Pendleton, More
U.S. Marines with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force climb a caving ladder to board a vessel during maritime interoperability training aboard Naval Base San Diego, Calif., Jan. 9, 2015. MIT pr More
An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to land on the USS Essex (LHD 2) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integratio More
U.S. Marines with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, practice loading ordnance onto an MV-22B Osprey aboard the USS Essex (LDH 2) during Co More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, practice buddy rushing and communication techniques during Certification Exercise (CER More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Andrew Kocan scouts the area from 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 A More
U.S. Marine Maj. Thomas Buijten is pinned by his fellow Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit during a promotion ceremony aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The 15th MEU is embarked More
U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Joaquin F. Malavet addresses Marines, sailors and their family members during the integration ceremony for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group aboard Naval Base San Diego, Sept. 26, 2014. Ma More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, boost Marines over a wall during a vertical-assault raid course aboard Camp Pendleton, More
U.S Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force practice breaching techniques on a doorway aboard the ATLS-9701 during maritime interoperability training in the San Diego Bay, Calif., More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fly toward their objective in an MV-22B Osprey during Certification Exercise (CERTEX) i More
A Light Armored Vehicle (LAV-25) with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Detachment, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security for an amphibious More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Anthony Scholeno is pinned by his fellow Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit during a promotion ceremony aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The 15th MEU is embark More