ARMY NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER FORT IRWIN, Calif. - Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, transport Marines inside a Light Armored Vehicle to Range 17 to conduct squad ambushes on mock enemy positions during a weeklong field exercise here, during Nov. 18 to Nov. 24, 2013. The Marines performed patrols, buddy rushes, and fired AT-4 light anti-armor weapons and M203 grenade launchers. The Marines conducted a 175 mile road march from their home at Camp Pendleton to Fort Irwin to use the larger ranges on the Army base. - ARMY NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER FORT IRWIN, Calif. - Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, transport Marines inside a Light Armored Vehicle to Range 17 to conduct squad ambushes on mock enemy positions during a weeklong field exercise here, during Nov. 18 to Nov. 24, 2013. The Marines performed patrols, buddy rushes, and fired AT-4 light anti-armor weapons and M203 grenade launchers. The Marines conducted a 175 mile road march from their home at Camp Pendleton to Fort Irwin to use the larger ranges on the Army base.
Lt. Col. Lance Jackola, the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, presents Mayor Keith Curry with a plaque, thanking him and the community for the continued support of the battalion during a meeting here, Nov. 26, 2013. The community is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of adopting the battalion. In addition to homecoming events, mess nights, fund raisers and care packages, the community supports families visiting wounded Marines by helping with travel costs, hotel accommodations and meals. - Lt. Col. Lance Jackola, the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, presents Mayor Keith Curry with a plaque, thanking him and the community for the continued support of the battalion during a meeting here, Nov. 26, 2013. The community is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of adopting the battalion. In addition to homecoming events, mess nights, fund raisers and care packages, the community supports families visiting wounded Marines by helping with travel costs, hotel accommodations and meals.
Cpl. Samuel B. Burkeland, team leader, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 7th Marine Regiment, shakes hands with Lt. Col. Jeff Kenney, battalion commander, after getting awarded the Purple Heart medal aboard the Combat Center Nov. 22, 2013. - Cpl. Samuel B. Burkeland, team leader, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 7th Marine Regiment, shakes hands with Lt. Col. Jeff Kenney, battalion commander, after getting awarded the Purple Heart medal aboard the Combat Center Nov. 22, 2013.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., -- Sergeant Brandon Schroeder, platoon sergeant, Tango Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and a native of Delta, Colo., maneuvers toward enemy role-players during a training exercise at the Mobile Immersion Trainer here, Nov. 14, 2013. The MIT is similar to the Infantry Immersion Trainer and trains Marines to operate under stressful conditions. Throughout the morning, the battery simulated operating out of a base and posted security while mock insurgents attempted to breach the area and formed riots. The artillerymen later conducted a logistics patrol and recovered a broken vehicle, countered an improvised explosive device and repelled enemy role-players during an ambush. The battery is slated to continue predeployment training before deploying to Afghanistan this winter. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., -- Sergeant Brandon Schroeder, platoon sergeant, Tango Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and a native of Delta, Colo., maneuvers toward enemy role-players during a training exercise at the Mobile Immersion Trainer here, Nov. 14, 2013. The MIT is similar to the Infantry Immersion Trainer and trains Marines to operate under stressful conditions. Throughout the morning, the battery simulated operating out of a base and posted security while mock insurgents attempted to breach the area and formed riots. The artillerymen later conducted a logistics patrol and recovered a broken vehicle, countered an improvised explosive device and repelled enemy role-players during an ambush. The battery is slated to continue predeployment training before deploying to Afghanistan this winter.
A daughter embraces her father at the homecoming for Bravo Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, here, Nov. 14, 2013. The Marines returned after being away for six months to Okinawa, Japan, as part of the Unit Deployment Program. The company conducted a variety of training, including an officer exchange program with the Japanese military. This allowed Marines to interact with and teach Japanese officers about the Marine Corps’ capabilities. - A daughter embraces her father at the homecoming for Bravo Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, here, Nov. 14, 2013. The Marines returned after being away for six months to Okinawa, Japan, as part of the Unit Deployment Program. The company conducted a variety of training, including an officer exchange program with the Japanese military. This allowed Marines to interact with and teach Japanese officers about the Marine Corps’ capabilities.
Corporal Tristen Arnold, amphibious assault vehicle crewman, Echo Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, and native of New Cumberland, Pa., kisses his girlfriend, Alison Rombach, before his upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan, here, Nov. 12, 2013. Families of the Echo Co. Marines gathered to say goodbye as they left for their six-month deployment. Family day helps the families of Marines get together and support each other while their loved ones are deployed. - Corporal Tristen Arnold, amphibious assault vehicle crewman, Echo Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, and native of New Cumberland, Pa., kisses his girlfriend, Alison Rombach, before his upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan, here, Nov. 12, 2013. Families of the Echo Co. Marines gathered to say goodbye as they left for their six-month deployment. Family day helps the families of Marines get together and support each other while their loved ones are deployed.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., -- Marines with 1st Marine Division stand on line and practice shooting techniques during a combat marksmanship coach course here, Oct. 30, 2013. Graduates of the four-week course gain the military occupational specialty of combat marksmanship coach. The course was recently modified to add the combat pistol program. The CPP is designed to be more combat-oriented than previous programs. The new silhouette targets allow shooters to identify facial features, body structure and if the target is holding a weapon or posing a potential threat. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., -- Marines with 1st Marine Division stand on line and practice shooting techniques during a combat marksmanship coach course here, Oct. 30, 2013. Graduates of the four-week course gain the military occupational specialty of combat marksmanship coach. The course was recently modified to add the combat pistol program. The CPP is designed to be more combat-oriented than previous programs. The new silhouette targets allow shooters to identify facial features, body structure and if the target is holding a weapon or posing a potential threat.
Marines and sailors with Charlie Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, stand at attention while the Marines Hymn plays during the company's deactivation ceremony here, Nov. 1, 2013. Captain Matthew Hohl, Charlie Co. commander, said he believes the company will be reactivated when they are needed and this is just a pause in their history. The Marines with Charlie Company will continue to serve the battalion by integrating into Echo Company. - Marines and sailors with Charlie Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, stand at attention while the Marines Hymn plays during the company's deactivation ceremony here, Nov. 1, 2013. Captain Matthew Hohl, Charlie Co. commander, said he believes the company will be reactivated when they are needed and this is just a pause in their history. The Marines with Charlie Company will continue to serve the battalion by integrating into Echo Company.