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Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, patrol during a squad tactics exercises aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 9, 2014. The exercise gave assualtmen, mortarmen and machine-gunners an opportunity to coordinate with each other while assaulting through enemy positions during a large-scale raid. 1st Bn., 1st Marines, conducted this training in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan. - Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, patrol during a squad tactics exercises aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 9, 2014. The exercise gave assualtmen, mortarmen and machine-gunners an opportunity to coordinate with each other while assaulting through enemy positions during a large-scale raid. 1st Bn., 1st Marines, conducted this training in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan.

1/1 sharpens small unit leadership skills during squad tactics training

Dozens of Marines moved up the steep, rocky hill with their eyes wide and their heads on a swivel. As they edged closer to the top of the hill, small, green targets became faintly visible in the distance. The Marines dropped to the ground and began firing. Overtop sporadic bursts of machine-gun fire and the sharp cracks of M16’s, commands were

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Marines participating in the Division School's Urban Leaders Course move from one building to another while carrying a casualty during a squad tactics exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 9, 2014. The Marines were conducting a patrol when they received contact from instructors posing as enemies. The exercise included roadside bomb simulations, gas drills and patrols that tested the Marines' proficiency in urban combat tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Silvano/released) - Marines participating in the Division School's Urban Leaders Course move from one building to another while carrying a casualty during a squad tactics exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 9, 2014. The Marines were conducting a patrol when they received contact from instructors posing as enemies. The exercise included roadside bomb simulations, gas drills and patrols that tested the Marines' proficiency in urban combat tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Silvano/released)

Marines hone leadership skills in the Division Schools Urban Leader’s Course

The sun beat down on the Marines, already gasping from beneath their gas masks. Their bodies, wrapped in flak jackets and Kevlar helmets, were like tanks in armor trudging through the dirt roads and dark buildings of the Urban Operations town toward the objective. They moved with a sense of purpose, not stopping to catch their breath or raise a

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Marines with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, fire 60 mm mortars during a mortar fire exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 4, 2014. The unit, based out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., came to Camp Pendleton to conduct training on the different types of terrain the base has to offer. After reloading the hand-held mortar, Marines regained their sight alignment before firing the round to ensure accuracy and safety. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray/Released) - Marines with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, fire 60 mm mortars during a mortar fire exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 4, 2014. The unit, based out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., came to Camp Pendleton to conduct training on the different types of terrain the base has to offer. After reloading the hand-held mortar, Marines regained their sight alignment before firing the round to ensure accuracy and safety. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray/Released)

“War Dogs” revise mortar skills

Explosions shook the valley as the Marines with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, put mortars on target from hundreds of yards away.The unit, nicknamed “War Dogs,” traveled from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., to conduct a live mortar fire exercise on the different types of terrain the base has to

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2/4 Marines, families honor fallen Ramadi Marines during 10-year anniversary ceremony

Marines, veterans and their families gathered at the 5th Marine Regiment Memorial Garden to pay their respects to the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment during a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Battle of Ramadi. Not a dry eye could be found among the crowd as Marines laid Purple Heart Medals on top of the Operation Iraqi

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Instructors with Division Schools act as an enemy soldier and a hostage during an Urban Leaders Course exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 3, 2014. The instructors teach junior leaders how to effectively shoot, maneuver and communicate in an urban combat environment. The course is designed to give small unit leaders the confidence to train their Marines how to operate in urban combat scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray/released) - Instructors with Division Schools act as an enemy soldier and a hostage during an Urban Leaders Course exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 3, 2014. The instructors teach junior leaders how to effectively shoot, maneuver and communicate in an urban combat environment. The course is designed to give small unit leaders the confidence to train their Marines how to operate in urban combat scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray/released)

Divisions Schools familiarizes Marines with urban combat techniques

The sun glared down on the field as Marines moved into position around the makeshift house as the wind covered the sound of their movement. As they held their positions and waited to conduct the raid, two enemy soldiers waited inside the house, holding a hostage. The Marines raised their weapons and prepared for a raid their instructors wouldn’t

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Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, maneuver around enemy positions during a squad and fire team maneuver exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 2, 2014. The exercise allowed Marines from the company to be evaluated on their skills while allowing them to work with various weapon systems. - Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, maneuver around enemy positions during a squad and fire team maneuver exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 2, 2014. The exercise allowed Marines from the company to be evaluated on their skills while allowing them to work with various weapon systems.

“Magnificent Bastards” Re-familiarize themselves with infantry tactics

The sound of mortars echoed through the air as Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine regiment, maneuvered through the dry, rocky creek bed. Machine guns rained suppressive fire down on the opposing hill in an effort to give the riflemen necessary cover.For the next three days riflemen, assault men, machine-gunners and mortar-men

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Corporal Christopher Espinoza, an artillery section chief with India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, leads and inspires his Marines on the firing line. He is responsible for the safety and success of the Marines operating the M777A2 Howitzer during firing exercises. Espinoza ensures that all of his Marines are well versed in their specific roles so rounds can be safely and quickly loaded and fired. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Boynes/released) - Corporal Christopher Espinoza, an artillery section chief with India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, leads and inspires his Marines on the firing line. He is responsible for the safety and success of the Marines operating the M777A2 Howitzer during firing exercises. Espinoza ensures that all of his Marines are well versed in their specific roles so rounds can be safely and quickly loaded and fired. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Boynes/released)

Artillery Marines polish skills during battalion fire exercise

Marines slogged through thick soupy mud stacking round after round onto wooden pallets, each steadily sinking into the earth. The icy rain and heavy wind crept into their bones slowing the pace of the day. In spite of the harsh conditions, the Marines stayed alert with their heads high and ears open. An order, muffled in static, came through over

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Marines with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, move to assist during a raid as part of a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 19, 2014. The MCCRE is a week long exercise that tests Marines' combat readiness through a variety of scenarios. Raids, gas drills and casualty evacuations are among the tests used to evaluate the Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Silvano/released) - Marines with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, move to assist during a raid as part of a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 19, 2014. The MCCRE is a week long exercise that tests Marines' combat readiness through a variety of scenarios. Raids, gas drills and casualty evacuations are among the tests used to evaluate the Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Silvano/released)

Ohio Marine Participates in Combat Readiness Evaluation with Dark Horse

A Marine used to providing security for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps can find it difficult to make the transition to providing security in the field. This was not the case for Lance Cpl. Brandon Bender, a rifleman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. He took part in a Marine Corps Combat

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First Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment Deploying to Australia for Six Months

Families and friends will bid farewell to Marines scheduled to deploy to Australia during an event at Camp Pendleton, the morning of April 1st. The Marines and Sailors of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, are slated to deploy for six months to Northern Territory, Australia. While in Australia, the Marines will conduct training with the Australia

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Corporal Justin A. Bopp, the reproduction graphics production chief with 1st Marine Division Combat Camera, and a native of Des Moines, Iowa, placed in several categories in the 2013 Visual Information Awards Program contest. Most notably, he placed first in publication and was the runner up for military graphic artist of the year. The VIAP contest is a prestigious competition held by the Defense Information School aboard Fort George G. Meade, Md. The service members products were evaluated by professional judges who all were experts in their fields. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Silvano/released) - Corporal Justin A. Bopp, the reproduction graphics production chief with 1st Marine Division Combat Camera, and a native of Des Moines, Iowa, placed in several categories in the 2013 Visual Information Awards Program contest. Most notably, he placed first in publication and was the runner up for military graphic artist of the year. The VIAP contest is a prestigious competition held by the Defense Information School aboard Fort George G. Meade, Md. The service members products were evaluated by professional judges who all were experts in their fields. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Silvano/released)

Division Combat Camera Sweeps VIAP Competition

The room sits in silence as the judges deliberate to reach a decision. Years of work and dedication for some culminate to this moment, and it's either heart break or elation when the judges make their call. For the 1st Marine Division Combat Camera shop here, the overall mood was ecstatic as they excelled in more than nine categories at the 2013

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