MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Lance Cpl. Ben Aloia, a rifleman with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and a native of Denver, changes a barrel on an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during a live-fire exercise on Range 222 here, Sept. 5, 2013. The Alpha Co. Marines fired Mk-19 grenade launchers, .50 caliber machine guns, SAWs and M240B medium machine guns Sept. 4 and 5 to crosstrain and refine their skills with each weapon system. Throughout the two days of shooting, the Marines were evaluated as they engaged multiple targets with each weapon system at ranges of 400 to 1,200 meters away. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Lance Cpl. Ben Aloia, a rifleman with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and a native of Denver, changes a barrel on an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during a live-fire exercise on Range 222 here, Sept. 5, 2013. The Alpha Co. Marines fired Mk-19 grenade launchers, .50 caliber machine guns, SAWs and M240B medium machine guns Sept. 4 and 5 to crosstrain and refine their skills with each weapon system. Throughout the two days of shooting, the Marines were evaluated as they engaged multiple targets with each weapon system at ranges of 400 to 1,200 meters away.
Marines serving with Charlie Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, conduct a live-fire range during a training exercise here, Aug. 27, 2013. The purpose of the range was to give crewmembers of the amphibious assault vehicle a chance to refine their skills with the .50 caliber machine gun and the 40 mm grenade launcher. The Marines performed the exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan, where they will support joint operations in the Pacific. - Marines serving with Charlie Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, conduct a live-fire range during a training exercise here, Aug. 27, 2013. The purpose of the range was to give crewmembers of the amphibious assault vehicle a chance to refine their skills with the .50 caliber machine gun and the 40 mm grenade launcher. The Marines performed the exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan, where they will support joint operations in the Pacific.
Sergeant Ryan Boyd, section chief, India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, briefs his Marines on their performance during a 10-day artillery training exercise here, Aug. 23, 2013. Marines with the entire regiment conducted the live-fire training exercise from Aug. 19 through 28. - Sergeant Ryan Boyd, section chief, India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, briefs his Marines on their performance during a 10-day artillery training exercise here, Aug. 23, 2013. Marines with the entire regiment conducted the live-fire training exercise from Aug. 19 through 28.
Marines serving with Charlie Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, conduct a nighttime beach landing during a training exercise here, Aug. 25, 2013. The landing involved more than 40 amphibious assault vehicles and gave the Marines experience in nighttime operations. The Marines performed the exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan, where they will support joint operations in the Pacific. - Marines serving with Charlie Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, conduct a nighttime beach landing during a training exercise here, Aug. 25, 2013. The landing involved more than 40 amphibious assault vehicles and gave the Marines experience in nighttime operations. The Marines performed the exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan, where they will support joint operations in the Pacific.
A Marine serving with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion helps a simulated hostage to safety after clearing the house he was held in by enemy combatants during a mission rehearsal exercise here, Aug. 20, 2013. Marines responded to simulated small-arms fire and artillery rounds with suppressing fire and patrols through the area. An evaluator followed each squad of Marines and assessed their various skills including tactics, coordination and execution during the mission. - A Marine serving with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion helps a simulated hostage to safety after clearing the house he was held in by enemy combatants during a mission rehearsal exercise here, Aug. 20, 2013. Marines responded to simulated small-arms fire and artillery rounds with suppressing fire and patrols through the area. An evaluator followed each squad of Marines and assessed their various skills including tactics, coordination and execution during the mission.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Faye Jonason (left), the museum officer of 1st Marine Division, shows Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift’s granddaughter and great granddaughter, Vallerey and Serina Vandegrift, photographs of the history of Camp Pendelton during a visit here, Aug. 27, 2013. General Vandegrift was a Medal of Honor recipient and commanded the division during 1942 in its first ground offensive of World War II, the Battle of Guadalcanal. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Faye Jonason (left), the museum officer of 1st Marine Division, shows Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift’s granddaughter and great granddaughter, Vallerey and Serina Vandegrift, photographs of the history of Camp Pendelton during a visit here, Aug. 27, 2013. General Vandegrift was a Medal of Honor recipient and commanded the division during 1942 in its first ground offensive of World War II, the Battle of Guadalcanal.
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Marines serving with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, prepare to breach an enemy compound while conducting a mock raid during the Integrated Training Exercise here, Aug. 12, 2013. The Marines assume a supporting role while deployed to Afghanistan by letting the ANA and the Afghan National Police lead in combat operations. The ITX is a training exercise held to prepare Marines prior to their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. - MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Marines serving with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, prepare to breach an enemy compound while conducting a mock raid during the Integrated Training Exercise here, Aug. 12, 2013. The Marines assume a supporting role while deployed to Afghanistan by letting the ANA and the Afghan National Police lead in combat operations. The ITX is a training exercise held to prepare Marines prior to their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
Corporal Edwin Aguinaldo, section chief, Kilo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, supervises a fire mission during the 11th Marines fire exercise here, Aug. 22, 2013. Eleventh Marines, an artillery regiment comprised of four battalions, demonstrated their ability to shoot, move and communicate to support of 1st Marine Division during a large-scale, live-fire training exercise, Aug. 19 through 28. Aguinaldo is a native of Kapolei, Hawaii. - Corporal Edwin Aguinaldo, section chief, Kilo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, supervises a fire mission during the 11th Marines fire exercise here, Aug. 22, 2013. Eleventh Marines, an artillery regiment comprised of four battalions, demonstrated their ability to shoot, move and communicate to support of 1st Marine Division during a large-scale, live-fire training exercise, Aug. 19 through 28. Aguinaldo is a native of Kapolei, Hawaii.
Colonel Stephen Liszewski, commanding officer, 11th Marine Regiment, briefs Marines serving with India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, on their performance during a 10-day artillery training exercise here, Aug. 23, 2013. Marines with the entire regiment conducted the live-fire training exercise from Aug. 19 through 28. - Colonel Stephen Liszewski, commanding officer, 11th Marine Regiment, briefs Marines serving with India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, on their performance during a 10-day artillery training exercise here, Aug. 23, 2013. Marines with the entire regiment conducted the live-fire training exercise from Aug. 19 through 28.
A Marine serving with with Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, posts security during a night raid for a mission rehearsal exercise here, Aug. 19, 2013. The MRX tested the Marines ability to organize and move within their fire teams while coordinating with their command element. - A Marine serving with with Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, posts security during a night raid for a mission rehearsal exercise here, Aug. 19, 2013. The MRX tested the Marines ability to organize and move within their fire teams while coordinating with their command element.