Private Nick Johnson, a New Zealand Army soldier serving with 2nd, 1st Battalion, kneels behind a barricade while engaging targets at Range 218 here during Dawn Blitz 2013, June 14. The New Zealanders moved from barricade to barricade while engaging targets and conducting tactical reloads to simulate shooting in an urban environment. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations. - Private Nick Johnson, a New Zealand Army soldier serving with 2nd, 1st Battalion, kneels behind a barricade while engaging targets at Range 218 here during Dawn Blitz 2013, June 14. The New Zealanders moved from barricade to barricade while engaging targets and conducting tactical reloads to simulate shooting in an urban environment. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations.
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Austin E. Renforth, left, the commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 7 confers with Capt. James Wissman, the commanding officer for Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, at forward battle positions regarding actions supporting Operation Dynamic Partnership in Shurakay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14, 2013. Dynamic Partnership was a multi-unit operation to retrograde all U.S. military equipment and personnel from village stability platform Shurakay. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Austin E. Renforth, left, the commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 7 confers with Capt. James Wissman, the commanding officer for Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, at forward battle positions regarding actions supporting Operation Dynamic Partnership in Shurakay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14, 2013. Dynamic Partnership was a multi-unit operation to retrograde all U.S. military equipment and personnel from village stability platform Shurakay. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena/Released)
Petty Officer 2nd Class Marlon L. Best, with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, is currently serving as the religious program specialist with the battalion. "Honestly, RP is probably the best rate--not in the Navy or Marine Corps--in the entire (Department of Defense)," said Best, a 22-year-old native of Cleveland. "I enjoy myself. I love helping Marines and other service members, and I wouldn't give that up for anything." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mel Johnson) - Petty Officer 2nd Class Marlon L. Best, with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, is currently serving as the religious program specialist with the battalion. "Honestly, RP is probably the best rate--not in the Navy or Marine Corps--in the entire (Department of Defense)," said Best, a 22-year-old native of Cleveland. "I enjoy myself. I love helping Marines and other service members, and I wouldn't give that up for anything." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mel Johnson)
Lance Corporal Tom Conchie, Zealand Army soldier serving with 2nd, 1st Battalion, provides security at the Infantry Immersion Trainer here during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013, June 13. The IIT gave the New Zealander's a taste of what they might encounter in future combat operations. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations. - Lance Corporal Tom Conchie, Zealand Army soldier serving with 2nd, 1st Battalion, provides security at the Infantry Immersion Trainer here during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013, June 13. The IIT gave the New Zealander's a taste of what they might encounter in future combat operations. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations.
New Zealand Army soldiers prepare to clear a room during a live-fire shoot house at range 216 during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 here, June 13. The range was designed to give the soldiers a chance to practice close quarter combat situations, and prepare themselves for future operations. Dawn Blitz 2013 is one of a series of amphibious training events on both coasts of the U.S. that take place annually. Exercises like Dawn Blitz provide realistic, relevant training necessary for effective global crisis response expected of the Navy and Marine Corps. - New Zealand Army soldiers prepare to clear a room during a live-fire shoot house at range 216 during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 here, June 13. The range was designed to give the soldiers a chance to practice close quarter combat situations, and prepare themselves for future operations. Dawn Blitz 2013 is one of a series of amphibious training events on both coasts of the U.S. that take place annually. Exercises like Dawn Blitz provide realistic, relevant training necessary for effective global crisis response expected of the Navy and Marine Corps.
Staff Sgt. Edward Bruegman, an assistant platoon sergeant serving with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and a native of Denver Colo., gives shooting advice to a New Zealand Army sniper before he engages long-distance targets at Range 108 during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 here, June 12. New Zealand and Canadian Army snipers shot alongside Marines serving with 1st Recon Bn. as well as 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment throughout the day, engaging known distance, unknown distance and one-shot-one-kill targets up to 1,200 meters away. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a multinational amphibious exercise that promotes interoperability between the Navy and Marine Corps and coalition partners, June 11-28. Participating countries include Canada, Japan, New Zealand and military observers from seven countries. - Staff Sgt. Edward Bruegman, an assistant platoon sergeant serving with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and a native of Denver Colo., gives shooting advice to a New Zealand Army sniper before he engages long-distance targets at Range 108 during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 here, June 12. New Zealand and Canadian Army snipers shot alongside Marines serving with 1st Recon Bn. as well as 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment throughout the day, engaging known distance, unknown distance and one-shot-one-kill targets up to 1,200 meters away. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a multinational amphibious exercise that promotes interoperability between the Navy and Marine Corps and coalition partners, June 11-28. Participating countries include Canada, Japan, New Zealand and military observers from seven countries.
Marines serving with Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, wait to enter the gas chamber during annual training here, June 12, 2013. While in the chamber, the Marines learned the limitations of their gear by performing basic exercises to get their blood pumping, increase respiratory rates and build confidence that their masks won't come off during movement. - Marines serving with Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, wait to enter the gas chamber during annual training here, June 12, 2013. While in the chamber, the Marines learned the limitations of their gear by performing basic exercises to get their blood pumping, increase respiratory rates and build confidence that their masks won't come off during movement.
Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin W. Stryffeler, platoon sergeant serving with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, is presented the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V" for valor here, June 11, 2013. Stryffeler was awarded for his heroic achievements while serving as a platoon sergeant during the battalion's deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. During the deployment, Stryffeler led his Marines during several fierce small-arms engagements, exposed himself to hostile fire to ensure the safety of his Marines and conducted four casualty evacuations for Marines and Afghans, helping to provide lifesaving aid to his wounded. - Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin W. Stryffeler, platoon sergeant serving with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, is presented the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V" for valor here, June 11, 2013. Stryffeler was awarded for his heroic achievements while serving as a platoon sergeant during the battalion's deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. During the deployment, Stryffeler led his Marines during several fierce small-arms engagements, exposed himself to hostile fire to ensure the safety of his Marines and conducted four casualty evacuations for Marines and Afghans, helping to provide lifesaving aid to his wounded.
Major Matthew Winkelbauer, the Civil Affairs Detachment officer-in-charge with Regimental Combat Team 7, and Capt. Wesley Viner, also with the Civil Affairs Detachment, RCT-7, pose for a picture in Now Zad district, May 31, 2013. The detachment is comprised of 11 Marines from Camp Pendleton, Calif., and is divided into two basic parts: four Marines who work with the RCT command and seven Marines who help with the daily advising of local government officials throughout Helmand province. - Major Matthew Winkelbauer, the Civil Affairs Detachment officer-in-charge with Regimental Combat Team 7, and Capt. Wesley Viner, also with the Civil Affairs Detachment, RCT-7, pose for a picture in Now Zad district, May 31, 2013. The detachment is comprised of 11 Marines from Camp Pendleton, Calif., and is divided into two basic parts: four Marines who work with the RCT command and seven Marines who help with the daily advising of local government officials throughout Helmand province.
Afghan National Army soldiers clean a mortar system on Forward Operating Base Geronimo, May 27, 2013. "Last deployment, we were going on two patrols a day, clearing houses, and interacting with local nationals," said Cpl. David Jewell, a company clerk with the Headquarters and Service Company. "We worked with the Afghan National Security Forces, but now it's like it's a whole new war. I didn't expect the progress within the country to be a far as it is." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David McKenzie/Released) - Afghan National Army soldiers clean a mortar system on Forward Operating Base Geronimo, May 27, 2013. "Last deployment, we were going on two patrols a day, clearing houses, and interacting with local nationals," said Cpl. David Jewell, a company clerk with the Headquarters and Service Company. "We worked with the Afghan National Security Forces, but now it's like it's a whole new war. I didn't expect the progress within the country to be a far as it is." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David McKenzie/Released)