SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 8, 2017) Marine Corps veteran Corporal Randy D. Mann speaks during a ceremony in the historical quadrangle at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Mann was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during the ceremony in his hometown of San Antonio for his actions while on active duty with the 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California, in July 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacquelyn D. Childs/Released) - SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 8, 2017) Marine Corps veteran Corporal Randy D. Mann speaks during a ceremony in the historical quadrangle at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Mann was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during the ceremony in his hometown of San Antonio for his actions while on active duty with the 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California, in July 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacquelyn D. Childs/Released)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines with Company A., 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion conduct maintenance on an Assault Amphibious Vehicle engine at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 2, 2016. Marines from 3rd AAB supported 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Division and 1st Bn, 1st Mar. Div. infantry battalions as they conducted raid drills for Expeditionary Operations Training Group and their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation. “We are being mechanics, changing engines, changing transmissions and troubleshooting issues so we can get the infantry units back in the fight with the full power of their AAVs,” said Staff Sgt. Nicholas R. Faltynski, recovery chief for Company A., 3rd AAB. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin E. Bowles) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines with Company A., 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion conduct maintenance on an Assault Amphibious Vehicle engine at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 2, 2016. Marines from 3rd AAB supported 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Division and 1st Bn, 1st Mar. Div. infantry battalions as they conducted raid drills for Expeditionary Operations Training Group and their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation. “We are being mechanics, changing engines, changing transmissions and troubleshooting issues so we can get the infantry units back in the fight with the full power of their AAVs,” said Staff Sgt. Nicholas R. Faltynski, recovery chief for Company A., 3rd AAB. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin E. Bowles)

Marines rush a simulated combat town during the mechanized assault portion of a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 9, 2015. The purpose of a MCCRE is to evaluate Marines’ collective performance in specific mission requirements that will prepare them for their upcoming deployment rotation. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Devan K. Gowans) - Marines rush a simulated combat town during the mechanized assault portion of a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 9, 2015. The purpose of a MCCRE is to evaluate Marines’ collective performance in specific mission requirements that will prepare them for their upcoming deployment rotation. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Devan K. Gowans)

1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment infantrymen tactically move from building to building in a simulated combat zone during Exercise Steel Knight 2016 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 4, 2015. 1st Marine Division has conducted Steel Knight for the past three years, making this the fourth iteration of the exercise. Steel Knight will test I Marine Expeditionary Force’s amphibious capabilities through realistic, scenario-driven training. - 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment infantrymen tactically move from building to building in a simulated combat zone during Exercise Steel Knight 2016 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 4, 2015. 1st Marine Division has conducted Steel Knight for the past three years, making this the fourth iteration of the exercise. Steel Knight will test I Marine Expeditionary Force’s amphibious capabilities through realistic, scenario-driven training.

Marines with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, maneuver their light armored vehicles off Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs) from the Navy’s Assault Craft Unit 5, during an amphibious raid demonstration in conjunction with a visit from the secretary of defense, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 27, 2015. The LCACs transported the LAVs and Marines from the USS New Orleans (LDP 18) while Marines from Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Mar. Div. used amphibious assault vehicles with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Mar. Div. to assault their objective. - Marines with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, maneuver their light armored vehicles off Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs) from the Navy’s Assault Craft Unit 5, during an amphibious raid demonstration in conjunction with a visit from the secretary of defense, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 27, 2015. The LCACs transported the LAVs and Marines from the USS New Orleans (LDP 18) while Marines from Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Mar. Div. used amphibious assault vehicles with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Mar. Div. to assault their objective.

Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, are served a hot meal during a warrior night after completing a nine-day field exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 19, 2014. The training consisted of live-fire maneuvers, a gas chamber, combat marksmanship training and counter improvised explosive device training. The warrior night rewarded the Marines for their performance during the exercise by serving them a well deserved hot meal and dessert. - Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, are served a hot meal during a warrior night after completing a nine-day field exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 19, 2014. The training consisted of live-fire maneuvers, a gas chamber, combat marksmanship training and counter improvised explosive device training. The warrior night rewarded the Marines for their performance during the exercise by serving them a well deserved hot meal and dessert.

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.

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.

Lance Cpl. Raymond T. Wilcox, amphibious assault vehicle driver, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, navigates the AAV during an amphibious landing training exercise in support of well deck operations with the USS Pearl Harbor here, Oct. 24, 2013. The training took place off the coast of Camp Pendleton to train and evaluate the Marines in amphibious operations, wet well procedures and the tactical employment of AAVs in the water and on land. - Lance Cpl. Raymond T. Wilcox, amphibious assault vehicle driver, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, navigates the AAV during an amphibious landing training exercise in support of well deck operations with the USS Pearl Harbor here, Oct. 24, 2013. The training took place off the coast of Camp Pendleton to train and evaluate the Marines in amphibious operations, wet well procedures and the tactical employment of AAVs in the water and on land.