Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct amphibious raids and military operations on urban terrain during Exercise Iron Fist 15 aboard Camp Pendleton on Feb. 3, 2015. Exercise Iron Fist 15 is an annual bilateral training exercise between U.S. and Japanese military forces that builds their combined ability to conduct amphibious and land-based contingency operations. IF15, currently in its tenth iteration, is scheduled from Jan. 26 to Feb. 27, 2015, in southern California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Serna/Released) - Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct amphibious raids and military operations on urban terrain during Exercise Iron Fist 15 aboard Camp Pendleton on Feb. 3, 2015. Exercise Iron Fist 15 is an annual bilateral training exercise between U.S. and Japanese military forces that builds their combined ability to conduct amphibious and land-based contingency operations. IF15, currently in its tenth iteration, is scheduled from Jan. 26 to Feb. 27, 2015, in southern California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Serna/Released)

Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, teach Basic Maneuver Techniques for the Combat Rubber Raiding Craft to members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force aboard Camp Pendleton on Jan. 28, 2015, during Exercise Iron Fist 2015 to help develop the Self-Defense Force’s understanding of amphibious operations. Exercise Iron Fist 15 is an annual bilateral training exercise between U.S. and Japanese military forces that builds their combined ability to conduct amphibious and land-based contingency operations. IF15, currently in its tenth iteration, is scheduled from Jan. 26 to Feb. 27, 2015, in southern California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Angel Serna/Released) - Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, teach Basic Maneuver Techniques for the Combat Rubber Raiding Craft to members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force aboard Camp Pendleton on Jan. 28, 2015, during Exercise Iron Fist 2015 to help develop the Self-Defense Force’s understanding of amphibious operations. Exercise Iron Fist 15 is an annual bilateral training exercise between U.S. and Japanese military forces that builds their combined ability to conduct amphibious and land-based contingency operations. IF15, currently in its tenth iteration, is scheduled from Jan. 26 to Feb. 27, 2015, in southern California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Angel Serna/Released)

A Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman gives the signal for all clear before entering a pool during proficiency dive training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 22. The SARCs were supported by Navy Divers from 1st Reconstruction consolidated dive locker. - A Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman gives the signal for all clear before entering a pool during proficiency dive training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 22. The SARCs were supported by Navy Divers from 1st Reconstruction consolidated dive locker.

A Marine with Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, wrestles his parachute to the ground after landing from a static line jump aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 25, 2014. The company practiced both freefall and static line jumps from a CH-43E helicopter to better prepare for potential combat operations anywhere they are needed worldwide. - A Marine with Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, wrestles his parachute to the ground after landing from a static line jump aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 25, 2014. The company practiced both freefall and static line jumps from a CH-43E helicopter to better prepare for potential combat operations anywhere they are needed worldwide.

A Marine from 1st Reconnaissance Battalion fires breaching rounds into a door hinge during a Methods of Entry proficiency training exercise aboard Camp Pendleton Calif., June 10. During the exercise, raid scenarios were tailored for the event to keep the Marines in an operational mindset while honing their skill set for future deployments as the Maritime Raid Force in support of Marine Expeditionary Units. - A Marine from 1st Reconnaissance Battalion fires breaching rounds into a door hinge during a Methods of Entry proficiency training exercise aboard Camp Pendleton Calif., June 10. During the exercise, raid scenarios were tailored for the event to keep the Marines in an operational mindset while honing their skill set for future deployments as the Maritime Raid Force in support of Marine Expeditionary Units.

Marines from Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, pause along a tree line to survey an open area of forest they must cross. The company conducted a 10-day training exercise aboard Fort Lewis-McChord, Wash., earlier this month. - Marines from Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, pause along a tree line to survey an open area of forest they must cross. The company conducted a 10-day training exercise aboard Fort Lewis-McChord, Wash., earlier this month.

Marine Corps Master Sgt. Randy Messineo, operation chief, Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, and a native of Boston, salutes the crew of a C-130 Hercules aircraft as he jumps out of it during a double-bag static line course held in Parker, Ariz., March 24, 2014. A static line is a cord attached from one end of the aircraft to the other. When the Marine jumps from the plane, the line pulls the deployment bag out of the pack on the Marine’s back causing the parachute to inflate. - Marine Corps Master Sgt. Randy Messineo, operation chief, Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, and a native of Boston, salutes the crew of a C-130 Hercules aircraft as he jumps out of it during a double-bag static line course held in Parker, Ariz., March 24, 2014. A static line is a cord attached from one end of the aircraft to the other. When the Marine jumps from the plane, the line pulls the deployment bag out of the pack on the Marine’s back causing the parachute to inflate.

Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, board the USS Freedom from a zodiac during on and off loading drills three miles off the coast of Del Mar beach Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 10, 2014. The Marines conducted a full day of rehearsals prior to the drills because it was their first time training on a littoral combat ship. The LCS gives Marines the opportunity to launch and recover reconnaissance teams from a greater distance out at sea. Gunnery Sgt. Mickey Eaton, assistant operations chief for the company, said the ability to use an LCS is the future for reconnaissance Marines. - Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, board the USS Freedom from a zodiac during on and off loading drills three miles off the coast of Del Mar beach Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 10, 2014. The Marines conducted a full day of rehearsals prior to the drills because it was their first time training on a littoral combat ship. The LCS gives Marines the opportunity to launch and recover reconnaissance teams from a greater distance out at sea. Gunnery Sgt. Mickey Eaton, assistant operations chief for the company, said the ability to use an LCS is the future for reconnaissance Marines.

Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force practice amphibious landing techniques while conducting Helo Cast training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 27, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, other I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers from the JGSDF, to promote military interoperability and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Emmanuel Ramos/Released) - Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force practice amphibious landing techniques while conducting Helo Cast training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 27, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, other I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers from the JGSDF, to promote military interoperability and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)

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.