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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)

Major General Lawrence D. Nicholson (left), the new commanding general of 1st Marine Division and Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, the former commanding general of 1st Marine Division, exchanges the division's colors during a change of command ceremony here, June 9, 2013. Major Gen. Nicholson, a native of Toronto, Canada, served as the operations officer for the International Security Assistance Forces in Kabul, Afghanistan, before assuming command of the division. - Major General Lawrence D. Nicholson (left), the new commanding general of 1st Marine Division and Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, the former commanding general of 1st Marine Division, exchanges the division's colors during a change of command ceremony here, June 9, 2013. Major Gen. Nicholson, a native of Toronto, Canada, served as the operations officer for the International Security Assistance Forces in Kabul, Afghanistan, before assuming command of the division.

Family members of fallen Marines look for their loved one's names during the 5th Marine Regiment Operation Enduring Freedom memorial dedication ceremony here, June 6, 2013. The memorial honors Marines and sailors who served with 5th Marines or under Regimental Combat Team 5 who gave the ultimate sacrifice during combat operations in Afghanistan. - Family members of fallen Marines look for their loved one's names during the 5th Marine Regiment Operation Enduring Freedom memorial dedication ceremony here, June 6, 2013. The memorial honors Marines and sailors who served with 5th Marines or under Regimental Combat Team 5 who gave the ultimate sacrifice during combat operations in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Sotelo, a platoon sergeant serving with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, holds the Afghanistan Campaign Streamer during a battle colors rededication ceremony at the Camp San Mateo helicopter landing pad here, June 5, 2013. Marines serving with 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, added the Afghanistan Campaign streamer and rededicated streamers from previous campaigns to the regiment's battle colors during the ceremony. The Fighting Fifth is recognized as the most decorated regiment in the Marine Corps. Marines and sailors of the regiment earned the Afghanistan Campaign streamer during a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan as Regimental Combat Team 5 from August 2011 to August 2012. Sotelo, a San Mateo, Calif., native, is a Silver Star recipient and a combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. - Staff Sgt. Ryan Sotelo, a platoon sergeant serving with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, holds the Afghanistan Campaign Streamer during a battle colors rededication ceremony at the Camp San Mateo helicopter landing pad here, June 5, 2013. Marines serving with 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, added the Afghanistan Campaign streamer and rededicated streamers from previous campaigns to the regiment's battle colors during the ceremony. The Fighting Fifth is recognized as the most decorated regiment in the Marine Corps. Marines and sailors of the regiment earned the Afghanistan Campaign streamer during a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan as Regimental Combat Team 5 from August 2011 to August 2012. Sotelo, a San Mateo, Calif., native, is a Silver Star recipient and a combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lieutenant Cmdr. Robert W. Peters III, Headquarters Battalion chaplain, speaks to junior Marines during the Warriors Path Program at the Camp Margarita chapel here June 4, 2013. Senior staff noncommissioned officers throughout the battalion teach classes about sexual assault and suicide prevention, learning to cope with stress, fitness, relationships, ethics and social media during the program. At the completion of these classes, the young Marines receive a certificate signed by the sergeant major and the commanding officer. - Lieutenant Cmdr. Robert W. Peters III, Headquarters Battalion chaplain, speaks to junior Marines during the Warriors Path Program at the Camp Margarita chapel here June 4, 2013. Senior staff noncommissioned officers throughout the battalion teach classes about sexual assault and suicide prevention, learning to cope with stress, fitness, relationships, ethics and social media during the program. At the completion of these classes, the young Marines receive a certificate signed by the sergeant major and the commanding officer.