Team leader Cpl. Gerrick J. Watkins, right, and fellow squad members rehearse exiting a CH-46E Sea Knight parked on an air-station apron here Aug. 30 during a four-day course in which Company L riflemen learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course. Watkins is a 21-year-old Dallas native. - Team leader Cpl. Gerrick J. Watkins, right, and fellow squad members rehearse exiting a CH-46E Sea Knight parked on an air-station apron here Aug. 30 during a four-day course in which Company L riflemen learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course. Watkins is a 21-year-old Dallas native.

Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) exit a CH-53E Super Stallion at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., July 12. The Marines set up a forward arming and refueling point during the 11th Marine Expeditionary unit's large-scale exercise with ocean and urban-based scenarios. The squadron is the aviation combat element for the unit. - Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) exit a CH-53E Super Stallion at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., July 12. The Marines set up a forward arming and refueling point during the 11th Marine Expeditionary unit's large-scale exercise with ocean and urban-based scenarios. The squadron is the aviation combat element for the unit.

Marines serving with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit board USS Makin Island Oct. 1. The 11th MEU is the first amphibious landing force embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship, which set sail for San Francisco Oct. 1, to participate in the city's 2010 Fleet Week. There the 11th MEU plans to showcase to the public the Marine Corps' men and women, its aircraft and equipment and its ability to conduct missions that span the overlapping spectrums of peace and combat, from disaster relief to war. - Marines serving with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit board USS Makin Island Oct. 1. The 11th MEU is the first amphibious landing force embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship, which set sail for San Francisco Oct. 1, to participate in the city's 2010 Fleet Week. There the 11th MEU plans to showcase to the public the Marine Corps' men and women, its aircraft and equipment and its ability to conduct missions that span the overlapping spectrums of peace and combat, from disaster relief to war.

Marines from 1st Tank Battalion and 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion fired at a gunnery range here June 7-13, practicing various techniques such as firing from defilade, or defenses, and firing on the move. After qualifying in these areas, detachments from 1st Tanks and 1st LAR will deploy with the 11th MEU later this year. - Marines from 1st Tank Battalion and 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion fired at a gunnery range here June 7-13, practicing various techniques such as firing from defilade, or defenses, and firing on the move. After qualifying in these areas, detachments from 1st Tanks and 1st LAR will deploy with the 11th MEU later this year.

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit disembark helicopters lining up for fuel April 3 at Castle Airport. Twelve helicopters, eight transporting infantrymen, stopped here en route to a simulated raid site during the MEU's recent air-ground task force exercise held at several California installations. - Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit disembark helicopters lining up for fuel April 3 at Castle Airport. Twelve helicopters, eight transporting infantrymen, stopped here en route to a simulated raid site during the MEU's recent air-ground task force exercise held at several California installations.

An AV-8B Harrier, piloted by Capt. Daniel S. Fiust of Marine Attack Squadron 513, takes in fuel March 28 while training above Fort Hunter Liggett, seen below. A KC-130J Hercules turboprop aircraft from San Diego-based Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 circled dozens of times, 22,000 feet above the remote Army post, and refueled the Harrier three times, pumping 15,000 pounds of fuel in total. Fiust conducted surveillance, reconnaissance and simulated guided-munitions strikes as part of an 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit air-ground task force exercise. The Harrier flew from the squadron’s home station in Yuma, Ariz., stopping once at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. Six of the squadron’s jets will reinforce the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced) when they deploy. - An AV-8B Harrier, piloted by Capt. Daniel S. Fiust of Marine Attack Squadron 513, takes in fuel March 28 while training above Fort Hunter Liggett, seen below. A KC-130J Hercules turboprop aircraft from San Diego-based Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 circled dozens of times, 22,000 feet above the remote Army post, and refueled the Harrier three times, pumping 15,000 pounds of fuel in total. Fiust conducted surveillance, reconnaissance and simulated guided-munitions strikes as part of an 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit air-ground task force exercise. The Harrier flew from the squadron’s home station in Yuma, Ariz., stopping once at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. Six of the squadron’s jets will reinforce the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced) when they deploy.

Marines with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, advance up a hill while receiving simulated fire from enemy forces during an exercise here March 4. The Marines conducted helicopter raid training here March 2-6 in preparation for an upcoming deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit later this year. - Marines with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, advance up a hill while receiving simulated fire from enemy forces during an exercise here March 4. The Marines conducted helicopter raid training here March 2-6 in preparation for an upcoming deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit later this year.