U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ty-Michael Maes, left, a team leader with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance detachment, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of Lindenhurst, New York, directs his fire team during a bilateral live-fire assault exercise with Saudi Marines as part of exercise Red Reef 15 in Ras Al Khair Saudi Arabia. Red Reef is part of a routine theater security cooperation engagement plan between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Saudi Naval Forces that serves as an excellent opportunity to strengthen tactical proficiency in critical mission areas and support long-term regional security. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Gunnery Sgt. Rome M. Lazarus/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ty-Michael Maes, left, a team leader with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance detachment, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of Lindenhurst, New York, directs his fire team during a bilateral live-fire assault exercise with Saudi Marines as part of exercise Red Reef 15 in Ras Al Khair Saudi Arabia. Red Reef is part of a routine theater security cooperation engagement plan between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Saudi Naval Forces that serves as an excellent opportunity to strengthen tactical proficiency in critical mission areas and support long-term regional security. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Gunnery Sgt. Rome M. Lazarus/Released)

Marines with Charlie Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), move the barrel of an M777 Howitzer in order to conduct quarterly maintenance aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Dec. 18. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/ Released) - Marines with Charlie Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), move the barrel of an M777 Howitzer in order to conduct quarterly maintenance aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Dec. 18. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/ Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Max P. Skatrud, a rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance detachment, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and native of New Richmond, Wis., takes cover behind an LAV-25 light armored vehicle during a live-fire and movement range as part of exercise Red Reef 15 in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, Dec. 13, 2014. Red Reef is part of a routine theater security cooperation engagement plan between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Saudi Naval Forces that serves as an excellent opportunity to strengthen tactical proficiency in critical mission areas and support long-term regional security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonathan R. Waldman/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Max P. Skatrud, a rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance detachment, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and native of New Richmond, Wis., takes cover behind an LAV-25 light armored vehicle during a live-fire and movement range as part of exercise Red Reef 15 in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, Dec. 13, 2014. Red Reef is part of a routine theater security cooperation engagement plan between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Saudi Naval Forces that serves as an excellent opportunity to strengthen tactical proficiency in critical mission areas and support long-term regional security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonathan R. Waldman/Released)

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), participate in a live-fire range aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Dec 5. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Released) - Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), participate in a live-fire range aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Dec 5. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Released)

Officers and staff non- commissioned officers with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), serve food to Marines and Sailors aboard the Makin Island in honor of Thanksgiving, Nov. 27. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Laura Y. Raga/Released) - Officers and staff non- commissioned officers with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), serve food to Marines and Sailors aboard the Makin Island in honor of Thanksgiving, Nov. 27. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Laura Y. Raga/Released)

Petty Officer 2nd Class Alex Lada, the senior line corpsman with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), receives the Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist certificate aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Nov. 6. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Released - Petty Officer 2nd Class Alex Lada, the senior line corpsman with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU), receives the Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist certificate aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Nov. 6. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Released

Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), transport a simulated casualty to an Army UH-60 Blackhawk from Charlie Company, 147th Aviation Assault Regiment during a vertical assault training event, Oct. 24. The 11th MEU is deployed with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout U.S. Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Wenger/ Released) - Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), transport a simulated casualty to an Army UH-60 Blackhawk from Charlie Company, 147th Aviation Assault Regiment during a vertical assault training event, Oct. 24. The 11th MEU is deployed with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout U.S. Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Wenger/ Released)

U.K. Royal Marine Maj. Joe Winch, B company commander of the U.K. Task Group, left, and U.S. Marine Capt. Ted Driscoll, Golf company commander, Battalion Landing Team 2/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct a rehearsal of concept in preparation for an upcoming combined amphibious assault with U.K., U.S., and Kuwaiti armed forces during Exercise Cougar Voyage 15. Cougar Voyage is an exercise aimed to strengthen proficiencies, promote interoperability and increase military-to-military relationships to support long-term regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) provide a versatile sea-based, expeditionary force that can be tailored to a variety of missions in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Released) - U.K. Royal Marine Maj. Joe Winch, B company commander of the U.K. Task Group, left, and U.S. Marine Capt. Ted Driscoll, Golf company commander, Battalion Landing Team 2/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct a rehearsal of concept in preparation for an upcoming combined amphibious assault with U.K., U.S., and Kuwaiti armed forces during Exercise Cougar Voyage 15. Cougar Voyage is an exercise aimed to strengthen proficiencies, promote interoperability and increase military-to-military relationships to support long-term regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) provide a versatile sea-based, expeditionary force that can be tailored to a variety of missions in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Released)

5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Oct. 8, 2014) – Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), place a memorial stand for Cpl. Jordan Spears on the flight deck of the USS Makin Island (LHD 8) as part of his memorial, Oct. 8. Cpl. Spears was lost at sea Oct. 1 during flight operations off the Makin Island. The 11th MEU is embarked with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Laura Y. Raga/RELEASED) - 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Oct. 8, 2014) – Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), place a memorial stand for Cpl. Jordan Spears on the flight deck of the USS Makin Island (LHD 8) as part of his memorial, Oct. 8. Cpl. Spears was lost at sea Oct. 1 during flight operations off the Makin Island. The 11th MEU is embarked with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Laura Y. Raga/RELEASED)