Capt. Jon Rogers, the USS Makin Island commanding officer, speaks to the captain of the International Space Station during an amateur radio test aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, Feb. 19. With the help of Marine radio operators with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, personnel on ship utilized amateur radio equipment to establish direct communication with the International Space Station from the Makin Island. Embarked aboard the three ships of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, the 11th MEU has provided a flexible, sea-based, crisis response force to regional commanders throughout its seven-month Western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Released) - Capt. Jon Rogers, the USS Makin Island commanding officer, speaks to the captain of the International Space Station during an amateur radio test aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, Feb. 19. With the help of Marine radio operators with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, personnel on ship utilized amateur radio equipment to establish direct communication with the International Space Station from the Makin Island. Embarked aboard the three ships of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, the 11th MEU has provided a flexible, sea-based, crisis response force to regional commanders throughout its seven-month Western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Released)
Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in a 5k run as part of a CLB 11 squad competition aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, Feb. 1. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Released) - Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in a 5k run as part of a CLB 11 squad competition aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, Feb. 1. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the embarked 11th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/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) - 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