Rory Farrell’s family accepts award. - On his behalf, Rory Farrell’s family accepted the U.S. Department of the Interior Citizen’s Award for Bravery Sept. 12, 2019, in Washington, D.C. Pictured from left to right, Candace Farrell, Megin Farrell, Secretary of the Department of Interior David L. Bernhardt, and Alexandra McGrath. (Courtesy photo)

Marines preform live-fire exercise. - 190601-M-ET529-0164 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 1, 2019) U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct a battle sight zero range aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). The Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU are deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies, and maintain a presence postured to respond to any crisis ranging from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Israel Chincio)

Marines with the tank platoon, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire the M256 smoothbore gun of four M1A1 Abrams tanks during a live-fire training exercise at Camp Roberts, Calif., March 20. Realistic Urban Training Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise 14-1 allows the Marines and sailors of the 11th MEU the opportunity to employ techniques and tactics applicable to their future deployment. RUTMEUEX incorporates the majority of the ground combat element, aviation combat element, logistics combat element and command element of the MEU for the first time in the predeployment cycle. - Marines with the tank platoon, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire the M256 smoothbore gun of four M1A1 Abrams tanks during a live-fire training exercise at Camp Roberts, Calif., March 20. Realistic Urban Training Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise 14-1 allows the Marines and sailors of the 11th MEU the opportunity to employ techniques and tactics applicable to their future deployment. RUTMEUEX incorporates the majority of the ground combat element, aviation combat element, logistics combat element and command element of the MEU for the first time in the predeployment cycle.

Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit transport a prefabricated bridge over a creek during a community outreach project near Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., March 22. Chaplains with the 11th MEU coordinated volunteers from the unit’s major subordinate elements to help beautify a walking path belonging to Mission San Antonio. Since the mission is located just outside of the base, it served as an optimal volunteer opportunity while the unit executed pre-deployment training as part of Realistic Urban Training Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (RUTMEUEX) 14-1. - Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit transport a prefabricated bridge over a creek during a community outreach project near Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., March 22. Chaplains with the 11th MEU coordinated volunteers from the unit’s major subordinate elements to help beautify a walking path belonging to Mission San Antonio. Since the mission is located just outside of the base, it served as an optimal volunteer opportunity while the unit executed pre-deployment training as part of Realistic Urban Training Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (RUTMEUEX) 14-1.

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s ground combat element, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, employ nonlethal crowd control techniques during the Crisis Response Course, Special Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, here Feb.19. The course simulated the reinforcement of a consulate in the Pacific region, a potential mission during the 11th MEU’s deployment later this summer. - Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s ground combat element, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, employ nonlethal crowd control techniques during the Crisis Response Course, Special Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, here Feb.19. The course simulated the reinforcement of a consulate in the Pacific region, a potential mission during the 11th MEU’s deployment later this summer.

Lance Cpl. John Lemar, a scout sniper with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s ground combat element, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, and a Hartsville, Tenn. native, practices traversing using spring-loaded camming devices during the Assault Climber Course here Feb.12. A team of instructors trained Marines to become qualified assault climbers. Their new skillset is an asset gained for the 11th MEU’s ensuing deployment later this summer. - Lance Cpl. John Lemar, a scout sniper with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s ground combat element, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, and a Hartsville, Tenn. native, practices traversing using spring-loaded camming devices during the Assault Climber Course here Feb.12. A team of instructors trained Marines to become qualified assault climbers. Their new skillset is an asset gained for the 11th MEU’s ensuing deployment later this summer.

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground combat element use fire and maneuver tactics to move from house to house as part of urban raid training here Feb. 5. This raid was the first of three different raids Marines conducted. This training evolution is one of many to prepare Marines for the MEU's scheduled deployment. - Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground combat element use fire and maneuver tactics to move from house to house as part of urban raid training here Feb. 5. This raid was the first of three different raids Marines conducted. This training evolution is one of many to prepare Marines for the MEU's scheduled deployment.

Lt. Col. Jason Holden, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 commanding officer, listens to a brief during a simulated exercise as part of the staff planning course for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron Five here Jan. 24. The two-weeklong training evolution focused senior leaders on the rapid response planning process, or R2P2, and developed skills pivotal to planning the missions anticipated during their future deployment. - Lt. Col. Jason Holden, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 commanding officer, listens to a brief during a simulated exercise as part of the staff planning course for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron Five here Jan. 24. The two-weeklong training evolution focused senior leaders on the rapid response planning process, or R2P2, and developed skills pivotal to planning the missions anticipated during their future deployment.