(Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion / 6th Marine Regiment (BLT 1/6) Bravo Company, attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), take aim and practice firing the Should Fired/Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon System (SMAW) at decommissioned tanks at a range on Fort Pickett, VA during training exercises. This range and other exercises help prepare the Marines for the upcoming deployment with the 24th MEU. (US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Andrew J. Carlson)

Local children play as Marines from Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, NATO-International Security Assistance Force, conduct combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl Andrew J. Carlson)

(Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (BLT 1/6) Bravo Company, 3rd Platoon, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), NATO practice patrolling, squad movement, and helicopter offload exercises. These exercises will keep the Marines maintain their skills while preparing for missions in support of NATO. (US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

On April 20, Cpl Gorton, Team Leader, and LCpl Savatano, Squad Automatic Weapon Gunner, of 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, unload rounds into targets while taking part in a platoon size attack during a training scenario in the Middle East. The attack is the conclusion to a training evolution the Marines have been participating in since the beginning of April. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson)

The Marines of Headquarters and Support Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, take part in a live fire range in Djibouti, Africa March 10. This range, part of a 3 day training evolution ending with the take down of a bunker or strongpoint, will familiarize and track the proficiency of individual Marines with their weapons. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J Carlson)

Marines from Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, NATO-International Security Assistance Force, conduct combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl Andrew J. Carlson)

Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct an assessment of Grand Saline, Haiti. These Marines and Sailors assessed living conditions, water sources, and medical needs in Grand Saline. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J Carlson)

Marines with Force Reconnaissance, attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a live fire range showcasing the use of the Claymore mine, M203 Grenade Launcher Weapon System, and the AT-4 Rocket Launcher. This range allows the Marines to become come more proficient at using these weapons should they need to do so while deployed with the 24th MEU. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson)

Hundreds of Haitians take shelter in “make-shift” homes in Port-au-Prince, Haiti as Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit travel through the city to view a port that could possibly be used to bring supplies to the Interim Aftercare Facility in Port-au-Prince Feb 4. Thousands of Haitians were misplaced after the enormous earthquake that rocked the country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J Carlson)

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, International Security Assistance Force, operating in Garmsir.

A Haitian child looks on as a team sent out by the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit assesses the town of Grand Saline, Haiti Jan 25. This team of Marines and Sailors was sent to determine what could be done to assist in Operation Unified Response. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J Carlson)

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion / 6th Marine Regiment Charlie Company (BLT 1/6, C Co.), attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU), perform a series of urban raid exercises during the Motorized Raid Course. This course prepares the Marines for possible raids while on deployment with the 24th MEU. (US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Andrew J. Carlson)

A group of Haitians wave the American flag as they ask for food and water while Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit take precautionary measures by posting at the outer fence of the Interim Aid Facility in Port-au-Prince, Haiti Feb 3. These Haitians were instructed to move from the aid facility, set up for Haitians returning from USNS Comfort to their homes in Haiti, to a food distribution center with in the city. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J Carlson)

Marines from Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, NATO International Security Assistance Force, join Afghan security forces on a patrol in Helmand Province, Aug. 2. (Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU), NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), oversee the Afghanistan workers while they construct platforms and flooring that will be used as a solid base for the 24th MEU’s tents at the U.S. National Command Element (NCE) while in the RC South region of Afghanistan. The 24th MEU will use these tents for office spaces and operating centers while in the region in support of NATO. (US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Andrew J. Carlson)

(Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

(Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

(Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (BLT 1/6), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU), NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), conduct patrolling exercises around base while on an early morning hike. This exercise will help the Marines become combat conditioned while on missions in support of NATO. (US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

Fishermen in the bay of St Marc, Haiti watch as Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group assess what can be done to support Operation Unified Response. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J Carlson)

Marines from 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), NATO, conduct a training exercise that requires them to meet and earn the trust of the local population. This exercise will better prepare the Marines while they conduct operations in support of NATO. (US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

Marines from Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, NATO-International Security Assistance Force, conduct combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl Andrew J. Carlson)

Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Nassau Amphibious Ready Group conduct a site survey in the town of Cavaillon, Haiti Jan 28. This group of Marines and Sailors were sent to assess a multitude of things including medical readiness, power supply, food and water availability, and infrastructure after the recent earthquake in Haiti. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson)

(Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

(Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

(Official Marine Corps photography by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

Charlie Company with the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) undergoes squad rushes while the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducts training exercises in Djibouti. This exercise keeps Marines in the combat mindset while they close with, fire, and destroy enemy targets during the training mission. (US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Andrew J. Carlson) (Released by Capt. David Nevers 24th MEU Public Affairs Officer)(neversde@iwojima.navy.mil)

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, NATO International Security Assistance Force, operating in Garmsir. (Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

Marines with the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) attached with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted training in mountainous terrain. The training teaches the Marines how to successfully maneuver over rocky and rough areas as well as how to move over mountains with the ability to still fight. (US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Andrew J. Carlson)(Released by Capt. David Nevers 24th MEU Public Affairs Officer)(neversde@iwojima.navy.mil)

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, NATO International Security Assistance Force, operating in Garmsir.

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, International Security Assistance Force, operating in Garmsir.

Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment, attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land on Onslow Beach aboard Camp Lejeune, NC September 3, 2009. This beach landing is a part of an amphibious assault training evolution the 24th MEU is doing during their composite unit training exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson)

In Beirut, Lebanon Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (MEU) Command Element (CE) and the MEU Service Support Group (MSSG) process and assist the departure of American citizens from an Evacuation Control Center (ECC) out of the city. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and elements of Task Force 59 are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. (US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Andrew J. Carlson)

A Haitian women waits outside the rooms of St Nicholas Hospital in St Marc, Haiti Jan 24. Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group handed out Meals Ready to Eat and bottled water to the patients at the hospital as well as assessing any actions they could take to support Operation Unified Response. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J Carlson)

Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct an assessment of Grand Saline, Haiti. These Marines and Sailors assessed living conditions, water sources, and medical needs in Grand Saline. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J Carlson)

Marines with Alpha Company Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion / 6th Marine Regiment (A Co. BLT 1/6), attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU), get life-like training as they perform urban assualt exercises at Fort Pickett, VA during the MEU’s Realistic Urban Training (RUT). These exercises were made more realistic with live explosions and simulated rocket propelled grenades (RPG). (US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Andrew J. Carlson)

Marines from 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), NATO, conduct a training exercise that requires them to meet and earn the trust of the local population. This exercise will better prepare the Marines while they conduct operations in support of NATO. (US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

A local Haitian woman watches near her temporary shelter as Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Nassau Amphibious Ready Group conduct a site survey in the town of Cavaillon, Haiti Jan 28. This group of Marines and Sailors were sent to assess a multitude of things including medical readiness, power supply, food and water availability, and infrastructure after the recent earthquake in Haiti. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson)

(Official Marine Corps photograph by Cpl. Andrew J. Carlson)

U.S. Marine mortarmen from 120mm mortar platoon, Bravo Battery 1/10, attached to Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct fire missions during the 24th MEU’s Realistic Urban Training at Camp Atterbury, IN September 29, 2009. The 24th MEU will use these mortarmen in support of BLT 1/9 in hostile areas to neutralize threats by conducting similar fire missions should the need arise while they are on their upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson)

Tent cities house thousands of Haitians left homeless in Port-au-Prince, Haiti as Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, travel to the local airport to pick up food and water supplies Feb 2. These supplies are going to the Marines of CLB 24 that are building a convalescent aid facility for Haitians returning from USNS Comfort to their homes in Haiti. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J Carlson)

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, International Security Assistance Force, operating in Garmsir.

Haitian children excitedly watch the Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Nassau Amphibious Ready Group walk through the town of Cavaillon, Haiti while conducting a site survey Jan 28. This group of Marines and Sailors were sent to assess a multitude of things including medical readiness, power supply, food and water availability, and infrastructure after the recent earthquake in Haiti. (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt Andrew J. Carlson)