A Marine with Marine Fighter Squadron (VMA) 231 inspects an AV-8B Harrier prior to flight operations aboard the USS Kearsarge. Marine Corps roles working with the AV-8B include Aircraft Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Communications Technicians
An MH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced) lifts an M777 Howitzer off the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York. The MH-53E is a variant of the CH-53E Super Stallion, which is used for both long-range insertion missions and rapid resupply; learn more about Marine Corps aircraft at http://bit.ly/GR5bM1
Marines and Sailors with 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, make their way towards a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM-261) (Reinforced) prior to conducting a simulated air field seizure as part of a Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise.
Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) (Reinforced) with MV-22B Osprey
An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), flies near Mount Etna, Italy earlier this month.
A CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced) prepares to land on the flight deck of the USS Essex. The Sea Stallion can carry enough combat-loaded Marines to lead an assault or a humanitarian operation; see a 360-degree view of the CH-53E and learn more at http://bit.ly/H6nP07.
A CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit prepares to take off from the flight deck of USS Denver.
An MV-22 Osprey whips up a storm as it prepares to land aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 provided flight operations for 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion's jump operations training, including low-level static line and high altitude, low opening (HALO) jumps.
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) with AH-1Z Super Cobra
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) pilots flying an AH-1Z Super Cobra approach the USS Makin Island, currently deployed to the Arabian Sea.
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (HMM-268) Reinforced with CH-53E Super Stallion
Marines perform maintenance on a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to the Red Dragons of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 268 Reinforced, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island.
An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron 311 (VMA 311) lands on the flight deck of the USS Essex. The pilots of VMA 311, part of the Air Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), were conducting night carrier landing qualifications in preparation for their certification exercise.
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363) with CH-53D Sea Stallion
A CH-53D Sea Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363) discharges flares during a routine flight operation; Marine pilots utilize flares to ensure crew safety and safeguard the aircraft during poor visibility weather.
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 (HMH-464) with CH-53E Super Stallions
Two CH-53E Super Stallions from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH-464) take off from the USS Iwo Jima. The Super Stallion is the largest US military helicopter.
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 (HMM-764) with CH-46E Sea Knight
Marine Corps Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 (HMM-764) flew CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters into the Grand Canyon in December during OPERATION HAVASUPAI to conduct training operations in the area and bring the Toys For Tots program to children of the Havasupai tribe.
Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) with CH-46 Sea Knight
A Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) CH-46 Sea Knight sits on the Pentagon helicopter landing pad in Washington, DC. HMX-1 is responsible for the transportation of the President of the United States, Vice President, Cabinet members, and other VIPs.
1st Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion
One Marine with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion helps another out of a canal while on patrol last month during Operation Highland Thunder in the Helmand province of Afghanistan, where they swept for insurgent weapons and drug caches.
11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), which is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, conduct insertion exercises into a combat rubber raiding craft from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter.
A Marine Corps scout sniper with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) hides in bushes during a stalking exercise in Malaysia late last month during KILAT EAGLE, a training exercise between the 11th MEU and Malaysian soldiers.
An amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departs the well deck of the USS New Orleans while providing support for maritime security operations in the Middle East.
11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Marines use noncommissioned officers' (NCO) swords to practice close order drill movements aboard the USS Pearl Harbor. Close order drill instills discipline and teamwork in Marines.
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
Sailors prepare two Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jets for takeoff on the flight deck of the USS Peleliu earlier this month during IRON FIST 2012, a training exercise between the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and the Japaness Ground Self Defense Force.
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), flies near Mount Etna, Italy earlier this month.
24th MEU
Marines with 24th MEU fire an M-240B machine gun at a floating target from the flight deck of the USS Gunston Hall. The 24th MEU was aboard the U.S. Navy ship completing their Certification Exercise (CERTEX), a series of missions intended to evaluate and certify the unit for an upcoming deployment.
An AV-8B Harrier II with the 24th MEU takes off during COMPUTEX, an amphibious operations and crisis response training exercise. 22,000 pounds of thrust enable the Harrier II to hover like a helicopter and then blast forward like a jet at near-supersonic speeds.
Marines and Sailors with 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, make their way towards a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM-261) (Reinforced) prior to conducting a simulated air field seizure as part of a Realistic Urban Training (RUT) exercise.
A Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC) hovercraft transports Marines and tactical vehicles with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard the USS Iwo Jima off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC.
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) push off the stern gate of the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga in combat rubber raiding crafts during a night exercise. A MEU, made up of approximately 2,200 Marines, maintains a constant state of readiness, able to plan and launch a mission within six hours
A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) provides security for his squad as they fast rope from a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter.
A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) fires an AT-4, an 84mm anti-tank weapon, as fellow Marines lay down fire support during combined arms live fire training during Exercise COBRA GOLD 2012.
A CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit prepares to take off from the flight deck of USS Denver.
1st Marine Logistics Group
Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group perform a training exercise with an MV-22 Osprey that allowed both the landing support specialists on the ground and the pilots in the air to prepare for night support operations.
3rd Marine Division
With the mountains surrounding Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan as a backdrop, smoke trails from an M777 howitzer after being fired by Marines from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as part of exercises designed to maintain combat readiness.
http://www.marines.com/operating-forces/first-to-fight
