Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller (right), commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks to Lt. Col. Robert Bodisch, commanding officer of 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, about the progression of the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation, “Iron Blitz,” at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 22, 2016. Iron Blitz is a weeklong, large scale operation and combat-readiness evaluation used to test the battalion’s ability to integrate all aspects of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and function as a deployment-ready unit. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shannon Kroening) - Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller (right), commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks to Lt. Col. Robert Bodisch, commanding officer of 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, about the progression of the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation, “Iron Blitz,” at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 22, 2016. Iron Blitz is a weeklong, large scale operation and combat-readiness evaluation used to test the battalion’s ability to integrate all aspects of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and function as a deployment-ready unit. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shannon Kroening)
The 2nd Marine Division Band enters Riverwalk Crossing Park during the 2nd Marine Division’s 75th anniversary parade in downtown Jacksonville, N.C., Feb. 6, 2016. The celebration serves as a time to remember the Marines and sailors who served and continue to serve in 2nd Marine Division, while thanking the local community for their support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez/Released) - The 2nd Marine Division Band enters Riverwalk Crossing Park during the 2nd Marine Division’s 75th anniversary parade in downtown Jacksonville, N.C., Feb. 6, 2016. The celebration serves as a time to remember the Marines and sailors who served and continue to serve in 2nd Marine Division, while thanking the local community for their support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez/Released)
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, fire a round down range during a live-fire mortar exercise with 81 mm mortar systems in preparation for the unit’s upcoming deployment at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 21. The Marines worked with the mortar systems until the late evening, sending more than 350 rounds downrange, and accomplished their goal of having more than 90 percent of their rounds impact on their designated targets. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shannon Kroening/ Released) - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, fire a round down range during a live-fire mortar exercise with 81 mm mortar systems in preparation for the unit’s upcoming deployment at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 21. The Marines worked with the mortar systems until the late evening, sending more than 350 rounds downrange, and accomplished their goal of having more than 90 percent of their rounds impact on their designated targets. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shannon Kroening/ Released)
(Left) Captain Jerald Feehery, a project officer for Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, discusses tactics with Capt. Patrick Parks, the Lima Company commander with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, prior to entering the Military Operation in Urban Terrain during a limited objective experiment at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 8, 2015. The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory worked with 3rd Bn., 6th Marines, and 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, to test artillery and infantry integration tactics. During the experiment, the company landing team attacked from near the Onslow Beach landing site towards the objective of the Military Operation in Urban Terrain training center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/Released) - (Left) Captain Jerald Feehery, a project officer for Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, discusses tactics with Capt. Patrick Parks, the Lima Company commander with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, prior to entering the Military Operation in Urban Terrain during a limited objective experiment at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 8, 2015. The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory worked with 3rd Bn., 6th Marines, and 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, to test artillery and infantry integration tactics. During the experiment, the company landing team attacked from near the Onslow Beach landing site towards the objective of the Military Operation in Urban Terrain training center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/Released)
Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment pause and check for a weapons malfunction during a company live-fire exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 30, 2015. The exercise is in preparation for the integrated training exercise taking place at Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., next month. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Immanuel Johnson/Released) - Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment pause and check for a weapons malfunction during a company live-fire exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 30, 2015. The exercise is in preparation for the integrated training exercise taking place at Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., next month. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Immanuel Johnson/Released)
A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment fires rounds during the sniper marksmanship assessment as part of Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 24, 2015. During ITX, Marines demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive stability operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Immanuel M. Johnson/Released) - A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment fires rounds during the sniper marksmanship assessment as part of Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 24, 2015. During ITX, Marines demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive stability operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Immanuel M. Johnson/Released)
Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment advance to establish an offensive position during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 26, 2015. During ITX, Marines demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive stability operations. - Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment advance to establish an offensive position during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 26, 2015. During ITX, Marines demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive stability operations.
Lance Corporal John Roan, center, a squad leader with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment gets carried away from the simulated improvised explosive device blast by another Marine and Navy Corpsman while conducting counter-IED training during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 29, 2015. Marines at ITX demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive operations. - Lance Corporal John Roan, center, a squad leader with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment gets carried away from the simulated improvised explosive device blast by another Marine and Navy Corpsman while conducting counter-IED training during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 29, 2015. Marines at ITX demonstrate core infantry mission essential tasks while conducting offensive and defensive operations.
A Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, right, receives ammunition during the counterattack of the Battalion Assault Course, the culminating event for Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 6, 2015. The BAC integrates all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force in order to defeat a large simulated enemy force. - A Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, right, receives ammunition during the counterattack of the Battalion Assault Course, the culminating event for Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 6, 2015. The BAC integrates all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force in order to defeat a large simulated enemy force.
A Marine with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment advances down range during a battalion exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 10, 2015. The battalion-wide exercise reinforced basic infantry skills and brought junior Marines up to optimal operability across the companies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez/Released) - A Marine with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment advances down range during a battalion exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 10, 2015. The battalion-wide exercise reinforced basic infantry skills and brought junior Marines up to optimal operability across the companies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez/Released)