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Seaman Robert E. Graham, 22, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit corpsman, is among those who provide healthcare and a friendly face to fellow sailors and Marines every day. The Cleveland native has served in the Navy for a year and is prepared for deployment with the 22nd MEU. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and will continue to conduct a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU’s ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - Seaman Robert E. Graham, 22, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit corpsman, is among those who provide healthcare and a friendly face to fellow sailors and Marines every day. The Cleveland native has served in the Navy for a year and is prepared for deployment with the 22nd MEU. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and will continue to conduct a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU’s ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, search a vehicle during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 3, 2011. Marines with BLT learned how to conduct TRAP missions to prepare for their upcoming deployment with the MEU. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the midst of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, search a vehicle during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 3, 2011. Marines with BLT learned how to conduct TRAP missions to prepare for their upcoming deployment with the MEU. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the midst of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Sergeant Joseph M. Perez, left, who served as squad leader, 1st squad, 3rd platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7 in Afghanistan, is awarded the Silver Star Medal by Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, during a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Feb. 28, 2011. Second Battalion, 2nd Marines, is the Battalion Landing Team for the 22nd MEU. Perez received the award for his actions while on patrol in Helmand Province, Dec. 27, 2009. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - Sergeant Joseph M. Perez, left, who served as squad leader, 1st squad, 3rd platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7 in Afghanistan, is awarded the Silver Star Medal by Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, during a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Feb. 28, 2011. Second Battalion, 2nd Marines, is the Battalion Landing Team for the 22nd MEU. Perez received the award for his actions while on patrol in Helmand Province, Dec. 27, 2009. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

(From right to left) Sergeant Major William E. Heyob, Capt. Brandon J. Gorman, Cpl. John D. Carney and Sgt. Joseph M. Perez, all with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to receive personal awards from Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Feb. 28, 2011. The Marines received the awards for their heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - (From right to left) Sergeant Major William E. Heyob, Capt. Brandon J. Gorman, Cpl. John D. Carney and Sgt. Joseph M. Perez, all with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to receive personal awards from Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Feb. 28, 2011. The Marines received the awards for their heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

A Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device warrant is read for 1st Sgt. Chris J. Adams, the company first sergeant for Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, during an awards ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 25, 2011. Adams received his award from Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Owens, the deputy commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, for heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. - A Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device warrant is read for 1st Sgt. Chris J. Adams, the company first sergeant for Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, during an awards ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 25, 2011. Adams received his award from Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Owens, the deputy commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, for heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Marines and sailors with the 22nd Expeditionary Unit play Bingo aboard USS Bataan April 21, 2011. Morale, Welfare and Recreation features multiple events like bingo to keep Marines and sailors entertained, motivated, and build camaraderie during deployment. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and will continue to train and improve the MEU’s ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission, capable force, commanded by Col. Eric J. Steidl and comprised of Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its Command Element. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Amber Blanchard/Released) - Marines and sailors with the 22nd Expeditionary Unit play Bingo aboard USS Bataan April 21, 2011. Morale, Welfare and Recreation features multiple events like bingo to keep Marines and sailors entertained, motivated, and build camaraderie during deployment. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and will continue to train and improve the MEU’s ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission, capable force, commanded by Col. Eric J. Steidl and comprised of Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its Command Element. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Amber Blanchard/Released)

Petty Officer 3rd Class James C. Lynch, front, a corpsman with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Nashville, Tenn., native, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jose E. Muzaurieta, rear, a corpsman with VMM-263 (Rein.), 22nd MEU, and St. Petersburg, Fla., native, carry a casualty to an MV-22B Osprey with VMM-263, during tactical evacuation training at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 15, 2011. The corpsmen practiced treating patients while in flight during a two-week tactical evacuation course taught by the Special Operations Training Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective fighting force. - Petty Officer 3rd Class James C. Lynch, front, a corpsman with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Nashville, Tenn., native, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jose E. Muzaurieta, rear, a corpsman with VMM-263 (Rein.), 22nd MEU, and St. Petersburg, Fla., native, carry a casualty to an MV-22B Osprey with VMM-263, during tactical evacuation training at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 15, 2011. The corpsmen practiced treating patients while in flight during a two-week tactical evacuation course taught by the Special Operations Training Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective fighting force.

Marines with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, scan a simulated village for hostiles and improvised explosive devices during a Motorized Raid training exercise at the Mobile Military Operations in Urban Terrain training area aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 15. 2011. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective fighting force. - Marines with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, scan a simulated village for hostiles and improvised explosive devices during a Motorized Raid training exercise at the Mobile Military Operations in Urban Terrain training area aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 15. 2011. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective fighting force.

Sergeant Richard F. Dibiaso, an Aurora, Ill., native and a motor transport operator with Lima Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, defends himself after being sprayed with oleoresin capsicum spray, commonly known as OC spray, during non-lethal weapons training at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 9, 2011. The Marines are sprayed to teach control in case they are sprayed while conducting crowd control and to teach restraint when choosing whether or not to spray someone else. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective fighting force. - Sergeant Richard F. Dibiaso, an Aurora, Ill., native and a motor transport operator with Lima Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, defends himself after being sprayed with oleoresin capsicum spray, commonly known as OC spray, during non-lethal weapons training at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 9, 2011. The Marines are sprayed to teach control in case they are sprayed while conducting crowd control and to teach restraint when choosing whether or not to spray someone else. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of progressively complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective fighting force.