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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.

Corporal Brandon S. Mettlen, right, 25, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense specialist and native of Colnosneil, Texas, native, prepares to descend into a disaster area during a technical rescue certification exercise, Feb. 5, 2011. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear defense Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in specialized classes on technical rescue during a two-week training evolution aboard the Center for National Response, in Gallagher, W.V. 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. - Corporal Brandon S. Mettlen, right, 25, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense specialist and native of Colnosneil, Texas, native, prepares to descend into a disaster area during a technical rescue certification exercise, Feb. 5, 2011. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear defense Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in specialized classes on technical rescue during a two-week training evolution aboard the Center for National Response, in Gallagher, W.V. 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.

Chief Warrant Officer Marine Gunner Paul Sandy, right, a Swansea, S.C., native and the battalion gunner with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, stands in a formation just before receiving a Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device during a ceremony at the battalion headquarters aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 4, 2011. Sandy received his Bronze Star Medal for heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. - Chief Warrant Officer Marine Gunner Paul Sandy, right, a Swansea, S.C., native and the battalion gunner with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, stands in a formation just before receiving a Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device during a ceremony at the battalion headquarters aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 4, 2011. Sandy received his Bronze Star Medal for heroic actions while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.

Marines from Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, stack against a wall as they prepare to enter the next area of Forward Operating Base Hawk during a mechanized raid exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 1, 2011. The raid combined all the different assets available while attached to a MEU such as amphibious assault vehicles, tanks and air support. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective fighting force. - Marines from Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, stack against a wall as they prepare to enter the next area of Forward Operating Base Hawk during a mechanized raid exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 1, 2011. The raid combined all the different assets available while attached to a MEU such as amphibious assault vehicles, tanks and air support. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are in the early stages of their pre-deployment training program, which is a series of complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective fighting force.

The SS Cape Ann floats in the James River, Va., just before Marines from Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), and Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Command Element and Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, all with 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct vessel boarding search and seizure training outside of Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Jan. 19, 2011. This training better prepared the Marines and sailors to react to any of the many possible missions of a MEU during their deployment this summer. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable force of 2,200 Marines and sailors 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. - The SS Cape Ann floats in the James River, Va., just before Marines from Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), and Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Command Element and Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, all with 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct vessel boarding search and seizure training outside of Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Jan. 19, 2011. This training better prepared the Marines and sailors to react to any of the many possible missions of a MEU during their deployment this summer. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable force of 2,200 Marines and sailors 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.

Lance Cpl. Sean A. Warren, a squad leader with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Jacksonville, Fla., native, faces Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Owens, II Marine Expeditionary Force deputy commanding general, during an awards ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 14, 2011. Warren received a Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device and combat meritorious promotion to corporal for actions against the enemy while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. - Lance Cpl. Sean A. Warren, a squad leader with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Jacksonville, Fla., native, faces Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Owens, II Marine Expeditionary Force deputy commanding general, during an awards ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 14, 2011. Warren received a Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device and combat meritorious promotion to corporal for actions against the enemy while deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.

Marine leaders with 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit listen to classes on amphibious raids at a Special Operations Training Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, building aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 6, 2011. The Marines sat through a series of classes to prepare for upcoming training and susequent deployment this summer. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable force of 2,200 Marines and sailors 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. - Marine leaders with 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit listen to classes on amphibious raids at a Special Operations Training Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, building aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 6, 2011. The Marines sat through a series of classes to prepare for upcoming training and susequent deployment this summer. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable force of 2,200 Marines and sailors 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.