Corporal Daniel S. Porrocecchio, an MV-22B Osprey mechanic with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of South Brunswick, N.J., washes an MV-22B Osprey aboard USS Bataan, April 26, 2011. Porrocecchio with a team of Marines from VMM-263 (Rein) scrubbed and rinsed the Osprey, removing salt, dirt and other corrosive materials from the aircraft’s surface. 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 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, with approximately 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. - Corporal Daniel S. Porrocecchio, an MV-22B Osprey mechanic with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of South Brunswick, N.J., washes an MV-22B Osprey aboard USS Bataan, April 26, 2011. Porrocecchio with a team of Marines from VMM-263 (Rein) scrubbed and rinsed the Osprey, removing salt, dirt and other corrosive materials from the aircraft’s surface. 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 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, with approximately 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. Andrew J. Handshue, left, and Sgt. Richard Simpson, right, airframe mechanics with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, work on an MV-22B Osprey aboard USS Bataan, April 16, 2011. The Marines maintain the squadron’s aircrafts’ vital panels, hydraulic systems, landing gear and other complex internal and external components. 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 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 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. Andrew J. Handshue, left, and Sgt. Richard Simpson, right, airframe mechanics with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, work on an MV-22B Osprey aboard USS Bataan, April 16, 2011. The Marines maintain the squadron’s aircrafts’ vital panels, hydraulic systems, landing gear and other complex internal and external components. 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 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 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.

Corporal Andrew Visscher, a rifleman with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Bozeman, Mont., native, sings an original song during USS Bataan’s “Saturday Night Alive” talent show, April 16, 2011. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit 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, with approximately 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, BLT 2/2; and its Command Element. - Corporal Andrew Visscher, a rifleman with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Bozeman, Mont., native, sings an original song during USS Bataan’s “Saturday Night Alive” talent show, April 16, 2011. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit 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, with approximately 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, BLT 2/2; and its Command Element.

Airframes mechanics with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, serving aboard USS Bataan, replace a panel on an AV-8B Harrier, April 12, 2011. 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 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 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. - Airframes mechanics with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, serving aboard USS Bataan, replace a panel on an AV-8B Harrier, April 12, 2011. 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 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 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.

Marines and sailors with Weapons Company, Battalion Land Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, load into a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), aboard USS Bataan during an aviation-borne tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise, April 10, 2011. The Marines conducted the exercise to enhance their aviation-borne rescue capabilities while deployed. 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 comprised of Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor 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. - Marines and sailors with Weapons Company, Battalion Land Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, load into a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), aboard USS Bataan during an aviation-borne tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise, April 10, 2011. The Marines conducted the exercise to enhance their aviation-borne rescue capabilities while deployed. 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 comprised of Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor 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.

USS Bataan pushes away from the Morehead City State Port, March 28, 2011. The 22nd MEU is currently conducting pre-deployment training exercises with Amphibious Squadron 6, and is embarked aboard the USS BATAAN Amphibious Ready Group. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable Marine Air Ground Task Force 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. - USS Bataan pushes away from the Morehead City State Port, March 28, 2011. The 22nd MEU is currently conducting pre-deployment training exercises with Amphibious Squadron 6, and is embarked aboard the USS BATAAN Amphibious Ready Group. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable Marine Air Ground Task Force 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.

Lieutenant General John M. Paxton, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, center, salutes U.S. Navy ceremonial sideboys while boarding USS Bataan during a visit to the ship, April 4, 2011. 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 test the MEU’s ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable Marine Air Ground Task Force 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. - Lieutenant General John M. Paxton, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, center, salutes U.S. Navy ceremonial sideboys while boarding USS Bataan during a visit to the ship, April 4, 2011. 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 test the MEU’s ability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable Marine Air Ground Task Force 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.

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)