The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) operates in the Mediterranean Sea. Iwo Jima is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zane Ecklund/Released)

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 flies in front of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) during a vertical replenishment-at-sea. Gunston Hall is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zane Ecklund/Released)

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, move to their firing positions prior to conducting a multiple target, live-fire range on the flight deck of USS Iwo Jima, Aug. 19, 2012. The Marines conduct various live fire ranges while underway to keep their skills sharp during deployment. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad Kiehl

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire their weapons while conducting a multiple target, live-fire range on the flight deck of USS Iwo Jima, Aug. 19, 2012. The Marines conduct various live fire ranges while underway to keep their skills sharp during deployment. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad Kiehl

Marines with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct fast reload drills on the bow here, April 5, 2012. The 24th MEU, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian service and disaster relief. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Marines and sailors with the Maritime Raid Force for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stage on the ramp leading to the flight deck of the USS Iwo Jima in preparation to load an MV-22 Osprey prior to conducting a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft, Personnel and Equipment training exercise June 8, 2012. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker Wolf

Marines and Sailors with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to conduct riot control training on the flight deck of USS Iwo Jima, July 03, 2012, as part of a four-day course teaching non-lethal tactics and procedures. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker Wolf

Staff Sgt. Jason Lyon, a Sauk centre, Minn., native and military police chief for Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, teaches Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU riot control techniques on the flight deck of USS Iwo Jima, July 03, 2012. Staff Sgt. Lyon is the lead instructor of a four-day course teaching non-lethal tactics and procedures. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker Wolf

Staff Sgt. Jason Lyon, a Sauk centre, Minn., native and military police chief for Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, teaches Marines and Sailors with the 24th MEU riot control techniques on the flight deck of USS Iwo Jima, July 03, 2012. Staff Sgt. Lyon is the lead instructor of a four-day course teaching non-lethal tactics and procedures. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker Wolf

A landing craft air cushion departs the well deck aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21). New York and the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) are part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zane Ecklund)

A landing craft air cushion launches from the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) during amphibious operations. New York, with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zane Ecklund)

A landing craft air cushion departs the well deck aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21). New York and the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) are part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zane Ecklund/Released)

Marines pilot an amphibious assault vehicle with the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) in the background while operating in the Arabian Sea. New York, with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. New York is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zane Ecklund)

Marines and members of the Jordanian armed services conduct fast rope drills from an SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter, seen from the flight deck of the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44). Gunston Hall is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Gunston Hall is deployed participating in exercise Eager Lion 2012. Eager Lion is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships through a joint, whole-of-government, multinational approach to meet current and future complete national security challenges, including 19 nations from five different continents and more than 11,000 participants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman/Released)

Civilian contractors from Insitu Inc. launch a Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle from the flight deck of the amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44). Scan Eagle is a runway independent, long-endurance, unmanned aerial vehicle system designed to provide multiple surveillance, reconnaissance data, and battlefield damage assessment missions. Gunston Hall, with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman/Released)