A Marine fires an M240B medium machine gun during a full mission profile defense of the amphibious task force exercise aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). - A Marine fires an M240B medium machine gun during a full mission profile defense of the amphibious task force exercise aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6).

U.S. Marine Sgt. Scott Veck, a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command, observes flight operations in Coveñas, Colombia, Sept. 30, 2019, during a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief rehearsal. The exercise will test and strengthen the interoperability and responsiveness between these countries, preparing for real-world disaster scenarios in the region. The task force is conducting training and engineering projects hand-in-hand with partner nation military members in Latin America and the Caribbean during their deployment to the region, which coincides with hurricane season. Veck is a native of Parker, Colorado. - U.S. Marine Sgt. Scott Veck, a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command, observes flight operations in Coveñas, Colombia, Sept. 30, 2019, during a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief rehearsal. The exercise will test and strengthen the interoperability and responsiveness between these countries, preparing for real-world disaster scenarios in the region. The task force is conducting training and engineering projects hand-in-hand with partner nation military members in Latin America and the Caribbean during their deployment to the region, which coincides with hurricane season. Veck is a native of Parker, Colorado.

A Marine with Alpha Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion guides an amphibious assault vehicle during a gunnery skills exercise at Marine COrps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 13, 2016. The company conducted the training to prepare for their upcoming participation in the Integrated Training Exercise. - A Marine with Alpha Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion guides an amphibious assault vehicle during a gunnery skills exercise at Marine COrps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 13, 2016. The company conducted the training to prepare for their upcoming participation in the Integrated Training Exercise.

Marines give civilian media a ride in the inside the Amphibious Assault Vehicle Survivability Upgrade at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., March 15, 2016. The AAV SU, or amphibious assault vehicle survivability upgrade, will build upon the existing hull. The upgrades include additional armor, blast-mitigating seats and spall liners. They may also include fuel tank protection and automotive and suspension upgrades to keep both land and sea mobility regardless of the added weight. - Marines give civilian media a ride in the inside the Amphibious Assault Vehicle Survivability Upgrade at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., March 15, 2016. The AAV SU, or amphibious assault vehicle survivability upgrade, will build upon the existing hull. The upgrades include additional armor, blast-mitigating seats and spall liners. They may also include fuel tank protection and automotive and suspension upgrades to keep both land and sea mobility regardless of the added weight.

A Marine with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, prepares to submerge underwater while wearing a supplemental emergency breathing device at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 22, 2015. The company participated in the submerged vehicle egress training to gain confidence in their abilities to safely exit a sinking amphibious assault vehicle in preparation for their upcoming deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. - A Marine with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, prepares to submerge underwater while wearing a supplemental emergency breathing device at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 22, 2015. The company participated in the submerged vehicle egress training to gain confidence in their abilities to safely exit a sinking amphibious assault vehicle in preparation for their upcoming deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, prepare to begin an assault on a simulated enemy base during movement to contact training aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 9, 2015. Once the assault was completed, the Marines were required to prepare a defense in case of a counterattack. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, prepare to begin an assault on a simulated enemy base during movement to contact training aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 9, 2015. Once the assault was completed, the Marines were required to prepare a defense in case of a counterattack.

Sgt. Kassie McDole, top, crew chief, and Cpl. Kelsey Darling, rear crewman, both with Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon, Company B, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, assist each other in weapons mounting during the assessment at Range 500, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, March 5, 2015. From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards-based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks. - Sgt. Kassie McDole, top, crew chief, and Cpl. Kelsey Darling, rear crewman, both with Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon, Company B, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, assist each other in weapons mounting during the assessment at Range 500, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, March 5, 2015. From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards-based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks.