Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force prepare to engage their targets on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) in the South China Sea, June 12, 2015. The MRF practices bo More

U.S. Marine Sgt. Erik Maehler aims in on his target at a fire-and-maneuver range aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 11, 2015. Maehler is a team leader with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid F More

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force sight in on their targets aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, June 1, 2015. These Marines frequently practice the More

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force fire at targets aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 10, 2015. The MRF is honing their marksmanship skills to maintain their combat rea More

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force practice room-entering procedures on the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 28, 2015. These Marines More

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force rappel in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 20 in the East China Sea, June 2, 2015. The Marines also went over lowering procedures s More

An MV-22 "Osprey" from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 makes a vertical landing at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Feb. 17. Sgt. Allen Hilliard, a crew chief with VMM-561, keeps a careful eye on the Ospre More

While flying over the ocean off the coast of San Diego, an MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 receives fuel from a KC-130J Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 May 12 More

An MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 sits on the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island here Oct. 3. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked the Makin Island, the amphibious transport More

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 participates in a confined area landing exercise Oct. 20 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. The squadron used two ne More

Marines with Motor Transport Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15 from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., prepare to board a warrior flight with Marine Medium Tilt More

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 taxis away from a hot refueling pit at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on September 19, 2012.

Lt. Col. Eric Gillard, the commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, relinquished his command to Lt. Col. Bradley Harms during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Mira More

Cpl. Benjamin Hockett, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 and a Lander, Wyo., native, stands in front of an MV-22B Osprey on the flight line aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., More

Sgt. David McIntyre, a jump master with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion and a Hanford, Calif., native, signals his Marines forward during parachute training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Cali More

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 "Greyhawks” waits to lift off as members from multiple units board the aircraft to conduct fast roping exercises aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleto More

A pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 aims to connect to a KC-130J Super Hercules to receive fuel in flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Oct. 24. The pilots used this training to More

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 “Greyhawks” flies over the Pacific Ocean on its way to collect a detachment of Marines with 1st Battalion, 11th Marines after they performed sensor rec More

Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force plot coordinate points prior to land navigation training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 22, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious More

An egress instructor inspects a soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, as he practices bracing for impact while conducting Underwater Egress training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendle More

A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducts helocast training with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 23, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphi More

Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force listen to Marines from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 23, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an a More

U.S. Marines and sailors and Japanese soldiers render salutes during the American and Japanese national anthems at the opening ceremony of Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 23, 2014. I More

U.S. Marines from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force run along the beach during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 24, 2014. Iro More

A U.S. Marine, pre-scout sniper instructor, Division Schools, demonstrates stalking techniques to soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., More

U.S. Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, demonstrate how to execute an amphibious insertion using a combat rubber reconnaissance craft to soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense More

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. William E. Blanchard, commanding officer, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, welcomes soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, C More

U.S. Marine Cpl. Abigail V. Reynolds, right, an interpreter assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, greets a Japanese interpreter with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, at helocast training during Ex More

Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force make their way to a CH-46E Sea Knight while conducting Helocast training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 27, More

A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force makes final adjustments to a Zodiac boat before departing on a navigation drill during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., J More

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force prepare their weapons for sniper training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 27, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercise More

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fire a High-Explosive Rocket-Assisted Projectile from a M120 120 mm Mortar System during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 28, 2014. More

U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force hike uphill during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 28, 2014. Iron Fist 2 More

Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force carry a combat rubber reconnaissance craft out of the surf during amphibious-insertion training from the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific during Exe More

A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force performs shooting drills while conducting scout sniper training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 29, 2014. Iron Fist is an am More

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct land navigation with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 30, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 i More

Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force carry a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft into the ocean to conduct surf passages as part of reconnaissance training with the Expeditionary Warfare Training Gr More

A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force aims at his target from the 300 yard-line while conducting scout sniper training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 31, 2014. I More

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force unhitch a 120mm mortar system from a vehicle during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 3, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercis More

U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company eat lunch with soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 3, 2014. Iron Fist 201 More

Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct surf passages on a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft as part of reconnaissance training with the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific during Ex More

A 120mm mortar system waits to be fired during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and Sailors from the 15t More

U.S. Marine Sgt. David Johnson, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, moves to his next firing position while conducting immediate-action drills with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exer More

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit set up radios during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4, 2014. Iron Fist 201 More

A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force descends from a 30-foot tower while performing fast-rope insertion training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 5, 2014. Iron Fi More

I Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General, Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, visits soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iro More

A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fast ropes down a 30-foot tower while conducting fast-rope training with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboa More

A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducts a radio check with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 5, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is More

A U.S. Marine, pre-scout sniper instructor, Division Schools, explains sniper-shooting techniques to soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif More

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force point out targets while training with U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 7 More

U.S. Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fast rope from a CH-46E Sea Knight while conducting raid training during Exercise Iron More

A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force performs a weasel-walk as a stalking technique during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 10, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise More

A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force clips vegetation to camouflage his ghillie suit while conducting a stalk exercise with 1st Marine Division Schools during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp P More

Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryan Dingess, boatswain's mate, Beach Master Unit 1, guides a Landing Craft Air Cushion onto the beach during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 12, 2014. Iron More

U.S. Marine Cpl. Miguel DelCampo, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, provides security while conducting helicopter assault training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 12, 2014. More

U.S. Marine Cpl. Kale L. Karlen, field artillery cannoneer, Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, adjusts the sights on an M120 120mm Mortar System during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clement More

Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force look at targets while training with U.S. Marines from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., F More

U.S. Marine Maj. Paul Bartok, middle, Marine liaison to the Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, speaks with officials of the JGSDF during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clemente More

U.S. Marines from Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, load M120 120mm Mortar System during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., Feb. 14, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious ex More

Lt. Col. Bradley Harms (left), commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161, discusses the different functions of a MV-22B Osprey to Japanese Lt. Gen. Hirotaka Yamashita, the vice chief of s More

Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company look at their targets during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., Feb. 14, 20 More

U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, center commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, meets with Lt. Gen. Hirotaka Yamashita, left, vice chief of staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and other officer More

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force load a combat rubber reconnaissance craft into a CH-46E Sea Knight while conducting helocast training with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, du More

U.S. Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force load a combat rubber reconnaissance craft into a CH46-E Sea Knight while conducting rec More

Officials from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force observe and learn about AAV-7 Assault Amphibious Vehicles during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 16, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibio More

U.S. Marines with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion transport Marines from 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment in AAV-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicles during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb More

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Philip Phetsavanh, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, sits in an MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 while conducting a helo insertion to a nighttime urban terrain r More

An AAV-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle performs an amphibious landing during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 19, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines a More

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. John R. O’Neal, commanding officer, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, addresses a crowd of Marines and sailors and soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at the closing ceremony fo More

Lance Cpl. Harley Calonder, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, and a 20-year-old native of Sacramento, Calif., pulls a communications line from an MV-22 Osprey during a pre-flight inspectio More

Marines and sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Association of Southeast Asian Nations participate in a Swim Call - allowing them to swim in a small area behind the ship, secured by lifebo More

Pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 watch as the lead aircraft taxi to the takeoff point during field carrier landing practices aboard the USS Essex, May 15. Marines and Sailors trained toget More

U.S. Marine Cpl. Jake Warden finishes engaging a target during Realistic Urban Training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 3, 2014. Warden is with the Force Reconnaissance Detachment, which makes up part More

U.S. Marines with the Force Reconnaissance Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a static-line jump from an MV-22B Osprey during Realistic Urban Training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 4 More

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Dominique Sparacino cracks a smile during realistic urban training aboard Camp Roberts, Calif., Dec. 8, 2014. Sparacino is an infantry assaultman with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team More

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands during Realistic Urban Training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 4, 2014. RUT prepares the More

A U.S. Marine with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit contemplates his next mission during realistic urban training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 5, 2014. RUT prepares the 15th MEU Marines for their More

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force conduct a raid during realistic urban training aboard Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Dec. 5, 2014. RUT prepares the Marines of the 15th More

U.S. Marine Sgt. Harley Inscore tests a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement’s batteries during realistic urban training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 6, 2014. Inscore is a motor transportation mechan More

U.S. Marines with the Law Enforcement Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, test a cellphone for fingerprints during realistic urban training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 6, 2014. RUT prepares More

U.S. Marines learn Arabic from a role-player during a Realistic Urban Training exercise aboard Fort Hunter Ligget, Calif., Dec. 6, 2014. RUT prepares the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Marines for their upco More

A U.S. Marine with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission during realistic urban traini More

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare for a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission during realistic urban training aboard Fort More

A U.S. Marine with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission during realistic urban traini More

U.S. Marine Sgt. Steve De Leon gives a class about observation techniques to Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during the MEU’s realistic urban train More

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit play football after their shift during a realistic urban training exercise aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., More

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph Monrreal and Lance Cpl. Samuel Hussman with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, demonstrate a security position while p More

U.S. Navy Chaplain Samuel Ravelo, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks with Marines and sailors from Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th MEU, during a realistic urban training exer More

U.S. Marines with the Force Reconnaissance Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a static-line jump from an MV-22B Osprey during realistic urban training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 9 More

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. William Ressler from Force Reconnaissance Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, checks the wind velocity before parachute operations during a realistic urban training exercise aboar More

U.S. Navy personnel with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, care for a simulated casualty during realistic urban training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 10, 2014. RUT prepa More

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, build a Southwest Asia Hut during realistic urban training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 10, 2014. RUT prepares the 15 More

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kyle Dehose with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit takes a break during a realistic urban training exercise aboard Camp Rober More

U.S. Marines with the Force Reconnaissance Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load their magazines while conducting bilateral training with the British Royal Marines during realistic urban training abo More

U.S. Navy Commander Samuel Ravelo visits U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, during realistic urban training aboard Camp Roberts, Calif More

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark an MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), 15th MEU, during re More

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force are transported to a raid in Los Angeles during realistic urban training Dec. 13, 2014. RUT prepares the 15th MEU’s Marines for their u More

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, hold security after egressing from a Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer during realistic urban training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, More

U.S. Marine Sgt. Harley Inscore mounts chains to a forklift to lift a new motor into a Humvee during realistic urban training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 13, 2014. Inscore is a motor transportation More

U.S. Marine Cpl. Shaquille Ross installs components of a Southwest Asia hut during realistic urban training aboard Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Dec. 14, 2014. Ross is a combat engineer with Combat Logistics Bat More