A U.S. Marine AV-8B �Harrier� pilot assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Aviation Combat Element (ACE) performs his pre-flight check before taking off

At sea aboard USS Essex A U.S. Marine AV-8B Harrier pilot assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Aviation Combat Element (ACE) performs his pre-flight check before taking off from the ships flight deck. Essex is underway, with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participating in a Special Operations Capable Exercise (SOCEX). SOCEX is designed to certify that Special Operations Capable Teams, are capable of executing several diverse missions, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, to full-scale combat operation. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Bryan W. Taylor. File# 020924-N-2915T-006