Col. Frank Donovan, commanding officer, 24th Marine

Col. Frank Donovan, commanding officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks with LtCol. Brian Smith, commanding officer, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th MEU, on the flight deck of USS Iwo Jima prior to 24th MEU's aircraft conducting aerial refueling training operations Sept 23, 2012. The training consisted of MV-22B Ospreys and AV-8B Harriers conducting aerial refueling with the 24th MEU's KC-130J Hercules aircraft to practice the skills needed for long-range flight operations. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.