Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team

Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load into a CH-53E Super Stallion for extraction back to the USS Iwo Jima after conducting a simulated humanitarian assistance operation here Dec. 10, 2011. Supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions is a task that MEUs train for during their six-month work up period to prepare for deployment. The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.