SAN DIEGO – (Oct. 14, 2016) Col. Clay C. Tipton, the

SAN DIEGO – (Oct. 14, 2016) Col. Clay C. Tipton, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, speaks to Marines and Sailors the morning prior to deploying aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) Oct. 14, 2016. “During the past six months, our Marines and Sailors have trained extensively for this deployment, and I am confident we are ready to handle any missions our country may need us to accomplish,” said Tipton. More than 2,400 Marines and Sailors with the 11th MEU began a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific, and Middle Eastern regions embarked on the three U.S. Navy ships of the Makin Island Ready Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Robert B. Brown Jr./Released)