11th MEU Flight Ops and Battalion Landing Team Training.

The MEU is the tip of America's Spear...and the Battalion Landing Team is the tip of the MEU...

Marine pilots and sailors aboard USS Makin Island prepare an AH-1Z Super Cobra for takeoff here March 1. The pilots serve with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.  Photo by Lance Cpl. Claudia Palacios

Pilots flying an AH-1Z Super Cobra approach USS Makin Island here March 1. The pilots serve with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.  Photo by Lance Cpl. Claudia Palacios

Sailors and Marines position a pair of CH-46E Sea Knights aboard USS Makin Island here March 1. The helicopters were flown by pilots serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.  Photo by Lance Cpl. Claudia Palacios

Sgt. Jeffrey D. Lanuzo loads ammunition before a shoot aboard USS Makin Island here Feb. 26. Lanuzi serves with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 3/1. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.  Photo by Cpl. Gene A. Ainsworth III

Marines Serving with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 3/1 load ammunition before a shoot aboard USS Makin Island here Feb. 26. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.  Photo by Cpl. Gene A. Ainsworth III