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Cpl. Samuel Tardani, a rifleman with Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, fires an M27 infantry automatic rifle during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 16, 2018. Tardani, native of Muskegon, Michigan, graduated from Mona Shores High School in June 2015 before enlisting in October 2015. Company F, the helicopter-borne raid element with BLT 2/5, conducted this training to refine marksmanship skills during the fall patrol. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Angelo Garavito/Released)

Cpl. Samuel Tardani, a rifleman with Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, fires an M27 infantry automatic rifle during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 16, 2018. Tardani, native of Muskegon, Michigan, graduated from Mona Shores High School in June 2015 before enlisting in October 2015. Company F, the helicopter-borne raid element with BLT 2/5, conducted this training to refine marksmanship skills during the fall patrol. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Angelo Garavito/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Angelo Garavito

Lance Cpl. Isaiah J. Cotton, a rifleman with Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, fires an M4 carbine during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 16, 2018. Cotton, a native of Springfield, Illinois, graduated Springfield Southeast High School in May 2015; he enlisted November 2016. Company F, the helicopter-borne raid element with BLT 2/5, conducted this training to refine marksmanship skills during the fall patrol. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Angelo Garavito/Released)

Lance Cpl. Isaiah J. Cotton, a rifleman with Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, fires an M4 carbine during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 16, 2018. Cotton, a native of Springfield, Illinois, graduated Springfield Southeast High School in May 2015; he enlisted November 2016. Company F, the helicopter-borne raid element with BLT 2/5, conducted this training to refine marksmanship skills during the fall patrol. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Angelo Garavito/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Angelo Garavito

Marines with Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, look downrange during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 16, 2018. Company F, the helicopter-borne raid element with BLT 2/5, conducted this training to refine marksmanship skills during the fall patrol. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Angelo Garavito/Released)

Marines with Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, look downrange during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 16, 2018. Company F, the helicopter-borne raid element with BLT 2/5, conducted this training to refine marksmanship skills during the fall patrol. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Angelo Garavito/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Angelo Garavito

A reconnaissance Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon fires an M1911 .45-caliber pistol during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 17, 2018. Marines with ARP specialize in reconnaissance, surveillance and close-quarters tactics during amphibious operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances/Released)

A reconnaissance Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon fires an M1911 .45-caliber pistol during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 17, 2018. Marines with ARP specialize in reconnaissance, surveillance and close-quarters tactics during amphibious operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis Betances

A reconnaissance Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon reaches for a pistol magazine to reload during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 17, 2018. Marines with ARP specialize in reconnaissance, surveillance and close-quarters tactics during amphibious operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances/Released)

A reconnaissance Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon reaches for a pistol magazine to reload during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 17, 2018. Marines with ARP specialize in reconnaissance, surveillance and close-quarters tactics during amphibious operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis Betances

A reconnaissance Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon fires an M249 squad automatic weapon during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 16, 2018. Marines with ARP specialize in close-quarters tactics during amphibious operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall/Released)

A reconnaissance Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon fires an M249 squad automatic weapon during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 16, 2018. Marines with ARP specialize in close-quarters tactics during amphibious operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon exit a U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter during Helocast and Special Patrol Insertion and Extraction training, underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 14, 2018. The Seahawk belongs to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25. Helocasting and SPIE operations allow the recon Marines to enter and exit tactical landing zones that are inaccessible to helicopters during amphibious operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kealii De Los Santos)

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon exit a U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter during Helocast and Special Patrol Insertion and Extraction training, underway in the East China Sea, Oct. 14, 2018. The Seahawk belongs to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25. Helocasting and SPIE operations allow the recon Marines to enter and exit tactical landing zones that are inaccessible to helicopters during amphibious operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kealii De Los Santos)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Keali De Los Santos

Lance Cpl. Haley Suarez, an inventory management specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, plays with a child during a 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Family Day held at the Camp Courtney Chapel aboard Camp Courtney, Oct. 13, 2018. The event was held to allow families of Marines and Sailors currently deployed on the MEU to come together and offered face painting, bouncy houses and food and drinks. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Cantrell/Released)

Lance Cpl. Haley Suarez, an inventory management specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, plays with a child during a 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Family Day held at the Camp Courtney Chapel aboard Camp Courtney, Oct. 13, 2018. The event was held to allow families of Marines and Sailors currently deployed on the MEU to come together and offered face painting, bouncy houses and food and drinks. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Cantrell/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Isaac Cantrell

Lance Cpl. Michael Misbach, an intelligence specialist with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, operates an Instant Eye Mk-2 GEN3-A0 small unmanned aerial system during an inspection aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Oct. 11, 2018. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Ground Combat Element tested the Instant Eye to ensure operational close reconnaissance capabilities during the fall patrol. Misbach, a native of New Haven, Connecticut, graduated from East Haven High School in June 2014. He enlisted January 2017. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides flexible force ready to provide a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances)

Lance Cpl. Michael Misbach, an intelligence specialist with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, operates an Instant Eye Mk-2 GEN3-A0 small unmanned aerial system during an inspection aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Oct. 11, 2018. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Ground Combat Element tested the Instant Eye to ensure operational close reconnaissance capabilities during the fall patrol. Misbach, a native of New Haven, Connecticut, graduated from East Haven High School in June 2014. He enlisted January 2017. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides flexible force ready to provide a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis Betances

Faculty advisors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit stand at attention for the Marines’ Hymn during a corporal’s course graduation aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 27, 2018. Corporal’s course, usually a three-week course, is condensed to two weeks while underway. The course helps Marine leaders/Noncommissioned Officers refine their understanding of small unit leadership principles.The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall/Released)

Faculty advisors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit stand at attention for the Marines’ Hymn during a corporal’s course graduation aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 27, 2018. Corporal’s course, usually a three-week course, is condensed to two weeks while underway. The course helps Marine leaders/Noncommissioned Officers refine their understanding of small unit leadership principles.The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall

ROTA, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - Col. Robert Brodie, right, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), shakes hands with Efraim Atalig, left, the mayor of Rota, during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Corporal Joe Junior G. Charfauros Veterans Memorial Park in Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Sept. 14, 2018. Service members from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command are providing Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and working with Guam and CNMI civil and local officials for Typhoon Mangkhut recovery efforts. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall/Released)

ROTA, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - Col. Robert Brodie, right, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), shakes hands with Efraim Atalig, left, the mayor of Rota, during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Corporal Joe Junior G. Charfauros Veterans Memorial Park in Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Sept. 14, 2018. Service members from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command are providing Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and working with Guam and CNMI civil and local officials for Typhoon Mangkhut recovery efforts. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon disconnect from a line affixed to a U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter during Special Patrol Insertion and Extraction training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Oct. 11, 2018. SPIE rigging allows Marines to enter and exit tactical landing zones that are inaccessible to helicopters during amphibious operations. The Seahawk belongs to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kealii De Los Santos/Released)

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon disconnect from a line affixed to a U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter during Special Patrol Insertion and Extraction training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Oct. 11, 2018. SPIE rigging allows Marines to enter and exit tactical landing zones that are inaccessible to helicopters during amphibious operations. The Seahawk belongs to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kealii De Los Santos/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Kealii De Los Santos

River boats navigate the Singapore River, Oct. 4, 2018. Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the “Lion City” aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) October 2 for a port visit after more than a month at sea during a regularly-scheduled patrol of the Indo-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Gunnery Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)

River boats navigate the Singapore River, Oct. 4, 2018. Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the “Lion City” aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) October 2 for a port visit after more than a month at sea during a regularly-scheduled patrol of the Indo-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Gunnery Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. T. T. Parish

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Sailors with the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) stand atop the port side of the flight deck as the ship departs the island nation of Singapore, Oct. 7, 2018. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU arrived in Singapore aboard the Wasp October 2 for a port visit after more than a month at sea during a regularly-scheduled patrol of the Indo-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Gunnery Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Sailors with the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) stand atop the port side of the flight deck as the ship departs the island nation of Singapore, Oct. 7, 2018. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU arrived in Singapore aboard the Wasp October 2 for a port visit after more than a month at sea during a regularly-scheduled patrol of the Indo-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Gunnery Sgt. T. T. Parish/Released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. T. T. Parish

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter belonging to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced) lifts a Humvee during Helicopter Support Team training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Oct. 1, 2018. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct HST training to rehearse aerial resupply. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall)

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter belonging to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced) lifts a Humvee during Helicopter Support Team training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Oct. 1, 2018. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct HST training to rehearse aerial resupply. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall

Staff Sgt. Dallas Allen, the platoon sergeant for Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, instructs Marines during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 30, 2018. Allen, a native of Gloucester, Virginia, graduated Gloucester High School, June 2005; he enlisted in June 2007. While underway, Marines conduct live-fire exercises on the flight deck and in the hangar bay to refine marksmanship tactics and techniques. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kealii De Los Santos/Released)

Staff Sgt. Dallas Allen, the platoon sergeant for Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, instructs Marines during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 30, 2018. Allen, a native of Gloucester, Virginia, graduated Gloucester High School, June 2005; he enlisted in June 2007. While underway, Marines conduct live-fire exercises on the flight deck and in the hangar bay to refine marksmanship tactics and techniques. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kealii De Los Santos/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Kealii De Los Santos

Sgt. Samuel Helmuth, left, and Gunnery Sgt. Bruce Richard request ammunition from the crew of a Light Armored Vehicle during gunnery training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 24, 2018. Helmuth is an LAV crewman and Richard is the platoon sergeant, both with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. During the training, the Marines staged LAVs atop the Wasp’s flight deck to refine their gunnery capabilities to act as ship security. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances/Released)

Sgt. Samuel Helmuth, left, and Gunnery Sgt. Bruce Richard request ammunition from the crew of a Light Armored Vehicle during gunnery training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 24, 2018. Helmuth is an LAV crewman and Richard is the platoon sergeant, both with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. During the training, the Marines staged LAVs atop the Wasp’s flight deck to refine their gunnery capabilities to act as ship security. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances

A Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit guides Marines toward the belly opening of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during fast rope training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 25, 2018. Fast roping allows Marines to quickly enter otherwise inaccessible locations from above. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall)

A Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit guides Marines toward the belly opening of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during fast rope training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 25, 2018. Fast roping allows Marines to quickly enter otherwise inaccessible locations from above. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall

Pfc. Tyler Cornelius, a rifleman with Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, aims an M4 carbine during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 25, 2018. Company F is the helicopter-borne raid element with BLT 2/5, the Ground Combat Element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Cornelius, a native of Kalispell, Montana, graduated from Columbia Falls High School in June 2017 before enlisting the same year. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances/Released)

Pfc. Tyler Cornelius, a rifleman with Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, aims an M4 carbine during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 25, 2018. Company F is the helicopter-borne raid element with BLT 2/5, the Ground Combat Element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Cornelius, a native of Kalispell, Montana, graduated from Columbia Falls High School in June 2017 before enlisting the same year. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances

Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, fire a Light Armored Vehicle’s M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun during a defense of the amphibious task force drill aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 27, 2018. As part of the DATF-D, the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team assumed a security posture to simulate travelling through potentially dangerous waters. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp ARG, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances)

Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, fire a Light Armored Vehicle’s M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun during a defense of the amphibious task force drill aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 27, 2018. As part of the DATF-D, the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team assumed a security posture to simulate travelling through potentially dangerous waters. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp ARG, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances