U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Justin Mercado-Henriquez, left, and Cpl. Jose Nunez both machine gunners with Animal Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, set security with an M240B on the defensive line during a simulated assault and seizure at Glen Airfield, Queensland, Australia, July 2-7, 2025. Marines capture and control objectives to enable future MEU operations such as a forward arming and refueling point on the airfield. The 31st MEU is operating aboard the ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Mercado-Henriquez is a native of Puerto Rico and Nunez is a native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola)