Marines with Combat Logistic Battalion (CLB) 11 prepare a 6,200 pound steel beam for a CH-53E Super Stallion lift aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 7. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 and CLB-11 practiced daytime external lift training to prepare for deployments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released) - Marines with Combat Logistic Battalion (CLB) 11 prepare a 6,200 pound steel beam for a CH-53E Super Stallion lift aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 7. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 and CLB-11 practiced daytime external lift training to prepare for deployments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released)

A convoy with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 pauses in the desert of southwest Afghanistan May 4. MWSS-273 Marines and Sailors traveled to southwestern Afghanistan to build a safe helicopter landing zone for the personnel of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. - A convoy with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 pauses in the desert of southwest Afghanistan May 4. MWSS-273 Marines and Sailors traveled to southwestern Afghanistan to build a safe helicopter landing zone for the personnel of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.

Cpl. Ryan Smith, a UH-1Y Huey crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), puts a de-linker back together on an M134 Minigun. The Huey is being prepped as the troops in contact, or TIC, response aircraft. HMLA-369 responds to TIC requests when coalition forces call for immediate aerial support. - Cpl. Ryan Smith, a UH-1Y Huey crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), puts a de-linker back together on an M134 Minigun. The Huey is being prepped as the troops in contact, or TIC, response aircraft. HMLA-369 responds to TIC requests when coalition forces call for immediate aerial support.

U.S. Marine Maj. Joshua Nelson, an Mk4 "Sea King" pilot with 846 Naval Air Squadron, Commando Helicopter Force in the Royal Navy, is participating in the Marine Corps Foreign Personnel Exchange Program. Nelson is a CH-46E "Sea Knight" pilot for the Corps, but has flown the Sea King for a year and a half with the Royal Navy. The MCFPEP was created during World War II to keep close relationships between friendly nations and coalition partners. - U.S. Marine Maj. Joshua Nelson, an Mk4 "Sea King" pilot with 846 Naval Air Squadron, Commando Helicopter Force in the Royal Navy, is participating in the Marine Corps Foreign Personnel Exchange Program. Nelson is a CH-46E "Sea Knight" pilot for the Corps, but has flown the Sea King for a year and a half with the Royal Navy. The MCFPEP was created during World War II to keep close relationships between friendly nations and coalition partners.