A small team of Marines sat atop a mountain calling in close air support missions during the ground portion at Realistic Urban Training May 11. When they started receiving simulated enemy fire, they had only one option, which was to call in for support.

In the unfortunate event that an aircraft goes down, pilots can rest assured the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit has trained a 24-man platoon to come and get them.

Precision-like shooting has become more than a goal for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force, it's a requirement. To meet this standard, they proved their skill to Special Operations Training Group during a live-fire qualification, May 8.

More than 400 Marines and sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit began conducting the ground portion of Realistic Urban Training, here, May 7.

Two years ago, then Gunnery Sgt. Jason S. Dempsey, deployed to Afghanistan serving as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal section leader with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, 1st Marine Division (Forward), where he would display exceptional bravery on numerous occasions.

Light glimmered from the ocean across the corroded steel beams. A faint hum grew from the distance, eventually becoming clear that it was the rotors of many helicopters approaching. Within moments, helicopters were flying overhead and circling the oil platform as a team of force reconnaissance Marines stealthily made their assault below.

During the month of April, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force began training with Special Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, here and Naval Base San Diego.

Non-combatant evacuation operations are one of many standing missions a MEU can be called upon to execute. This operation’s main effort was 15th MEU’s logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion 15. They were responsible for the safe extract of the non-combatants along with transport and military police to name a few.

Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be training along California’s central coast April 15-21 to ready the unit for its deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions beginning later this year.

"Train how you fight," rang true when more than 100 Marines and sailors with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted their helicopter raid at night as a part of MEU Exercise, at Range 800, here, April 9.

Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise is designed to train the unit as a Marine Air Ground Task Force in preparation for their upcoming deployment. It is the first exercise that integrates all elements of the MAGTF.

Pumps, hoses and generators worked together to turn water from the Pacific Ocean into the same quality that comes from a home faucet or store shelf.

The construction of the facility took the Marines an entire day. It includes two large working tents, two large metal storage containers and six pallets of concertina wire, all for a training facility half the size of one they would build if called to shore.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted a simulated tactical recovery of personnel as a part of MEU Exercise, April 3. Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise is the first training that integrates all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force.

The parade deck at San Mateo was filled with Marines March 29, as Sgt. Ryan T. Sotelo, a San Mateo, Calif. native, was awarded the Silver Star. He was honored for the actions he took as a squad leader with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment while deployed to Sangin District, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

During his visit, Panetta toured the ship, had lunch with Marines and sailors, re-enlisted and pinned awards on several service members, and held a brief press conference with the media. Panetta came to visit the Marines and sailors to reinforce his commitment to maintaining an expeditionary fighting force.

Marines strained their necks as they looked up toward the sky at what could only be described as a giant balloon flying above Camp Delmar, March 29. Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit trained with a new communications system that expands the capabilities of the Marine Air Ground Task Force.

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, with all of its major subordinate commands, began a communications exercise at Camp Delmar, March 19, to practice establishing communication links.

Former President Jimmy Carter visited the USS Peleliu, piered at U.S. Naval Station San Diego, to learn about the capabilities of the Navy-Marine Corps team, March 3.

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit inherited its necessary major subordinate elements required to composite into a complete Marine Air-Ground Task Force, here Feb. 20.

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Amphibious Squadron 3, and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force debarked from the USS Peleliu, Feb. 13, marking the end of Exercise Iron Fist 2012. After finishing the last training event, the service members packed their gear and headed back to Camp Pendleton.

Ship-to-shore operations are one of the many focuses of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Feb. 10-13, Marines with Alpha Company, 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, and soldiers with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force rehearsed the tasks of an infantry battalion during an at-sea period, the final event of Exercise Iron Fist 2012.

Close air support, artillery and Naval gun fire all came in to play as a fire power control team from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and forward observers with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force trained on San Clemente Island, Feb. 12.

Several distinguished visitors boarded the USS Peleliu to observe the culminating event of Exercise Iron Fist 2012 where service members from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force conducted a weeklong at-sea period.

Marines and sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and soldiers with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force packed their gear and loaded the USS Peleliu February 6, for an amphibious operation to be hosted at San Clemente Island, as a part of Exercise Iron Fist 2012.

Marines from Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conducted a night helocast off the shore of Red Beach during a night helocast training exercise, Feb. 1. The Marines trained alongside Japanese Rangers from the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force as part of Exercise Iron Fist 2012, a bilateral training exercise between the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the JGSDF.

Marines and Japanese soldiers conducted helo-dunking egress training, simulated casualty drills and abandon ship techniques from a 10-meter platform during Exercise Iron Fist 2012, at the Camp Horno pool, Jan 28. Iron Fist is a bi-lateral training exercise between the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force.

Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and Japanese soldiers with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force practiced helo casting at the Red Beach training area, Jan. 30.

Soldiers with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force participated in a combined arms training exercise on Camp Pendleton, Jan. 24 through Feb. 1.

Soldiers with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force participated in a combined arms training exercise on Camp Pendleton, Jan. 24 through Feb. 1.

Japanese soldiers with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, donned full wetsuits for boat training hosted at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, yesterday.

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit welcomed the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force here, at the opening ceremony of Exercise Iron Fist 2012, Jan. 23.

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit was recognized for its perseverance to safety on its last deployment, Tuesday, at the Camp Del Mar Parade Deck.

The military offers many unique experiences and challenges for Marines and sailors. At times, it can be difficult for families to overcome these obstacles. To help support the military life, the Marine Corps created family readiness officers who provide the tools, information and resources to help service members and their families to get ahead.

For more stories, visit the 15th MEU Public Affairs Site.