More than 2,300 Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit began a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions Nov. 14 after embarking USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor here.

A rifle company with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit eliminated mock enemy forces here Oct. 4 during the unit’s final exercise before deploying in November.

Marines and sailors from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be tested on their ability to conduct missions from the sea during their certification exercise Sept. 29 to Oct. 12 aboard USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor and at military bases throughout Southern California.

A rifle company with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit raided simulated enemy installations here Sept. 12 during the unit’s second at-sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May.

PACIFIC OCEAN — Training to retake a hijacked seagoing vessel, maritime raiders boarded their floating objective miles from Southern California's San Clemente Island Aug. 14, while overhead, helicopters flew unseen snipers and heavy guns.