Corporal Joel L. Ortega, squad leader, 3rd Squad, 2nd Platoon, India Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, gives a class on patrolling to soldiers with the Timor-Leste Defense Force, as part of Exercise Crocodilo 2012, Oct. 13. Crocodilo12 serves as the first exercise scheduled during the MEU's deployment that began on Sept. 17. Throughout the exercise, forces will participate in various events to include field exercises and community relations activities aimed at strengthening the relationship between the US and Timor-Leste. The 15th MEU is currently embarked as part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group, while they serve as the nation's rapid-response sea-based Marine Air Ground Task Force for Western Pacific Deployment 12-02. Ortega, 27, is from Miami.