U.S. Marines and U.S. Sailors assigned to Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/2, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), make preparations for an exercise in the well deck of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) at sea, April 20, 2013. The 26th MEU is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of operations aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group. The 26th MEU operates continuously across the globe, providing the president and unified combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, sea-based quick reaction force. The MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle N. Runnels/Released)