Snipers with the Italian Army fire Sako TRG-42 sniper rifles during bilateral training between the Italian Army and U.S. Marines from Scout Sniper Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as part of Exercise Eager Lion 12 here, May 15, 2012. During Eager Lion 12, the 24th MEU will participate in a variety of training exercises with partnered nations at different locations throughout the country to increase interoperability and learn about other countries' militaries. Eager Lion 12 is a recurring, multi-national exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships through a joint, whole-of-government, multinational approach to future complex national security challenges. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the Central Command area of operations as a theater reserve and crisis response force.