The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Marines, assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), stand guard as the ship transits the Suez Canal, Egypt, April 5. The MEU is currently deployed as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The 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. Christopher Q. Stone/Released)