Marines and sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with members of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group observe the Suez Canal transit on the flight deck of the USS Iwo Jima, May 1, 2012. The transit through the Suez Canal marks the 24th MEU's and Iwo Jima ARG's entrance into U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Iwo Jima ARG, is deployed as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve and crisis response force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.