An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, Aviation Combat Element assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) performs a vertical landing on the USS Bonhomme-Richard as part of a carrier landing qualification exercise, Aug 26th, 2012. The 31st MEU regularly conducts carrier landing qualifications to maintain mission readiness as the Pacific's only forward deployed MEU. (USMC photo by Cpl M.S. Oxton, 31st MEU Combat Camera)