Marines assigned to 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, gather around an initiating device hidden under a piece of tire rubber during an improvised explosive device detection training exercise at Fort Pickett, Va., Sept. 6, 2012. IED training is a vital part of the MEU's pre-deployment exercises to ensure that Marines and sailors know how to react swiftly and safely in the event of an attack to minimize casualties and gain the offensive against the enemy. The 26th MEU is slated to deploy in 2013.