Marines and sailors with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to embark on Assault Amphibian Vehicles prior to conducting a mechanized assault from the USS New York (LPD-21) onto an enemy objective on land at Camp Lejeune, Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.