Pic of the day. July 17, 2011.

11th MEU is either dialing up the training like a bunch of raving madmen (I like that) or else the Public Affairs Office is really hitting on stories that are catching my interest.  Either way, their upcoming deployment will be one worth watching.  I don't know the CO of this unit from Adam but it appears that he's about to put the Special Operations Capable back into the MEU(SOC) concept.  And that my friends is long overdue.

Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force prepare to depart a raid site in a CH-46E Sea Knight during a night training operation here July 15. The MRF, along with a section of the unit's aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), and command element, are taking part in a large-scale exercise with ocean and urban-based scenarios.  Photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter