24th MEU at Kuwait Naval Base.

Photos by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

Army Staff Sgt. Duane Gendreau, a UH-60 Blackhawk crew chief, teaches the fundamentals of boarding and exiting a Blackhawk helicopter to Marines with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, July 7, 2012. The instruction is in preparation for upcoming joint training between 24th MEU Marines and Soldiers currently deployed to Camp Buehring. The 24th MEU is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.  NOTE:  I've never understood Army procedure when it comes to offloading from a UH-60.  The thought that as soon as you get off you take a few steps and get prone?  Seems as if the Helicopter is taking fire you and it are toast and you can get not only a kill on the airplane but also the troops.  But it must work cause they're still doing it, still I'd love to hear the rationale behind it all.

Lance Cpl. Daniel Huynh, a Baton Rouge, La., native and team leader with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, posts security during dismount drills on an Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter aboard Camp Buehring, Kuwait, July 7, 2012. The instruction is in preparation for upcoming joint training between 24th MEU Marines and Soldiers currently deployed to Camp Buehring. The 24th MEU is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security

Marines with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fasten their seat belts while conducting stationary mounting procedures in an Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter aboard Camp Buehring, Kuwait, July 7, 2012. The instruction is in preparation for upcoming joint training between 24th MEU Marines and Soldiers currently deployed to Camp Buehring. The 24th MEU is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, clear rooms in a building during close-quarters combat training at Udairi Range in Kuwait, July 3, 2012. A contingent of Marines from the 24th MEU is ashore in Kuwait conducting sustainment training during their regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, run across an open area during close-quarters combat training at Udairi Range in Kuwait, July 3, 2012. A contingent of Marines from the 24th MEU is ashore in Kuwait conducting sustainment training during their regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, take cover while providing suppressing fire on a building during close-quarters combat training at Udairi Range in Kuwait, July 3, 2012. A contingent of Marines from the 24th MEU is ashore in Kuwait conducting sustainment training during their regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Lance Cpl. Trevor Wedesky, a Milford, Mich., native and automatic rifleman with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides simulated suppressing fire for his fellow Marines during close-quarters combat training at Udairi Range in Kuwait, July 3, 2012. A contingent of Marines from the 24th MEU is ashore in Kuwait conducting sustainment training during their regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve for U.S. Central Command and is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.