Photos

Sgt. Chad Burpee, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, guides cargo onto an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during an air delivery training exercise while forward deployed in the Middle East, March 9, 2017. The training served as an opportunity for the VMM-165 aircrew to increase their proficiency in aerial cargo delivery. SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a well-trained crisis response unit that has the ability to project combat power over vast distances using organic aviation, logistical and ground combat assets. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall

Sgt. Chad Burpee, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, secures cargo in an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft before take-off during an air delivery training exercise while forward deployed in the Middle East, March 9, 2017. The training served as an opportunity for the VMM-165 aircrew to increase their proficiency in aerial cargo delivery. SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a well-trained crisis response unit that has the ability to project combat power over vast distances using organic aviation, logistical and ground combat assets. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall

Sgt. Chad Burpee, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, cuts and releases cargo during an air delivery training exercise while forward deployed in the Middle East, March 9, 2017. The training served as an opportunity for the VMM-165 aircrew to increase their proficiency in aerial cargo delivery. SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a well-trained crisis response unit that has the ability to project combat power over vast distances using organic aviation, logistical and ground combat assets. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall

Sgt. Mark Hernandez and Sgt. Branden Shaw, crew chiefs with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, observe the cargo drop from the ramp of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during an air delivery training exercise while forward deployed in the Middle East, March 9, 2017. The training served as an opportunity for the VMM-165 aircrew to increase their proficiency in aerial cargo delivery. SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a well-trained crisis response unit that has the ability to project combat power over vast distances using organic aviation, logistical and ground combat assets. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, release cargo during an air delivery training exercise while forward deployed in the Middle East, March 9, 2017. The training served as an opportunity for the VMM-165 aircrew to increase their proficiency in aerial cargo delivery. SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a well-trained crisis response unit that has the ability to project combat power over vast distances using organic aviation, logistical and ground combat assets. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall

Lance Cpl. William Hatley, a mortarman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, trains with the Marines of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces to provide notional suppression fire for the assault force during a raid training exercise in Saudi Arabia, March 9, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson)

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson

Staff Sgt. John Williams, the platoon sergeant of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, and Marines with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, lead an assault team to clear a building during a squad attack exercise, March 9, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson)

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson

Marines of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces use thermal imaging binoculars to find the heat signatures of objects placed in different positions in Saudi Arabia, March 8, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson)

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson

Cpl. Philip Kline, a scout sniper with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, leads the Marines of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces to test PVS-14 monocular night vision devices in Saudi Arabia, March 8, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson)

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson

Staff Sgt. John Williams, the platoon sergeant of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, reveals a notional improvised explosive device during counter-IED training in Saudi Arabia, March 7, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson)

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson

Lance Cpl. Ryan Honeycutt, a machine gunner with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, establishes sight alignment during movement under fire drills in Saudi Arabia, March 6, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson)

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson

Cpl. Charles Bump, a vehicle commander and Cpl. Nicholas Hoff, a scout sniper, with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, rehearse movement to contact procedures with the Marines of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces while in Saudi Arabia, March 6, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson)

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson

Staff Sgt. John Williams, the platoon sergeant of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, shoots an azimuth to set a sector of fire on range cards while training with the Marines of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces while in Saudi Arabia, March 6, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson)

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson

Cpl. Brendan Smith, a vehicle commander with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, conducts appropriate immediate action drills for the .50-caliber machine gun in Saudi Arabia, March 6, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson)

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson

On March 2-4, 2017, U.S. Marines with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command conducted concurrent crisis response training exercises in two different areas within USCENTCOM. An embassy reinforcement exercise and a non-combatant evacuation exercise were conducted; each designed to test the SPMAGTF’s crisis response capabilities. These exercises took place over the same weekend with SPMAGTF personnel specially trained for each unique mission. The ability to successfully conduct simultaneous exercises in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility highlights the SPMAGTF’s flexibility and capacity to respond to a variety of crisis response contingencies. The Marines of SPMAGTF-CR-CC received highly effective and realistic training prior to arriving in the U.S. Central Command area of operations and continuously train to increase proficiency. SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a well-trained crisis response unit that has the ability to project combat power over vast distances using organic aviation, logistical and ground combat assets.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jonathan Myrick, from Montgomery, Alabama, conducts electrical maintenance checks with Sgt. Levi Torres from Shepheard, Texas, avionics technicians deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 231, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, March 2, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-CC continues its commitment to support OIR and USCENTCOM through employment of kinetic air strike missions, security cooperation and crisis response assets within the region. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan Potts, a powerline mechanic deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 231, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, conducts pre-flight checks with Lt. Ben Britten, an AV-8B Harrier pilot with the Royal Navy, , March 2, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-CC continues its commitment to support OIR and USCENTCOM through employment of kinetic air strike missions, security cooperation and crisis response assets within the region. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jacob Miller, an airframes mechanic deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 231, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, conducts a pre-flight check on an AV-8B Harrier, March 2, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-CC continues its commitment to support OIR and USCENTCOM through employment of kinetic air strike missions, security cooperation and crisis response assets within the region. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kyle McGroarty, an airframes mechanic deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 231, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, conducts a pre-flight check on an AV-8B Harrier, March 2, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-CC continues its commitment to support OIR and USCENTCOM through employment of kinetic air strike missions, security cooperation and crisis response assets within the region. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Levi Torres, an avionics technician deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 231, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, conducts a pre-flight check on an AV-8B Harrier, March 2, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-CC continues its commitment to support OIR and USCENTCOM through employment of kinetic air strike missions, security cooperation and crisis response assets within the region. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole