Reconnaissance Marines perform craft operations

Photos by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 move an inflatable boat aboard USS Makin Island here April 4. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marine Capt. Brendan Mahoney checks a piece of equipment aboard USS Makin Island before conducting a shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. Mahoney serves as a platoon commander with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 mount inflatable boats aboard USS Makin Island before conducting a shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 push off USS Makin Island's stern gate in inflatable boats before conducting a shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 float away in an inflatable boat from USS Makin Island's stern gate to conduct shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 float away in an inflatable boat from USS Makin Island's stern gate to conduct shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 prepare inflatable boats aboard USS Makin Island here April 4 before conducting shoreline reconnaissance. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marine Sgt. Tommy Gill prepares equipment aboard USS Makin Island here April 4 before conducting shoreline reconnaissance. Gill serves as a team leader with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marine Capt. Brendan Mahoney briefs his Marines aboard USS Makin Island before conducting a shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. Mahoney serves as a platoon commander with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.