An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 Reinforced, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares to takeoff from the flight deck of the USS Bataan (LHD 5) off the coast of North Carolina, Dec. 15, 2012. The touch and go landings were a part of the unit's qualifications required for deployment. The 26th MEU operates continuously across the globe, providing the president and unified combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, sea-based quick reaction force. The MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations. The 26th MEU is slated to deploy in 2013. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Stone/Released)
Cpl. Chris Stone
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