Combat Assault Battalion

TANDUO BEACH, MALAYSIA (May 30, 2016) – U.S. Marines assigned to Easy Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines conduct an amphibious transition from ship to shore. The Marines are embarked aboard the USS Ashland (LSD 48) in support of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. CARAT is a series of annual, bilateral maritime exercises between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations to include Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste.The Ashland is assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Lance Cpl. Carl King Jr/. Released)

DARVEL BAY (May 30, 2016) – U.S. Marines embarked aboard the forward-deployed Whidbey Island Class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) , engage in an amphibious transition from ship to shore in support of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. CARAT is a series of annual, bilateral maritime exercises between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations to include Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste. The Marines are assigned to Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines. (U.S. Navy photo by Lance Cpl. Carl King Jr/. Released)

TANDUO BEACH, MALAYSIA (May 30, 2016) – U.S. Marines assigned to Easy Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, let down ramps of Amphibious Assault vehicles after an amphibious transition from ship to shore. The Marines are embarked with U.S. Sailors aboard the USS Ashland (LSD 48) in support of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. CARAT is a series of annual, bilateral maritime exercises between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations to include Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste. The Ashland is assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Lance Cpl. Carl King Jr/. Released)

Lt. Col. Carlos T. Jackson, right, and retired Lt. Col. Chris Emmerson, far left, pose with students from the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets in front of an Amphibious Assault Vehicle assigned to Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, May 18, 2016, at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. The Cadets visited Okinawa as part of a scholarship program which provides students the opportunity to tour military installations to learn about different occupational specialties and duty stations. This is the first time Texas A&M Corps of Cadets visited Okinawa.

Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Carlos T. Jackson, right, addresses Texas A&M Corps of Cadets visitors on the Amphibious Assault Vehicle capability provided by Combat Assault Battalion in support of the 3rd Marine Division, May 18, 2016, at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. The Cadets visited Okinawa as part of a scholarship program which provides students the opportunity to tour military installations to learn about different occupational specialties and duty stations. This is the first time Texas A&M Corps of Cadets visited Okinawa.

Marines from Combat Assault Battalion participated in a riverside clean-up of the Ocheon-eup City District February 16, 2016, in Pohang, South Korea. Approximately one ton of garbage was collected helping the community of approximately 54,000 residents. The Marines are from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, forward deployed in the Pacific.

Marines from Combat Assault Battalion participated in a riverside clean-up of the Ocheon-eup City District February 16, 2016, in Pohang, South Korea. Approximately one ton of garbage was collected helping the community of approximately 54,000 residents. The Marines are from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, forward deployed in the Pacific.

Marines from 3rd Platoon, Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion, observe the impact of 7.62 mm rounds Jan. 28 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Republic of Korea. The Marines are from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, forward deployed in the Pacific.

Marines from 3rd Platoon, Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion, apply the finishing touches to a water charge used for breaching Jan. 28 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Republic of Korea. The Marines were able to assemble and detonate several different styles of door and window charges in sub-zero temperatures. The Marines are from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, forward deployed in the Pacific.

Marines from 3rd Platoon, Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion, tie logs together with barbed wire to create obstacles Jan. 28 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Republic of Korea. The Marines are from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, forward deployed in the Pacific.

Marines from Headquarters and Service Company conduct a conditioning hike to acclimatize to the new environment Jan. 18, during their recent deployment to Rodriguez Life Fire Complex in the Republic of Korea. The Marines are from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, forward deployed in the Pacific.

Marines from Motor Transport Platoon display the US and South Korean Flags Jan. 18, during their recent deployment to Rodriguez Life Fire Complex in the Republic of Korea. The Marines are from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, forward deployed in the Pacific.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christian L. Charkowski, left, receives his graduation certificate from New Zealand Defence Force Lt. Gen. Tim Keating, at the Defence Force Command and Staff College, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2015. Charkowski is the first U.S. Marine and second U.S. service member to graduate from the college. He attended the Joint Warrant Officers’ Advanced Course there, where the objectives were to prepare senior level leaders for senior strategic advisory positions, increase the students’ knowledge of regional security for the South West Pacific and provide insight into the workings of the government. Charkowski, from Madison, Wisconsin, is the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Keating is the Chief of Defence for the New Zealand Defence Force. (Marine Corps. photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Lt. Gen. Tim Keating, center, takes a photo with the graduating class of the Defence Force Command and Staff College, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2015. Sgt. Maj. Christian L. Charkowski, in the second row, third from left, was the first U.S. Marine and second U.S. service member to graduate from the course. He attended the Joint Warrant Officers’ Advanced Course, where the objectives were to prepare senior level leaders for senior strategic advisory positions, increase the students’ knowledge of regional security for the Pacific Southwest, and provide insight into the workings of the government. Charkowski, from Madison, Wisconsin, is the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Keating is the chief of defence for the New Zealand Defence Force. (Marine Corps. photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christian L. Charkowski, right, presents a plaque to New Zealand Defence Force Commander Nigel Philpott at the Defence Force Command and Staff College, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2015. Charkowski is the first U.S. Marine and second U.S. service member to graduate from the college. He attended the Joint Warrant Officers’ Advanced Course, where the objectives were to prepare senior level leaders for senior strategic advisory positions, increase the students’ knowledge of regional security for the Southwest Pacific and provide the students with insight into the workings of the government. Charkowski, from Madison, Wisconsin, is the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Philpot, from Wellington, New Zealand, is the commandant of the Defence Force Command and Staff College. (Marine Corps. photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Maj. Kenneth A. McKean takes a photo of his wife and her target during a Jane Wayne event on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, March 18, 2016. Jane Wayne events are designed to bring families closer together and give family members the opportunity to see what their loved ones do on a daily basis. McKean, from North Ridgeville, Ohio, works in the operations section with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Hester/ Released)

Latoya M. Williams fires an M240B medium machine gun during a Jane Wayne event on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan March 18, 2016. Jane Wayne is an event that allows Marines from Combat Assault Battalion to bring their spouses or family members to interact in military based events. The events give them a better idea of what their service member does every day. At this event spouses and family members were able to shoot rifles, pistols, machine guns and ride in amphibious assault vehicles. Williams is from Crystal Springs, Mississippi, and married to 1st Sgt. Ceasare Williams, CAB, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Hester/released)

Marines and their family members put on flak jackets and Kevlar helmets, preparing to “splash” on an Amphibious Assault Vehicle during a Jane Wayne event on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, March 18, 2016. The Jane Wayne event allows Marine family members to get a first-hand experience of what they do every day. The Marines and family are with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Hester/ Released)

Gina N. Hoss, wife of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Milton W. Hoss, fires the M9 service pistol during Jayne Wayne Day on Camp Schwab, March 18, 2016. During the day Gina learned to fire the M4-A1 carbine rifle and a M240B medium machine gun. Jayne Wayne Day is an event to help show Marine families what a day is like for a Marine. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica N. Etheridge/Released)

Ayumi Marsh, wife of SSgt. Anthony K. Marsh, fires the M240B medium machine gun during Jayne Wayne Day on Camp Schwab, March 18, 2016. Throughout the day Ayumi learned to fire the M9 service pistol and M4-A1 carbine rifle. Jayne Wayne Day is an event Marines families attend to experience a day in the life of their Marine. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica N. Etheridge/Released)

Santa Claus listens to what children want for Christmas and then gives out candy canes during the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus listens to what children want for Christmas during the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

During the event, Santa’s Little Helper, Marines and children have snowball fights on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus arrives for the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus arrives in a Light Armored Vehicle for the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The LAV is with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus hugs children when he arrives for the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

NAGO, Okinawa, Japan – Cpl. Oluwaseun Bello from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, spend the day with local children at Asunaro Nursery School during the Single Marine Program Volunteer opportunity at the school Nov. 12, 2015. The Marines of CAB routinely volunteer in the local communities of Henoko and Nago, Okinawa.

NAGO, Okinawa, Japan – Marines from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, spend the day with local children at Asunaro Nursery School during the Single Marine Program Volunteer opportunity at the school Nov. 12, 2015. The Marines of CAB routinely volunteer in the local communities of Henoko and Nago, Okinawa.

Assault Amphibian Vehicle Company Marines SSgt Matthew Walker and Cpl. Robert McCarthy pin rank insignia on newly promoted Cpl. Erick Moates Sept. 2 atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, Japan. AAV Company Marines are part of Task Force Iron Fist 4 out of Camp Fuji, Japan.

Assault Amphibian Vehicle Company Marines Cpl. Joseph D. Blanton III and SSgt. Mikael B. Everett are awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal by Company Commander Maj. Timothy Riemann on Sept. 2 atop Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima. AAV Company Marines are part of Task Force Iron Fist 4 out of Camp Fuji, Japan.

AAV Company Marines Cpl. Garrett Warner, 1st Lt. Jacob Brown, 1st Lt. Matthew Franco, Cpl. Robert McCarthy, and Cpl. Daniel Morton wait for stamps on their walking sticks on their way to the summit of Mount Fuji, Japan. AAV Company Marines are part of Task Force Iron Fist 4 out of Camp Fuji, Japan.

AAV Company Marines Lance Cpl. Kellen Woods, Cpl. Dylan Lund, Lance Cpl. Dylan Bullimore, 1st Lt. Peter Morawek, Lance Cpl. Brian Rudy, and Cpl. Daniel Morton rest at Station 9 on Sept. 1 during their trek to the summit on Mount Fuji, Japan. AAV Company Marines are part of Task Force Iron Fist 4 out of Camp Fuji, Japan.

Marines and families with 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force race during the Kid’s Fun Run, at Torii Station Beach, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 15, 2015. The run was designed to help build unit morale among Marines and families of the battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie A. Dillon/Released)

Lance Cpl. Dominique A. Sparacino sets up an M18A1 claymore mine Feb. 14 at Ban Chan Krem, Kingdom of Thailand during Exercise Cobra Gold. The day’s training was intended to practice and demonstrate how to properly and safely employ various explosive charges. Sparacino is an infantry assaultman with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, which is currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, as part of the Marine Corps’ unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released)

U.S. Marine Sgt. Richard E. Bousman uses a bulldozer to push out a layer of earth from the future site of an explosive ordnance demolition site Feb. 14 at Ban Chan Krem, Kingdom of Thailand. The construction is part of field training during exercise Cobra Gold 2013 and future expansion of the training range at Ban Chan Krem. Cobra Gold is a recurring, multinational and multiservice exercise hosted annually by Thailand and developed by the Thai and U.S. militaries. Bousman is with Combat Assault Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines take firing positions Sept. 18 on the beach at Camp Schwab as part of an amphibious assault. Amphibious operations continue to be a pillar of the United States Marine Corps’ mission, according to 1st Lt. Jonathan M. Brown, a platoon commander with Assault Amphibious Vehicle Company, Combat Assault Battalion. Approximately 150 Marines and sailors with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, were transported from the USS Ashland to shore via AAVs. The service members with Weapons Company are currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. The AAVs are assigned to AAV Co., CAB, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF.

BAN CHAN KREM, CHANTHABURI, Kingdom of Thailand - U.S. Marines shield themselves from the blast of a breaching charge explosion Feb. 17 at Ban Chan Krem, Kingdom of Thailand during Exercise Cobra Gold. The day's training was intended to demonstrate how explosive ordinance disposal units prepare, construct and detonate some of their breaching charges and explain their underlying fundamentals. The Marines are with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, which is currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, as part of the Marine Corps' unit deployment program.

A mine-clearing line charge lies off to the side as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle rolls past during a deliberate defense breaching exercise Jan. 22 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. The MCLC is a line of high explosives projected into a mine field and detonated to trigger nearby mines allowing safe passage of ground troops afterward. The AAV is with Amphibious Assault Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, Japan— U. S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Carlos T. Jackson, left, answers questions regarding the capabilities and limitations of amphibious assault vehicles with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Yoshiyuki Goto Dec. 4 on Camp Schwab. The JGSDF visited Combat Assault Battalion to learn and observe the capabilities of the AAVs they consider developing their own amphibious capabilities, according to Goto. Jackson, a Detroit, Michigan, native, is the commanding officer for CAB, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Goto, an Ooita-Prefecture, Japan, native, is the commander of Western Army Infantry Regiment, JGSDF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released)

Marines and Assault Amphibious Vehicles aboard the USS Germantown prepare to depart for Camp Schwab, Japan during exercise Blue Chromite 2014 Nov. 1. Blue Chromite exercises the interoperability and joint capabilities of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps forces and increases the amphibious proficiency of participating units. The Marines and AAV’s are with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines drive an assault amphibious vehicle during Exercise Keen Sword 2013 Nov. 9. U.S. military and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel are training alongside each other at locations throughout Japan during Keep Sword, a regularly-scheduled, joint, bilateral exercise. The Marines are with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Adam B. Miller)