11th MEU conducts live-fire drill aboard USS Portland in Pacific Ocean

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Dontae Smith, a field artillery radar operator with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires a .50-caliber machine gun during a defense of the amphibious task force live-fire drill aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) in the Pacific Ocean, April 3, 2026. The 11th MEU is currently underway aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations demonstrating the United States’ long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Luke Rodriguez)