11th MEU conducts defense drill aboard USS Boxer in Pacific Ocean

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan Bates, a scout sniper with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sites in a .50-caliber special applications scoped rifle aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) during a defense of the amphibious task force drill in the Pacific Ocean, April 7, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Stuart)