13th MEU conducts live-fire exercise aboard USS Makin Island in U.S. 3rd Fleet

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Fernando Benitez, an artillery operations chief assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, left, acts as a primary safety officer during a small arms live-fire exercise on the port air craft elevator aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD8), Aug. 23, 2026. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are currently underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations to enhance their combined Navy-Marine Corps readiness and lethality. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Micah Malala)