U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, in an AAV-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle dock aboard USS Rushmore (LSD 47) off the coast of San Diego Jan. 23, 2015. The 15th MEU was embarked aboard the three ships of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group - the USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Anchorage (LPD 23), and USS Rushmore – from Jan. 22-25, to familiarize themselves with the ships as they continue to prepare for their upcoming deployment this spring. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos)