CHANGI NAVAL BASE, Singapore (Dec. 12, 2011) Marines serving with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) prepare to depart the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) to begin a training exercise. The unit embarked Makin Island, the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) in San Diego Nov. 14 to begin a seven-month deployment to the western Pacific and Middle East regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Gene Allen Ainsworth III)