Readiness

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Vernal Emhoolah, left, a native of Texas, and Pfc. Kyle VanSteenbergen, a native of North Carolina, both low-altitude air-defense gunners with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion, Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), aim a simulated FIM-92 Stinger missile during a Base Defense Zone (BDZ) exercise at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, June 11, 2024. Marines from 2nd LAAD, MACS-24 and Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 271 executed this exercise to enhance confidence and proficiency in BDZ operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)