U.S. Marines practice security positioning for a squad urban fundamentals course during an adversary force exercise at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 5, 2024. The AFX is the primary readiness-building event prior to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment’s upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan, in support of the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program. The exercise serves as an opportunity to receive training across all warfighting functions in a realistic and fully resourced environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orion Stpierre)