U.S. Marines observe the point of impact for 81 mm mortars during an adversarial force exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 3, 2024. The AFX is the primary readiness-building event prior to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division’s upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan. The unit will spend the coming months focusing on different military operations in an urban terrain to prepare for its deployment into the first island chain, ensuring the Marines are fully manned, trained and equipped to meet mission challenges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Madisyn Paschal)