Crestforte

Staff Sgt. Eric Haller, an ordnance chief, and Cpl. Michael Gardner, an ordnance technician, both with the ordnance department, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and naives of Hollister, Calif. and Orlando, Fla. respectively, load a 2.75-inch high explosive rocket into the tube of an LAU 61 rocket launcher on an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter at the Marine camp landing zone here, Feb. 17. Tactical air operations are part of Cobra Gold 2013, a multinational exercise that promotes regional prosperity, security and cooperation among partner militaries. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps' force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.