The following image, taken on Sept. 15, shows a target as seen through a scout sniper observation telescope of a U.S. Marine with 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The Marines were involved in high-angle marksmanship training as part of a three-week training package, focused on the application of infantry skills, in rugged mountain terrain, in Djibouti.
The magnification effect of the telescope is impressive and let you imagine what a very well hidden, camouflaged sniper could do from distance, to a target of opportunity, as a pilot flight-checking his gunship helicopter, or an armed guard on patrol.
Image credit: U.S. Marine Corps
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24th MEU is deployed with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 operating on board the LHD-7 “Iwo Jima” a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship.
The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group is a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout U.S. Central Command and the Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
Since it is capable to perform NEOs (Noncombatant Evacuation Operations), it may be involved in the evacuation of the U.S. diplomatic missions in Sudan, Yemen, or Libya, should the need arise.
A MEU is made of 2,200 Marines and sailors deployed as a Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) that includes a Marine infantry battalion equipped with tanks, amphibious assault vehicles, light artillery as well as Mv-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, AV-8B Harrier combat planes, UH-1N Huey and AH-1Y Cobra helicopters.
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