U.S. Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit stand at the ready during a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) as the ship operates in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California on Sept. 10, 2011. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group is conducting a composite training unit exercise, which is designed to test capabilities and ensure overall readiness before deployment.