File:M1 Abrams turret fire above.jpg

English: Lance Cpl. William Laffoon, tank crewman with Tank Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, braces himself after firing a 120mm round from an M1A1 Abrams battle tank during a live-fire range in Djibouti, Africa, March 30. The Marine tanks engaged several targets alongside the French Foreign Legion’s 13th Demi-Brigade as part of a bi-lateral training exercise where both countries militaries learned about each other’s armored capabilities. The 24th MEU performed a series of sustainment and bi-lateral training exercises alongside the French military during a month-long rotation of troops from the 24th MEU in Djibouti. The 24th MEU deployed in January aboard Navy ships of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, and is currently serving as the theatre reserve force for Central Command. The training in Djibouti is one of the various training exercise the 24th MEU is conducting while in CENTCOM.