Staff Sgt. Kevin Groff, 29, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter

Staff Sgt. Kevin Groff, 29, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Essex, Ill., native, watches the horizon while standing behind an M2 .50-caliber heavy machine gun during a live-fire training flight here, May 17, as part of Exercise Eager Lion 12. Eager Lion 12 is taking place throughout the month of May and is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of more than 19 participating partner nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU who, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater security and crisis response force.