AV-8B Harrier Live Fire Exercise

B-roll of how an AV-8B Harrier conducts a live fire training exercise off the coast, Fla., on Dec, 1, 2011. The Harrier takes off and lands on the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) during the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON-8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. The AV-8B Harriers are a detachment from VMA-542 based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Reinforced), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU. (Official USMC Motion Imagery by Lance Cpl. Tucker S. Wolf/Released)