 Starting down the road to war, roughly 150 Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare for the multi-week engagement against the brigade of Australian soldiers during Exercise Hamel 2012. Gulf Company of the Italian landing team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, will use their distinct tactics and abilities to test the oncoming Australians for the fighting style foreign to their own, adding that extra sense of uncertainty and realism to the scenario. The US Marines will bring a very light expeditionary focus to this operation. We'll see a little bit of what they do of their tactics, checking some procedures, and they'll see some of what we do. The Marines will become familiar with the unique Australian environment as they conduct foot patrols and guerrilla-style engagements, all aimed at certifying first brigade for operational deployment. Corporal Jonathan Wright, Shell Water Bay, Australia.