Seaman Apprentice Edaline Laporte, a cullinary specialist aboard USS Peleliu, prepares onion rings for lunch in the galley of the enlisted mess deck aboard ship.::r::::n:: The Marines and Sailors who make the mess decks run smoothly are the mess-men who prepare and serve nearly 2,400 trays per meal 4-times a day. ::r::::n:: On average, the mess-men use over 1,000 pounds of meat or poultry per meal and over a ton of fruits and vegetables per day.::r::::n:: Mess duty consists of 30 12-hour days on one of USS Peleliu's three mess decks. Mess-men help prepare, serve and store food aboard USS Peleliu as well as keeping the mess decks clean.::r::::n:: The Camp Pendleton, Calif. based 15th MEU is comprised of approximately 2,200 Marines and Sailors and is a forward deployed force of readiness capable of conducting numerous operations, such as Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations, Humanitarian Assistance Operations and a wide range of amphibious missions. The 15th MEU is currently deployed aboard the USS PELELIU (LHA-5), USS DUBUQUE (LPD-8) and USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD-52). (Official US Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Timothy T. Parish) (Released)