ABOARD USS PELELIU (LHA 5) (Aug. 8,2008) -- Lance Cpl. Eric Hirwa, an aircraft mechanic with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-165, emigrated to the United States after being rescued from the Rwandan civil war with help from U.S. Marine Embassy Guards in 1994.::r::::n:: After arriving in the U.S. in 2001, Hirwa earned a degree in mechanical engineering before fulfilling a pledge of entering the Marine Corps, joining in October 2006.::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).::r::::n::(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Timothy T. Parish)(RELEASED)