Lance Cpl. Steve Smith, supply clerk with Regimental Combat Team 5 and a member of Provincial Rifle Platoon 3, learns how to disassemble and reassemble a M240G machine gun Sept. 3 at Camp Ripper, Iraq. The majority of PRP-3 is comprised of Marines from non-infantry military occupational specialties who will soon be serving on a mission involving security in western al-Anbar province. - Lance Cpl. Steve Smith, supply clerk with Regimental Combat Team 5 and a member of Provincial Rifle Platoon 3, learns how to disassemble and reassemble a M240G machine gun Sept. 3 at Camp Ripper, Iraq. The majority of PRP-3 is comprised of Marines from non-infantry military occupational specialties who will soon be serving on a mission involving security in western al-Anbar province.
Cpl. Stephen A. Miller, 21, a mechanic from Grand Forks, N.D., with Motor Transportation Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, adjusts a rear differential while performing preventative maintenance on a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle at Camp Korean Village, Iraq, Sept. 12. The mechanics have been working long hours to support over 350 vehicles in the battalion and other units in the area.::r::::n:: - Cpl. Stephen A. Miller, 21, a mechanic from Grand Forks, N.D., with Motor Transportation Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, adjusts a rear differential while performing preventative maintenance on a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle at Camp Korean Village, Iraq, Sept. 12. The mechanics have been working long hours to support over 350 vehicles in the battalion and other units in the area.::r::::n::
Cpl. Brent J. Thibodeaux (right), 21, a gunner from Kaplan, La., and Lance Cpl. Robert C. Lenfesty, 22, an ammunition specialist from Seattle, both with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, prepare to fire a high-explosive mortar round during a shoot in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Sept. 14. The Marines fired for approximately eight hours to ensure each company within the battalion had established their standard operating procedures for mortarmen.::r::::n:: - Cpl. Brent J. Thibodeaux (right), 21, a gunner from Kaplan, La., and Lance Cpl. Robert C. Lenfesty, 22, an ammunition specialist from Seattle, both with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, prepare to fire a high-explosive mortar round during a shoot in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Sept. 14. The Marines fired for approximately eight hours to ensure each company within the battalion had established their standard operating procedures for mortarmen.::r::::n::
Cpl. Brandon J. Frazer searches in the province's west for traces of insurgent activity during an area sweep Sept. 7 by 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5. Frazer, 21, is a scout team leader from Kissimmee, Fla., serving with Alpha Company, 2nd LAR Bn. - Cpl. Brandon J. Frazer searches in the province's west for traces of insurgent activity during an area sweep Sept. 7 by 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5. Frazer, 21, is a scout team leader from Kissimmee, Fla., serving with Alpha Company, 2nd LAR Bn.
Sgt. Cody Morgan, 24, from Tombstone, Ariz., who is an infantry Marine with Mobile Assault Platoon, Regimental Combat Team 5, posts security as vehicles approach the vehicle checkpoints on a highway in al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 15. The Marines with the platoon, known as Grizzly Mobile , usually run escort missions for command staff within Regimental Combat Team 5. However, the platoon recently assisted 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, RCT-5 in desert operations that included vehicle checkpoints, patrols and census gathering.::r::::n:: - Sgt. Cody Morgan, 24, from Tombstone, Ariz., who is an infantry Marine with Mobile Assault Platoon, Regimental Combat Team 5, posts security as vehicles approach the vehicle checkpoints on a highway in al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 15. The Marines with the platoon, known as Grizzly Mobile , usually run escort missions for command staff within Regimental Combat Team 5. However, the platoon recently assisted 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, RCT-5 in desert operations that included vehicle checkpoints, patrols and census gathering.::r::::n::
Captain Seth W. MacCutcheon, company commander, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, greets Sheik Khalif Awwad Farhan in Hit, Iraq, Sept. 2. Marines from 3rd Bn., 4th Marine Regiment, RCT-5 patrolled to the home of the sheik to introduce him to the Marines from 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, who will be relieving 3rd Bn., 4th Marines. The Marines discussed the current events in the area as well as accomplishments of the past six months. ::r::::n:: - Captain Seth W. MacCutcheon, company commander, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, greets Sheik Khalif Awwad Farhan in Hit, Iraq, Sept. 2. Marines from 3rd Bn., 4th Marine Regiment, RCT-5 patrolled to the home of the sheik to introduce him to the Marines from 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, who will be relieving 3rd Bn., 4th Marines. The Marines discussed the current events in the area as well as accomplishments of the past six months. ::r::::n::
Lance Cpl. Jonathan Higgins, 21, a scout with Alpha Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, searches an abandoned house for weapons caches during a patrol through the desert of western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Sept. 3. The western al-Anbar province has changed for the better since Marines of Alpha Co. have arrived in Iraq. The caches found have lowered, the oil smuggling has decreased and the people have felt safer because of it.::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Jonathan Higgins, 21, a scout with Alpha Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, searches an abandoned house for weapons caches during a patrol through the desert of western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Sept. 3. The western al-Anbar province has changed for the better since Marines of Alpha Co. have arrived in Iraq. The caches found have lowered, the oil smuggling has decreased and the people have felt safer because of it.::r::::n::
Army Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general of Multi-National Force - Iraq, arrives at Camp Gannon, Iraq, Sept. 6 to visit Iraqi security forces along the Iraqi-Syrian border and speak with the service members at the camp. Petraeus also recognized several service members and presented them with coins. - Army Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general of Multi-National Force - Iraq, arrives at Camp Gannon, Iraq, Sept. 6 to visit Iraqi security forces along the Iraqi-Syrian border and speak with the service members at the camp. Petraeus also recognized several service members and presented them with coins.
A young boy protects his soccer balls outside the newly opened Anah Youth Center in Anah, Iraq, Aug. 30. Marines with Civil Affairs Team 5, Detachment 1, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 handed out over 60 soccer balls to the children of Anah. The balls were donated as a part of the Kick for Nick foundation, a foundation started in memory of Army Pfc. Nick Madaras, who was killed Sept. 3, 2006, in Iraq. The center had been previously used as a military outpost by Coalition forces. - A young boy protects his soccer balls outside the newly opened Anah Youth Center in Anah, Iraq, Aug. 30. Marines with Civil Affairs Team 5, Detachment 1, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 handed out over 60 soccer balls to the children of Anah. The balls were donated as a part of the Kick for Nick foundation, a foundation started in memory of Army Pfc. Nick Madaras, who was killed Sept. 3, 2006, in Iraq. The center had been previously used as a military outpost by Coalition forces.
Seaman Andrew Garrison, a corpsman with Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, emerges from his tent during a World War II reenactment in Auburn, Ind., August 2007. He wears the uniform of a WWII corpsman in the photo, but he is currently serving in western al-Anbar province, Iraq. Garrison has done over 30 reenactments and plans to do more when his deployment end - Seaman Andrew Garrison, a corpsman with Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, emerges from his tent during a World War II reenactment in Auburn, Ind., August 2007. He wears the uniform of a WWII corpsman in the photo, but he is currently serving in western al-Anbar province, Iraq. Garrison has done over 30 reenactments and plans to do more when his deployment end