Cpl. Fernando Barajas, 22, a combat engineer with Route Clearance Platoon, Company A, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, carries a piece of ordnance Aug. 28 in the western Anbar province, Iraq. The platoon conducted a cache sweep which yielded more than 530 ordnance rounds and more than 5,000 anti-aircraft and .50 cal rounds. The platoon traveled more than 40,000 yards on foot searching for possible cache sites Aug. 26-30.::r::::n:: - Cpl. Fernando Barajas, 22, a combat engineer with Route Clearance Platoon, Company A, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, carries a piece of ordnance Aug. 28 in the western Anbar province, Iraq. The platoon conducted a cache sweep which yielded more than 530 ordnance rounds and more than 5,000 anti-aircraft and .50 cal rounds. The platoon traveled more than 40,000 yards on foot searching for possible cache sites Aug. 26-30.::r::::n::
Providing security during a vehicle check point mission, Pvt. Samol Hali, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 29th Iraqi Army Brigade, protects the soldiers searching a vehicle in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 24. Although the soldiers have assumed control of an area near Rutbah, they have continued to work hand and hand with Marines of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5.::r::::n:: - Providing security during a vehicle check point mission, Pvt. Samol Hali, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 29th Iraqi Army Brigade, protects the soldiers searching a vehicle in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 24. Although the soldiers have assumed control of an area near Rutbah, they have continued to work hand and hand with Marines of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5.::r::::n::
Navy Lt. Michael W. Pruitt, 34, battalion surgeon, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, examines a 5-year-old Sudanese girlâ??s mouth during a medical engagement in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 25. The Sudanese refugees originally came to Baghdad, Iraq, approximately 20 years ago to pursue a better education and occupation to help their families. For the past three years, they have been living in the desert in tents. Coalition forces and Iraqi Security Forces make regular visits to check on the refugees. The community is slated to be relocated to a more established and safer area in the future. - Navy Lt. Michael W. Pruitt, 34, battalion surgeon, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, examines a 5-year-old Sudanese girlâ??s mouth during a medical engagement in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 25. The Sudanese refugees originally came to Baghdad, Iraq, approximately 20 years ago to pursue a better education and occupation to help their families. For the past three years, they have been living in the desert in tents. Coalition forces and Iraqi Security Forces make regular visits to check on the refugees. The community is slated to be relocated to a more established and safer area in the future.
Roger Parrino, a law enforcement professional with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, questions a suspected insurgent Aug. 20 in Hit, Iraq. Parrino, 47, from New York City, assists the battalion with criminal investigations. His responsibilities include making cases against insurgents and mentoring the National Intelligence and Investigation Agency, which acts like a local FBI in Hit. Parrino has 21 years of law enforcement experience that he uses to assist Coalition forces. - Roger Parrino, a law enforcement professional with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, questions a suspected insurgent Aug. 20 in Hit, Iraq. Parrino, 47, from New York City, assists the battalion with criminal investigations. His responsibilities include making cases against insurgents and mentoring the National Intelligence and Investigation Agency, which acts like a local FBI in Hit. Parrino has 21 years of law enforcement experience that he uses to assist Coalition forces.
Cpl. Darnell G. Liesinger, 24, from Sioux Falls, S.D., who is a civil affairs team member with Civil Affairs team 5, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, shows an Iraqi boy his multi-tool during a meeting at the Rawah, Iraq, mayorâ??s office Aug. 12. Liesinger is an individual ready reservist who has returned to active duty to serve as a civil affairs Marine. Liesinger did three previous deployments to Iraq as an infantry Marine and is now transitioning from kicking in doors to shaking hands.::r::::n:: - Cpl. Darnell G. Liesinger, 24, from Sioux Falls, S.D., who is a civil affairs team member with Civil Affairs team 5, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, shows an Iraqi boy his multi-tool during a meeting at the Rawah, Iraq, mayorâ??s office Aug. 12. Liesinger is an individual ready reservist who has returned to active duty to serve as a civil affairs Marine. Liesinger did three previous deployments to Iraq as an infantry Marine and is now transitioning from kicking in doors to shaking hands.::r::::n::
Injecting an illumination round into the chamber of a M-777 Howitzer, Lance Cpls. Justin R. Burch (left), and Kristopher A. Bowers, both cannoneers with Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, ensure the round is properly inserted during an illumination round shoot at Patrol Base El Dorado, Iraq, Aug. 23. When not illuminating the night sky, the battery has engaged in combat patrols through the city of Rutbah. Mike Battery is a reserve artillery battery based out of Chattanooga, Tenn., and attached to 2nd LAR Bn.::r::::n:: - Injecting an illumination round into the chamber of a M-777 Howitzer, Lance Cpls. Justin R. Burch (left), and Kristopher A. Bowers, both cannoneers with Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, ensure the round is properly inserted during an illumination round shoot at Patrol Base El Dorado, Iraq, Aug. 23. When not illuminating the night sky, the battery has engaged in combat patrols through the city of Rutbah. Mike Battery is a reserve artillery battery based out of Chattanooga, Tenn., and attached to 2nd LAR Bn.::r::::n::
Lance Cpl. Michael Stangelo, a rifleman with Company F, Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, climbs a barrier while en route to the civic center in Rawah, Iraq, August 17. Marines with Company F have moved out of the city of Rawah, but still patrol the streets of the city to assist the Iraqi Security Forces.::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Michael Stangelo, a rifleman with Company F, Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, climbs a barrier while en route to the civic center in Rawah, Iraq, August 17. Marines with Company F have moved out of the city of Rawah, but still patrol the streets of the city to assist the Iraqi Security Forces.::r::::n::::r::::n::
Members of 1st Platoon, Company A, 4th Assault Amphibious Battalion, Multi-National Force - West, await air transport aboard a CH-53E helicopter Aug. 22 at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. The battalion, now tasked as the quick-reaction force for MNF-W after four months of serving as a provincial rifle team, is learning their new responsibilities as the QRF. The Marines constantly hone their abilities and teamwork. - Members of 1st Platoon, Company A, 4th Assault Amphibious Battalion, Multi-National Force - West, await air transport aboard a CH-53E helicopter Aug. 22 at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. The battalion, now tasked as the quick-reaction force for MNF-W after four months of serving as a provincial rifle team, is learning their new responsibilities as the QRF. The Marines constantly hone their abilities and teamwork.
Private First Class Joe N. Viruet, a field radio operator with Jump Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, provides security during an operation in Hit, Iraq, Aug. 21. Marines with Jump Platoon have been performing combat patrols through Hit to assist the battalionâ??s law enforcement professional. The platoon has been conducting the missions when they are not escorting the battalionâ??s commanding officer through their large area of operations.::r::::n:: - Private First Class Joe N. Viruet, a field radio operator with Jump Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, provides security during an operation in Hit, Iraq, Aug. 21. Marines with Jump Platoon have been performing combat patrols through Hit to assist the battalionâ??s law enforcement professional. The platoon has been conducting the missions when they are not escorting the battalionâ??s commanding officer through their large area of operations.::r::::n::
A bulldozer pushes up dirt to create a berm Aug. 13 along the Iraq and Syrian border. Approximately 30,000 yards of berm were created during an almost two-week-long mission. Marines with Support Platoon, Company A, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5 surveyed the entire border, filling in gaps on the berm in order to prevent people from crossing the border illegally. - A bulldozer pushes up dirt to create a berm Aug. 13 along the Iraq and Syrian border. Approximately 30,000 yards of berm were created during an almost two-week-long mission. Marines with Support Platoon, Company A, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5 surveyed the entire border, filling in gaps on the berm in order to prevent people from crossing the border illegally.