A young Iraqi girl eats a piece of candy that was given to her by Marines with Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5 during a humanitarian mission in al-Anbar province, Iraq, Dec. 10. The Marines and sailors with Company A conducted operations in the area as part of Task Force Mech, RCT-5. Conducting security patrols and interacting with the local Iraqi civilians have afforded the service members an opportunity to distribute food, water and medical supplies. The Marines and sailors with Task Force Mech have also provided medical care to the local Iraqis - A young Iraqi girl eats a piece of candy that was given to her by Marines with Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5 during a humanitarian mission in al-Anbar province, Iraq, Dec. 10. The Marines and sailors with Company A conducted operations in the area as part of Task Force Mech, RCT-5. Conducting security patrols and interacting with the local Iraqi civilians have afforded the service members an opportunity to distribute food, water and medical supplies. The Marines and sailors with Task Force Mech have also provided medical care to the local Iraqis
Lance Cpl. Steve Smith, a supply warehouseman with Provisional Rifle Platoon 3, Regimental Combat Team 5, keeps security while other Marines clear a house in Rawah, Iraq, Dec. 4. Smith and PRP-3 recently completed a two-month assignment as security for Traffic Control Points 3 and 4, which are on the Rawah Bridge. - Lance Cpl. Steve Smith, a supply warehouseman with Provisional Rifle Platoon 3, Regimental Combat Team 5, keeps security while other Marines clear a house in Rawah, Iraq, Dec. 4. Smith and PRP-3 recently completed a two-month assignment as security for Traffic Control Points 3 and 4, which are on the Rawah Bridge.
Lt. Cmdr. Michael Tomlinson, a Navy chaplain with Task Force 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, helps a young Iraqi boy and his father try on the child's new shoes, Nov. 18 in Saqlawaiyah, Iraq. During one of the last operations before the battalion departed the area, about 500 pairs of childrenâ??s shoes were donated to Iraqi families as part of the ongoing "Operation Happy Feet," headed by Tomlinson. The battalion is now part of Regimental Combat Team 5 and will be operating out of Rawah. - Lt. Cmdr. Michael Tomlinson, a Navy chaplain with Task Force 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, helps a young Iraqi boy and his father try on the child's new shoes, Nov. 18 in Saqlawaiyah, Iraq. During one of the last operations before the battalion departed the area, about 500 pairs of childrenâ??s shoes were donated to Iraqi families as part of the ongoing "Operation Happy Feet," headed by Tomlinson. The battalion is now part of Regimental Combat Team 5 and will be operating out of Rawah.
Shepherds drive camels along River Road past Traffic Control Point 4 in Rawah, Iraq, Nov. 27. Marines with 3rd Squad, Provisional Rifle Platoon 3, Regimental Combat Team 5 kept security over watch on the road and the Rawah Bridge that crosses the Euphrates River in the western al Anbar province town. ::r::::n:: - Shepherds drive camels along River Road past Traffic Control Point 4 in Rawah, Iraq, Nov. 27. Marines with 3rd Squad, Provisional Rifle Platoon 3, Regimental Combat Team 5 kept security over watch on the road and the Rawah Bridge that crosses the Euphrates River in the western al Anbar province town. ::r::::n::
Lance Cpl. Jed Bolyard, 22, an infantryman from College Point, N.Y., fires the Javelin missile during an exercise near Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 8. Bolyard is with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5. The Javelin shoot was one small part of a larger combined-arms exercise, which integrated traditional infantry elements with aviation, mortars and several anti-armor systems. ::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Jed Bolyard, 22, an infantryman from College Point, N.Y., fires the Javelin missile during an exercise near Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 8. Bolyard is with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5. The Javelin shoot was one small part of a larger combined-arms exercise, which integrated traditional infantry elements with aviation, mortars and several anti-armor systems. ::r::::n::
George Akwei Mingle, a Ghanaian-born corpsman with Task Force 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, practices his architectural drawing at Combat Outpost Rawah, Iraq, Dec. 4 during his free time to keep his skills sharp as he begins his journey toward gaining his masters degree in architecture. Mingle, who moved to Alexandria, Va. after finishing his bachelor's degree in Ghana, hopes to eventually become an officer in the Seabees and establish himself as an independent architect.::r::::n:: - George Akwei Mingle, a Ghanaian-born corpsman with Task Force 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, practices his architectural drawing at Combat Outpost Rawah, Iraq, Dec. 4 during his free time to keep his skills sharp as he begins his journey toward gaining his masters degree in architecture. Mingle, who moved to Alexandria, Va. after finishing his bachelor's degree in Ghana, hopes to eventually become an officer in the Seabees and establish himself as an independent architect.::r::::n::
Gunnery Sgt Gary M. Gonzalez, 40, from La Puente, Calif., who is the team chief with Civil Affairs Team 5, Detachment 1, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, signs the paperwork on the final payment of the Hassah School renovation project in Hassah, Iraq, Nov. 30. The school is the only educational facility in the town and therefore receives heavy usage from the townâ??s youth. The renovations the school received will help it provide a better education. ::r::::n:: - Gunnery Sgt Gary M. Gonzalez, 40, from La Puente, Calif., who is the team chief with Civil Affairs Team 5, Detachment 1, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, signs the paperwork on the final payment of the Hassah School renovation project in Hassah, Iraq, Nov. 30. The school is the only educational facility in the town and therefore receives heavy usage from the townâ??s youth. The renovations the school received will help it provide a better education. ::r::::n::
Lance Cpl. Kyle Friel, a motor transport mechanic with Civil Affairs Team 5, Detachment 1, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, carefully navigates his way across what used to be the riverbed of the Euphrates River near the city of Anah, Iraq, Dec. 1. The river level has been in a steady decline due to poor rainfall and lack of water being released from the Haditha Dam. The people of Anah are attempting to dredge the riverbed to preserve their water supply and prevent a drought for them and the surrounding towns. ::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Kyle Friel, a motor transport mechanic with Civil Affairs Team 5, Detachment 1, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, carefully navigates his way across what used to be the riverbed of the Euphrates River near the city of Anah, Iraq, Dec. 1. The river level has been in a steady decline due to poor rainfall and lack of water being released from the Haditha Dam. The people of Anah are attempting to dredge the riverbed to preserve their water supply and prevent a drought for them and the surrounding towns. ::r::::n::
Lance Cpl. Allan Desruisseaux, a telephone system and personal computer repair technician with Provisional Rifle Platoon 3, Regimental Combat Team 5, covers a window while other Marines clear a building Dec. 4 in Rawah, Iraq. Desruisseaux lost more than 100 pounds in 10 months, graduating Marine Corps recruit training weighing 189 pounds after tipping the scales at 326 pounds. Desruisseauxâ??s dedication to becoming a Marine, and his work ethic after joining, is an inspiration to the Marines around him.::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Allan Desruisseaux, a telephone system and personal computer repair technician with Provisional Rifle Platoon 3, Regimental Combat Team 5, covers a window while other Marines clear a building Dec. 4 in Rawah, Iraq. Desruisseaux lost more than 100 pounds in 10 months, graduating Marine Corps recruit training weighing 189 pounds after tipping the scales at 326 pounds. Desruisseauxâ??s dedication to becoming a Marine, and his work ethic after joining, is an inspiration to the Marines around him.::r::::n::
Petty Officer 2nd Class Bridget Shanahan, a corpsman with Shock Trauma Platoon, 2nd Combat Logistics Battalion, and Lance Cpl. Michael Johnson, a wireman with Communications Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, hand out stuffed animals to a second grade student at Houran Primary School in Rutbah, Iraq, Dec. 2. Not only was this the first time most of the children at Houran had ever interacted with Coalition forces, but it was an education in the integral role that females serve in the U.S. military.::r::::n:: - Petty Officer 2nd Class Bridget Shanahan, a corpsman with Shock Trauma Platoon, 2nd Combat Logistics Battalion, and Lance Cpl. Michael Johnson, a wireman with Communications Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, hand out stuffed animals to a second grade student at Houran Primary School in Rutbah, Iraq, Dec. 2. Not only was this the first time most of the children at Houran had ever interacted with Coalition forces, but it was an education in the integral role that females serve in the U.S. military.::r::::n::