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1st Marine Division

I Marine Expeditionary Force

Archive: 2006

In western Iraq, hundreds eager to join new Iraqi Army, combat insurgency in Al Anbar province

In this small, mostly-Sunni region nestled along the Euphrates River in Al Anbar province, Iraqi men say they are fed up with the insurgency in Iraq, and are doing something about it – joining the Iraqi Army. More than 189 Iraqi men, most 30’ish in age, lined up to sign their name on the dotted line and enlist for service during a May 8 Iraqi Army

Marines work to improve living conditions, infrastructure in Iraq’s Haditha Triad region

Maj. Chris K. Mace loves to hand out cash. The 38-year-old leads a handful of Marines who spend their days rebuilding schools, hospitals and giving monetary reimbursement to Iraqis whose property has been damaged during three years worth of combat operations. “We have made a lot of progress, but there is still a lot more to be made,” said Mace, a

Side SAPI plate saves life

When an optional piece of gear became mandatory, complaints were lodged, but when the gear did its job - saving a Marine’s life - a few opinions were changed. Lance Cpl. Robert F. Dean, a light armored vehicle crewman with D Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, owes his life to the small arms protective insert he had strapped to

Combat engineers honor their fallen

Two rifles, helmets, sets of boots and identification tags were placed in front of a packed house to honor two fallen Marine engineers. Marines from 1st Combat Engineer Battalion’s B Company paused May 13 to memorialize two killed in action earlier this month. The service was held at Camp Fallujah’s Chapel of Hope. Lance Cpl. Robert L. Moscillo

2nd Reconnaissance Battalion memorializes fallen Marine

Marines from 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5 in Fallujah, paused to honor Cpl. Stephen R. Bixler. Bixler was killed in action May 4, 2006. He was 20-years-old. Bixler was assigned to 2nd Recon Bn.’s Headquarters and Service Company, Provisional Rifle Platoon. “Cpl. Bixler was a vibrant, active man,” said Lt.

Marines gather to honor fallen brother

Sgt. John J. Malm will never forget the times he spent with his previous commanding officer, Capt. Brian S. Letendre. Some of his fondest memories involve sharing something they both had an appreciation for, a good beer. “Every Friday we would get together to test taste beers,” said Malm, from Randle, Wash. “We would hand out grading sheets and

Marines bring smiles to local village

Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment brought smiles to the faces of hundreds of Iraqis in a small village near here May 11. A squad of Marines from A Company delivered much needed and desired supplies to children and adults living in the battalion’s area of operations north of Gharmah. “Basically we are on a mission of good will,” said

Iraqi soldiers keep criminals out of former smuggler’s town

In this urban city located in the center of miles of open desert in western Al Anbar province, Iraqi soldiers are taking the lead in operations to keep criminals and insurgents out of the region. The Iraqi soldiers are doing the majority of the work here – checking IDs, searching cars and people at the city’s various checkpoints – while Coalition

Marines reach out to Iraqi schoolchildren in need

Class just settled down when some Iraqi kids received a welcome distraction from their studies – Marines. Marines of Civil Affairs Group Detachment 3, Team 1, attached to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment visited the Al Nabatiya Elementary School near Fallujah, bearing boxes of toys and school supplies May 9. “The kids were really excited,” said

Battalion’s operations continue in Gharmah

Marines are finding that one of the most essential elements in preventing insurgent activity is the simple but effective method of providing a visible presence to the population. Marines from A Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment put this method into action by conducting foot patrols and vehicle checkpoints here May 9. “This part of our

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