Staff Sgt. Richard A. Gonzales, team chief, Detachment 1, Civil Affairs Team 3, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, takes advantage of the safe surroundings during one of the meetings with Hit city officials April 23. CAT 3 tries to encourage officials to find Iraqi solutions to Iraqi problems. By meeting with city officials, the Marines are able to give better advice if their help is required. - Staff Sgt. Richard A. Gonzales, team chief, Detachment 1, Civil Affairs Team 3, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, takes advantage of the safe surroundings during one of the meetings with Hit city officials April 23. CAT 3 tries to encourage officials to find Iraqi solutions to Iraqi problems. By meeting with city officials, the Marines are able to give better advice if their help is required.

Workers, who were hired by a local contractor, put some of the finishing touches on the wall that will surround the newly refurbished teachers institute in Hit, Iraq, April 13. The institute is expected to be completed in June and will be capable of training 300 elementary level teachers at any given time. - Workers, who were hired by a local contractor, put some of the finishing touches on the wall that will surround the newly refurbished teachers institute in Hit, Iraq, April 13. The institute is expected to be completed in June and will be capable of training 300 elementary level teachers at any given time.

Muhanded Turkay, a construction worker, digs a trench for plumbing systems for a new Iraqi Army compound in Western Al Anbar province, Iraq, April 16. Marines with Task Force Mustang, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, have been conducting security operations to ensure workers of the compound are able to work without the worry of being in danger. - Muhanded Turkay, a construction worker, digs a trench for plumbing systems for a new Iraqi Army compound in Western Al Anbar province, Iraq, April 16. Marines with Task Force Mustang, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, have been conducting security operations to ensure workers of the compound are able to work without the worry of being in danger.

Cpl. Andrew M. Oquendo, a scout with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, stands in front of a light armored vehicle at Camp Korean Village, Iraq, April 16. Oquendo, 22, from Paterson, N.J., joined the Marine Corps infantry after being a photographer for the U.S. Air Force. "I wanted to be a Marine ever since I joined the military," said Oquendo. "I worked hard to get where I am today, and it is extremely rewarding in every aspect." - Cpl. Andrew M. Oquendo, a scout with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, stands in front of a light armored vehicle at Camp Korean Village, Iraq, April 16. Oquendo, 22, from Paterson, N.J., joined the Marine Corps infantry after being a photographer for the U.S. Air Force. "I wanted to be a Marine ever since I joined the military," said Oquendo. "I worked hard to get where I am today, and it is extremely rewarding in every aspect."

Pfc. Nolanray C. Perlas, a light armored vehicle crewman with Task Force Mustang, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, slides a box containing a field shower mechanism during a re-supply operation of western Anbar province, Iraq, April 18. - Pfc. Nolanray C. Perlas, a light armored vehicle crewman with Task Force Mustang, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, slides a box containing a field shower mechanism during a re-supply operation of western Anbar province, Iraq, April 18.

Lance Cpl. Migdad Mustafa, a combat engineer with Company A, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, works with an Iraqi contractor Sunday at the Tahadi power plant. The engineers with 3rd CEB placed 265 Bangalore Torpedoes in pre-drilled holes to blast through a bed of limestone for Iraqi contractors. The Iraqi contractors are making a cooling pond for the generators. Once the project is completed, the power plant should supply the residents of Al Anbar province with additional power. - Lance Cpl. Migdad Mustafa, a combat engineer with Company A, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, works with an Iraqi contractor Sunday at the Tahadi power plant. The engineers with 3rd CEB placed 265 Bangalore Torpedoes in pre-drilled holes to blast through a bed of limestone for Iraqi contractors. The Iraqi contractors are making a cooling pond for the generators. Once the project is completed, the power plant should supply the residents of Al Anbar province with additional power.

Cpl. Ahmed Adeyemi, 22, a switchboard operator with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5, returns his noncommissioned officer sword after completing the drill exam for RCT-5â??s corporal course April 16 at Camp Ripper, Iraq. Despite being deployed to Iraq for a year, RCT-5 held a Corporals Course to instill leadership and confidence into its NCOs. - Cpl. Ahmed Adeyemi, 22, a switchboard operator with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5, returns his noncommissioned officer sword after completing the drill exam for RCT-5â??s corporal course April 16 at Camp Ripper, Iraq. Despite being deployed to Iraq for a year, RCT-5 held a Corporals Course to instill leadership and confidence into its NCOs.

Iraqi Police and guards perform vehicle searches and control the flow of traffic through entry control point 1, here April 17. While Marines remain at ECPs, they maintain an overwatch position for the Iraqis, who are working at providing security for themselves. - Iraqi Police and guards perform vehicle searches and control the flow of traffic through entry control point 1, here April 17. While Marines remain at ECPs, they maintain an overwatch position for the Iraqis, who are working at providing security for themselves.

Staff Sgt. Paul Riley, the platoon commander for the battalion commander's jump platoon, Task Force 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, stands at attention during his re-enlistment ceremony at Camp Al Qa'im, Iraq, April 13. Though Riley has been through both struggle and success throughout his Marine Corps career, his choice to recently re-enlist was an easy one for him. (Photo by Cpl. Billy Hall) - Staff Sgt. Paul Riley, the platoon commander for the battalion commander's jump platoon, Task Force 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, stands at attention during his re-enlistment ceremony at Camp Al Qa'im, Iraq, April 13. Though Riley has been through both struggle and success throughout his Marine Corps career, his choice to recently re-enlist was an easy one for him. (Photo by Cpl. Billy Hall)