Samir Miflih Hamid, a local program manager in Haditha, Iraq, speaks with members of the Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team and US Agency for International Development in a newly refurbished technical school Monday. The ePRT and USAID members have funded more than $2 million in projects since February in efforts to rebuild Iraq. The technical school will offer machinery and mechanical classes to both men and women once completed. - Samir Miflih Hamid, a local program manager in Haditha, Iraq, speaks with members of the Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team and US Agency for International Development in a newly refurbished technical school Monday. The ePRT and USAID members have funded more than $2 million in projects since February in efforts to rebuild Iraq. The technical school will offer machinery and mechanical classes to both men and women once completed.

Gunnery Sgt. Gary M. Gonzales, the assistant team leader with Detachment 1, Civil Affairs Team 5, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, inspects the outside of a building in Anah, Iraq, May 20, that is being refurbished after Coalition forces relocated. The building was previously a hotel that belonged to the local government. Until recently, the hotel was being used as a combat outpost and joint community center. - Gunnery Sgt. Gary M. Gonzales, the assistant team leader with Detachment 1, Civil Affairs Team 5, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, inspects the outside of a building in Anah, Iraq, May 20, that is being refurbished after Coalition forces relocated. The building was previously a hotel that belonged to the local government. Until recently, the hotel was being used as a combat outpost and joint community center.

Sgt. Joseph Gaines, Team 5 sergeant of operations with the Civil Affairs Group (CAG) supporting the area of operations for 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-1, surveys a partially standing structure for teardown on a main intersection in the Jolan district of Fallujah here May 19. Civil Affairs teams assess current and future projects in the city for improvements. Coalition Forces and Jolan officials conduct bi-weekly meetings to determine what work needs to be accomplished in the area. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED) - Sgt. Joseph Gaines, Team 5 sergeant of operations with the Civil Affairs Group (CAG) supporting the area of operations for 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-1, surveys a partially standing structure for teardown on a main intersection in the Jolan district of Fallujah here May 19. Civil Affairs teams assess current and future projects in the city for improvements. Coalition Forces and Jolan officials conduct bi-weekly meetings to determine what work needs to be accomplished in the area. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED)

An Iraqi man speaks with an Iraqi Police Officer May 18, at the Iraqi Police Station in Karma, before he is released back to his family. Approximately 40 Iraqis were released after being fully screened and prepped to return home. - An Iraqi man speaks with an Iraqi Police Officer May 18, at the Iraqi Police Station in Karma, before he is released back to his family. Approximately 40 Iraqis were released after being fully screened and prepped to return home.

Cmdr. Larry M. Young (left) and Lt. Cmdr. Steve A. Penley (right), both are electronic warfare officers for Regimental Combat Team 5, stop for a moment while on a patrol in Hit, Iraq, May 5, while they were monitoring radio units in the area. Young has been deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, since August 2007 and will soon return to the Navy staff at the Pentagon. Penley is replacing Young as the EWO for RCT-5 and is scheduled to remain here until later this year. - Cmdr. Larry M. Young (left) and Lt. Cmdr. Steve A. Penley (right), both are electronic warfare officers for Regimental Combat Team 5, stop for a moment while on a patrol in Hit, Iraq, May 5, while they were monitoring radio units in the area. Young has been deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, since August 2007 and will soon return to the Navy staff at the Pentagon. Penley is replacing Young as the EWO for RCT-5 and is scheduled to remain here until later this year.

A group of Iraqi Army special forces soldiers fire their AK-47s at targets to sight in their newly issued weapons while Marines with Heliborne Assault Platoon, Regimental Combat Team 5, monitor them and give tips on marksmanship at a range on Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, May15. The IA participated in a combat sustainment course where they first reviewed basic marksmanship and then sighted in their AK-47s. The special forces group trains and operates with Marines to assist them in assault missions. - A group of Iraqi Army special forces soldiers fire their AK-47s at targets to sight in their newly issued weapons while Marines with Heliborne Assault Platoon, Regimental Combat Team 5, monitor them and give tips on marksmanship at a range on Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, May15. The IA participated in a combat sustainment course where they first reviewed basic marksmanship and then sighted in their AK-47s. The special forces group trains and operates with Marines to assist them in assault missions.

Marines from Battery M, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment fire an M777 howitzer during a training exercise aboard Camp Fallujah, Iraq, April 19. Marines from the battery are supporting a myriad of roles during their deployment with Regimental Combat Team 1 including personal security detachments and explosive ordnance disposal security teams. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Nathaniel C. LeBlanc) - Marines from Battery M, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment fire an M777 howitzer during a training exercise aboard Camp Fallujah, Iraq, April 19. Marines from the battery are supporting a myriad of roles during their deployment with Regimental Combat Team 1 including personal security detachments and explosive ordnance disposal security teams. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Nathaniel C. LeBlanc)

Sgt. Dennis K. Derr II, Section A leader, Mobile Assault Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-1, and his section of Marines are deployed well away from their higher command near the city of Fallujah. The tight-knit group makes daily patrols through Amariyah, Ferris Town and surrounding areas, working with Iraqi Police and Provincial Security Forces to halt terrorist activity. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED) - Sgt. Dennis K. Derr II, Section A leader, Mobile Assault Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-1, and his section of Marines are deployed well away from their higher command near the city of Fallujah. The tight-knit group makes daily patrols through Amariyah, Ferris Town and surrounding areas, working with Iraqi Police and Provincial Security Forces to halt terrorist activity. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED)

RAMADI, IRAQ (May 16, 2008)- Lance Cpl. Nicholas K. Bradley, a squad automatic weapon gunner with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, and an Iraqi Army Soldier provide security during Operation Spring Break near the south side of Lake Tharthar in al Anbar Province May 13. While operating in the area, the Marines were able to build relationships with the locals. â??The results (of the operation) were quite successful,â? said Maj. Jeff McCormack, the operations officer for 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1. â??We found a weapons cache and established ties with the local fisherman. Some of the fisherman said theyâ??ve never seen an American or hadnâ??t seen an American since 2004. Everybody was very happy to see the Marines and Iraqi Army working together. So now, we feel when we go back there, we will have some locals that we can go talk to.â? (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Adam J. Root/Released) - RAMADI, IRAQ (May 16, 2008)- Lance Cpl. Nicholas K. Bradley, a squad automatic weapon gunner with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, and an Iraqi Army Soldier provide security during Operation Spring Break near the south side of Lake Tharthar in al Anbar Province May 13. While operating in the area, the Marines were able to build relationships with the locals. â??The results (of the operation) were quite successful,â? said Maj. Jeff McCormack, the operations officer for 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1. â??We found a weapons cache and established ties with the local fisherman. Some of the fisherman said theyâ??ve never seen an American or hadnâ??t seen an American since 2004. Everybody was very happy to see the Marines and Iraqi Army working together. So now, we feel when we go back there, we will have some locals that we can go talk to.â? (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Adam J. Root/Released)

Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Bouchard with the 169th Military Police Company, Police Transition Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, competes in the bench-press event of the superman competition held at the Morale Welfare and Recreation Center in Al Qa'im, Iraq, May 8. MWR holds this event once a month for service members to test their strength against one another. - Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Bouchard with the 169th Military Police Company, Police Transition Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, competes in the bench-press event of the superman competition held at the Morale Welfare and Recreation Center in Al Qa'im, Iraq, May 8. MWR holds this event once a month for service members to test their strength against one another.