Cpl. Chris M. McQuitty, assistant platoon leader, 3rd Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, points out a road that insurgents could use to avoid vehicle checkpoints near Hit, Iraq, July 11. Marines with Company L performed a reconnaissance patrol through the outskirts of Hit in search of routes the enemy could use to smuggle contraband into Hit. The information gathered during the patrol will help the company make the area around Hit safer for Coalition forces and the Iraqis that live there. - Cpl. Chris M. McQuitty, assistant platoon leader, 3rd Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, points out a road that insurgents could use to avoid vehicle checkpoints near Hit, Iraq, July 11. Marines with Company L performed a reconnaissance patrol through the outskirts of Hit in search of routes the enemy could use to smuggle contraband into Hit. The information gathered during the patrol will help the company make the area around Hit safer for Coalition forces and the Iraqis that live there.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen speaks to about 400 Marines, sailors, airmen and soldiers assigned to Task Force 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix. The admiral traveled here to personally thank the service members for their wartime service, highlighting his visit by answering questions and handing out hundreds of his signature coins. He also took the time to officially promote Maj. Rory L. Nichols, the task force’s operations officer, to his present rank. Adm. Mullen serves as the principal military advisor to the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and Homeland Security Council. He was sworn in as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 1, 2007. A Los Angeles native, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968. TF 2/7 is currently deployed throughout the Helmand and Farah provinces to train, mentor and advise the Afghan National Police. - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen speaks to about 400 Marines, sailors, airmen and soldiers assigned to Task Force 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix. The admiral traveled here to personally thank the service members for their wartime service, highlighting his visit by answering questions and handing out hundreds of his signature coins. He also took the time to officially promote Maj. Rory L. Nichols, the task force’s operations officer, to his present rank. Adm. Mullen serves as the principal military advisor to the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and Homeland Security Council. He was sworn in as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 1, 2007. A Los Angeles native, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968. TF 2/7 is currently deployed throughout the Helmand and Farah provinces to train, mentor and advise the Afghan National Police.
(left) Lt. Col. Brett A. Bourne, the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, and Col. Saleh Mahdi Shaheen al-Alwani, the district chief of police for Ramadi, enjoys a meal cooked by the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines’ food service specialist at the battalion’s command operating center on Camp Ramadi June 25. “It’s great to host the Iraqis,” said Staff Sgt. Van Jenkins, a food service specialist with 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, and a certified chef. “It shows a great gesture of friendship. Food is one of those special things that brings people together and allows everybody to just sit down and talk about anything.” (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones) - (left) Lt. Col. Brett A. Bourne, the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, and Col. Saleh Mahdi Shaheen al-Alwani, the district chief of police for Ramadi, enjoys a meal cooked by the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines’ food service specialist at the battalion’s command operating center on Camp Ramadi June 25. “It’s great to host the Iraqis,” said Staff Sgt. Van Jenkins, a food service specialist with 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, and a certified chef. “It shows a great gesture of friendship. Food is one of those special things that brings people together and allows everybody to just sit down and talk about anything.” (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones)
The Provincial Government Center in Ramadi, Iraq June 25. The government center was a key target for insurgents because it represented the prospects of peace and prosperity in the province. Marines, under constant attacks, refused to give up the building to guerillas. The attacks became a daily part of life for them. “We received plenty of small arms and indirect fire along with rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs always popped up,” said 1st Sgt. Patrick J. Dostal, the Headquarters and Service Company first sergeant with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, who served in Ramadi in 2006 and is on his second deployment to the city. “But, I always knew the Marines would do whatever they needed to do to protect our area of operation around the center.”(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jeremy Giacomino) (RELEASED) - The Provincial Government Center in Ramadi, Iraq June 25. The government center was a key target for insurgents because it represented the prospects of peace and prosperity in the province. Marines, under constant attacks, refused to give up the building to guerillas. The attacks became a daily part of life for them. “We received plenty of small arms and indirect fire along with rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs always popped up,” said 1st Sgt. Patrick J. Dostal, the Headquarters and Service Company first sergeant with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, who served in Ramadi in 2006 and is on his second deployment to the city. “But, I always knew the Marines would do whatever they needed to do to protect our area of operation around the center.”(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jeremy Giacomino) (RELEASED)
Alwait Muhammad Ahi, a patrolman with the Akashat Police Department, raises the Iraqi National Ensign during a ceremony to recognize the passing of responsibility for Akashat, Iraq, from Coalition forces to Iraqi Police July 9. The department will operate without Coalition forces, but the Marines with Delta Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd LAR Bn., Regimental Combat Team 5 will remain vigilant to support them if needed.::r::::n:: - Alwait Muhammad Ahi, a patrolman with the Akashat Police Department, raises the Iraqi National Ensign during a ceremony to recognize the passing of responsibility for Akashat, Iraq, from Coalition forces to Iraqi Police July 9. The department will operate without Coalition forces, but the Marines with Delta Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd LAR Bn., Regimental Combat Team 5 will remain vigilant to support them if needed.::r::::n::
RAMADI, Iraq (July 8, 2008) - An instructor for the Women’s Literacy Program in Ramadi teaches a class of women July 6. The program’s classes are held daily at four locations in the city and are designed to teach illiterate women how to read and write Arabic, while also teaching more educated women the fundamentals of English. - RAMADI, Iraq (July 8, 2008) - An instructor for the Women’s Literacy Program in Ramadi teaches a class of women July 6. The program’s classes are held daily at four locations in the city and are designed to teach illiterate women how to read and write Arabic, while also teaching more educated women the fundamentals of English.
FALLUJAH, Iraq (July 8, 2008) - Cpl. Luke J. Weber (top left), a sentry with Guard Force, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, and Lance Cpl. Michael Smith (bottom/top right), originally a mortarman with the battalion, guard the entry points of Camp Baharia in Fallujah, July 8. While terrorist activity has reached a lull, the sentries' job is still arguably one of the most important, as the battalion relies on them to keep the base secure. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED) - FALLUJAH, Iraq (July 8, 2008) - Cpl. Luke J. Weber (top left), a sentry with Guard Force, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, and Lance Cpl. Michael Smith (bottom/top right), originally a mortarman with the battalion, guard the entry points of Camp Baharia in Fallujah, July 8. While terrorist activity has reached a lull, the sentries' job is still arguably one of the most important, as the battalion relies on them to keep the base secure. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED)
Lance Cpl. Patrick Bass, a small-arms repair technician with Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, dresses a simulated wound on the arm of another Marine during the Combat Lifesaver Course at Camp Al Qaâ??im, Iraq, July 8. The corpsmen with the battalion will teach as many Combat Lifesaver Courses as possible during their deployment. They will also teach the Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course to sergeants and higher ranking individuals who are already combat lifesaver certified. - Lance Cpl. Patrick Bass, a small-arms repair technician with Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, dresses a simulated wound on the arm of another Marine during the Combat Lifesaver Course at Camp Al Qaâ??im, Iraq, July 8. The corpsmen with the battalion will teach as many Combat Lifesaver Courses as possible during their deployment. They will also teach the Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course to sergeants and higher ranking individuals who are already combat lifesaver certified.
Lance Cpl. Josh A. Buege, a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, provides overhead security at a combined medical engagement in Mudiq, Iraq, July 6. - Lance Cpl. Josh A. Buege, a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, provides overhead security at a combined medical engagement in Mudiq, Iraq, July 6.
An Iraqi business owner receives a grant from Capt. Paul Webber, company commander, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, and Gnather Iraqi Police officials July 7, in Karma, Iraq. The grant was intended to help his business and benefit the local economy. Three other local business owners also received grants. (Photo by Cpl. Chadwick deBree) - An Iraqi business owner receives a grant from Capt. Paul Webber, company commander, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, and Gnather Iraqi Police officials July 7, in Karma, Iraq. The grant was intended to help his business and benefit the local economy. Three other local business owners also received grants. (Photo by Cpl. Chadwick deBree)