Providing security during a vehicle check point mission, Pvt. Samol Hali, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 29th Iraqi Army Brigade, protects the soldiers searching a vehicle in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 24. Although the soldiers have assumed control of an area near Rutbah, they have continued to work hand and hand with Marines of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5.::r::::n:: - Providing security during a vehicle check point mission, Pvt. Samol Hali, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 29th Iraqi Army Brigade, protects the soldiers searching a vehicle in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 24. Although the soldiers have assumed control of an area near Rutbah, they have continued to work hand and hand with Marines of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5.::r::::n::

Navy Lt. Michael W. Pruitt, 34, battalion surgeon, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, examines a 5-year-old Sudanese girlâ??s mouth during a medical engagement in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 25. The Sudanese refugees originally came to Baghdad, Iraq, approximately 20 years ago to pursue a better education and occupation to help their families. For the past three years, they have been living in the desert in tents. Coalition forces and Iraqi Security Forces make regular visits to check on the refugees. The community is slated to be relocated to a more established and safer area in the future. - Navy Lt. Michael W. Pruitt, 34, battalion surgeon, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, examines a 5-year-old Sudanese girlâ??s mouth during a medical engagement in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Aug. 25. The Sudanese refugees originally came to Baghdad, Iraq, approximately 20 years ago to pursue a better education and occupation to help their families. For the past three years, they have been living in the desert in tents. Coalition forces and Iraqi Security Forces make regular visits to check on the refugees. The community is slated to be relocated to a more established and safer area in the future.

JIKO, Iraq (August 30, 2008) – Navy Lt. Mickey Deel, the medical officer with Task Force 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, listens to an Iraq boy’s lungs during a combined medical engagement (CME) Aug. 30. The Tri-Cities City Council hosted the event with support and assistance from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraq Army Division, Iraq Police and Marines with Mobile Assault Company, 1st Bn., 2nd Marines. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Schmidt) - JIKO, Iraq (August 30, 2008) – Navy Lt. Mickey Deel, the medical officer with Task Force 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, listens to an Iraq boy’s lungs during a combined medical engagement (CME) Aug. 30. The Tri-Cities City Council hosted the event with support and assistance from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraq Army Division, Iraq Police and Marines with Mobile Assault Company, 1st Bn., 2nd Marines. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Schmidt)

FALLUJAH, Iraq (Aug. 30, 2008) – An Iraqi local poses for his picture that will be displayed on his identification badge during a remote badging operation here, Aug. 30. Company I, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines and Iraqi Police in the Shuhada District of Fallujah held the badge drive to serve more than 100 citizens with outdated identifications. Residents need a badge to enter the city and take advantage of employment opportunities. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED) - FALLUJAH, Iraq (Aug. 30, 2008) – An Iraqi local poses for his picture that will be displayed on his identification badge during a remote badging operation here, Aug. 30. Company I, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines and Iraqi Police in the Shuhada District of Fallujah held the badge drive to serve more than 100 citizens with outdated identifications. Residents need a badge to enter the city and take advantage of employment opportunities. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED)

Roger Parrino, a law enforcement professional with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, questions a suspected insurgent Aug. 20 in Hit, Iraq. Parrino, 47, from New York City, assists the battalion with criminal investigations. His responsibilities include making cases against insurgents and mentoring the National Intelligence and Investigation Agency, which acts like a local FBI in Hit. Parrino has 21 years of law enforcement experience that he uses to assist Coalition forces. - Roger Parrino, a law enforcement professional with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, questions a suspected insurgent Aug. 20 in Hit, Iraq. Parrino, 47, from New York City, assists the battalion with criminal investigations. His responsibilities include making cases against insurgents and mentoring the National Intelligence and Investigation Agency, which acts like a local FBI in Hit. Parrino has 21 years of law enforcement experience that he uses to assist Coalition forces.

Cpl. Darnell G. Liesinger, 24, from Sioux Falls, S.D., who is a civil affairs team member with Civil Affairs team 5, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, shows an Iraqi boy his multi-tool during a meeting at the Rawah, Iraq, mayorâ??s office Aug. 12. Liesinger is an individual ready reservist who has returned to active duty to serve as a civil affairs Marine. Liesinger did three previous deployments to Iraq as an infantry Marine and is now transitioning from kicking in doors to shaking hands.::r::::n:: - Cpl. Darnell G. Liesinger, 24, from Sioux Falls, S.D., who is a civil affairs team member with Civil Affairs team 5, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, shows an Iraqi boy his multi-tool during a meeting at the Rawah, Iraq, mayorâ??s office Aug. 12. Liesinger is an individual ready reservist who has returned to active duty to serve as a civil affairs Marine. Liesinger did three previous deployments to Iraq as an infantry Marine and is now transitioning from kicking in doors to shaking hands.::r::::n::

FALLUJAH, Iraq (Aug. 27, 2008) – Sheik Hamid Ahmad Hashim al-Alwani, chairman of the Fallujah City Council, speaks to members of the Iraqi media about the delivery of 35 generators throughout the city, Aug. 27. The generator project was put together by Fallujah City Council members and Civil Affairs Team 2, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, in direct support of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. Sheik Hamid said he was grateful that the generators, which will service more than 100 homes each, arrived in time for the hotter portion of the summer and for Ramadan. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED)::r::::n:: ::r::::n:: - FALLUJAH, Iraq (Aug. 27, 2008) – Sheik Hamid Ahmad Hashim al-Alwani, chairman of the Fallujah City Council, speaks to members of the Iraqi media about the delivery of 35 generators throughout the city, Aug. 27. The generator project was put together by Fallujah City Council members and Civil Affairs Team 2, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, in direct support of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. Sheik Hamid said he was grateful that the generators, which will service more than 100 homes each, arrived in time for the hotter portion of the summer and for Ramadan. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED)::r::::n:: ::r::::n::

RAMADI, Iraq - Marines and sailors from 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, take part in a three-mile formation run in honor of fallen comrades August 24. “Recently, we came together as a unit to run for our fallen comrades in an event called ‘Run for the Fallen,’” said Gunnery Sgt. Frederick White, the Headquarters and Service Company gunnery sergeant for the battalion, who helped coordinate the run. “We lost two of our Marines over here, and we just wanted to take time to pay tribute to them.” (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones) (RELEASED) - RAMADI, Iraq - Marines and sailors from 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, take part in a three-mile formation run in honor of fallen comrades August 24. “Recently, we came together as a unit to run for our fallen comrades in an event called ‘Run for the Fallen,’” said Gunnery Sgt. Frederick White, the Headquarters and Service Company gunnery sergeant for the battalion, who helped coordinate the run. “We lost two of our Marines over here, and we just wanted to take time to pay tribute to them.” (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones) (RELEASED)

Injecting an illumination round into the chamber of a M-777 Howitzer, Lance Cpls. Justin R. Burch (left), and Kristopher A. Bowers, both cannoneers with Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, ensure the round is properly inserted during an illumination round shoot at Patrol Base El Dorado, Iraq, Aug. 23. When not illuminating the night sky, the battery has engaged in combat patrols through the city of Rutbah. Mike Battery is a reserve artillery battery based out of Chattanooga, Tenn., and attached to 2nd LAR Bn.::r::::n:: - Injecting an illumination round into the chamber of a M-777 Howitzer, Lance Cpls. Justin R. Burch (left), and Kristopher A. Bowers, both cannoneers with Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, ensure the round is properly inserted during an illumination round shoot at Patrol Base El Dorado, Iraq, Aug. 23. When not illuminating the night sky, the battery has engaged in combat patrols through the city of Rutbah. Mike Battery is a reserve artillery battery based out of Chattanooga, Tenn., and attached to 2nd LAR Bn.::r::::n::

Local sheikhs or tribal leaders from Karmah, Iraq, held a meeting with Task Force 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, Aug. 20 at the Iraqi Army Base located in the city. These local meetings were halted for almost two months because of a suicide vest attack that killed several local leaders and three Marines. (Official Marine Corps photo by 1st Lieutenant Andrew W. Duncan) - Local sheikhs or tribal leaders from Karmah, Iraq, held a meeting with Task Force 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, Aug. 20 at the Iraqi Army Base located in the city. These local meetings were halted for almost two months because of a suicide vest attack that killed several local leaders and three Marines. (Official Marine Corps photo by 1st Lieutenant Andrew W. Duncan)