A Marine working at the chow hall in Combat Outpost Rawah, Iraq, dishes up green peas to servicemembers August 19. Currently the chow hall serves two hot meals per day and cold-cut sandwiches, fruit and snacks for lunch. A new chow hall, along with other facilities such as a gym and living quarters will improve the quality of life at the outpost for the Marines. - A Marine working at the chow hall in Combat Outpost Rawah, Iraq, dishes up green peas to servicemembers August 19. Currently the chow hall serves two hot meals per day and cold-cut sandwiches, fruit and snacks for lunch. A new chow hall, along with other facilities such as a gym and living quarters will improve the quality of life at the outpost for the Marines.

Seaman Efren Estrada, a corpsman with Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, examines a simulated casualty inside a new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Ambulance at Camp Al Qaâ??im, Iraq, August 15. After the manufacturers of the MRAP redesigned the standard equipment layout, the MRAP Ambulance has vital sign machines, hydraulic litter skids, suction machines and medical supply kits. - Seaman Efren Estrada, a corpsman with Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, examines a simulated casualty inside a new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Ambulance at Camp Al Qaâ??im, Iraq, August 15. After the manufacturers of the MRAP redesigned the standard equipment layout, the MRAP Ambulance has vital sign machines, hydraulic litter skids, suction machines and medical supply kits.

FARAH PROVINCE, Delaram, Afghanistan (July 20, 2008) – Gunnery Sgt. Omar Palaciosreal and 1st Lt. Erik M. Lukas calm Miriam, a three-year-old Afghan girl, during a Marine-led health cooperative called Medical Capabilities (MEDCAP) event here. The two Marines, along with other service members assigned to TF 2/7, were instrumental in removing an infected boil from the girl’s neck. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis) - FARAH PROVINCE, Delaram, Afghanistan (July 20, 2008) – Gunnery Sgt. Omar Palaciosreal and 1st Lt. Erik M. Lukas calm Miriam, a three-year-old Afghan girl, during a Marine-led health cooperative called Medical Capabilities (MEDCAP) event here. The two Marines, along with other service members assigned to TF 2/7, were instrumental in removing an infected boil from the girl’s neck. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis)

Waleed Hameed Salaiman, a senior trainer from Fallujah, Iraq, discusses governmental structure types with local leaders during a government training class in Rutbah, Iraq, Aug. 18. The classes were started in December 2007 to ensure the new Rutbah government officials are ready to head a well-structured city council.::r::::n:: - Waleed Hameed Salaiman, a senior trainer from Fallujah, Iraq, discusses governmental structure types with local leaders during a government training class in Rutbah, Iraq, Aug. 18. The classes were started in December 2007 to ensure the new Rutbah government officials are ready to head a well-structured city council.::r::::n::

Iraqi Army Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Quick Reaction Force, 1st Iraqi Division, escort local Sheiks and tribal leaders across a newly constructed bridge Aug. 19. The new Salem Bridge was built in the Bagharra region of Iraq and provides passage over the Thar Thar Canal. Insurgents destroyed the original bridge over a year ago. - Iraqi Army Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Quick Reaction Force, 1st Iraqi Division, escort local Sheiks and tribal leaders across a newly constructed bridge Aug. 19. The new Salem Bridge was built in the Bagharra region of Iraq and provides passage over the Thar Thar Canal. Insurgents destroyed the original bridge over a year ago.

FALLUJAH, Iraq (Aug. 21, 2008) – Iraqi Police guard entry control points, while Marines remain in an overwatch position to support them. ECPs throughout the city are being rebuilt to allow more traffic to enter the city. More commercial traffic ultimately means economic growth for the city. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED) - FALLUJAH, Iraq (Aug. 21, 2008) – Iraqi Police guard entry control points, while Marines remain in an overwatch position to support them. ECPs throughout the city are being rebuilt to allow more traffic to enter the city. More commercial traffic ultimately means economic growth for the city. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle) (RELEASED)

Hamed Khalid Abrahim, the mayor of Rawah, Iraq, tries on a new pair of glasses in Rawah Aug 13. Coalition forces delivered 720 pairs of prescription glasses to the local optometrist in Rawah. The glasses were donated by three organizations from Colorado: the Fort Collins Lions Club, the Sterling Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Fort Collins. The glasses will be made available to residents of Rawah who need them and could otherwise not afford them::r::::n:: - Hamed Khalid Abrahim, the mayor of Rawah, Iraq, tries on a new pair of glasses in Rawah Aug 13. Coalition forces delivered 720 pairs of prescription glasses to the local optometrist in Rawah. The glasses were donated by three organizations from Colorado: the Fort Collins Lions Club, the Sterling Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Fort Collins. The glasses will be made available to residents of Rawah who need them and could otherwise not afford them::r::::n::

General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks with Col. Lewis A. Craparotta, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 1, during a visit to Camp Fallujah, Iraq, Aug. 16. During his visit, the Commandant evaluated progress being made in al-Anbar and discussed security with several members of the Iraqi Army. He also took time to speak with service members at the Chapel of Hope aboard the camp. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris T. Mann) - General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks with Col. Lewis A. Craparotta, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 1, during a visit to Camp Fallujah, Iraq, Aug. 16. During his visit, the Commandant evaluated progress being made in al-Anbar and discussed security with several members of the Iraqi Army. He also took time to speak with service members at the Chapel of Hope aboard the camp. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chris T. Mann)

Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, talks with Marines at the Camp Baharia Mess Hall Aug. 16. Sgt. Maj. Kent and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway, visited with Marines in the al Anbar Province during a tour of Iraq and Afghanistan. - Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, talks with Marines at the Camp Baharia Mess Hall Aug. 16. Sgt. Maj. Kent and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway, visited with Marines in the al Anbar Province during a tour of Iraq and Afghanistan.