Stories

Staff Col. Esahel Hatem Abdel Haleem Elaannie makes his speech during a ribbon cutting ceremony and building dedication while his interpreter looks on in Camp Mejid July 24. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo) - Staff Col. Esahel Hatem Abdel Haleem Elaannie makes his speech during a ribbon cutting ceremony and building dedication while his interpreter looks on in Camp Mejid July 24. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo)

Sergeant Jason Walsh and Cpl. John James, metal workers with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), construct a smaller version of their bracket. The bracket afforded security forces a way to mount security equipment on top of towers around the air base. - Sergeant Jason Walsh and Cpl. John James, metal workers with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), construct a smaller version of their bracket. The bracket afforded security forces a way to mount security equipment on top of towers around the air base.

Brigadier Gen. Steve Salazar, deputy commanding general of the Coalition Army Advisory Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq and other representatives from the team, visited the future training site of the 7th Iraqi Army Training Division near Al Asad Air Base, July 20. Once finished, the facility will have enough equipment to train more than 300 Iraqi soldiers. - Brigadier Gen. Steve Salazar, deputy commanding general of the Coalition Army Advisory Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq and other representatives from the team, visited the future training site of the 7th Iraqi Army Training Division near Al Asad Air Base, July 20. Once finished, the facility will have enough equipment to train more than 300 Iraqi soldiers.

The final Marine of 2nd platoon, Echo Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 1 exits the KC-130J as a jumpmaster looks on ensuring the parachutes deploy properly. - The final Marine of 2nd platoon, Echo Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 1 exits the KC-130J as a jumpmaster looks on ensuring the parachutes deploy properly.

(July 1, 2008) - Sgt. Scott K. Piccoli and Cpl. Joshua S. Ybarra, airframes mechanics, Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 367, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, were awarded Navy and Marine Corps Medals July 1 for their heroic efforts during a building fire at Forward Operating Base al-Qaim in January, 2007. According to the award citations, Piccoli and Ybarra's prompt actions in the face of danger may have saved the life of a Marine who was asleep in the building. (Photo by Staff Sgt. M. P. Shelato) - (July 1, 2008) - Sgt. Scott K. Piccoli and Cpl. Joshua S. Ybarra, airframes mechanics, Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 367, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, were awarded Navy and Marine Corps Medals July 1 for their heroic efforts during a building fire at Forward Operating Base al-Qaim in January, 2007. According to the award citations, Piccoli and Ybarra's prompt actions in the face of danger may have saved the life of a Marine who was asleep in the building. (Photo by Staff Sgt. M. P. Shelato)

A Marine with Team Black Rhino, an Incident Response Team with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), exits a room after searching through an abandoned Iraqi compound in the Jazirah Desert. Most of the team members are military police officers, while the rest are comprised of Marines from a variety of military occupational specialties. - A Marine with Team Black Rhino, an Incident Response Team with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), exits a room after searching through an abandoned Iraqi compound in the Jazirah Desert. Most of the team members are military police officers, while the rest are comprised of Marines from a variety of military occupational specialties.

Gunnery Sgt. Patrick Jordan, Police Transition Team 23 commander, meets with an Iraqi police major at a local police station to discuss current operations involving the local police and the Provincial Security Forces. The mission of PTT-23 is to advise and train local police to be a self-sufficient force capable of providing security to their community. - Gunnery Sgt. Patrick Jordan, Police Transition Team 23 commander, meets with an Iraqi police major at a local police station to discuss current operations involving the local police and the Provincial Security Forces. The mission of PTT-23 is to advise and train local police to be a self-sufficient force capable of providing security to their community.

Local children gather outside their classroom to greet Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) as the Marines visit the school to perform an inspection of the progress of the school’s improvements. The children were attending math class in a freshly painted, air-conditioned classroom before the Marines arrived today. - Local children gather outside their classroom to greet Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) as the Marines visit the school to perform an inspection of the progress of the school’s improvements. The children were attending math class in a freshly painted, air-conditioned classroom before the Marines arrived today.

(June 3, 2008) ? Lance Cpl. Cathleene Ephgrave, an intelligence analyst with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), searches an Iraqi woman entering a checkpoint here May 31. As well as performing searches, the Lionesses train Iraqi women working at the checkpoints to conduct the searches on the city?s visitors. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by: Cpl. Jessica Aranda) 080603-M-8776A-001 - (June 3, 2008) ? Lance Cpl. Cathleene Ephgrave, an intelligence analyst with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), searches an Iraqi woman entering a checkpoint here May 31. As well as performing searches, the Lionesses train Iraqi women working at the checkpoints to conduct the searches on the city?s visitors. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by: Cpl. Jessica Aranda) 080603-M-8776A-001

Lance Cpl. Joshua Wynn, a volunteer for the Human Unity Begins project and a supply clerk with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), packs one of the first backpacks destined for distribution to Iraqi school children at the Iraqi and American Friendship Project Logistics Center. Wynn is a Dallas native. - Lance Cpl. Joshua Wynn, a volunteer for the Human Unity Begins project and a supply clerk with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), packs one of the first backpacks destined for distribution to Iraqi school children at the Iraqi and American Friendship Project Logistics Center. Wynn is a Dallas native.