Cpl. Moises Gonzales (right) and Cpl. Daniel Butler both with Security Cooperation Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 2011, lift a crate while organizing unused gear aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. June 8, 2011. As the Task Force nears the end of its deployment the command element’s Marines have begun organizing and dispersing unused equipment so that the forward marines can transition back to the United States as smoothly as possible. - Cpl. Moises Gonzales (right) and Cpl. Daniel Butler both with Security Cooperation Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 2011, lift a crate while organizing unused gear aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. June 8, 2011. As the Task Force nears the end of its deployment the command element’s Marines have begun organizing and dispersing unused equipment so that the forward marines can transition back to the United States as smoothly as possible.
A portrait sketched by Lance Cpl. Rob Bates shows a scene from one of his deployments to Afghanistan. Bates, a rifleman by trade and now a combat illustrator, has recently had some of his artwork accessioned into the History Division with the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Va. - A portrait sketched by Lance Cpl. Rob Bates shows a scene from one of his deployments to Afghanistan. Bates, a rifleman by trade and now a combat illustrator, has recently had some of his artwork accessioned into the History Division with the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Va.
A motor and transportation Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division loads equipment after an aircraft delivers supplies during training aboard Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., June 8, 2011. Marines with 1/6 take part in the Enhanced Mojave Viper pre-deployment training evolution in preperation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. - A motor and transportation Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division loads equipment after an aircraft delivers supplies during training aboard Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., June 8, 2011. Marines with 1/6 take part in the Enhanced Mojave Viper pre-deployment training evolution in preperation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
Lt. Col. James R. Fullwood (right), relinquishes his duties as commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, to Lt. Col. Michael S. Styskal, during a change of command ceremony June 3, 2011, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. - Lt. Col. James R. Fullwood (right), relinquishes his duties as commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, to Lt. Col. Michael S. Styskal, during a change of command ceremony June 3, 2011, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marines with The 2nd Marine Division Band play a concert during Memorial Day festivities aboard the U.S.S. North Carolina in Wilmington, N.C. May 30, 2011. In the concert before the main event, the band entertained the crowd with patriotic and contemporary pieces. - Marines with The 2nd Marine Division Band play a concert during Memorial Day festivities aboard the U.S.S. North Carolina in Wilmington, N.C. May 30, 2011. In the concert before the main event, the band entertained the crowd with patriotic and contemporary pieces.
A Marine with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, provides security during a cordon and search exercise at the military operations in urban terrain facility, aboard Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., May 30, 2011. The exercise included Afghan nationals who served as role-players and provided the Marines with a realistic training experience in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. - A Marine with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, provides security during a cordon and search exercise at the military operations in urban terrain facility, aboard Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., May 30, 2011. The exercise included Afghan nationals who served as role-players and provided the Marines with a realistic training experience in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, receive a brief class prior to conducting a mass casualty evacuation exercise during the Enhanced Mojave Viper training evolution aboard Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., May 30, 2011. The training was designed to strengthen the life-saving skills and instincts of the Marines and sailors of 1/6 prior to their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. - Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, receive a brief class prior to conducting a mass casualty evacuation exercise during the Enhanced Mojave Viper training evolution aboard Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., May 30, 2011. The training was designed to strengthen the life-saving skills and instincts of the Marines and sailors of 1/6 prior to their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
Brig. Gen. W. Lee Miller Jr., the acting commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division, awards a Marine with his diploma inside the officers club for a graduation ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 2, 2011. The ceremony was held to recognize officers and a few select staff noncommissioned offers for their completion of the Expeditionary Warfare School. - Brig. Gen. W. Lee Miller Jr., the acting commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division, awards a Marine with his diploma inside the officers club for a graduation ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 2, 2011. The ceremony was held to recognize officers and a few select staff noncommissioned offers for their completion of the Expeditionary Warfare School.
Marines with Weapons platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, stage their equipment prior to a machine-gun range at Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., May 23, 2011. The Marines and sailors of 1/6 are taking part in the Enhanced Mojave Viper exercise, a large-scale predeployment training event aimed at preparing the battalion for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. - Marines with Weapons platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, stage their equipment prior to a machine-gun range at Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., May 23, 2011. The Marines and sailors of 1/6 are taking part in the Enhanced Mojave Viper exercise, a large-scale predeployment training event aimed at preparing the battalion for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
A dog handler with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, conducts improvised explosive device training at Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., May 22, 2011. The dog handlers participated in Enhanced Mojave Viper, a large-scale predeployment training exercise, in order to hone their skills prior to the unit's upcoming deployment, when teams will be used to seek out improvised explosive devices and bomb-making materials. - A dog handler with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, conducts improvised explosive device training at Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, Calif., May 22, 2011. The dog handlers participated in Enhanced Mojave Viper, a large-scale predeployment training exercise, in order to hone their skills prior to the unit's upcoming deployment, when teams will be used to seek out improvised explosive devices and bomb-making materials.