Marines from Multi National Force-West’s Quick Reaction Force wait to exit a CH-53E helicopter during a quick reaction exercise at Camp Ripper, Iraq. Marines from Bravo Company, 1st tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8, assume responsibilities of the QRF March 12, 2009. - Marines from Multi National Force-West’s Quick Reaction Force wait to exit a CH-53E helicopter during a quick reaction exercise at Camp Ripper, Iraq. Marines from Bravo Company, 1st tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8, assume responsibilities of the QRF March 12, 2009.
Lt. Cdr. Kobena Arthur, the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment chaplain, and imam Mahmoud Ahmed Nudin Obid, a religious leader in western Al Anbar Province, pray together during a meeting at the Rutbah City Council Feb. 18, 2009. They are assisted by Arabic linguist Dani Morjan. Arthur and Obid have been working together for the past six months to improve the quality of life for more than 200 widows and their families in the town of 20,000, which was wracked by insurgent violence from 2005-2007. - Lt. Cdr. Kobena Arthur, the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment chaplain, and imam Mahmoud Ahmed Nudin Obid, a religious leader in western Al Anbar Province, pray together during a meeting at the Rutbah City Council Feb. 18, 2009. They are assisted by Arabic linguist Dani Morjan. Arthur and Obid have been working together for the past six months to improve the quality of life for more than 200 widows and their families in the town of 20,000, which was wracked by insurgent violence from 2005-2007.
Sgt. Maj. Ernest Hoopii, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade sergeant major, presents the 2nd MEB colors to Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik (left) during the brigade’s assumption of command ceremony March 9. Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson received the colors from Hejlik, symbolizing the authority and accountability of command vested in Nicholson by naming him the 2nd MEB commanding general. - Sgt. Maj. Ernest Hoopii, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade sergeant major, presents the 2nd MEB colors to Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik (left) during the brigade’s assumption of command ceremony March 9. Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson received the colors from Hejlik, symbolizing the authority and accountability of command vested in Nicholson by naming him the 2nd MEB commanding general.
Under the tutelage of Reserve Marines from Company E, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-8, a squad of Iraqi Army soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 29th Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division perform fire and movement techniques at H3 Airfield in a remote location in western Al Anbar desert Feb. 23. - Under the tutelage of Reserve Marines from Company E, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-8, a squad of Iraqi Army soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 29th Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division perform fire and movement techniques at H3 Airfield in a remote location in western Al Anbar desert Feb. 23.
Sgt. Juan L. Pichardo of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, gives stuffed animals to students at Shahira al-Joulan Girls Primary School in Rutbah, Iraq during a visit by one of the battalion’s patrols, Feb. 16, 2009. The stuffed animals were sent to the Marines in Iraq by Beanies for Baghdad, an official military 501(c) non-profit member of the Department of Defense’s America Supports You program. - Sgt. Juan L. Pichardo of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, gives stuffed animals to students at Shahira al-Joulan Girls Primary School in Rutbah, Iraq during a visit by one of the battalion’s patrols, Feb. 16, 2009. The stuffed animals were sent to the Marines in Iraq by Beanies for Baghdad, an official military 501(c) non-profit member of the Department of Defense’s America Supports You program.
Staff Sgt. Tracy Salzgeber, a 2007 University of Maryland graduate and Arabic interpreter with Civil Affairs Group, Regimental Combat Team 8, questions Seaman Tyler Ivy and Cpl. Micci Hedgecock on basic familiar Arabic phrases. Salzgeber instructs her Marines on Arabic culture and language skills weekly. - Staff Sgt. Tracy Salzgeber, a 2007 University of Maryland graduate and Arabic interpreter with Civil Affairs Group, Regimental Combat Team 8, questions Seaman Tyler Ivy and Cpl. Micci Hedgecock on basic familiar Arabic phrases. Salzgeber instructs her Marines on Arabic culture and language skills weekly.
During a visit to an Iraqi hospital, Lt. Cmdr. Richard Lynch (left), regimental surgeon for Regimental Combat Team 8, shares a laugh with Dr. Yaseen Hammody Assaf, the director of Hit General Hospital. Lynch says he enjoys working in a combat environment and does not regret leaving his civilian job. - During a visit to an Iraqi hospital, Lt. Cmdr. Richard Lynch (left), regimental surgeon for Regimental Combat Team 8, shares a laugh with Dr. Yaseen Hammody Assaf, the director of Hit General Hospital. Lynch says he enjoys working in a combat environment and does not regret leaving his civilian job.
Hit General Hospital’s director, Dr. Yaseen Hammody Assaf (left) leads members of the hospital assessment team from RCT-8 and Multi-National Forces West on tour of the hospital. Although Hit General does not have all the tools and equipment its workers need, the hospital staff is still working hard to offer adequate care to its patients. - Hit General Hospital’s director, Dr. Yaseen Hammody Assaf (left) leads members of the hospital assessment team from RCT-8 and Multi-National Forces West on tour of the hospital. Although Hit General does not have all the tools and equipment its workers need, the hospital staff is still working hard to offer adequate care to its patients.
Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, commander of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, pins the Silver Star Medal on Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Simson, a hospitalman with 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, here Feb. 26. Simson was awarded the medal for heroic actions during an ambush while he was working as an advisor in Afghanistan with Embedded Training Team 6-2. - Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, commander of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, pins the Silver Star Medal on Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Simson, a hospitalman with 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, here Feb. 26. Simson was awarded the medal for heroic actions during an ambush while he was working as an advisor in Afghanistan with Embedded Training Team 6-2.