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Staff Sgt. Ysidro Gonzalez Jr. stands at attention while his citation for the Bronze Star Medal is read shortly before receiving the award Feb. 2 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gonzalez is being recognized for his heroic service while deployed with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2. - Staff Sgt. Ysidro Gonzalez Jr. stands at attention while his citation for the Bronze Star Medal is read shortly before receiving the award Feb. 2 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gonzalez is being recognized for his heroic service while deployed with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2.

Sgt. David S. Palmer, a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, receives the Purple Heart during a ceremony held aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 27. Following the close of the ceremony the awarded Marines were greeted by several members of the Beirut Memorial Chapter 642, MOPH (Military order of the Purple Heart). - Sgt. David S. Palmer, a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, receives the Purple Heart during a ceremony held aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 27. Following the close of the ceremony the awarded Marines were greeted by several members of the Beirut Memorial Chapter 642, MOPH (Military order of the Purple Heart).

Italian Navy officer Ship of the Line Sublieutenant Santoro Francesco (equivalent of a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade) discusses Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 with Master Gunnery Sgt. Wendell Myles, Regimental Landing Team 2 operations chief, as they walk through the hangar bay aboard the USS Kearsarge on Jan. 31. Francesco said it is a great opportunity for the Italian Navy to learn about amphibious operations in part because the United States and Italy often work together in combat operations. Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps’ revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today’s fight with today’s forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. This exercise is scheduled to take place through Feb. 12 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina. - Italian Navy officer Ship of the Line Sublieutenant Santoro Francesco (equivalent of a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade) discusses Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 with Master Gunnery Sgt. Wendell Myles, Regimental Landing Team 2 operations chief, as they walk through the hangar bay aboard the USS Kearsarge on Jan. 31. Francesco said it is a great opportunity for the Italian Navy to learn about amphibious operations in part because the United States and Italy often work together in combat operations. Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps’ revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today’s fight with today’s forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. This exercise is scheduled to take place through Feb. 12 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina.

First Lt. Joseph M. Russell (top center), a Richmond Heights, Ohio, native and the advisor for the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps communications officer, poses with soldiers with the 215th Corps communications section. Sergeant Alan Coleman (bottom right), a Fountain Valley, Calif., native and the enlisted advisor for the 215th Corps communications section, helped with Russell’s initiative to encrypt all of the radios within the 215th Corps. He advised the enlisted Afghan soldiers on how to build, clean, maintain and encode the encryption on all the radios. The team of approximately 20 soldiers serve the 14,000 member of the 215th Corps.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - First Lt. Joseph M. Russell (top center), a Richmond Heights, Ohio, native and the advisor for the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps communications officer, poses with soldiers with the 215th Corps communications section. Sergeant Alan Coleman (bottom right), a Fountain Valley, Calif., native and the enlisted advisor for the 215th Corps communications section, helped with Russell’s initiative to encrypt all of the radios within the 215th Corps. He advised the enlisted Afghan soldiers on how to build, clean, maintain and encode the encryption on all the radios. The team of approximately 20 soldiers serve the 14,000 member of the 215th Corps.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::

Seaman James L. Louck, a Riverside, Calif., native and a corpsman with Echo Company, tries to keep warm while on midnight radio watch. The Marines and sailors with Echo Company maintain multiple security responsibilities when bedded down and not actively seeking the enemy. There is always someone awake and on duty to maintain radio communications or security for the platoons of the company, regardless of the time of day or location.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Seaman James L. Louck, a Riverside, Calif., native and a corpsman with Echo Company, tries to keep warm while on midnight radio watch. The Marines and sailors with Echo Company maintain multiple security responsibilities when bedded down and not actively seeking the enemy. There is always someone awake and on duty to maintain radio communications or security for the platoons of the company, regardless of the time of day or location.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::

Corporal Michael S. Ussery, a Rochelle, Ga., native and a rifleman with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, speaks to a local villager during a patrol to gage their feelings on important issues in the area and determine how the coalition forces can help make their lives better. Ussery and his Marines are working with members of the Afghan National Security Forces in Operation Double Check, an ongoing operation to promote legitimate governance and security within the Musa Qal’eh district. This operation further spread the influence of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to untouched areas and provided an opportunity for Afghan forces to take on a greater role in security efforts. - Corporal Michael S. Ussery, a Rochelle, Ga., native and a rifleman with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, speaks to a local villager during a patrol to gage their feelings on important issues in the area and determine how the coalition forces can help make their lives better. Ussery and his Marines are working with members of the Afghan National Security Forces in Operation Double Check, an ongoing operation to promote legitimate governance and security within the Musa Qal’eh district. This operation further spread the influence of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to untouched areas and provided an opportunity for Afghan forces to take on a greater role in security efforts.

Corporal George W. Casey (right), a 29-year-old squad leader with 3rd Platoon, counts off Marines from his platoon to gain accountability as they prepare for a recent night extract. Casey led his squad while clearing multiple objectives and performing various other tasks during Operation Double Check, an operation to promote legitimate governance and security within the Musa Qal’eh district. Casey belongs to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, and is on his second combat deployment to Afghanistan.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Corporal George W. Casey (right), a 29-year-old squad leader with 3rd Platoon, counts off Marines from his platoon to gain accountability as they prepare for a recent night extract. Casey led his squad while clearing multiple objectives and performing various other tasks during Operation Double Check, an operation to promote legitimate governance and security within the Musa Qal’eh district. Casey belongs to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, and is on his second combat deployment to Afghanistan.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::

Detroit native Staff Sgt. Raymond German Jr., the legal chief for the office of the Staff Judge Advocate for 2nd Marine Division (Forward), rows five kilometers as part of a 1,000-mile goal. German decided to complete 1,000 miles by running, rowing and cross training during his year-long deployment. - Detroit native Staff Sgt. Raymond German Jr., the legal chief for the office of the Staff Judge Advocate for 2nd Marine Division (Forward), rows five kilometers as part of a 1,000-mile goal. German decided to complete 1,000 miles by running, rowing and cross training during his year-long deployment.

Lance Cpl. Adam Ridgeway, a Chicago native and an infantryman with Echo Company, provides security for his fellow Marines as the sun begins to set. Ridgeway and other Marines belonging to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, participated in Operation Double Check, in which they helped their Afghan counterparts clear the western side of the southern Musa Qal’eh riverbed to establish the presence of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan there. - Lance Cpl. Adam Ridgeway, a Chicago native and an infantryman with Echo Company, provides security for his fellow Marines as the sun begins to set. Ridgeway and other Marines belonging to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, participated in Operation Double Check, in which they helped their Afghan counterparts clear the western side of the southern Musa Qal’eh riverbed to establish the presence of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan there.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberley Ryan, team leader, Female Engagement Team, Marine Headquarters Group, holds hands with the local children just before a local shura near Forward Operating Base Jackson. Shura is the word for consultation or class. The children’s shuras are held once a week and are geared toward educating the children. - Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberley Ryan, team leader, Female Engagement Team, Marine Headquarters Group, holds hands with the local children just before a local shura near Forward Operating Base Jackson. Shura is the word for consultation or class. The children’s shuras are held once a week and are geared toward educating the children.