CAMP MERCURY, Iraq -- As the changeover between I Marine Expeditionary Force and II Marine Expeditionary Force begins, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines is adding a new group to the family.Forty-four motor transport operators and mechanics from 1st Platoon, Truck Detachment, 3rd Marine Division, attached to the battalion upon arriving aboard Camp Mercury, Iraq, March 13. First platoon will be replacing Headquarters Battery Provisional Truck Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marines, as the battalion's truck platoon."We're here to support the infantry with convoy operations, security, and we also escort (Explosives Ordnance Disposal)," said Sgt. Miguel Ramos, the 25-year-old non-commissioned officer in charge of mechanics for the platoon.The Marines of 1st Platoon will not officially take over until March 27.Until that time, the platoon will work alongside their predecessors to familiarize themselves with the area and operations of the battalion. "We're going to get the Marines on the range for the crew served weapons and attached to convoys to get familiar with the area," said Staff Sgt. Charles E Harris Jr., 32-year-old motor transport chief for the battalion.The truck detachment will be responsible for most of the battalion's transportation when they take over at the end of the month. This responsibility is no small task, but the Marines of 1st Platoon are excited about taking up the job. "We're just going to pick up where they left off and go with it," said Ramos, a native of Yonkers, N.Y.The majority of excitement comes from the fact that most of these Marines are getting their first taste of Iraq here in Fallujah.Only two of the 44 Marines have deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom before, but Harris is confident that his Marines are the ones for the job."I have great confidence in my Marines," said Harris, a native of Springfield, Mass., "and on the 27th, it's all us."The truck detachment is scheduled to spend seven months in Iraq, the majority of their time with this battalion.