CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- A 1999 graduate of North Adam Jerome High School, his squad of Marines and 10 Iraqi Army soldiers were geared up, Aug. 19, to conduct a patrol in the area of Nasser Wa Salaam, a suburb of Fallujah.Corporal Michael P. Hodshire, 2nd squad leader for 3rd Platoon, Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment led his squad and a group of Iraqi Army on a patrol to help keep the locals in the area safe.“It was a normal patrol that we do often through the area helping the Iraqi Army assert themselves and letting them lead the house searches and Improvised Explosive Device sweeps,” the North Adams, Mich., native stated.Following the last checks and one final count to make sure everyone was accounted for, Hodshire led the group of vehicles across the highway to begin the patrol.Searching a few houses was the first on the list. With the Iraqi soldiers out front, the small joint force entered the premises to look for things that may have been out of place. Finding nothing, they thanked them for their cooperation and moved on. After a few hours of patrolling the Nasser Wa Salaam area, Hodshire decided to take a look at the east industrial area that contains some larger buildings where people could hide. Upon arrival at the main building, he noticed one window was covered with a blanket.The Marines and Iraqi soldiers moved quickly to investigate. They found three males living in that room. The men were moved out and guarded while a search was conducted of the room. They found four AK-47’s with ammunition for each and two locked safes that none of the men had keys for.Using a 12-gauge shotgun with special rounds to blowup the locks, one of the Marines opened the safes while the rest of team cleared the room. The safes revealed some Force Protection Service uniforms that matched the men’s identification.After talking to higher headquarters for guidance, the patrol released the men.With another successful patrol under their belts, the patrol made up of both Marines and Iraqi soldiers returned to Camp India to rest. “We got our job done with success and helped the Iraqi Army further their mission of protecting a free Iraq,” Hodshire stated.