AR RAMADI, Iraq -- Clad in full battle-rattle - Kevlar, helmet and vest - and wielding M-16s, Sgt. Erik D. Sphoon and other Marines from his platoon quickly dismounted the up-armored humvees and took the side streets and alleys in the marketplace here. It was late afternoon, and the place was bustling with activity. Cars and people shopping congested the narrow streets and sidewalks. The smell of fresh produce mixed with exhaust fumes and burning trash filled the air. The Salem, Ore., native joined fellow Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, to conduct a patrol in and around the marketplace here to get better acquainted with its layout and make the local populace aware of their presence. "The purpose of the patrol is to become more familiar with our (area of operations), show the people we're here and check out some buildings for weapons and insurgents," explained the 26-year-old guide for 1st Platoon, Company A. "It's a routine mission."Though routine, patrolling this part of the city is important, according to Sphoon. The infantry battalion believes insurgents may be operating out of the marketplace, placing the innocent Iraqis shopping there in danger, he explained.The Marines searched several abandoned buildings for weapons caches and insurgents. They also checked out a nearby mosque suspected of being a possible hideout for insurgents.Children greeted the Sphoon and the others with thumbs-ups and smiles as they went from building to building in search of things out of the ordinary.According to a team leader with 1st Squad, Cpl. Patrick M. Dunn, his squad was tasked to position themselves on the high ground and provide over-watch for the other two squads moving through the streets. "We go to the rooftops of buildings where we are doing patrols so that we can see what's going on down below," explained the 21-year-old Wausau, Wis., native. "On the roof we can get a good view of the area and provide security for the other squads."Dunn added they keep their eyes peeled for insurgents and other threats to their fellow Marines.Several houses, buildings and streets in and near the marketplace were searched. The Marines discovered an AK-47 magazine loaded with ammunition in one house. They left it there, however, because every household is authorized one AK-47 and rounds for it. The three-hour patrol ended with the Marines returning empty-handed to the Government Center, which is a guarded and heavily fortified building the Marines often base out of for patrols while away from Hurricane Point. From there they radio ahead to HP to find out if it's safe to make the short, five-minute trip home. After several minutes, they received word that they were good-to-go and made the drive back.No shots were fired and no one was injured during the operation."It went well," said 26-year-old Sgt. Gary L. Laws, the squad leader for 1st squad and Huntsville, Texas native. "We did what we had to and got out of there safely.