– Sergeant Justin Vandertang (right), mortarman, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, loads a 60 millimeter, high-explosive round into the M224A1 mortar system his unit trained with during a range exercise. The Black River, N.Y., native with 2nd Marine Division said he loves the changes that have been made to the M224A1 over its predecessor, the M224 Legacy. He said his favorite change is the new weight of the system which, at 35 pounds, if a full nine pounds lighter than the M224 Legacy, an important feature considering Marines carry them on their backs during patrols lasting several hours. - – Sergeant Justin Vandertang (right), mortarman, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, loads a 60 millimeter, high-explosive round into the M224A1 mortar system his unit trained with during a range exercise. The Black River, N.Y., native with 2nd Marine Division said he loves the changes that have been made to the M224A1 over its predecessor, the M224 Legacy. He said his favorite change is the new weight of the system which, at 35 pounds, if a full nine pounds lighter than the M224 Legacy, an important feature considering Marines carry them on their backs during patrols lasting several hours.

Staff Sgt. Peryck Smith (right), tank commander and platoon sergeant for 3rd platoon, Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, sits atop Blue 4, the fourth M1A1 Abrams tank in 3rd platoon, as it moves into position during the company’s recent Gunnery Qualifications. The Jacksonville, Fla., native and his crew won’t know their score until the conclusion of the entire event, but said they believe they did well. At one point, they even hit two separate tank targets perfectly in less than 10 seconds while barreling down the track road, an admirable feat for any tank crew. - Staff Sgt. Peryck Smith (right), tank commander and platoon sergeant for 3rd platoon, Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, sits atop Blue 4, the fourth M1A1 Abrams tank in 3rd platoon, as it moves into position during the company’s recent Gunnery Qualifications. The Jacksonville, Fla., native and his crew won’t know their score until the conclusion of the entire event, but said they believe they did well. At one point, they even hit two separate tank targets perfectly in less than 10 seconds while barreling down the track road, an admirable feat for any tank crew.

Corporal Mason Robertson, a fire support man with Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, watches for the strike of the artillery fire order he just called in during a recent battalion training exercise. The Mt. Airy, Md., native with 2nd Marine Division and his fellow fire support Marines spent the week practicing fire orders for everything from artillery and mortars to close air support and even naval gun fire as they prepare for upcoming deployments to Afghanistan and future deployments with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James Frazer) - Corporal Mason Robertson, a fire support man with Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, watches for the strike of the artillery fire order he just called in during a recent battalion training exercise. The Mt. Airy, Md., native with 2nd Marine Division and his fellow fire support Marines spent the week practicing fire orders for everything from artillery and mortars to close air support and even naval gun fire as they prepare for upcoming deployments to Afghanistan and future deployments with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James Frazer)