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AR RAMADI, Iraq (May 15, 2005) - Lance Cpl. Josiah R. Hirsch, a rifleman and team leader with 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, takes a knee and provides security for his fellow Marines during a patrol in the city here. The 19-year-old from Dublin, Calif., was made a team leader two months after his infantry battalion arrived in Iraq and began conducting security and stabilization operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 2004 Valley Christian High School graduate has been in the Corps less than a year. Photo by: Cpl. Tom Sloan - AR RAMADI, Iraq (May 15, 2005) - Lance Cpl. Josiah R. Hirsch, a rifleman and team leader with 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, takes a knee and provides security for his fellow Marines during a patrol in the city here. The 19-year-old from Dublin, Calif., was made a team leader two months after his infantry battalion arrived in Iraq and began conducting security and stabilization operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 2004 Valley Christian High School graduate has been in the Corps less than a year. Photo by: Cpl. Tom Sloan

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Sergeant Major John L. Estrada, the 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, visited Camp Lejeune Friday. While on base, Estrada toured the Military Operations in Urban Terrain facility, ate at the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment chow hall, and talked to Marines from 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Force Service Support Group and Marine Corps Base. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Sergeant Major John L. Estrada, the 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, visited Camp Lejeune Friday. While on base, Estrada toured the Military Operations in Urban Terrain facility, ate at the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment chow hall, and talked to Marines from 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Force Service Support Group and Marine Corps Base.

FALLUJAH, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Dinkins, a machine gunner with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provides security at a school here May 12 as Iraqi students in the background help carry out an old blackboard from their classroom, while Iraqi soldiers hang up a new one. The 19-year-old Shreveport, La. native, his unit, and Iraqi Security Forces are currently conducting 'Operation Blackboard,' a joint civil-military mission during which Iraqi soldiers re-supply Fallujah's schools and continue winning the citizens' trust. - FALLUJAH, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Dinkins, a machine gunner with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provides security at a school here May 12 as Iraqi students in the background help carry out an old blackboard from their classroom, while Iraqi soldiers hang up a new one. The 19-year-old Shreveport, La. native, his unit, and Iraqi Security Forces are currently conducting 'Operation Blackboard,' a joint civil-military mission during which Iraqi soldiers re-supply Fallujah's schools and continue winning the citizens' trust.

FALLUJAH, Iraq - Iraqi soldiers from the Iraqi Security Forces' 2nd Brigade visit a local school May 12 to hang up new blackboards and speak with the faculty. The ISF personnel are currently working with Marines from 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment to conduct 'Operation Blackboard,' a joint civil-military mission during which Iraqi soldiers re-supply Fallujah's schools and continue winning the citizens' trust. - FALLUJAH, Iraq - Iraqi soldiers from the Iraqi Security Forces' 2nd Brigade visit a local school May 12 to hang up new blackboards and speak with the faculty. The ISF personnel are currently working with Marines from 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment to conduct 'Operation Blackboard,' a joint civil-military mission during which Iraqi soldiers re-supply Fallujah's schools and continue winning the citizens' trust.

CAMP RAMADI, AR RAMADI, Iraq - Marines with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, hit targets from their humvee during a live fire and maneuver exercise, May 12, designed specifically to combat the insurgency. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio (RELEASED) - CAMP RAMADI, AR RAMADI, Iraq - Marines with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, hit targets from their humvee during a live fire and maneuver exercise, May 12, designed specifically to combat the insurgency. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio (RELEASED)

CAMP HURRICANE POINT Ar Ramadi, Iraq (May 12, 2005) - First lieutenant David T. Russell, the platoon commander for 1st Platoon, Company W, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, cleans the barrel of a PKM machine gun he and his fellow warriors took from insurgents during a mission in the city. The 24-year-old from Austin, Texas, and other Marines with 1st Platoon killed three insurgents while responding to a casualty evacuation request. The Marines discovered a rocket propelled grenade launcher, a PKM machine gun with more than 100 armor-piercing rounds, a Romanian assault rife, three AK-47 assault rifles and more than 300 rounds of ammunition. Photo by Cpl. Tom Sloan - CAMP HURRICANE POINT Ar Ramadi, Iraq (May 12, 2005) - First lieutenant David T. Russell, the platoon commander for 1st Platoon, Company W, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, cleans the barrel of a PKM machine gun he and his fellow warriors took from insurgents during a mission in the city. The 24-year-old from Austin, Texas, and other Marines with 1st Platoon killed three insurgents while responding to a casualty evacuation request. The Marines discovered a rocket propelled grenade launcher, a PKM machine gun with more than 100 armor-piercing rounds, a Romanian assault rife, three AK-47 assault rifles and more than 300 rounds of ammunition. Photo by Cpl. Tom Sloan

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Lance Cpl. Adam H. Blades, 20, is a platoon sergeant with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. There are very few places where someone so young can be responsible for the lives of more than 30 Marines. Blades' skill and experience make him an ideal candidate for the position. His unit recently conducted a helicopter-raid exercise in preparation for a deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit later this year. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Lance Cpl. Adam H. Blades, 20, is a platoon sergeant with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. There are very few places where someone so young can be responsible for the lives of more than 30 Marines. Blades' skill and experience make him an ideal candidate for the position. His unit recently conducted a helicopter-raid exercise in preparation for a deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit later this year.

CAMP FALLUJAH, IRAQ -- Marines from all companies in 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment were taught how to use the new optics, Common Laser Range Finder Vector 21 Bravo. Moving out of the classroom, the Marines took time to go through practical application and asked questions on how to operate and set up the system. The Marines are the few who will further train their comrades to be able to use the new optic equipment. Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos - CAMP FALLUJAH, IRAQ -- Marines from all companies in 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment were taught how to use the new optics, Common Laser Range Finder Vector 21 Bravo. Moving out of the classroom, the Marines took time to go through practical application and asked questions on how to operate and set up the system. The Marines are the few who will further train their comrades to be able to use the new optic equipment. Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos

FALLUJAH, Iraq - Lt. Col. William M. Jurney, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment's commander, shakes hands with a soldier from the Iraqi Security Forces' 2nd Brigade here after his graduation ceremony. The soldiers graduated April 30 from a five-day long squad tactics training course, during which 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment personnel taught them skills such as patrolling, first aid in combat and urban war fighting tactics. - FALLUJAH, Iraq - Lt. Col. William M. Jurney, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment's commander, shakes hands with a soldier from the Iraqi Security Forces' 2nd Brigade here after his graduation ceremony. The soldiers graduated April 30 from a five-day long squad tactics training course, during which 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment personnel taught them skills such as patrolling, first aid in combat and urban war fighting tactics.

AR RAMADI, IRAQ (May 10, 2005) -Major Benjamin B. Busch, team leader of Team 1, Detachment 3, 5th Civil Affairs Group, photographs minor property damaged elements of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment did to two business in the city here by during a recent cordon and search mission. The 36-year-old from College Park, Md., and his fellow civil affairs Marines conducted a detailed battle site assessment of the two automotive shops so they can compensate the owners for damages incurred. Photo by Cpl. Tom Sloan - AR RAMADI, IRAQ (May 10, 2005) -Major Benjamin B. Busch, team leader of Team 1, Detachment 3, 5th Civil Affairs Group, photographs minor property damaged elements of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment did to two business in the city here by during a recent cordon and search mission. The 36-year-old from College Park, Md., and his fellow civil affairs Marines conducted a detailed battle site assessment of the two automotive shops so they can compensate the owners for damages incurred. Photo by Cpl. Tom Sloan