COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, IRAQ – Second Lt. Kenneth E. Cooper, the officer in charge of the Civil Affairs with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, speaks with a group of Iraqi contractors in the civil military operations center. The center is a command center for civil projects throughout the city of Rawah, Iraq, and is a place where Iraqi contractors can come to discuss and plan the projects with their military counterparts. Official Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser. - COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, IRAQ – Second Lt. Kenneth E. Cooper, the officer in charge of the Civil Affairs with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, speaks with a group of Iraqi contractors in the civil military operations center. The center is a command center for civil projects throughout the city of Rawah, Iraq, and is a place where Iraqi contractors can come to discuss and plan the projects with their military counterparts. Official Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser.

COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, IRAQ – Iraqi Soldiers travel with Company C, 1st Light armored Vehicle Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, to patrol the western Euphrates River valley. The company, who call themselves Warpigs, has been conducting joint operations with the Iraqi Army for several weeks. Official Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser. - COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, IRAQ – Iraqi Soldiers travel with Company C, 1st Light armored Vehicle Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, to patrol the western Euphrates River valley. The company, who call themselves Warpigs, has been conducting joint operations with the Iraqi Army for several weeks. Official Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser.

FORT PICKETT, Va.-Seaman Oren Roberts, a hospital corpsman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, uses a map while taking part in a land navigation course as part of his training here. "They learned how to plot coordinates, shoot an azimuth, pace count and back shoot an azimuth," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jackson Tuggle, the coordinator for the Fleet Marine Force Warfare program for the battalion. "We also taught them techniques for finding objectives in an area." (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David A. Weikle) (RELEASED) - FORT PICKETT, Va.-Seaman Oren Roberts, a hospital corpsman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, uses a map while taking part in a land navigation course as part of his training here. "They learned how to plot coordinates, shoot an azimuth, pace count and back shoot an azimuth," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jackson Tuggle, the coordinator for the Fleet Marine Force Warfare program for the battalion. "We also taught them techniques for finding objectives in an area." (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David A. Weikle) (RELEASED)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.- Captain Brian G. Cillessen, Company Commander, Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was awarded a Silver Star Medal here April 20, for actions in Afghanistan. The Silver Star Medal is the fourth highest military decoration awarded to service members. An Aztec, N.M., native, he was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom when a volley of rocket propelled grenades and machine gun fire disabled the lead vehicle in his convoy. Cillessen quickly directed the immediate action of the Afghan soldiers around him in what became a four-hour long fire fight.(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David A. Weikle) (RELEASED) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.- Captain Brian G. Cillessen, Company Commander, Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was awarded a Silver Star Medal here April 20, for actions in Afghanistan. The Silver Star Medal is the fourth highest military decoration awarded to service members. An Aztec, N.M., native, he was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom when a volley of rocket propelled grenades and machine gun fire disabled the lead vehicle in his convoy. Cillessen quickly directed the immediate action of the Afghan soldiers around him in what became a four-hour long fire fight.(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David A. Weikle) (RELEASED)

Marines from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion salute as they march past the four memorials for their brothers killed in Iraq. The battalion held the ceremony here on April 19, 2007, to say their last goodbyes. - Marines from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion salute as they march past the four memorials for their brothers killed in Iraq. The battalion held the ceremony here on April 19, 2007, to say their last goodbyes.

Staff Sgt. Jeffery S. Benkie, 34, of Rio Vista, Calif., de-briefs his Marines after riding outside the wire at Camp Baharia on April 17. Marines with the Personal Security Detachment of 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, provide continual safe and successful travel for the battalion commander and his staff within 2/6’s area of operation. Benkie is the PSD platoon commander for 2/6. - Staff Sgt. Jeffery S. Benkie, 34, of Rio Vista, Calif., de-briefs his Marines after riding outside the wire at Camp Baharia on April 17. Marines with the Personal Security Detachment of 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, provide continual safe and successful travel for the battalion commander and his staff within 2/6’s area of operation. Benkie is the PSD platoon commander for 2/6.

FORT PICKETT, Va.-Virginia Army National Guard Sgt. William Henderson, explains to Marines of Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, how Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer simulates a convoy. "VCOT trains on interacting with allies, enemies and neutral parties," said Henderson, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of VCOT here. "We make the individual user differentiate between friend and foe." (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David A. Weikle) (RELEASED) - FORT PICKETT, Va.-Virginia Army National Guard Sgt. William Henderson, explains to Marines of Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, how Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer simulates a convoy. "VCOT trains on interacting with allies, enemies and neutral parties," said Henderson, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of VCOT here. "We make the individual user differentiate between friend and foe." (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David A. Weikle) (RELEASED)

FFORT PICKETT, Va.-A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, charges out of a building in the Military Operations in Urban Terrain facility here. The Marines trained to enhance their skills for operating in an urban environment for their upcoming deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David A. Weikle) (RELEASED) - FFORT PICKETT, Va.-A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, charges out of a building in the Military Operations in Urban Terrain facility here. The Marines trained to enhance their skills for operating in an urban environment for their upcoming deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David A. Weikle) (RELEASED)

Pfc. Kyle D. Springer, a squad automatic weapon gunner with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, lays in the prone position performing gun drills. The exercise is part of the company?s daily training, which includes patrolling, enhanced marksmanship, magazine drills and learning how to clear rooms and ladderwells properly. The drills are led by more senior Marines with the company that have already deployed and can share knowledge and real life experience with the younger Marines. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryce C.K. Muhlenberg (RELEASED) - Pfc. Kyle D. Springer, a squad automatic weapon gunner with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, lays in the prone position performing gun drills. The exercise is part of the company?s daily training, which includes patrolling, enhanced marksmanship, magazine drills and learning how to clear rooms and ladderwells properly. The drills are led by more senior Marines with the company that have already deployed and can share knowledge and real life experience with the younger Marines. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryce C.K. Muhlenberg (RELEASED)