COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, IRAQ – Master Sgt. Albert E. Lopez, assistant operations chief with 1st Light Armored Vehicle Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2 lifts one of the poles that serve as a roof for the battalion’s mobile combat operations center. The forward COC provides a link in the chain of communication with the battalion’s firm base and its mobile units. Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser. - COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, IRAQ – Master Sgt. Albert E. Lopez, assistant operations chief with 1st Light Armored Vehicle Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2 lifts one of the poles that serve as a roof for the battalion’s mobile combat operations center. The forward COC provides a link in the chain of communication with the battalion’s firm base and its mobile units. Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser.

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD) - 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD)

Sgt. Jonathan M. Compton, a scout team leader with Jump platoon, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, provides security while his platoon sweeps through a village during Operation Valiant Guardian. The operation is aimed at disrupting insurgent supply routes, finding and eliminating insurgent safe-havens, and establishing solid communication with local Iraqi civilians. - Sgt. Jonathan M. Compton, a scout team leader with Jump platoon, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, provides security while his platoon sweeps through a village during Operation Valiant Guardian. The operation is aimed at disrupting insurgent supply routes, finding and eliminating insurgent safe-havens, and establishing solid communication with local Iraqi civilians.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.?Lt. Col. Todd Desgrosseilliers, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, presents the Purple Heart medal to Cpl. Christopher Grubb during a ceremony in front of the battalion, April 6. Grubb received the medal for wounds sustained on Sept. 1, 2006. That night Grubb, a squad leader with 3rd Bn., 2nd Marines, led his squad on a combat patrol. One of Grubb?s fire team leaders, Lance Cpl. Cliff Golla, stepped on a pressure-plate, setting off an improvised explosive device. The blast killed Golla and severely injured three other Marines, including Grubb. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.?Lt. Col. Todd Desgrosseilliers, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, presents the Purple Heart medal to Cpl. Christopher Grubb during a ceremony in front of the battalion, April 6. Grubb received the medal for wounds sustained on Sept. 1, 2006. That night Grubb, a squad leader with 3rd Bn., 2nd Marines, led his squad on a combat patrol. One of Grubb?s fire team leaders, Lance Cpl. Cliff Golla, stepped on a pressure-plate, setting off an improvised explosive device. The blast killed Golla and severely injured three other Marines, including Grubb.

COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, IRAQ – Children in the city of Reyanah chase after the light armored vehicles of the Jump team, 1st Light Armored Recconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, after a 'Christmas Drop' operation. Missions like this help show the Iraqis that the military wants to help them and is on their side, and is important in gaining the trust of the citizens of Iraq. Official Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser. - COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, IRAQ – Children in the city of Reyanah chase after the light armored vehicles of the Jump team, 1st Light Armored Recconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, after a 'Christmas Drop' operation. Missions like this help show the Iraqis that the military wants to help them and is on their side, and is important in gaining the trust of the citizens of Iraq. Official Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.(April 2, 2007)-Lt. Col. Todd Desgrosseilliers, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, presents a Purple Heart medal to Lance Cpl. Jordan Buhler during a ceremony in front of the battalion, April 2. Buhler received the medal for wounds sustained on Nov. 25, 2006. He was a driver with the battalion and dismounted from his vehicle to stop a suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. The vehicle exploded, severely wounding him and killing another Marine. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David A. Weikle) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.(April 2, 2007)-Lt. Col. Todd Desgrosseilliers, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, presents a Purple Heart medal to Lance Cpl. Jordan Buhler during a ceremony in front of the battalion, April 2. Buhler received the medal for wounds sustained on Nov. 25, 2006. He was a driver with the battalion and dismounted from his vehicle to stop a suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. The vehicle exploded, severely wounding him and killing another Marine. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David A. Weikle)