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Sergeant Matthew Veniskey, a vehicle commander with Mobile Security Detachment, Regimental Combat Team 8, provides security while MSD Marines prepare to convoy back to Camp Al Asad, Iraq April 25, 2009. One of the MSD’s main tasks is to convoy the regimental commander while providing security. - Sergeant Matthew Veniskey, a vehicle commander with Mobile Security Detachment, Regimental Combat Team 8, provides security while MSD Marines prepare to convoy back to Camp Al Asad, Iraq April 25, 2009. One of the MSD’s main tasks is to convoy the regimental commander while providing security.

Staff Sgt. Trent Nichols, a section leader with Regimental Combat Tem 8’s Mobile Security Detachment, installs a mirror in the newly refurbished Camp Ripper gym, April 11, 2009. The facility now has new mirrors, flooring and front desk area. - Staff Sgt. Trent Nichols, a section leader with Regimental Combat Tem 8’s Mobile Security Detachment, installs a mirror in the newly refurbished Camp Ripper gym, April 11, 2009. The facility now has new mirrors, flooring and front desk area.

Private Juan Gonzalez, the Gunner’s assistant with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 8 is instructed on how to place a tourniquet by combat lifesavers course instructors at the Regimental Aid Station, Camp Ripper, Iraq. The course taught Marines how to use tourniquets, pressure dressings and how to assess casualties in combat. - Private Juan Gonzalez, the Gunner’s assistant with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 8 is instructed on how to place a tourniquet by combat lifesavers course instructors at the Regimental Aid Station, Camp Ripper, Iraq. The course taught Marines how to use tourniquets, pressure dressings and how to assess casualties in combat.

First Sgt. Edward Zapata, the first sergeant for Company B, 1st Tank Battalion, and guest speaker for the Regimental Combat Team 8 Corporals Leadership Course, hosted by Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion, speaks to the graduating Marines at the Memorial Chapel, Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, April 18, 2009. The two-week course consisted of sword and drill manual, Marine Corps history, customs and courtesies, leadership, a physical fitness test and a combat fitness test.::r::::n::“I’m real proud of these Marines,” said Sgt. Jeff McCarty, a graduation observer and section leader with Mobile Security Detachment, Headquarters Company, RCT-8. “They’re the Corps’ future leaders.” ::r::::n::For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.::r::::n:: - First Sgt. Edward Zapata, the first sergeant for Company B, 1st Tank Battalion, and guest speaker for the Regimental Combat Team 8 Corporals Leadership Course, hosted by Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion, speaks to the graduating Marines at the Memorial Chapel, Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, April 18, 2009. The two-week course consisted of sword and drill manual, Marine Corps history, customs and courtesies, leadership, a physical fitness test and a combat fitness test.::r::::n::“I’m real proud of these Marines,” said Sgt. Jeff McCarty, a graduation observer and section leader with Mobile Security Detachment, Headquarters Company, RCT-8. “They’re the Corps’ future leaders.” ::r::::n::For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.::r::::n::

Cpl. Matthew R. Adams, a logistics vehicle system operator with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion guides a light armored vehicle in for for fuel during a resupply mission north of the Sinjar Mountains, Iraq. “Interdicting smuggling and infiltration of foreign fighters moving into Mosul was a great success,” said Lt. Col. Scott D. Leonard, commanding officer for 1st LAR Bn. “While doing this we were able to get back to our roots as a light armored reconnaissance battalion, by operating independently; in a very austere environment; with a very small support footprint.” - Cpl. Matthew R. Adams, a logistics vehicle system operator with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion guides a light armored vehicle in for for fuel during a resupply mission north of the Sinjar Mountains, Iraq. “Interdicting smuggling and infiltration of foreign fighters moving into Mosul was a great success,” said Lt. Col. Scott D. Leonard, commanding officer for 1st LAR Bn. “While doing this we were able to get back to our roots as a light armored reconnaissance battalion, by operating independently; in a very austere environment; with a very small support footprint.”

Iraqi Army commandos with the 7th Iraqi Army Division disembark a Super Stallion CH-53E helicopter at the Camp Ripper landing zone, Camp Ripper, Iraq, April 9. Reconnaissance Marines with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8, have been instructing the commandos in basic infantry tactics during a month-long training package. - Iraqi Army commandos with the 7th Iraqi Army Division disembark a Super Stallion CH-53E helicopter at the Camp Ripper landing zone, Camp Ripper, Iraq, April 9. Reconnaissance Marines with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8, have been instructing the commandos in basic infantry tactics during a month-long training package.

Private First Class Chad McHugh looks on as Marines of the Quick Reaction force engage targets during a weapons training exercise, April 2, 2009. Although the QRF Marines are originally tankers, they say conducted missions a a QRF helps to mae them more well-rounded Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Alan Addison) - Private First Class Chad McHugh looks on as Marines of the Quick Reaction force engage targets during a weapons training exercise, April 2, 2009. Although the QRF Marines are originally tankers, they say conducted missions a a QRF helps to mae them more well-rounded Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Alan Addison)

Lieutenant Col. Scott D. Leonard (left), commanding officer of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, receives a plaque from Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Kassner, commanding officer of 3rd LAR Bn., commemorating the successful transfer of authority between the LAR battalions. Operating from a remote airfield near the Sinjar Mountains in northern Iraq, Marines of 1st LAR Bn. spent the majority of their deployment interdicting smuggling and conducting reconnaissance in the open terrain near Mosul. - Lieutenant Col. Scott D. Leonard (left), commanding officer of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, receives a plaque from Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Kassner, commanding officer of 3rd LAR Bn., commemorating the successful transfer of authority between the LAR battalions. Operating from a remote airfield near the Sinjar Mountains in northern Iraq, Marines of 1st LAR Bn. spent the majority of their deployment interdicting smuggling and conducting reconnaissance in the open terrain near Mosul.

Iraqi commandos with the 7th Iraqi Army Division practice two-man room entering while other commandos watch, April 7, 2009 at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. Reconnaissance Marines with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8, have been training Iraqi commandos with the 7th Iraqi Army Division on fundamental infantry tactics during a month-long training evolution. - Iraqi commandos with the 7th Iraqi Army Division practice two-man room entering while other commandos watch, April 7, 2009 at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. Reconnaissance Marines with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8, have been training Iraqi commandos with the 7th Iraqi Army Division on fundamental infantry tactics during a month-long training evolution.

Sergeant Dustin H. Bowman, the current operations manager with Regimental Combat Team 8, greets the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent at the dining facility, Camp Ripper, Iraq. The Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps have been visiting forward operating bases throughout Multi National Force-West and took time out of their schedule to have dinner with RCT-8 Marines. - Sergeant Dustin H. Bowman, the current operations manager with Regimental Combat Team 8, greets the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent at the dining facility, Camp Ripper, Iraq. The Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps have been visiting forward operating bases throughout Multi National Force-West and took time out of their schedule to have dinner with RCT-8 Marines.