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Sgt. Jaime Osornio, a radio operator with Regimental Combat Team 8’s communications section, assists two Iraqi soldiers during a class pertaining to radio operations and functions aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, May 23, 2009. During the class, Osornio along with Cpl Jonathan Matias instructed the Iraqi’s in radio wave transmission, antenna fundamentals and antenna assembly - Sgt. Jaime Osornio, a radio operator with Regimental Combat Team 8’s communications section, assists two Iraqi soldiers during a class pertaining to radio operations and functions aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, May 23, 2009. During the class, Osornio along with Cpl Jonathan Matias instructed the Iraqi’s in radio wave transmission, antenna fundamentals and antenna assembly

RCT-8 Marines clear lines of communications for Iraqis

Now that Coalition forces have begun to take the necessary steps toward a responsible drawdown, it’s very important that they work to pass on their knowledge to Iraqi forces. Although the Iraqi Security Forces have most of the tools needed to keep their country safe, Coalition forces must still contribute toward ensuring the ISF are ready to stand

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1st Lt. Blaine Barby, a platoon commander with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, talks with Kurdish soldiers during a visit to Rafiyah, Iraq, April 25, 2009. Barby says that his platoon tries to get to know the people living in the areas where they conduct most of their operations. - 1st Lt. Blaine Barby, a platoon commander with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, talks with Kurdish soldiers during a visit to Rafiyah, Iraq, April 25, 2009. Barby says that his platoon tries to get to know the people living in the areas where they conduct most of their operations.

Marine and Iraqi forces work to keep northern Iraq safe

As far as the eye can see, thick clouds of dust encompass the landscape as light armored vehicles quickly make their way across the barren desert. Dust poured in through the openings of the vehicles as they slowly came to a stop in front of an unmarked compound. A few Marines along with an interpreter approach the entrance and are welcomed by

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Chief Warrant Officer Christian Wade, battalion gunner for 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion adjusts the scope on a Mark-12 designated marksman rifle during a live-fire exercise at Sahl Sinjar, Iraq, April 27, 2009. Wade says the medium tactical scope is a key factor in making the Mark-12 such an accurate weapon. - Chief Warrant Officer Christian Wade, battalion gunner for 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion adjusts the scope on a Mark-12 designated marksman rifle during a live-fire exercise at Sahl Sinjar, Iraq, April 27, 2009. Wade says the medium tactical scope is a key factor in making the Mark-12 such an accurate weapon.

Marines train with designated marksman rifle

Gunfire erupts in the distance after which rounds impact targets down range and bury themselves in the dirt behind the targets. Unlike the expected sounds of an M-4 carbine or another other variant of the M-16 service rifle, the shots heard here lack the sharp crack of those weapons and are instead slightly muffled.Marines from 3rd Light Armored

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Sergeant Juan Valdez, a vehicle commander with Mobile Security Detachment, Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 8, was wounded during his second deployment to Iraq in 2006 while with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. After sustaining a bullet wound through sniper fire and being sent home for recoupment, Valdez felt a strong guilt for being away from his fellow Marine brothers and hopes his current deployment will ease his guilt. - Sergeant Juan Valdez, a vehicle commander with Mobile Security Detachment, Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 8, was wounded during his second deployment to Iraq in 2006 while with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. After sustaining a bullet wound through sniper fire and being sent home for recoupment, Valdez felt a strong guilt for being away from his fellow Marine brothers and hopes his current deployment will ease his guilt.

Combat-wounded Marine tells his tale; Redeploys to prove his worth

A Marine loses blood, flesh, and sometimes life when wounded in combat. Even when that Marine overcomes death, is sewn up and found fit for full duty, scar tissue will always remind him of that day, if not the memories he carries that may weigh his thoughts with troubles and self-appointed failures. Meritoriously-promoted Sergeant Juan Valdez, a

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Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Lovely, officer-in-charge of Civil Affairs Team 6 Detachment West, Civil Affairs Group, Regimental Combat Team 8, talks with the sub-Mayor of Tallabtah, Abdulrhman Khaled, and the Khabbaza village official, Jamal Dham Muhammad, about the results of a school renovation in Khabbaz, Iraq April 29, 2009. Marines along with the Iraqi people helped to bring much needed renovations to the school. - Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Lovely, officer-in-charge of Civil Affairs Team 6 Detachment West, Civil Affairs Group, Regimental Combat Team 8, talks with the sub-Mayor of Tallabtah, Abdulrhman Khaled, and the Khabbaza village official, Jamal Dham Muhammad, about the results of a school renovation in Khabbaz, Iraq April 29, 2009. Marines along with the Iraqi people helped to bring much needed renovations to the school.

Marines assist Iraqi’s in school renovation

Marines and local Iraqis stand around the front door of a house as groups of men congregate inside mingling and drinking chi tea. After about an hour of conversation, the Marines and Iraqis leave the house and make their way through the village toward a white building where armed Iraqi guards provide overwatch from the rooftop. Marines from Civil

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From left to right; Rawah’s town mayor; Hamid Khaleel Ibrahim; Rawah’s city engineering supervisor; Husam Rushid Muhsen; and Rawah’s city council chairman Isam Khamid Theb discuss plans for their city’s future at the Civic Leaders Conference held at Al Asad Air Base; May 4; 2009. City leaders from Western Al Anbar gathered to discuss ways to overcome their cities’ problems. - From left to right; Rawah’s town mayor; Hamid Khaleel Ibrahim; Rawah’s city engineering supervisor; Husam Rushid Muhsen; and Rawah’s city council chairman Isam Khamid Theb discuss plans for their city’s future at the Civic Leaders Conference held at Al Asad Air Base; May 4; 2009. City leaders from Western Al Anbar gathered to discuss ways to overcome their cities’ problems.

RCT-8, EPRT organize western Al Anbar Civic Leaders Conference

Western Al Anbar was considered ‘the wild west’ at the beginning of the insurgency in 2004. It wasn’t until after the Anbar awakening in 2006 that the area began to move forward democratically. Now civic leaders and politicians have assembled together to discuss better ways to reallocate provincial funding. Regimental Combat Team 8 and members of

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News

RCT-8 Marines clear lines of communications for Iraqis

Marine and Iraqi forces work to keep northern Iraq safe

Marines train with designated marksman rifle

Combat-wounded Marine tells his tale; Redeploys to prove his worth

Marines assist Iraqi’s in school renovation

RCT-8, EPRT organize western Al Anbar Civic Leaders Conference

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