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Sgt. Tommy Defrencisci, a member of the Second Marine Division Association, steps off the bus after arriving at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 2. Defrencisci was enlisted as a motor transportation Marine with Headquarters Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment from 1941 to 1946 and was called back from the reserves in 1950. - Sgt. Tommy Defrencisci, a member of the Second Marine Division Association, steps off the bus after arriving at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 2. Defrencisci was enlisted as a motor transportation Marine with Headquarters Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment from 1941 to 1946 and was called back from the reserves in 1950.

Marines from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division survey the area around them after successfully landing on the shores of Onslow Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Feb. 6. The Marines had departed from the USS Oakhill in an amphibious assault vehicle during the training event Bold Alligator. - Marines from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division survey the area around them after successfully landing on the shores of Onslow Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Feb. 6. The Marines had departed from the USS Oakhill in an amphibious assault vehicle during the training event Bold Alligator.

The “Magnificent Bastards” of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines patrol the region. During their deployment to Afghanistan 2/4 has been busy with reconstruction operations and the training of Afghan National Forces. Their main efforts have been reconstruction and creating a security bubble from which the Afghan National Security Forces can operate independently. - The “Magnificent Bastards” of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines patrol the region. During their deployment to Afghanistan 2/4 has been busy with reconstruction operations and the training of Afghan National Forces. Their main efforts have been reconstruction and creating a security bubble from which the Afghan National Security Forces can operate independently.

First Lt. Joseph M. Russell, a Richmond Heights, Ohio, native and the adviser for the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps communications officer, recognized the need for his Afghan counterparts to have secure radio communications upon arriving to Afghanistan. Russell, 25, worked with Afghan National Army soldiers to obtain the proper equipment to install and code encryption on all of the ANA’s field radios within Helmand. - First Lt. Joseph M. Russell, a Richmond Heights, Ohio, native and the adviser for the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps communications officer, recognized the need for his Afghan counterparts to have secure radio communications upon arriving to Afghanistan. Russell, 25, worked with Afghan National Army soldiers to obtain the proper equipment to install and code encryption on all of the ANA’s field radios within Helmand.

Sailors aboard the USS Kearsarge man the well deck’s operating center during Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 as landing craft, air cushions board the ship Jan. 31. The logistics personnel for both the Navy and Marine Corps personnel are expected to gain experience in smoothly bringing gear aboard ship and taking gear off ship. This exercise is scheduled to run through Feb. 12 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina. - Sailors aboard the USS Kearsarge man the well deck’s operating center during Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 as landing craft, air cushions board the ship Jan. 31. The logistics personnel for both the Navy and Marine Corps personnel are expected to gain experience in smoothly bringing gear aboard ship and taking gear off ship. This exercise is scheduled to run through Feb. 12 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina.

Staff Sgt. Ysidro Gonzalez Jr. stands at attention while his citation for the Bronze Star Medal is read shortly before receiving the award Feb. 2 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gonzalez is being recognized for his heroic service while deployed with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2. - Staff Sgt. Ysidro Gonzalez Jr. stands at attention while his citation for the Bronze Star Medal is read shortly before receiving the award Feb. 2 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gonzalez is being recognized for his heroic service while deployed with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2.

Sgt. David S. Palmer, a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, receives the Purple Heart during a ceremony held aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 27. Following the close of the ceremony the awarded Marines were greeted by several members of the Beirut Memorial Chapter 642, MOPH (Military order of the Purple Heart). - Sgt. David S. Palmer, a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, receives the Purple Heart during a ceremony held aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 27. Following the close of the ceremony the awarded Marines were greeted by several members of the Beirut Memorial Chapter 642, MOPH (Military order of the Purple Heart).

Italian Navy officer Ship of the Line Sublieutenant Santoro Francesco (equivalent of a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade) discusses Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 with Master Gunnery Sgt. Wendell Myles, Regimental Landing Team 2 operations chief, as they walk through the hangar bay aboard the USS Kearsarge on Jan. 31. Francesco said it is a great opportunity for the Italian Navy to learn about amphibious operations in part because the United States and Italy often work together in combat operations. Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps’ revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today’s fight with today’s forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. This exercise is scheduled to take place through Feb. 12 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina. - Italian Navy officer Ship of the Line Sublieutenant Santoro Francesco (equivalent of a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade) discusses Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 with Master Gunnery Sgt. Wendell Myles, Regimental Landing Team 2 operations chief, as they walk through the hangar bay aboard the USS Kearsarge on Jan. 31. Francesco said it is a great opportunity for the Italian Navy to learn about amphibious operations in part because the United States and Italy often work together in combat operations. Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps’ revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today’s fight with today’s forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. This exercise is scheduled to take place through Feb. 12 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina.

First Lt. Joseph M. Russell (top center), a Richmond Heights, Ohio, native and the advisor for the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps communications officer, poses with soldiers with the 215th Corps communications section. Sergeant Alan Coleman (bottom right), a Fountain Valley, Calif., native and the enlisted advisor for the 215th Corps communications section, helped with Russell’s initiative to encrypt all of the radios within the 215th Corps. He advised the enlisted Afghan soldiers on how to build, clean, maintain and encode the encryption on all the radios. The team of approximately 20 soldiers serve the 14,000 member of the 215th Corps.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - First Lt. Joseph M. Russell (top center), a Richmond Heights, Ohio, native and the advisor for the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps communications officer, poses with soldiers with the 215th Corps communications section. Sergeant Alan Coleman (bottom right), a Fountain Valley, Calif., native and the enlisted advisor for the 215th Corps communications section, helped with Russell’s initiative to encrypt all of the radios within the 215th Corps. He advised the enlisted Afghan soldiers on how to build, clean, maintain and encode the encryption on all the radios. The team of approximately 20 soldiers serve the 14,000 member of the 215th Corps.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::

Seaman James L. Louck, a Riverside, Calif., native and a corpsman with Echo Company, tries to keep warm while on midnight radio watch. The Marines and sailors with Echo Company maintain multiple security responsibilities when bedded down and not actively seeking the enemy. There is always someone awake and on duty to maintain radio communications or security for the platoons of the company, regardless of the time of day or location.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Seaman James L. Louck, a Riverside, Calif., native and a corpsman with Echo Company, tries to keep warm while on midnight radio watch. The Marines and sailors with Echo Company maintain multiple security responsibilities when bedded down and not actively seeking the enemy. There is always someone awake and on duty to maintain radio communications or security for the platoons of the company, regardless of the time of day or location.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::