Stories

Cpl. Samuel Santiago, an aircraft electrical systems technician with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 and Miami native, replaces a light bulb on top of a KC-130J Hercules at Al Asad, Iraq, Oct. 21. Santiago said the job may seem easy, but the size of the screws can cause the task to be very tedious. - Cpl. Samuel Santiago, an aircraft electrical systems technician with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 and Miami native, replaces a light bulb on top of a KC-130J Hercules at Al Asad, Iraq, Oct. 21. Santiago said the job may seem easy, but the size of the screws can cause the task to be very tedious.

Sergeant Craig Meltzer, a 26-year-old Virginia Beach, Va., native, deployed with the Bulldogs of Marine Attack Squadron 223 from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., in August. As the senior noncommissioned officer in the AV-8B Harrier squadron's flight equipment section, the Salem High School graduate oversees inspection of the aviation life support system worn by pilots. - Sergeant Craig Meltzer, a 26-year-old Virginia Beach, Va., native, deployed with the Bulldogs of Marine Attack Squadron 223 from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., in August. As the senior noncommissioned officer in the AV-8B Harrier squadron's flight equipment section, the Salem High School graduate oversees inspection of the aviation life support system worn by pilots.

Cpl. Adam Throne, a field artillery cannoneer and Mason City, Iowa, native, and Lance Cpl. Lance Clark, a field artillery cannoneer and Des Moines, Iowa, native, stand post at a remote detention facility, Oct. 18, at Al Asad, Iraq. The Detention Company Marines and Sailors from 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, serve as lock and key holders for detainees at the RDF. - Cpl. Adam Throne, a field artillery cannoneer and Mason City, Iowa, native, and Lance Cpl. Lance Clark, a field artillery cannoneer and Des Moines, Iowa, native, stand post at a remote detention facility, Oct. 18, at Al Asad, Iraq. The Detention Company Marines and Sailors from 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, serve as lock and key holders for detainees at the RDF.

Sergeant Abraham Gonzalez, the career retention specialist for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced), received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Oct. 15, for reenlisting 42 first term Marines, surpassing 100 percent of his mission, two weeks into the fiscal year. The 25-year-old Bronx, N.Y., native oversees career retention for the deployed Patriots of MALS-26. - Sergeant Abraham Gonzalez, the career retention specialist for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced), received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Oct. 15, for reenlisting 42 first term Marines, surpassing 100 percent of his mission, two weeks into the fiscal year. The 25-year-old Bronx, N.Y., native oversees career retention for the deployed Patriots of MALS-26.

2nd Force Service Support Group - 2nd Force Service Support Group

2nd Marine Division - 2nd Marine Division

Gunnery Sgt. Rene R. Benedit, a quality assurance chief for the Moonlighters of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 332 and a Miami native, looks at the squadron?s Wall of Remembrance, Oct. 12, at Al Asad, Iraq. The six-foot high board is dominated by rows of the Marine Corps insignia, an eagle, globe and anchor, each representing a Marine, Soldier or Sailor killed in action since the squadron?s arrival here, in August. - Gunnery Sgt. Rene R. Benedit, a quality assurance chief for the Moonlighters of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 332 and a Miami native, looks at the squadron?s Wall of Remembrance, Oct. 12, at Al Asad, Iraq. The six-foot high board is dominated by rows of the Marine Corps insignia, an eagle, globe and anchor, each representing a Marine, Soldier or Sailor killed in action since the squadron?s arrival here, in August.

Sergeant Kurtis Young, an air traffic controller from Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Detachment C, identifies an aircraft inbound to the airfield, Oct. 10, at Al Asad, Iraq. Young, a Glendale, Ariz., native, is a member of the Al Asad ATC detachment which recently began providing the U.S. Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar with information from this area, in addition to their regular duties. - Sergeant Kurtis Young, an air traffic controller from Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Detachment C, identifies an aircraft inbound to the airfield, Oct. 10, at Al Asad, Iraq. Young, a Glendale, Ariz., native, is a member of the Al Asad ATC detachment which recently began providing the U.S. Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar with information from this area, in addition to their regular duties.

During their flight, Iraqi Commands pose for a photo with Cpl. David Finn, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler and Transport Squadron 252, while inside the KC-130J Hercules. ?I think it was great meeting the Iraqis,? said Finn, a native of Cleveland. ?They were respectful of everything I needed them to do and very polite. Overall, they are a well disciplined group.? - During their flight, Iraqi Commands pose for a photo with Cpl. David Finn, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler and Transport Squadron 252, while inside the KC-130J Hercules. ?I think it was great meeting the Iraqis,? said Finn, a native of Cleveland. ?They were respectful of everything I needed them to do and very polite. Overall, they are a well disciplined group.?

In fine Navy tradition, Sailors enjoyed coffee and cake as they celebrated the Navy?s Birthday, Oct. 13, while deployed in Al Asad, Iraq. Sailors from all over Al Asad got a chance to meet and socialize during the event. - In fine Navy tradition, Sailors enjoyed coffee and cake as they celebrated the Navy?s Birthday, Oct. 13, while deployed in Al Asad, Iraq. Sailors from all over Al Asad got a chance to meet and socialize during the event.