Stories

AL ASAD, Iraq--A Marine inserts an IV needle into a fellow Marine. This training is necessary in the event a corpsman is tending to other patients in a combat situation. Close to 30 sailors make up the Marine Wing Support Squadrons 271 medical unit providing care for more than 1,200 Marines and sailors here. They utilize radiography equipment and have the ability to perform laboratory tests, issue medications, and provide the majority of preventive medicine for the forward operating bases of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. - AL ASAD, Iraq--A Marine inserts an IV needle into a fellow Marine. This training is necessary in the event a corpsman is tending to other patients in a combat situation. Close to 30 sailors make up the Marine Wing Support Squadrons 271 medical unit providing care for more than 1,200 Marines and sailors here. They utilize radiography equipment and have the ability to perform laboratory tests, issue medications, and provide the majority of preventive medicine for the forward operating bases of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

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AL ASAD, Iraq ? Aircraft recovery specialists from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 hammer down cruciform stakes while relocating an expeditionary arresting gear trailer April 20. The stakes serve as anchoring supports for the gear during aircraft arrestments. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Aircraft recovery specialists from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 hammer down cruciform stakes while relocating an expeditionary arresting gear trailer April 20. The stakes serve as anchoring supports for the gear during aircraft arrestments.

AL ASAD, Iraq -- Ernest Alejandro, an airframes technician with the sustainment tactical assessment team of Bell Aerospace Services, Inc., installs flight controls on an AH-1W Super Cobra on April 20. Alejandro, from Harlingen, Texas, is one of the 13 Marine veterans who volunteered to come to Iraq and help get the AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1N Huey helicopters back in the fight. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Ernest Alejandro, an airframes technician with the sustainment tactical assessment team of Bell Aerospace Services, Inc., installs flight controls on an AH-1W Super Cobra on April 20. Alejandro, from Harlingen, Texas, is one of the 13 Marine veterans who volunteered to come to Iraq and help get the AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1N Huey helicopters back in the fight.

AL ASAD, Iraq--(Left to Right) Barbara Leoni, guitar, Lisa Haze, vocals, Sandra Walker, bass guitar, and Max Miller, drums, are The California Girls. The band entertained Marines here April 22. This performance was one stop as the band tours several locations in Iraq. The group has performed together for the past six years playing a blend of classic rock and surfer hits. - AL ASAD, Iraq--(Left to Right) Barbara Leoni, guitar, Lisa Haze, vocals, Sandra Walker, bass guitar, and Max Miller, drums, are The California Girls. The band entertained Marines here April 22. This performance was one stop as the band tours several locations in Iraq. The group has performed together for the past six years playing a blend of classic rock and surfer hits.

AL ASAD, Iraq ? Lieutenant Gen. Martin R. Berndt, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic commander, pins a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on Lance Cpl. Wesley M. Stapelman, a data systems technician assigned to the Aviation Information Systems Department of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced). Stapelman, a Great Falls, Mont., native, is reinforcing MALS-26 out of MALS-13 from Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Lieutenant Gen. Martin R. Berndt, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic commander, pins a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on Lance Cpl. Wesley M. Stapelman, a data systems technician assigned to the Aviation Information Systems Department of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (Reinforced). Stapelman, a Great Falls, Mont., native, is reinforcing MALS-26 out of MALS-13 from Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz.

AL ASAD, Iraq -- First Lt. Michael K. Mishoe Jr., incoming commanding officer and Corning, Calif., native, receives the company guidon from Capt. Tom Chhabra, outgoing commander originally from West Windsor, N.J., as he assumes command of Headquarters and Service Company, Provisional Security Battalion on April 20 at a ceremony held outside the Base Defense Operations Center here. The passing of the guidon, or colors, represents the passing of authority and responsibility from one commander to the other. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- First Lt. Michael K. Mishoe Jr., incoming commanding officer and Corning, Calif., native, receives the company guidon from Capt. Tom Chhabra, outgoing commander originally from West Windsor, N.J., as he assumes command of Headquarters and Service Company, Provisional Security Battalion on April 20 at a ceremony held outside the Base Defense Operations Center here. The passing of the guidon, or colors, represents the passing of authority and responsibility from one commander to the other.

AL ASAD, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Jesse W. Kohler, a heavy equipment mechanic assigned to the utilities section of Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Air Traffic Control Detachment Alpha, torques down a headbolt on the engine of a diesel generator April 15. Kohler from Eagan, Minn., is one of the Marines in charge of maintaining the generators that power the air traffic controlling equipment here. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Lance Cpl. Jesse W. Kohler, a heavy equipment mechanic assigned to the utilities section of Marine Air Control Squadron 1, Air Traffic Control Detachment Alpha, torques down a headbolt on the engine of a diesel generator April 15. Kohler from Eagan, Minn., is one of the Marines in charge of maintaining the generators that power the air traffic controlling equipment here.

AL ASAD, Iraq--ScanEagle waits on the catapult prior to launch. A small detachment of Marines and civilians is deployed here to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in western Iraq. The detachment is from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, N.C. ScanEagle weighs approximately 40 pounds and has a 10-foot wing span. The aircraft operates with a small engine, requiring a small amount fuel. Its 4-foot frame can remain airborne for more than 10 hours. Each drone is launched using a catapult system, which makes it runway independent and perfect for forward operating forces. Using the Global Positioning System, it is retrieved with a skyhook where the UAV catches a small, suspended rope. Saving lives is the number one mission for this small detachment. As they collect information on potential targets, the leaders on the ground decide what effective measures to take to minimize the risks against friendly forces. Spending almost 15 hours a day gathering information, the analysts provide a solid foundation to make tactical decisions. - AL ASAD, Iraq--ScanEagle waits on the catapult prior to launch. A small detachment of Marines and civilians is deployed here to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in western Iraq. The detachment is from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, N.C. ScanEagle weighs approximately 40 pounds and has a 10-foot wing span. The aircraft operates with a small engine, requiring a small amount fuel. Its 4-foot frame can remain airborne for more than 10 hours. Each drone is launched using a catapult system, which makes it runway independent and perfect for forward operating forces. Using the Global Positioning System, it is retrieved with a skyhook where the UAV catches a small, suspended rope. Saving lives is the number one mission for this small detachment. As they collect information on potential targets, the leaders on the ground decide what effective measures to take to minimize the risks against friendly forces. Spending almost 15 hours a day gathering information, the analysts provide a solid foundation to make tactical decisions.

AL ASAD, Iraq -- Iraqi workers here separate trash April 16 during the clean up of a legendary site. The Iraqis, who work at the police academy, joined the efforts of Marines, sailors and American civilians in restoring a military cemetery, an oasis and the ruins of a building where Abraham, who plays a significant role in the history of three major faiths, is rumored to have spent one night during one of his travels through this area. - AL ASAD, Iraq -- Iraqi workers here separate trash April 16 during the clean up of a legendary site. The Iraqis, who work at the police academy, joined the efforts of Marines, sailors and American civilians in restoring a military cemetery, an oasis and the ruins of a building where Abraham, who plays a significant role in the history of three major faiths, is rumored to have spent one night during one of his travels through this area.