Stories

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.

Marines from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 prepare more than 22,000 pounds of cargo for an air drop April 16. This was the first successful aerial delivery of cargo since the KC-130J arrived here in February. This also marked the first combat aerial delivery for the J model aircraft. The airdrop measured six truck loads worth of supplies, which means more than 12 Marines did not have to risk convoy operations. - Marines from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 prepare more than 22,000 pounds of cargo for an air drop April 16. This was the first successful aerial delivery of cargo since the KC-130J arrived here in February. This also marked the first combat aerial delivery for the J model aircraft. The airdrop measured six truck loads worth of supplies, which means more than 12 Marines did not have to risk convoy operations.

AL ASAD, Iraq - Sgt. Christopher Orange, flight medic, 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance) watches the left side of his UH-60A Blackhawk enroute to another medical evacuation April 14. - AL ASAD, Iraq - Sgt. Christopher Orange, flight medic, 571st Medical Company (Air Ambulance) watches the left side of his UH-60A Blackhawk enroute to another medical evacuation April 14.

AL ASAD, Iraq (Feb 24, 2005) ? As the Iraqi sun rises, a Marine from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 renders the proper salute as one of the squadron?s EA-6B Prowlers taxis to the flightline to begin a mission. - AL ASAD, Iraq (Feb 24, 2005) ? As the Iraqi sun rises, a Marine from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 renders the proper salute as one of the squadron?s EA-6B Prowlers taxis to the flightline to begin a mission.

AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporal Travis Toborg, plane captain, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 stands with his father Sgt. Timothy Toborg, electrician, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142 in front of a F/A-18 Hornet. Timothy rejoined the Marine Corps after a 14-year hiatus when he joined the reserves after his son joined the active duty ranks in 2002. - AL ASAD, Iraq ? Corporal Travis Toborg, plane captain, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 stands with his father Sgt. Timothy Toborg, electrician, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 142 in front of a F/A-18 Hornet. Timothy rejoined the Marine Corps after a 14-year hiatus when he joined the reserves after his son joined the active duty ranks in 2002.

AL ASAD, Iraq (April 14, 2005) - During a training session on pressure points, Chris asks an Iraqi Border Patrol student if his partner is doing the technique right. Chris serves an interpreter for the Marine and civilian law enforcement instructors at the Regional Iraqi Police and Border Patrol Academy here. - AL ASAD, Iraq (April 14, 2005) - During a training session on pressure points, Chris asks an Iraqi Border Patrol student if his partner is doing the technique right. Chris serves an interpreter for the Marine and civilian law enforcement instructors at the Regional Iraqi Police and Border Patrol Academy here.

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