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The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40580 Scene Camera Operator: CPL A More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40580 Scene Camera Operator: CP More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40580 Scene Camera Operator: CPL A More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40580 Scene Camera Operator: CP More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40580 Scene Camera Operator: CP More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40580 Scene Camera Operator: CP More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40580 Scene Camera Operator: CP More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40580 Scene Camera Operator: CP More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40580 Scene Camera Operator: CPL Adaecus G. Broo More

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40580 Scene Camera Operator: CPL Adaecus G. Broo More

The new commanding general of Multi-National Forces -West, Maj. Gen. John F. Kelly.

Iraqi soldiers and police celebrate during a ceremony where Marines transfered authority to the Iraqi security forces in the city of Hit, Iraq, on Feb. 14, 2008. Regimental Combat Team 5 is deployed with Multi- More

Iraqi soldiers anxiously wait in line to get their brand new M-16A4's. The Iraqi army is trading in the AK-47 for M-16A4's and M-4's, in order to have the uniformity and reliability the weapons will provide.

Sheikh Ahmed Albu-Risha caresses his prayer beads during a meeting where he announced to many of the local Iraqi leaders that his organization, Sahwah Al-Iraq, or the 'Awakening Councils in Iraq' is going to be More

Marine Col. Robert F. Castellvi, 1st Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team senior adviser and commanding officer listens to Maj. Gen. Tarik, commanding general 1st IA Div., speaks with the officers under More

Lance Cpl. Tranquilla McGee (top) practices the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program with his partner Cpl. Nicholas W. Alexie (bottom). Both McGee and Alexie are administrative clerks with 3rd Battalion, 23 Marine More

An Iraqi policeman searches a car outside a school in Saqlawiyah, Iraq, while members of RCT-1 Echo Company 2nd Battalion 24th Marines supervise on February 28. E Co. 2/24 escorted Marines from the Women's Enga More

Sen. John S. McCain (Rep. - Ariz.) walks with Maj. Gen. John F. Kelly, commanding general, Multi-National Force - West, after disembarking from an MV-22 Osprey aircraft in Haditha, Iraq, on March 16, 2008. McCa More

Senator John S. McCain (R-Az.) walks with Maj. Gen. John F. Kelly, Commanding General, Multi-National Force - West, after disembarking from an MV-22 Osprey aircraft in Haditha, Iraq, March 16. Sen. McCain visit More

Sheikh Talib Albu Issa is greeted by members of the Iraqi press on Camp Fallujah, Iraq on March 24, 2008. Sheik Talib visited Camp Fallujah to attend a leadership summit along with several government officials More

Bodybuilders flex their muscles for specators at the Fallujah Sports Day, Apr. 3, 2008. Nearly 400 men and boys converged on a recently renovated schoolyard demonstrating Fallujah is slowly becoming a safe and More

Nearly 400 men and boys shared sportsmanship and camaraderie at a newly renovated schoolyard in downtown Fallujah, Apr. 3, 2008. The Sports Day offered local residents a safe and organized event that included More

Lt. Col. James B. Zientek, 3rd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment commanding officer, meets with Col. Faisal Ismail al-Zobaie, Fallujah's chief of police, at the transition of a bridge from only military use to civi More

U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Andrew Barnes, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, leads a patrol in northern Karmah, Iraq, Sept. 25, 2008. U.S. Marines were supporting information operations by d More

Lance Cpl. Tim D. Dueker, motor transport operator, Truck Company, Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I MEF (Forward), keeps a calm face during the ammunition-can press portion of the combat fitness More

Maj. Meredith Brown, Iraqi Women's Engagement officer in charge, I Marine Expeditionary Force meets with representatives from Land O'Lakes, Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team and local Iraqi civilians to d More

Master Sgt. Sal Castilleja, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group civil affairs officer, checks on the operation of water purification equipment at a new water treatment facility near Fallujah, Iraq, More

Maj. Gen. Martin Post, deputy commanding general, Multi-National Force-West, speaks with Iraqi officials at Camp Al, Qaim, Iraq, Oct. 14, 2008. The camp, which had been used by coalition forces since 2003, was More

Iraqi army non-commissioned officers gear up and stand by for the "forced march" portion of the "Iraqi Army NCO and Soldier of the Year" competition, Oct. 16, 2008. Competitors awoke early first to complete an More

Staff Sgt. Bryan Spencer, Combat Logistics Battalion 5 Engineer Company operations platoon sergeant, briefs heavy equipment operators and combat engineers on the day's mission to level approximately 1,000 meter More

Iraqi border police practice detainee search techniques, Oct. 20, 2008, while 1st Lt. Andrew R. Scheuer, adviser, Border Transition Team 4222 keeps a watchful eye. Scheuer, 26, Westlake, Ohio, and other Marine More

An Iraqi police platoon sergeant shows his units newly awarded certificate of accountability and cleanliness at Border Fort Nine, Iraq, Oct. 22, 2008. "BFIT" sounds deceiving. It's not about strength, endurance More

Cpl. Sherman W. Smith, infantry adviser, Border Transition Team 4222, teaches a class on combat marksmanship to a squad of the 'Desert Wolves' 2nd Iraqi Border Police Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Division's newl More

Petty Officer 2nd Class John H. Holscher spent the day here performing dental exams on Iraqis like this little girl, Oct. 24, 2008. He's a pillar of health, literally. At 6"3' and 210 pounds, armed with six yea More

Cpl. Jose N. Parra, 25, Loredo, Texas, and other advisers with Border Transition Team 4222 spent the day giving aid to small remote villages, Oct. 24, 2008. Their mission is to train, mentor and advise, but the More

Marines with Border Transition Team 4222 wave goodbye to their Iraqi counterparts at the end of the day at Border Fort Nine, Iraq, on Oct. 27, 2008. They are alone, but they are not afraid. They are the 13 Mari More

Maj. Gen John Kelly, commanding general, Multi National Force - West, shakes hands with Maj. Gen. Abdulamir Abbas Ali, deputy, Iraqi Ministry of Interior, after a meeting on Camp Fallujah with leaders from Anba More

Master Sgt. Willie Ellerbrock, public affairs chief, Multi National Force - West, lines up some golfballs to hit on his makeshift "putting green," on Camp Fallujah. The 45-year-old Marine and avid golfer does h More

Cpl. James M. McClendon, a supply administration clerk with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5 spins a basketball while practicing at Camp Korean Village, Iraq. Shortly before More

Cpl. Benjamin Mizell (right), a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 and Pfc. Shaun Chapell, combat engineer from MWSS-273, work together to fill a large hole on a taxiway at Sahl Sinjar Air Fi More

Lance Cpl. Joeli O. Noareyes, a military policeman with MP Detachment, Combat Logistics Company 19, 1st Marine Logistics Group maintains a watchful eye over his particular section of Camp Sinjar's perimeter, No More

Military Police with Combat Logistics Company 19, 1st Marine Logistics Group, pause their patrol and set up security while patrol leaders plan the next move here, Nov. 9. The Marines of the Military Police deta More

A team of corpsmen from the Shock Trauma Platoon, Combat Logistics Co. 19, stabilize an "injured" Pfc. Roy A. Leon, military policeman, MP Co., CLC 19 during a drill, Nov. 10. The drill was conducted to test th More

Lance Cpl. Russell L. Pope, scout, Company D, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, posts security near a small village, Nov. 11. It wasn't long after breakfast the very next day that More

Marines of Company D, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance, 1st Marine Division, end their day by compiling recon reports to send to their headquarters during route and area reconnaissance operations, Nov. 11. Rive More

The military police of Military Police detachment, Combat Logistics Company 19, 1st Marine Logistics Group discovered a small weapons cache in an abandoned town just one kilometer west of Camp Sinjar, Nov. 11. More

Sgt. Timothy J. Exley, a light armored vehicle mechanic with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion sorts through bolts and other parts late at night to repair a light armo More

A Light Armored Vehicle from Company D, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance, tears through a field toward a hardball road, Nov. 12. The LAV has eight wheels, carries a capacity of six riflemen, a three-man crew, a More

Gunnery Sgt. Melvin L. Venable, maintenance chief for Company C, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion commands his vehicle into a coil near Sinjar Airfield. With Iraqi security forces providing security i More

Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commanding general, ground combat element, Multi National Force - West, speaks with Sheikh Abdullah Shakaar, a prominent sheikh in the Nineweh province. Mills made a visit to the Mar More

After patrolling through a wadi and searching its caves for evidence of smuggling, scouts from Company C, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion move back toward their vehicles to conduct further Reconnaiss More

A small extension of the Fallujah Career Retention Office now empty and vacant aboard Camp Fallujah, Iraq, Nov. 18, 2008. Camp Fallujah is being demilitarized to be turned over to the Iraqi government.

A forklift loads kitchen equipment into storage during the final meal served at Dining Facility 1 aboard Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 22, 2008. Camp Fallujah is being demilitarized to be turned over to the Iraq More

Employees of Daoud and Partners move a row of kitchen sinks during the final meal served at Dining Facility 1 aboard Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 22, 2008. Camp Fallujah is being demilitarized to be turned over More

A construction worker utilizes a bulldozer to flatten piles of debris as part of demilitarization efforts aboard Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 26, 2008. Camp Fallujah is being demilitarized to be turned over to More

A U.S. Navy customs agent, left, inspects the personal belongings of a Marine at Al Asad Air Base. Marines are currently in a trial process of departing Iraq from Al Asad Air Base directly to the United States.

U.S. Army Soldiers listen as Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, commander, Multi-National Division - North, gives his remarks during a Transfer of Authority Ceremony aboard Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Tikrit, More

Sgt. Roberto Garay, 25, from Norwalk, Calif., a vehicle commander with Motor Transportation Company Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group, guides a logistics vehicle system at Observation Pos More

Abdul Mutalab, Marjah District governor, addresses police recruits from Marjah during their training at the Joint Security Academy Shorabak, at Camp Leatherneck, July 20. Mutalab expressed his need for well-tra More

Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), carry a traditional Marine Corps birthday cake during the 3rd MAW (Fwd) cake cutting ceremony held at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Nov. 10. In attendance at th More

Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Malone, 20, from Oakland Tenn., a field wireman with Charlie Company, 9th Communication Battalion, digs a trench to run wire to minimize damage to the wires during a company level communicati More

Lance Cpl. Kyle Rutherford, 20, from Rosebud, Mont., a data systems technician with Bravo Company, 9th Communication Battalion, exits a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle after a simulated rollover at Camp More

Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct a Combat Marksmanship Program exercise at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 2. Table 3 consists of pivot drills and movement-to-contact More

Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct a Combat Marksmanship Program exercise at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 2. Table 3 consists of pivot drills and movement-to-contact More

A Marine with I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, applies a burn dressing to a simulated casualty at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 4. Marines and sailors with I MHG completed the training as part of More

Lance Cpl. Arnold Gillespie (left), Marine Air-Ground Task Force planning specialist with I Marine Expeditionary Force, hands a bowl of "barracks-made" chili to Cpl. Tyler Swiontek, I MEF maintenance management More

Marines with Iraqi Training Team 03 return to Camp Pendleton from a six-month deployment to Iraq, Nov. 8. The team of 13 Marines are among the last Marine units to return from Iraq.

Sgt. Wes T. Gregory, an intelligence specialist with 1st Intelligence Battalion, fires an M9 pistol while training with the Advisor Training Cell, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, Nov. 14. Grego More

A Marine participates in the Combat Marksmanship Program held by the Advisor Training Cell at Camp Pendleton, Nov. 17. The CMP is designed to enhance Marines proficiency with their weapons systems in order to p More

The commanding officer of the 6th Zone Afghan Border Police, Col. Sultan Mahmood listens as Maj. Gen. Nabi Jan Mullah Kihl, the deputy commander of the Afghan Uniform Police 707 Regional Headquarters talks with More

Lance Cpl. Harlan Rutledge a data technician with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), works diligently to ensure communication capabilities stay operational for Marines during their predeployment Mission Re More

Sgt. Maj. Harrison L. Tanksley, a native of Thomson, Ga., discusses leadership responsibilities with Sgt. Joshua C. Williams, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) adjutant non-commissioned officer in charge, More

Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), participates in a simulated press conference with Afghan role players during the I MEF (Fwd) Mission Rehearsal Exercise More

Digital illustration Medal of Honor recipient, prior active duty U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Dakota Meyer, speaks with Secretary of the Navy, the honorable Ray Mabus, before an induction ceremony at the Hall of Hero More

Sgt. Lindsey Sine, supply administration and operations specialist with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), holds her daughter, Feb. 27, as approximately 150 Marines and sailors prepare to deploy to Afghani More

Members of the Combined Medical Department for Regional Command Southwest and officials with the Afghan National Security Forces and ministries of Public Health and Defense met during the Five Surgeons Shura, F More

The color guard for the Joint Transfer of Authority Ceremony for Regional Command (Southwest) enters the parade deck, March 12, 2012.

Lance Cpl. Travis M. Stewart attaches chains to an inoperable vehicle at Combat Outpost Eredvi March 12 during a combat logistics patrol. The vehicle was towed the remainder of the patrol. Stewart is a wrecker More

A Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), turret-mounted M240G medium machine gun during a combat logistics patrol in Helmand March 13. The M240G and gunner provided security for the patrol.

The I Marine Expeditionary Force battle colors wave during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 12, 2012. U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, com More

Coalition forces personnel listen as U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta speaks during a town hall meeting aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 14, 2012. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon More

Growing up, Petty Officer 2nd Class Antonio Saenz, 27, from Chaparral N.M., a hospital corpsman with the Regimental Aid Station, Regimental Combat Team 6, knew he wanted to leave the desert where his hometown i More

Marines along with civilian contractors with Regimental Combat Team 6 enjoy a Saint Patrick’s Day barbeque, March 17. The barbeque was designed to give the Marines and sailors a break, help build camaraderie an More

Sgt. Kevin A. Rodriguez (left), basic water support technician, Support Company, Combat Logistics Bn. 4, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), oversees a test run during construction of the washrack March 22. L More

II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Assistant Chief of Staff, (C7) Engineers Col. Kurt A. Kempster sees the roads and bridges he and his team built, or repaired, as a network of opportunities for Afghans to More

A great deal of sustainable improvement in Helmand province has been accomplished throughout the past decade according to Assistant Chief of Staff Col. Dave Burton, the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) i More

Director of Science and Technology for II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Col. David Thompson, ensured Marines had the right equipment when they went into the field to battle insurgents, and do their jobs More

Lance Cpl. Larry Mcaffe, 22, postal clerk, 1st Marine Logistics Group Forward, from Gulfport, Miss., ensures mail is properly labeled before shipment, March 29. Growing up, Mcaffe envisioned himself making a di More

Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans Col. Norman Cooling, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), said his job kept him busy, but also put him in a position where he was privileged to watch the Af More

Today’s Navy chiefs wear many hats and operate across a broad spectrum of services, wearing different uniforms but still keeping with the one team, one fight purpose. From left is the Army combat uniform, the M More

Comptroller for II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Col. Michael Cordero, helped Afghans create a better future through financial instruction. He and his team traveled to areas throughout Helmand province More

Marine Corp Sgt. Ryan Loper, position safety officer, ensures the weapon is fired safely and properly by students during the live fire exercise, April 6, at Echo Range, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Major. Robert H. Brown Jr., (left), sergeant major, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), and Lt. Col. Adam L. Chalkley, (center left), commanding officer, CLB-4, present Pett More

Lt. Col. Denise M. Mull (left), Lt. Col. Kevin C. Trimble (middle), and Lt. Col. Adam L. Chalkley (right) meet to discuss counterinsurgency and combat logistics support operations at Forward Operating Base Whi More

Marines with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment honor fallen hero Cpl. Alex Martinez, during a memorial ceremony, April 13, 2012. Martinez was a combat engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, More

Gunnery Sgt. Jordan Freeland, assistant operations officer for the embedded training team, from Chico Calif., eats a traditional Afghan meal with Afghan National Army soldiers, April 20, 2012. The Marines from More

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Beranek with Helicopter Support Team 8, Combat Logistics Battalion 4 attached to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, communicates with the Air Of More

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, conduct cave exploitation missions during Operation Jaws April 7, 2012. Op Jaws was a large-scale operation that took place April 5-8. Second Bn., 5th Marines, p More

When Sgt. Andrew Jender, watch chief for 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, enlisted in the Marine Corps, he envisioned himself becoming an infantryman, he had no idea that decision would allow him look after More

Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Daniele, corpsman for 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment’s battalion aid station counts pills for a prescription, April 21, 2012. Growing up, Daniele had to look after and ca More