Stories

From left to right, Sgt. Michael Roman, Capt. Andres Zuniga, and Cpl. James S. Frost, form the Comptroller Team for the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command while deployed to the Middle East, July 25, 2017. Throughout their eight-month deployment, the team identified approximately $800,000 of allocated yet unspent funds which allowed for the purchase of additional products to enhance the command’s ability to react to any mission they may encounter while conducting USCENTCOM’s crisis response mission. - From left to right, Sgt. Michael Roman, Capt. Andres Zuniga, and Cpl. James S. Frost, form the Comptroller Team for the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command while deployed to the Middle East, July 25, 2017. Throughout their eight-month deployment, the team identified approximately $800,000 of allocated yet unspent funds which allowed for the purchase of additional products to enhance the command’s ability to react to any mission they may encounter while conducting USCENTCOM’s crisis response mission.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Shakelia Woods, a food service specialist with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, showcases khubuz, a traditional Iraqi flat bread, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, May 4, 2017. Woods instructed Iraqi soldiers with the 7th Iraqi Army Division on capabilities and employment of an Ozti Field Kitchen (OFK) during an advise and assist mission in support of Task Force Al Asad. Task Force Al Asad trains Iraqi forces with operationally relevant training, an integral aspect of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, the global coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Shakelia Woods, a food service specialist with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, showcases khubuz, a traditional Iraqi flat bread, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, May 4, 2017. Woods instructed Iraqi soldiers with the 7th Iraqi Army Division on capabilities and employment of an Ozti Field Kitchen (OFK) during an advise and assist mission in support of Task Force Al Asad. Task Force Al Asad trains Iraqi forces with operationally relevant training, an integral aspect of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, the global coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole)

Sulphur dioxide from a fire at the Al-Mishraq sulfur plant travels over Qayyarah Airfield West, Iraq, Oct. 25, 2016. Marines with an Advise and Assist Team with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command were deployed to the area when the fire was burning. The Marines of the A&A Team were able to overcome these conditions and continue operating due to their CBRN training. U.S. Marines receive this training throughout their careers and before deploying in order to effectively respond to an attack and continue accomplishing the mission. - Sulphur dioxide from a fire at the Al-Mishraq sulfur plant travels over Qayyarah Airfield West, Iraq, Oct. 25, 2016. Marines with an Advise and Assist Team with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command were deployed to the area when the fire was burning. The Marines of the A&A Team were able to overcome these conditions and continue operating due to their CBRN training. U.S. Marines receive this training throughout their careers and before deploying in order to effectively respond to an attack and continue accomplishing the mission.

U.S. Marine Maj. Yongjin Chang, the officer in charge of 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, discusses range boundaries and target sets during a close air support exercise while forward deployed to the Middle East, Dec. 14, 2016. 4th ANGLICO, M Detachment, an all Reserve unit based out of West Palm Beach, Florida, is currently forward deployed in the Middle East with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command. M Detachment is comprised of forward observers, radio operators, joint fires observers, artillery officers and a corpsman, all of which play an important role in the SPMAGTF’s crisis response mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shellie Hall) - U.S. Marine Maj. Yongjin Chang, the officer in charge of 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, discusses range boundaries and target sets during a close air support exercise while forward deployed to the Middle East, Dec. 14, 2016. 4th ANGLICO, M Detachment, an all Reserve unit based out of West Palm Beach, Florida, is currently forward deployed in the Middle East with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command. M Detachment is comprised of forward observers, radio operators, joint fires observers, artillery officers and a corpsman, all of which play an important role in the SPMAGTF’s crisis response mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shellie Hall)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tyler Summ, a fixed wing aircraft mechanic deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 231, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, conducts a pre-flight maintenance check, March 2, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-CC continues its commitment to support OIR and USCENTCOM through employment of kinetic air strike missions, security cooperation and crisis response assets within the region. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tyler Summ, a fixed wing aircraft mechanic deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 231, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, conducts a pre-flight maintenance check, March 2, 2017. SPMAGTF-CR-CC continues its commitment to support OIR and USCENTCOM through employment of kinetic air strike missions, security cooperation and crisis response assets within the region. CJTF-OIR is the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole)

Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed, a Baghdad, Iraq native and a supply Marine with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, stands in front of the painting an Iraqi flag while in Northern Iraq, Dec. 26, 2016. Mohammed, fluent in Arabic, has strengthened the partnership between SPMAGTF Marines and Iraqi military members by translating pertinent information to support their operations. SPMAGTF Marines enable Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve with security forces, strikes, and advise and assist teams, all of which support the Iraqis in their efforts to defeat ISIL. - Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed, a Baghdad, Iraq native and a supply Marine with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, stands in front of the painting an Iraqi flag while in Northern Iraq, Dec. 26, 2016. Mohammed, fluent in Arabic, has strengthened the partnership between SPMAGTF Marines and Iraqi military members by translating pertinent information to support their operations. SPMAGTF Marines enable Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve with security forces, strikes, and advise and assist teams, all of which support the Iraqis in their efforts to defeat ISIL.

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller speaks with the Marines forward deployed to the Middle East with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, Dec. 22, 2016. Neller spoke about the SPMAGTF-CR-CC history, coalition partnerships, readiness, and the future of the Marine Corps. - Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller speaks with the Marines forward deployed to the Middle East with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, Dec. 22, 2016. Neller spoke about the SPMAGTF-CR-CC history, coalition partnerships, readiness, and the future of the Marine Corps.

Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed, a Baghdad, Iraq native and a supply Marine with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, stands in front of the painting an Iraqi flag while in Northern Iraq, Dec. 26, 2016. Mohammed, fluent in Arabic, has strengthened the partnership between SPMAGTF Marines and Iraqi military members by translating pertinent information to support their operations. SPMAGTF Marines enable Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve with security forces, strikes, and advise and assist teams, all of which support the Iraqis in their efforts to defeat ISIL. - Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed, a Baghdad, Iraq native and a supply Marine with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, stands in front of the painting an Iraqi flag while in Northern Iraq, Dec. 26, 2016. Mohammed, fluent in Arabic, has strengthened the partnership between SPMAGTF Marines and Iraqi military members by translating pertinent information to support their operations. SPMAGTF Marines enable Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve with security forces, strikes, and advise and assist teams, all of which support the Iraqis in their efforts to defeat ISIL.