Stories

Players look on as a Marine receives a pass from his “Gunrunners” teammate during a flag football tournament aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 13, 2009. Both service members and civilians come out every month for the tournament, which is organized by the staff at the Hero’s Hall gym and service members. - Players look on as a Marine receives a pass from his “Gunrunners” teammate during a flag football tournament aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 13, 2009. Both service members and civilians come out every month for the tournament, which is organized by the staff at the Hero’s Hall gym and service members.

Service members and civilians escape the cold and file into the great room at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation center aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq for Neo Soul Night Dec. 4, 2009. Throughout the night, audience members took to the stage to recite some of their own poetry written over the course of their deployment. - Service members and civilians escape the cold and file into the great room at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation center aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq for Neo Soul Night Dec. 4, 2009. Throughout the night, audience members took to the stage to recite some of their own poetry written over the course of their deployment.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dawn Sprowl (left), the embark officer for II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), goes over paperwork with Sgt. Jimmy Young, an embark clerk, aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2009. The embark office is responsible for moving II MEF (Fwd) personnel and gear into, around and out of Iraq. - Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dawn Sprowl (left), the embark officer for II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), goes over paperwork with Sgt. Jimmy Young, an embark clerk, aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2009. The embark office is responsible for moving II MEF (Fwd) personnel and gear into, around and out of Iraq.

Master Sgt. Richard Buer, base telephone chief, executes pull-ups during a CrossFit session aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Nov. 6, 2009. CrossFit combines three different methods of training: cardio, gymnastics and weight lifting, to allow people of all skill levels to participate and work to achieve their training goals. - Master Sgt. Richard Buer, base telephone chief, executes pull-ups during a CrossFit session aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Nov. 6, 2009. CrossFit combines three different methods of training: cardio, gymnastics and weight lifting, to allow people of all skill levels to participate and work to achieve their training goals.

Master Sgt. William 'Spanky' Gibson, force fires chief, Multi National Force - West, waits to get on the aircraft that will begin his trip home. Gibson, from Pryor, Okla., accepted an invitation as one of the first three staff non-commissioned officers to become Marine Corps Congressional Fellows. - Master Sgt. William 'Spanky' Gibson, force fires chief, Multi National Force - West, waits to get on the aircraft that will begin his trip home. Gibson, from Pryor, Okla., accepted an invitation as one of the first three staff non-commissioned officers to become Marine Corps Congressional Fellows.

Lance Cpl. Adam J. Desso, a team leader with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, supports and mentors an Iraqi Policeman during a routine vehicle search at an Enemy Control Point. While, the battalion’s leaders have stressed the importance of creating a great relationship with the policemen, they also put emphasis on monitoring the Iraqi police as they grow to a high-level that can eventually become an independent force, a feat several stations have already accomplished. - Lance Cpl. Adam J. Desso, a team leader with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, supports and mentors an Iraqi Policeman during a routine vehicle search at an Enemy Control Point. While, the battalion’s leaders have stressed the importance of creating a great relationship with the policemen, they also put emphasis on monitoring the Iraqi police as they grow to a high-level that can eventually become an independent force, a feat several stations have already accomplished.