Stories

Iraqi soldiers with the 7th Iraqi Army Division hand out gifts and school supplies to Iraqi children near Baghdadi, Iraq, Dec. 31, 2009. Marines from 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, gave their excess supplies and care package items to the Iraqi soldiers for distribution to the community. - Iraqi soldiers with the 7th Iraqi Army Division hand out gifts and school supplies to Iraqi children near Baghdadi, Iraq, Dec. 31, 2009. Marines from 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, gave their excess supplies and care package items to the Iraqi soldiers for distribution to the community.

Air Force 1st Lt. Justin Ellsworth (second from right), an electronic warfare officer with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), takes questions after giving a class to Marines from 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Jan. 1, 2010. Ellsworth and his fellow EWOs train Marines and sailors to use electronic countermeasure systems in the fight against improvised explosive devices. - Air Force 1st Lt. Justin Ellsworth (second from right), an electronic warfare officer with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), takes questions after giving a class to Marines from 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Jan. 1, 2010. Ellsworth and his fellow EWOs train Marines and sailors to use electronic countermeasure systems in the fight against improvised explosive devices.

Iraqi soldiers rescue simulated casualties during a Combat Lifesaver Course aboard Camp Mejid, Iraq, Dec. 31, 2009. - Iraqi soldiers rescue simulated casualties during a Combat Lifesaver Course aboard Camp Mejid, Iraq, Dec. 31, 2009.

Marines, sailors and civilians with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward) gather in the great room at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation center aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, for an “end in sight” luncheon, Dec. 19, 2009. During the luncheon, Marines shared memories and stories of their deployment and talked about their plans for returning to the U.S. - Marines, sailors and civilians with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward) gather in the great room at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation center aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, for an “end in sight” luncheon, Dec. 19, 2009. During the luncheon, Marines shared memories and stories of their deployment and talked about their plans for returning to the U.S.

Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hands out coins to service members at a town hall meeting aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 19, 2009. During the town hall, Mullen discussed change, leadership and the future of the U.S. armed forces. - Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hands out coins to service members at a town hall meeting aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 19, 2009. During the town hall, Mullen discussed change, leadership and the future of the U.S. armed forces.

Service members make their way through static displays and information tables at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward) safety exposition aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 18, 2009. II MHG (Fwd) held the safety exposition to combat complacency among service members nearing the end of their deployment. - Service members make their way through static displays and information tables at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward) safety exposition aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 18, 2009. II MHG (Fwd) held the safety exposition to combat complacency among service members nearing the end of their deployment.