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Sergeant Ryan McQuillen, of Frederick, Md., an infantryman with Alpha Co., Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 2nd Marines make a final 'comm' check before heading out on a security patrol near Hit, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2005. BLT 1/2 is the ground combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), which is conducting combat operations in Iraq's Al Anbar province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - Sergeant Ryan McQuillen, of Frederick, Md., an infantryman with Alpha Co., Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 2nd Marines make a final 'comm' check before heading out on a security patrol near Hit, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2005. BLT 1/2 is the ground combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), which is conducting combat operations in Iraq's Al Anbar province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Marines from the Joint Task Force Enabler section of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operation Capable) Command Element work to piece together one of the satellite transmission and reception dishes that will soon connect the MEU to the rest of the world from its location at Forward Operating Base Hit, Iraq, Dec. 15, 2005. The 22nd MEU (SOC) is in Iraq conducting 0perations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - Marines from the Joint Task Force Enabler section of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operation Capable) Command Element work to piece together one of the satellite transmission and reception dishes that will soon connect the MEU to the rest of the world from its location at Forward Operating Base Hit, Iraq, Dec. 15, 2005. The 22nd MEU (SOC) is in Iraq conducting 0perations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Two highback Humvees filled with Marines from the Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), practice firing their M240G medium machine guns while on the move during during live fire training on the Udari Range outside Camp Beuhring, Kuwait, Dec. 11, 2005. The 22nd MEU (SOC) is currently in Iraq conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar province. - Two highback Humvees filled with Marines from the Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), practice firing their M240G medium machine guns while on the move during during live fire training on the Udari Range outside Camp Beuhring, Kuwait, Dec. 11, 2005. The 22nd MEU (SOC) is currently in Iraq conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar province.

Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Command Element set up camouflage netting on a rooftop at Forward Operating Base Hit, Iraq, Dec. 25, 2005. The 22nd MEU (SOC) is in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. - Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Command Element set up camouflage netting on a rooftop at Forward Operating Base Hit, Iraq, Dec. 25, 2005. The 22nd MEU (SOC) is in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Corporal Jacob McGuire, a CH-46 Sea Knight crew chief, inspects his helicopter after arriving in Iraq, Dec. 21, 2005. McGuire is with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Rein.), the aviation combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). - Corporal Jacob McGuire, a CH-46 Sea Knight crew chief, inspects his helicopter after arriving in Iraq, Dec. 21, 2005. McGuire is with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Rein.), the aviation combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).

MotoMail is a free, internet-based letter writing and delivery service that puts letters in the hands of deployed Marines and sailors much faster than traditional mail, often within 24 hours. The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) is currently using the system to support its men and women participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. - MotoMail is a free, internet-based letter writing and delivery service that puts letters in the hands of deployed Marines and sailors much faster than traditional mail, often within 24 hours. The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) is currently using the system to support its men and women participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Captain Paul Blair, air officer for Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 2nd Marines, helps strengthen platoons by teaching them how to conduct casualty evacuations and landing zone briefs in the library aboard the USS Nassau, Dec. 2, 2005. The BLT is the ground combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), which is currently deployed as the landing force for Expeditionary Strike Group 8. - Captain Paul Blair, air officer for Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 2nd Marines, helps strengthen platoons by teaching them how to conduct casualty evacuations and landing zone briefs in the library aboard the USS Nassau, Dec. 2, 2005. The BLT is the ground combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), which is currently deployed as the landing force for Expeditionary Strike Group 8.

With another amphibious assault ship barely visible in the distance, a Navy chief petty officer supervises Harrier flight operations on the flight deck of the USS Nassau, Dec. 2, 2005. Embarked on the USS Nassau, Carter Hall, and Austin is the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) which is serving as the landing force for Expeditionary Strike Group 8.::n:: - With another amphibious assault ship barely visible in the distance, a Navy chief petty officer supervises Harrier flight operations on the flight deck of the USS Nassau, Dec. 2, 2005. Embarked on the USS Nassau, Carter Hall, and Austin is the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) which is serving as the landing force for Expeditionary Strike Group 8.::n::

Capt. Nicu N. Nastase, of North East, Maryland, uses a bit of down time to practice his golf swing on the flight deck of the USS Nassau as the ship transits the Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 17, 2005. Nastase is an AV-8B Harrier II attack jet with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC), which is currently deployed as the landing force for Expeditionary Strike Group 8. - Capt. Nicu N. Nastase, of North East, Maryland, uses a bit of down time to practice his golf swing on the flight deck of the USS Nassau as the ship transits the Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 17, 2005. Nastase is an AV-8B Harrier II attack jet with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC), which is currently deployed as the landing force for Expeditionary Strike Group 8.

An Arabic linguist goes over simple Arabic commands with Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) during a class on the language aboard the USS Nassau, Nov. 10, 2005. The classes were an attempt to give the Marines a basic understanding of the language during their deployment as part of the landing force for Expeditionary Strike Group 8. - An Arabic linguist goes over simple Arabic commands with Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) during a class on the language aboard the USS Nassau, Nov. 10, 2005. The classes were an attempt to give the Marines a basic understanding of the language during their deployment as part of the landing force for Expeditionary Strike Group 8.