2011 Military Photos of the Year
December 22nd, 2011 | Photography | Posted by Mike Morones
PHOTO OF THE YEAR: Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta, left, kisses her girlfriend of two years, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2011 after Gaeta’s ship returned from 80 days at sea. It’s a time-honored tradition at Navy homecomings – one lucky sailor is chosen to be first off the ship for the long-awaited kiss with a loved one. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Brian J. Clark)
The Trees Can Talk
December 21st, 2011 | From the Ranks | Posted by Mike Morones
KUANTAN, Malaysia (Dec. 17, 2008) Scout snipers from Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) participate in a stalking exercise with snipers from the Malaysian army during Exercise Kilat Eagle, a bilateral training exercise between Marines and sailors of the 11th MEU and soldiers from the Malaysian army. The Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based unit is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and arrived in Malaysia Dec. 14 as part of a scheduled deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Chance W. Haworth/Released)
First Sergeant Santa
December 21st, 2011 | From the Ranks | Posted by Mike Morones
Marines and sailors from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, enter the Boondocker training area at Marine Corps Base Hawaii after a 9-mile hike Dec. 19. More than 500 people attended the Island Warrior Combat Competition III and Toys for Tots drive, which included a hike, toy collection and a series of physical competitions. This was the first time the unit included a Toys for Tots drive in their combat competition. The Marines and sailors hiked carrying toys and wearing festive decorations with their combat gear. The five companies in 2/3 also competed in four different events including tug-of-war, an obstacle course, pugil sticks and a sandbag relay. Weapons Company won the wooden-battleaxe trophy for the overall competition. (Kristen Wong/USMC)
The War in Iraq Through the Lens of Military Times
December 16th, 2011 | Photography | Posted by Mike Morones
While by no means a complete history of the war in Iraq, here are a handful of images as Military Times photographers covered the 2003 invasion as well as various assignments through 2011.
Making Friends
December 6th, 2011 | From the Ranks | Posted by Mike Morones
U.S. Marine Sgt. Marcus Martin, a 32-year-old squad leader with Guard Force Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and native of Charlottesville, Va., practices Pashto with Afghan boys while providing security outside the district center on Nov. 28. Guard Force isn’t a traditional infantry platoon. It’s a melting pot of Marines from various occupational specialties that functions as the main security element for the battalion headquarters at Forward Operating Base Delhi. (Cpl. Reece Lodder/USMC)
Onboard Training
December 3rd, 2011 | From the Ranks | Posted by Mike Morones
Embark chief Sgt. Eric J. Dessart (right) kicks as Gunnery Sgt. Jason G. Turner blocks during martial arts training aboard USS Pearl Harbor Dec. 1. Dessart, 27, is from Fox Lake, Ill. Turner, 30, is from Binghamton, N.Y. They both serve with Combat Logistics Battalion 11, which provides logistics and services for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit embarked USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor in San Diego Nov. 14, beginning a seven-month deployment to the western Pacific and Middle East regions. (Cpl. Tommy Huynh/USMC)
Chomper Cheers
November 25th, 2011 | From the Ranks | Posted by Mike Morones
USS Makin Island’s mascot, Chomper, cheers on Marines and sailors serving with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit during a Thanksgiving run Nov. 24. The unit embarked USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor in San Diego Nov. 14, beginning a seven-month deployment to the western Pacific and Middle East regions. (Cpl. Gene A. Ainsworth III/USMC)
Honoring the Afghan Fallen in Garmsir
November 24th, 2011 | From the Ranks | Posted by Mike Morones
U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Matthew J. Palma, the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and native of Bristol, R.I., receives the prayer of a mullah, or local religious leader, in honor of fallen District Chief of Police Lt. Col. Sayfullah Khan Rashidi during his funeral here, Nov. 13. Sayfullah died after his vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device that detonated while he traveled on a Garmsir road Nov. 6. Two other ANP members were killed in the explosion, which occurred on the first day of the three-day Islamic festival of sacrifice Eid al-Adha. Amidst the challenging circumstances, 25-year-old District Governor Mohammad Fahim said Garmsir’s stability remains unshaken by Sayfullah’s death. “Lt. Col. Sayfullah was brave and it’s unfortunate we lost him, but we still have security and stability in Garmsir ‚ this hasn’t changed,” Fahim said. (Cpl. Reece Lodder/USMC)
MuscleFest
October 20th, 2011 | From the Ranks | Posted by Mike Morones
Cpl. Zachery Williams, a body bearer, pushes a 2.25-ton pickup truck 40 yards in the first timed event of Musclefest at Marine Barracks Washington Oct. 18, 2011. Musclefest was part of the Barracks’ 2011 Commander’s Cup series of competitions. (Lance Cpl. Mondo Lescaud/U.S. Marine Corps)
Night Fire
October 15th, 2011 | From the Ranks | Posted by Mike Morones
Lance Cpl. Kyle Turner, a medium machine gunner with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s maritime raid force, fires at targets during a live-fire exercise aboard Camp Pendleton on Oct. 9. Turner, 18, is from St. Louis. The unit embarked USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor in San Diego, Sept. 28 and is participating in its final exercise before deploying in November. (Cpl. Chad Pulliam/U.S. Marine Corps)