A 2nd LAAD Marine oversees Port Security Unit 301’s training as they build a terrain model for planning defenses aboard MCAS Cherry Point, Aug. 1. One of Port Security Unit 301’s mission is to combat terrorist threats against maritime military assets. To perfect their skills, 2nd LAAD Marines shared their experience with PSU 301 during training operations from July 31 – Aug. 9. - A 2nd LAAD Marine oversees Port Security Unit 301’s training as they build a terrain model for planning defenses aboard MCAS Cherry Point, Aug. 1. One of Port Security Unit 301’s mission is to combat terrorist threats against maritime military assets. To perfect their skills, 2nd LAAD Marines shared their experience with PSU 301 during training operations from July 31 – Aug. 9.

Cpl. Timothy A. Loper, a gunner for the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, demonstrates the operation of the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun to Navy Junior Officer Training Corps cadets. - Cpl. Timothy A. Loper, a gunner for the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, demonstrates the operation of the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun to Navy Junior Officer Training Corps cadets.

Cpl. Benjamin Corke, a Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 40 aviation ordnance systems technician and Scottsville, NY, native, inspects a group of GBU-54 bombs at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, July 30. - Cpl. Benjamin Corke, a Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 40 aviation ordnance systems technician and Scottsville, NY, native, inspects a group of GBU-54 bombs at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, July 30.

Cpl. Leonard R. Knudsen Jr. holds a steel rail used to attach cargo to the hull of a CH-53E Super Stallion in the hangar of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Aug. 2. On a recent mission, enemy small-arms fire penetrated the underside of the aircraft and went through the railing. Knudsen, an airframe mechanic with the squadron and a native of Chicago, was tasked to repair the hole. Having been in Afghanistan less than two weeks, he said seeing the bullet hole gave him new perspective on his role in the war. - Cpl. Leonard R. Knudsen Jr. holds a steel rail used to attach cargo to the hull of a CH-53E Super Stallion in the hangar of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Aug. 2. On a recent mission, enemy small-arms fire penetrated the underside of the aircraft and went through the railing. Knudsen, an airframe mechanic with the squadron and a native of Chicago, was tasked to repair the hole. Having been in Afghanistan less than two weeks, he said seeing the bullet hole gave him new perspective on his role in the war.

Newly promoted Maj. Gen. Glenn M. Walters deployed to Afghanistan in February from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. In Afghanistan, Walters leads the aviation combat element in support of NATO International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command Southwest. - Newly promoted Maj. Gen. Glenn M. Walters deployed to Afghanistan in February from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. In Afghanistan, Walters leads the aviation combat element in support of NATO International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command Southwest.

Aircraft rescue firefighters with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 taught six Afghan National Army firefighters the basics of fire truck operations, extinguishing fires, and rescue saw techniques at Forward Operating Base Delaram II, Afghanistan. “I’ve learned a lot and I want to say thank you to the Marines for all the time they spent here with us,” said Sgt. Abdul Kitaliq, a firefighter with the Afghan National Army. “We are learning these trades for the future and the good of Afghanistan. We’ll make sure to use teamwork and share these skills with the others.” - Aircraft rescue firefighters with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 taught six Afghan National Army firefighters the basics of fire truck operations, extinguishing fires, and rescue saw techniques at Forward Operating Base Delaram II, Afghanistan. “I’ve learned a lot and I want to say thank you to the Marines for all the time they spent here with us,” said Sgt. Abdul Kitaliq, a firefighter with the Afghan National Army. “We are learning these trades for the future and the good of Afghanistan. We’ll make sure to use teamwork and share these skills with the others.”