United States Marine Corps Official Page's photostream  

Aviation boatswain’s mate Petty Officer 2nd Class Tanner Kent signals to a CH-53E Super Stallion taking off from the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans Feb. 26. The aircraft was flown by pilots of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Carpenter)

PATROL BASE WISHTAN, Afghanistan - Lance Cpl. Edgar Lima (right), a sweeper with 2nd squad, 1st platoon, Lima Company, searches for improvised explosive devices with PFC. Christopher Birdt, a machine gunner, covering him, during an afternoon patrol in Wishtan, Feb. 22. Their patrol talked to as many local people as they could, gathering information about the area and building relationships with the people. Lima, a San Diego native, uses humor to interact and build connections with the children who sometimes surround the Marines. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy J. Lenzo)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Tom Morton, a 23-year-old team leader with 3rd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and native of Nashville, Tenn., hands an Afghan child a toy during a security patrol here, Feb. 25. On the patrol, the 3rd Platoon Marines partnered with Afghan National Police to search for insurgent activity in Safar Bazaar, Garmsir district's busiest commercial center. They mentor the ANP in a partnered combat operations center at PB Bury, and patrol with them throughout Safar. The partnership is a vital part of preparing the Afghan National Security Forces to assume lead security responsibility in Garmsir.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder)

President Barack Obama addresses veterans, and their guests, being honored during "A Nation's Gratitude Dinner" hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House on Feb. 29, 2012. The dinner included men and women in uniform from all ranks, services, states and backgrounds, representative of the many thousands of Americans who served in Iraq and was an expression of the nation's gratitude for the achievements and enormous sacrifices of those who served there and of the families who supported them.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga)

A Marine with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, reads with a Thai orphan during a visit in Pattaya, Thailand, Feb. 23. The Marines volunteered their time after successfully completing Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. Cobra Gold 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation's force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Garry Welch)