Marines, soldiers destroy mountains of munitions, making many safer in Iraq
July 28, 2004 — While most other missions to make Iraq a safer place have fallen into the lap of the country’s new interim government, one mission vital to returning stability to the country will remain a U.S. military mission for some time. Military and civilian explosive experts, with the assistance of some Iraqi soldiers and workers, are destroying many of MORE
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Marine-funded, Iraqi-built water plant quenches long parched village
July 26, 2004 — For the first time in almost 10 years, the citizens here have clean water and constant electricity flowing into their homes, thanks to their local government, the Marines and their own hard work. Muktar Ismael Hamaad, the village leader, and Thayer Hamdallah, the Iraqi government representative for the area, met July 25, 2004, with Lt. Col. Rod T. MORE
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Commandant: II MEF slated for spring in Iraq, Corps adapts for terror war
July 23, 2004 — The Corps' top general recently confirmed that the II Marine Expeditionary Force will take over command of Marine operations in Iraq next spring and that reservists will play a greater role this fall.During a visit here July 19, 2004, Commandant Gen. Michael W. Hagee told Marines and sailors that the Camp Lejeune, N.C.,-based force will relieve the MORE
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Corps’ top leaders address concerns in Iraq
July 19, 2004 — From future troop rotations to new weaponry, Marines got their chance to ask any and every question to the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps during their recent visit to Iraq. In a series of town hall meetings at Marine bases throughout Iraq, General Michael W. Hagee and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps John L. Estrada, candidly MORE
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Reserve grunt wears inspiration on his head
July 17, 2004 — To most Marines it's just a 3.5-pound piece of Kevlar that keeps the shrapnel and bullets at bay. But, to one Marine here, his helmet serves a link to the past. It doesn't quite fit his head, but he has vowed to never trade it in because it's the same helmet that was worn by the man who first taught him about the Corps. Growing up in Bixby, Okla., MORE
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1st FSSG Marine braves heat, rocket attack to finish 135-mile race in less than 38 hours
July 16, 2004 — What possesses a man to run 135 miles, in the middle of the blazing Iraqi summer, stopping the clock only for a rocket attack? Some say pride. Some say a sense of satisfaction. Many just say he's crazy -- and he doesn't bother to argue with them. Maj. William C. Maples shattered his 40-hour goal for his foot race, completing it in 37 hours, 59 MORE
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Marines sign contract aiding underprivileged Iraqi scholars
July 9, 2004 — Making small steps to repair Iraq's ailing educational system, Marines here signed a contract with a local Iraqi government official July 1, 2004, to give Iraqi school children some of the learning tools they need. The agreement is part of an ongoing effort by Marines intended to improve the quality of life in Al Kabani, a small fishing village in MORE
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Independence Day in Iraq a time for relaxation, reflection
July 5, 2004 — What little beer they had was non-alcoholic and the fireworks were nonexistent, but that didn't stop service members from celebrating their independence here, July 3 and 4, 2004, just days after helping to deliver the Iraqis theirs. The two days of Independence Day activities included a comedy show and blues concert, as well as several sporting MORE
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In the middle of nowhere, 1st FSSG makes village home
July 4, 2004 — In a remote stretch of Iraq's western desert, closer to the border than to Baghdad, Marines and sailors of the 1st Force Service Support Group directly support the residents of this small camp. The 1st FSSG provides amenities like a post office, post exchange and disbursing office, even to the most far-flung outposts, by embedding small MORE
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Marines hand over special projects funding to new Iraqi government
July 2, 2004 — The Marines yielded one bank roll that funded numerous endeavors aimed to rebuild Iraq to the new interim government June 28, 2004, but they will still draw from their own wallets for future projects. The Developmental Fund for Iraq, which served as an account for the management of a portion of Iraq's oil revenue, was dissolved, putting the profits MORE
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