Photos

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment stow their luggage for transportation to an air terminal on Feb. 15, 2005 as they prepare to depart Camp Taqaddum, Iraq after completing a seven-month deployment. The Lejeune-based battalion's departure is part of a mass turnover of Marine forces in Iraq's Al Anbar Province. In coming weeks, more than 20,000 Marines from the II Marine Expeditionary Force will be replacing the I Marine Expeditionary Force. Already, Marines from 2nd FSSG, which falls under the Camp Lejeune-based II MEF, are beginning to replace Marine units of 1st FSSG, which has served as the central logistical hub for the 31,000 Marines, sailors, and soldiers of I MEF.