Photos

Staff Sgt. Michael R. Leisure, 33, platoon sergeant of 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Fwd), operates the communications system while preparing for a vehicle patrol though the Al Anbar Province. The platoon?s diversity is the foundation of their mission?s success. ?The reason that they work together so well, is because of everyone?s background,? said Leisure, a Parkersburg, W. Va., native. The platoon, commanded by 1st Lt. Kirk A. Whittenberg, organizes vehicle patrols to ensure the roads are safe for all local civilians, U.S. and Iraqi military forces. The battalion, augmented from 3rd Marine Logistics Group, is scheduled to remain here until spring 2007.