Photos

Pfc. Gilbert Lieja, 21,a member of the rear security element of Operations Platoon, Alpha Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) and a native of Laredo, Texas, speaks into his vehicles communications system in preparation of a route repair mission in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. ?We make the roads safe so the rest of the Marine Corps could travel on them without the worry of getting blown up by an improvised explosive device,? said Cpl. Marcos D. Valadez, 21, mine-sweeping team leader of 1st Platoon, Alpha Engineer Company. ?If there?s a chance for insurgents to use that hole to their advantage, we fill it.? The missions sometimes last five hours at a time and although the hot weather is cooling down, the constant construction-type labor is in a combat zone. Despite the inherent risk, the Marines remain focused on mission accomplishment. Operations Platoon, Alpha Engineer Company provides security during the route repair operations.