Photos

Lance Cpl. Justin R. Straws, 23, combat engineer with 1st Platoon, Alpha Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) and a native of Vancouver, Wash., uses a jackhammer tool to drill a hole while engaged in a route repair mission in the Al Anbar Province. ?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.? 1st platoon is split into three teams: the mixing team fills the holes with cement; hole-repair team digs up the old hole for filling; and mine-sweeping team eliminates explosive threats.