Cpl. Jacob R. Ballard, 21, Coventry, Rhode Island, and Pfc. Ja?Lisa C. White, 19, Dallas, both from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, show their first place medals and plaque at the Culinary Team of the Quarter Competition here Feb. 25. The competition had a Mardi Gras celebration theme and each team had to prepare a full-course meal while maintaining that theme. The winners were awarded embroidered chef?s coats, gold medals, a plaque and a two-week trip to the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Marine Corps Air Station Yuma?s team came in first place and the team from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms came in second. - Cpl. Jacob R. Ballard, 21, Coventry, Rhode Island, and Pfc. Ja?Lisa C. White, 19, Dallas, both from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, show their first place medals and plaque at the Culinary Team of the Quarter Competition here Feb. 25. The competition had a Mardi Gras celebration theme and each team had to prepare a full-course meal while maintaining that theme. The winners were awarded embroidered chef?s coats, gold medals, a plaque and a two-week trip to the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Marine Corps Air Station Yuma?s team came in first place and the team from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms came in second.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2009) -- Sgt. Michael Fry, an intelligence communicator, hugs girlfriend Catherine Coram after a year long absence during the I MEF (Fwd) homecoming ceremony here. I MEF (Fwd) returned from a year-long deployment in Al Anbar province, Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. - CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2009) -- Sgt. Michael Fry, an intelligence communicator, hugs girlfriend Catherine Coram after a year long absence during the I MEF (Fwd) homecoming ceremony here. I MEF (Fwd) returned from a year-long deployment in Al Anbar province, Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Ashley K. Starr, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Platoon, tries to get Marines to help a casualty during a training exercise Feb. 4 at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Starr was one of many Marines helping out with the training which was help to prepare Marines for the upcoming deployment with the 11th MEU. - Cpl. Ashley K. Starr, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Platoon, tries to get Marines to help a casualty during a training exercise Feb. 4 at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Starr was one of many Marines helping out with the training which was help to prepare Marines for the upcoming deployment with the 11th MEU.