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Two Afghan children watch as a Marine convoy passes through Marjah, Sept. 2, 2012. Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, deployed to Trek Nawa, an area between the Nawa and Marjah districts, to help the local Afghan National Army soldiers disrupt insurgent operations and alleviate the pressure on the two districts. - Two Afghan children watch as a Marine convoy passes through Marjah, Sept. 2, 2012. Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, deployed to Trek Nawa, an area between the Nawa and Marjah districts, to help the local Afghan National Army soldiers disrupt insurgent operations and alleviate the pressure on the two districts.

Ecuadorian and U.S. Marines listen to a religious service during UNITAS-Partnership of the Americas 2012 Sept. 9. UNITAS-Partnership of the Americas gives the participating troops from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, the United States and Uruguay an opportunity to exercise critical thinking based on realistic scenarios, reinforce essentialtactics and techniques and build on a strong foundation of professional cooperation. - Ecuadorian and U.S. Marines listen to a religious service during UNITAS-Partnership of the Americas 2012 Sept. 9. UNITAS-Partnership of the Americas gives the participating troops from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, the United States and Uruguay an opportunity to exercise critical thinking based on realistic scenarios, reinforce essentialtactics and techniques and build on a strong foundation of professional cooperation.

Lance Cpl. Ethan Payne, machine gunner, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, waits to load into his vehicle before a convoy, Aug. 28, 2012. Payne is proud of what he and his platoon have achieved while deployed to Trek Nawa, a known insurgent stronghold between the Nawa and Marjah districts, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. - Lance Cpl. Ethan Payne, machine gunner, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, waits to load into his vehicle before a convoy, Aug. 28, 2012. Payne is proud of what he and his platoon have achieved while deployed to Trek Nawa, a known insurgent stronghold between the Nawa and Marjah districts, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Philadelphia native Cpl. Jason M. Hassinger (center right), receives the Silver Star from Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan, the outgoing commanding general of 2nd Marine Division during the 2nd Marine Division change-of-command ceremony Aug. 23 aboard Camp Lejeune. Hassinger received the Silver Star for his actions during an ambushed patrol in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, in which he led his section through intense fire to rescue a group of fellow Marines pinned down by the enemy. Hassinger was shot four times during the incident but continued to fight until the enemy retreated. The Silver Star is the third-highest award a U.S. service member can receive for valor in combat. - Philadelphia native Cpl. Jason M. Hassinger (center right), receives the Silver Star from Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan, the outgoing commanding general of 2nd Marine Division during the 2nd Marine Division change-of-command ceremony Aug. 23 aboard Camp Lejeune. Hassinger received the Silver Star for his actions during an ambushed patrol in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, in which he led his section through intense fire to rescue a group of fellow Marines pinned down by the enemy. Hassinger was shot four times during the incident but continued to fight until the enemy retreated. The Silver Star is the third-highest award a U.S. service member can receive for valor in combat.

Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Faircloth, the section leader with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device Aug. 23 during the 2nd Marine Division change of command ceremony. Faircloth, a Hedgesville, W.Va., native, earned the award for his actions in combat on February 16, 2011. - Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Faircloth, the section leader with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device Aug. 23 during the 2nd Marine Division change of command ceremony. Faircloth, a Hedgesville, W.Va., native, earned the award for his actions in combat on February 16, 2011.

Lockheed Martin test pilot Dan Canin flies BF-2 during air start testing Aug. 8. Air starts test the ability of the F-35?s propulsion system to restart during flight. Verifying the restart capability of the propulsion system is part of the initial flight test program for the F-35 and a prerequisite for high angle-of-attack testing. The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter designed for use by U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings to provide air power from amphibious ships, ski jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet. - Lockheed Martin test pilot Dan Canin flies BF-2 during air start testing Aug. 8. Air starts test the ability of the F-35?s propulsion system to restart during flight. Verifying the restart capability of the propulsion system is part of the initial flight test program for the F-35 and a prerequisite for high angle-of-attack testing. The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter designed for use by U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings to provide air power from amphibious ships, ski jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.

Lance Cpl. Jacob Noremberg, pointman, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, prepares to patrol, Aug. 26, 2012. Noremberg was shot in the side Small Arms Protective Insert plate, while he was in Trek Nawa, the area between the Marjah and Nawa districts, a month ago. - Lance Cpl. Jacob Noremberg, pointman, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, prepares to patrol, Aug. 26, 2012. Noremberg was shot in the side Small Arms Protective Insert plate, while he was in Trek Nawa, the area between the Marjah and Nawa districts, a month ago.

Marines and Sailors visited the 2nd Marine Division training center in Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 17 as part of an open house to show them the Unmanned Aircraft Systems that they would be learning to use in combat and training. The training center is now home to the newly established Group I UAS Training and Logistics Support Activity (TALSA). - Marines and Sailors visited the 2nd Marine Division training center in Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 17 as part of an open house to show them the Unmanned Aircraft Systems that they would be learning to use in combat and training. The training center is now home to the newly established Group I UAS Training and Logistics Support Activity (TALSA).