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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).

Sgt. Ryan Alt, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Houston, Texas native, mounts a Defensive Weapon System through the aft cargo hole of an MV-22 Osprey in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, July 29, 2012. VMM-261 (Rein) is in Kuwait as part of a 24th MEU sustainment training package. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Sgt. Ryan Alt, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Houston, Texas native, mounts a Defensive Weapon System through the aft cargo hole of an MV-22 Osprey in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, July 29, 2012. VMM-261 (Rein) is in Kuwait as part of a 24th MEU sustainment training package. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

A UH-1Y Venom helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 lands after a training flight at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 22. The UH-1Y Venom, also called Super Huey, is a twin-engine medium size utility helicopter built to carry out the squadron?s mission, which is to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by providing offensive air support, utility support, armed escort and airborne supporting arms coordination, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. - A UH-1Y Venom helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 lands after a training flight at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 22. The UH-1Y Venom, also called Super Huey, is a twin-engine medium size utility helicopter built to carry out the squadron?s mission, which is to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by providing offensive air support, utility support, armed escort and airborne supporting arms coordination, day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint or combined operations.

Through thick and thin, Staff Sgt. Luke Billingsley along with his wife Sgt. Nancy Billingsley, serve their country together during their seven-month deployment. Both are currently deployed with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 (Forward), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. - Through thick and thin, Staff Sgt. Luke Billingsley along with his wife Sgt. Nancy Billingsley, serve their country together during their seven-month deployment. Both are currently deployed with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 (Forward), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Approximately 100 Marines with II Marine Expeditonary Force participated in Exercise Atlantic Response 12 aboard Auxillary Landing Field Bouge near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug 21-23. Atlantic Response is a scenario-driven, simulation supported exercise designed to develop the command staff's ability to rapidly respond to today's emerging crises using today's middle-weight force. - Approximately 100 Marines with II Marine Expeditonary Force participated in Exercise Atlantic Response 12 aboard Auxillary Landing Field Bouge near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug 21-23. Atlantic Response is a scenario-driven, simulation supported exercise designed to develop the command staff's ability to rapidly respond to today's emerging crises using today's middle-weight force.

Cpl. Nicholas Fredrick, food service specialist, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, serves lasagna and steamed vegetables he cooked for dinner, July 26, 2012. Fredrick is the only cook in his company, and at times cooks for as many as 300 Marines aboard Combat Outpost Castle, Khan Neshin, Afghanistan. - Cpl. Nicholas Fredrick, food service specialist, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, serves lasagna and steamed vegetables he cooked for dinner, July 26, 2012. Fredrick is the only cook in his company, and at times cooks for as many as 300 Marines aboard Combat Outpost Castle, Khan Neshin, Afghanistan.