1st Sgt. Anthony J. Velarde, a first sergeant with 1st Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device during a ceremony here, March 11. He received the medal for his actions while deployed as a company gunnery sergeant with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. - 1st Sgt. Anthony J. Velarde, a first sergeant with 1st Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device during a ceremony here, March 11. He received the medal for his actions while deployed as a company gunnery sergeant with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. - Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa recieve a fairwell speech from Brig. Gen. Burke Whitman, deputy commanding general of mobilization for II Marine Expeditionary Force and an Atlanta, Ga., native, here, Jan. 8, 2013. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa deployed to conduct theater security cooperation and limited crisis response missions in support of U.S. Africa Command. - Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. - Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa recieve a fairwell speech from Brig. Gen. Burke Whitman, deputy commanding general of mobilization for II Marine Expeditionary Force and an Atlanta, Ga., native, here, Jan. 8, 2013. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa deployed to conduct theater security cooperation and limited crisis response missions in support of U.S. Africa Command.

Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13.2 radio an inbound MV-22 Osprey during a field training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 16, 2012. The Marines are learning advanced combat medical techniques, advanced driving techniques, methods for training foreign militaries on marksmanship and how to set up and conduct firing ranges to prepare for their upcoming deployment. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caleb McDonald/Released) - Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13.2 radio an inbound MV-22 Osprey during a field training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 16, 2012. The Marines are learning advanced combat medical techniques, advanced driving techniques, methods for training foreign militaries on marksmanship and how to set up and conduct firing ranges to prepare for their upcoming deployment. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caleb McDonald/Released)

To the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Gunnery Sgt. Barry A. Worster, the battalion's motor transport maintenance chief, serves as inspiration and a Marine to emulate. Worster recently led a team of Marines from his unit to aid in the relief efforts on Staten Island, N.Y., following the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy. - To the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Gunnery Sgt. Barry A. Worster, the battalion's motor transport maintenance chief, serves as inspiration and a Marine to emulate. Worster recently led a team of Marines from his unit to aid in the relief efforts on Staten Island, N.Y., following the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy.

The eight pound extreme cold weather boots were among many cold weather items Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment received Oct. 15 as part of their gear issue for exercise Cold Response 2010.::r::::n:: Cold Response 2010 is a NATO-sponsored multinational training exercise with the Norwegian Armed forces focused on cold weather maritime/amphibious operations, interoperability of expeditionary forces, and special and conventional ground operations. ::r::::n:: The exercise, previously known as Battle Griffin, will occur entirely north of the Arctic::r::::n::Circle and will emphasize individual and unit cold weather capabilities. ::r::::n:: The last time U.S. Marines participated in the exercise was 2005. ::r::::n:: - The eight pound extreme cold weather boots were among many cold weather items Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment received Oct. 15 as part of their gear issue for exercise Cold Response 2010.::r::::n:: Cold Response 2010 is a NATO-sponsored multinational training exercise with the Norwegian Armed forces focused on cold weather maritime/amphibious operations, interoperability of expeditionary forces, and special and conventional ground operations. ::r::::n:: The exercise, previously known as Battle Griffin, will occur entirely north of the Arctic::r::::n::Circle and will emphasize individual and unit cold weather capabilities. ::r::::n:: The last time U.S. Marines participated in the exercise was 2005. ::r::::n::

Lance Cpl. Brandon Ehret, a Company E, 2/25 rifleman, uncovers a hidden trap door leading to a weapons cache under the floor of a bedroom during an occupied building search as part of the Search and Tactical Site Exploitation course here June 26, 2008. Training was facilitated by the U.S. Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. - Lance Cpl. Brandon Ehret, a Company E, 2/25 rifleman, uncovers a hidden trap door leading to a weapons cache under the floor of a bedroom during an occupied building search as part of the Search and Tactical Site Exploitation course here June 26, 2008. Training was facilitated by the U.S. Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization.