Photos

Suheil Sitto (left), a civilian interpreter and Iraq-native, escorts Maj. John Fitzsimmons of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment to meet the sheik and mayor of “Wadi Al Sahara,” an urban training facility aboard Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif. July 19, 2008. Sitto conveyed the Marines’ plans to help the Iraqi community and assisted the sheik and mayor in voicing their concerns about food, water and essential services. The role players, all native-born Iraqis, interact with the Marines using Arabic and non-verbal communication techniques, adding a sense of realism to the training scenario.