AL TAQADDUM, Iraq (Sept. 27, 2007) – Lance Cpl. Michael Atem’s current deployment to Iraq isn’t his first time in a war zone. In fact, he may have more experience with the ravages of war than most of the U.S. military’s senior leaders. He grew up in a village near Bor, Sudan, but was forced to flee when fighting separated him from family when he was eight. After years as a refugee in Ethiopia and Kenya, he now works with the Travel Management Office, 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward).

Photo by: Sgt. Wayne Edmiston, 2nd Marine Logistics Group


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Labels: 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), Al Taqqadum, Iraq, photos, USMC

LAUGHING IT UP - From left, seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, Miss USA Rachel Smith, comedian Robin Williams and musician Kid Rock greet U.S. Marines after a performance at Al Taqqadum, Iraq, Dec. 18, 2007, as part of their 2007 USO Holiday Tour. Defense Dept. photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy

Labels: Al Taqqadum, Iraq, photos, Supporting the troops, USMC, USO

A Marine assigned to the Engineer Support Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), smoothes out some quick-drying concrete in a pothole on a road near Al Taqaddum March 26, 2007. The Marines repaired the road of improvised explosive device craters for the safety of coalition and Iraqi forces. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Wayne Edmiston


A Marine with Engineer Support Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), ground guides a mobile concrete mixer while on a route repair mission near, Al Taqaddum, Iraq, March 26, 2007. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Wayne Edmiston


Marines with Engineer Support Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), repair nearby roads by filling improvised explosive device craters with quick-drying concrete, March 26, 2007. “The work helps Marines and civilians get around easier and also keeps Marines safer when they convoy on already dangerous roads,” said Cpl. Michael Moceri, a heavy equipment operator with the company. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Wayne Edmiston


Marines assigned to the Engineer Support Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), repair nearby roads by filling improvised explosive device craters with quick-drying concrete March 26, 2007. “I don’t want myself or anyone else getting blown up; plain and simple,” said Lance Cpl. Patricia Lusk, a heavy equipment operator with the company. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Wayne Edmiston


Marines assigned to the Engineer Support Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), operate a mobile concrete mixer while on a route repair mission near Al Taqaddum, Iraq, March 26, 2007. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Wayne Edmiston


The Marines assigned to the Engineer Support Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), call it a day and leave their mark on recently laid concrete, Al Taqaddum, Iraq, March 26, 2007. The Marines went on a route repair mission in which they filled craters to safeguard coalition and Iraqi forces. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Wayne Edmiston


A Marine assigned to the Engineer Support Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), musters a smile through his concrete-blotched face and poses for a photo near Al Taqaddum, March 26, 2007. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Wayne Edmiston



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Labels: 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Al Taqqadum, Good News, Iraq, photos, reconstruction, USMC