At the end of a school day, children swarm around their town’s visitors - Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, April 1, 2006, in Haditha, Iraq, during one of the Marines’ patrols through the city. After almost seven months of combat operations in western Al Anbar Province, Iraq, the Marines of “America’s Battalion” have returned to their base at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Oct. 5. Late last month, 3rd Battalion was replaced by another Hawaii-based unit – 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Throughout their deployment, 3rd Battalion trained Iraqi Security Forces, provided security and fought insurgents in the Haditha Triad Region, which is comprised of the three Euphrates River towns — Haditha, Barwanah and Haqlaniyah. 3rd Battalion was also responsible for the city of Baghdadi about 25 miles south of the Triad along the Euphrates.
Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle
Photo ID: 200610634312
Submitting Unit: 1st Marine Division
Photo Date:04/01/2006
