Photo by Sgt. Aaron HostutlerSgt. Justin D. Head, animal packing course chief instructor, exercises his mustang, Hondo, shortly after grazing. The animal packing course is the only one of its kind in the Department of Defense and teaches Marines and other military personnel how to effectively and efficiently work with beasts of burden to transport munitions, supplies and wounded personnel to and from areas inaccessible to mechanized and air transportation.
Photo by Cpl. Mark GarciaSgt. Maj. Harrison L. Tanksley, Regional Command Southwest sergeant major, pays his final respects to Sgt. Joshua R. Ashley during a memorial ceremony in the Regional Command Southwest chapel, Aug. 17. Ashley, from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was a dog handler with Military Working Dogs Platoon, Headquarters and Supply Company, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward). He was killed in action July 19 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province.
Photo by Cpl. Michael PetersheimMarines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, assault a beachhead during an amphibious training raid in Djibouti, Aug. 15, 2012. Elements of the 24th MEU are operating in and around Djibouti, taking part in and coordinating various unilateral exercises and bilateral events with foreign militaries.
