August 2009

Open Photography 1st Place - Sgt. G. P. Ingersoll: Cpl. Jose N. Parra, 25, Loredo, Texas, and other advisers with Border Transition Team 4222 spent the day giving aid to small remote villages here Oct. 24. Their mission is to train, mentor and advise, but the Marines of BTT 4222 don’t forget to provide help to western Anbar’s civilian population. The transition team headed up a small civil affairs engagement to provide local Iraqis with medical, dental and logistical aid. Though it’s not part of their primary mission, team members here have learned that reaching out to the Iraqi people will make the people more likely to reach out to Marines. Intelligence gathering and improved security is just a byproduct of good relations. The real purpose here was to see some smiles. Marines handed out toothbrushes, toothpaste and teddy bears to each patient finished with the check up. The corpsman spoke to parents about how to treat with the medicine Marines supplied to them. Kids also received a class on proper tooth brushing techniques.

News Photography 1st Place - Cpl. Richard S. Blumenstein: URUMA CITY, Okinawa - Students from Iha Elementary School present Marines with gifts as a sign of appreciation at the school March 12. Twelve Marines from 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, volunteered their time to teach Okinawan children English and host an Easter egg hunt.

The Norman Hatch Combat Photography Award 1st Place - Cpl. Andrew S. Avitt: Rifleman Lance Cpl. John Jones with Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, signals to fellow Marines as he patrols with Malaysian Army Rangers in Malaysia during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2008. CARAT 2008 is a series of bilateral exercises between U.S. armed forces and six Southeast Asian countries.

The Megan McClung Sports Photography Award 1st Place - LCpl. Kentavist P. Brackin: Greg Arnell (left) prepares a shot on goal while Patrick Reynolds, Mil United forward, attempts to stop him during the finals of the Far East Finale Open 6-on-6 Soccer Tournament on Camp Schwab Sunday. Arnell made the shot and was awarded most valuable player by teammates for his performance during the tournament.