Hanging Tough--LCpl. Chris Charette DSU 3's WIA Ready to Lock and Cock

"Even though I was wounded in an ambush, once I heal up I am more than willing to go back over. Good things are happening out there. The US has effectively lassoed Anbar province and the fighting there has slowed greatly. In Haditha there were many engagements daily, but now there is usually only 1-2 attacks a week now. The US, IA's and IP's have made it very difficult for insurgents to operate in the cities and our DSU Marines made it just as difficult to traffic weapons, drugs, money, and men on the waterways that connect all the cities in Al Anbar.''

Lance Cpl. Austin Lawler, riding shotgun on the Euphrates

USMC Lance Cpl. Austin Lawler, with our very own Dam Security Unit 3, aka Bravo Company, 4th LAR on the Euphrates River doing water security patrols around the city of Ramadi, Iraq, Nov. 9, 2006. Marines of DSU-3 are deployed with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of the long war on thugmites/thugmasters and other vermin. DOD photo by USMC Cpl. Richard A Hilario (thanks and hat tip Kris)