Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit escort detainees back to a vehicle after capturing them during a raid in Jabella, Iraq, Jan. 19. Six CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters ferrying a joint strike force -- composed of elements of the Iraqi SWAT team, the 24th MEU's Force Reconnaissance platoon and U.S. Army troops -- swarmed the target, a crop of houses believed to shelter a number of militants and a stockpile of weapons and munitions. The raid kicked off Operation Checkmate, a fresh offensive aimed at disrupting insurgent activity ahead of national elections later this month.
Photo Credit: Cpl. Sarah A. Beavers
Photo Date: 01/19/2005