Army Cpl. Donald R. Jones has deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to engage in military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces. Operation objectives include liberating the Iraqi people, preserving Iraq as a unified state, keeping its territorial integrity intact and helping the Iraqi people begin the process of economic and political reconstruction. Active duty, reserve and national guard members from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces are participating in the operation.
The soldier is regularly assigned to one of the various camps and units (infantry, aviation, armor, artillery, engineer, command support, etc.) of the 2nd Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army based in South Korea. Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division deployed to Iraq either to augment soldiers serving in country or to replace soldiers who had completed their tour of duty. Jones, a combat engineer/team leader, is the son of Christine Mondoro, of Jackson. He graduated from Keansburg High School in 2001.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Trevor R. Kuusalu, son of Laura Ostroff, of Toms River, and Thomas Kuusalu, of Lakewood, and the Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) recently captured four suspected anti-Iraqi militants in Northern Babil pro-vince.
Kuusalu’s unit also provided assistance from the MEU’s Force Reconnais-sance platoon to Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics members as well as Iraqi national guardsmen, to help capture a former Baath Party leader and apprehend two men suspected of firing on Marines.
Since assuming operational control of Northern Babil on July 29, Kuusalu’s unit has worked closely with ISF to disrupt criminal and other anti-Iraqi activity in the area. To date, they have captured more than 160 individuals throughout the province. Their mission is to assist Iraqi authorities in fostering security and stability for the nearly 900,000 citizens of the province.
MEU’s are a Marine Air Ground Task Force. With a strength of about 2,200 personnel, the MEU consists of a command element, a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite helicopter squadron and a MEU service support group.
Kuusalu is a 2001 graduate of Man-chester Township High School and joined the Marine Corps in November 2002. For more information and high-resolution images, visit the 24th Marine Expedi-tionary Unit Web page at www. 24meu. usmc. mil.