Maj. Christian Rankin, commanding officer (right), 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, shakes hands with Lt. Col. Xavier T. Brunson, commanding officer of 1st Bn., 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, (second from left) during the transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq, Sept. 10, 2009. The Marines of 1st Bn., 8th Marines are leaving Iraq after accomplishing their mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2009. (Photograph courtesy of Gunnery Sgt. Katesha Washington) - Maj. Christian Rankin, commanding officer (right), 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, shakes hands with Lt. Col. Xavier T. Brunson, commanding officer of 1st Bn., 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, (second from left) during the transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq, Sept. 10, 2009. The Marines of 1st Bn., 8th Marines are leaving Iraq after accomplishing their mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2009. (Photograph courtesy of Gunnery Sgt. Katesha Washington)