U.S. Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Reconnaissance and Surveillance Platoon search for weapons and munitions outside a house in Jabella, Iraq, Jan 19, 2005. Six CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters transported a joint strike force -- composed of elements of the Iraqi SWAT team, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Force Reconnaissance platoon and U.S. Army troops -- which 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. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah A. Beavers