Marine Cpls. Sean Heffner, left, and Anibal Paz prepare to practice manuevering with tanks in anticipation of an assault on the insurgent-held city of Fallujah, Iraq. (Luis Sinco / LAT)
Marine Cpl. Marcus Schulmeister smokes a cigarette between training cycles in preparation for an assault on the insurgent-held city of Fallujah. (Luis Sinco / LAT)
Third Platoon of the Charlie Company of the First Batallion, Eighth Marines, practice maneuvers with tanks in preparation for an assault on the insurgent-held city of Fallujah, Iraq. (Luis Sinco / LAT)
Marine Lance Cpl. Sean Storey practices maneuvers with tanks in preparation for an assault on the insurgent-held city of Fallujah, Iraq. (Luis Sinco / LAT)
Marine Sgt. Ben Eggersdorfer briefs his platoon as they prepare to practice maneuvers with tanks in anticipation of an assault on the insurgent-held city of Fallujah, Iraq. (Luis Sinco / LAT)
Marine Lance Cpl. James Miller practices maneuvers with tanks in preparation for an assault on the insurgent-held city of Fallujah, Iraq. (Luis Sinco / LAT)
Marine Lance Cpl. Dan Dawe practices maneuvers with tanks in preparation for an assault on the insurgent-held city of Fallujah, Iraq. (Luis Sinco / LAT)
