A U.S. Marine color guard composed of Marines with

A U.S. Marine color guard composed of Marines with Regimental Combat Teams 5 and 6, await the beginning of a transfer of authority ceremony here, July 5, 2012. Since their activation in 1917, 5th and 6th Marine Regiments have courageously fought for America, most notably in World War I when they fought side-by-side in the bloody Battle of Belleau Wood.In December 2011, Regimental Combat Team 6 arrived in northern Helmand province to support Operation Enduring Freedom, joining RCT-5 on the same battlefield for the first time in 94 years. This historic partnership is now coming to a close. Colonel Roger B. Turner Jr. and Sgt. Maj. Alberto Ruiz, the commanding officer and sergeant major of RCT-5, cased the colors of “Fighting Fifth” and transferred authority of their area of operations to Col. John R. Shafer and Sgt. Maj. Jamie Deets, the commanding officer and sergeant major of RCT-6 here, July 5.