Cpl. Zach Oftedal, a motor transport operator with

Cpl. Zach Oftedal, a motor transport operator with 9th Communication Battalion, prepares to embark on a convoy to support Exercise Dawn Blitz 13.1, at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 23. The 9th Comm. Bn., Marines and 1st Intelligence Battalion, will establish communications and an intelligence operations center for the nine-day exercise to validate their readiness and ability to support 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade in the event of a contingency. Oftedal, 21, is from Napa, Calif.