in the western desert regions of Al Anbar Province. The regiment's third Iraq deployment came in 2006 where they were again operating throughout Al Anbar and based at Al Asad. 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and other supporting units from Hawaii were attached to the 7th Marine Regiment in 2004 and 2005 during Operation Phantom Fury to assist with the invasion of Fallujah. The regiment deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Helmand Province, Afghanistan from September 2009 – September 2010. They were based at Camp Dwyer. The regiment returned to Afghanistan in September 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and remained there until September 2013. They were based at Camp Leatherneck. Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response, Central Command, April 2015 – present In April 2015, 7th Marines took command of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force from 5th Marines. Since late-2014, the infantry battalions of 7th Marines (1/7, 2/7, 3/7, & 3/4 after re-activation) have served as the Ground Combat Element for the SP-MAGTF and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Notable former members Medal of honor recipients "Manila John" Basilone, Gunnery Sergeant, WWII Raymond Davis, Korean War Jason Dunham, Iraq War Herman H. Hanneken, commanding officer, Battle of Peleliu, WWII Mitchell Paige, WWII Jay Vargas, Vietnam War Other notables Henry W. Buse Jr., Silver Star, commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, Cape Gloucester operation, WWII Odell M. Conoley, Navy Cross, commanding officer, 2nd Battalion, Cape Gloucester operation, WWII Julian N. Frisbie, Navy Cross, commanding officer, Cape Gloucester operation, WWII Jack P. Juhan, commanding officer, 1953, Korean War. Homer Litzenberg, Navy Cross, commanding officer, Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Korean War. James Mattis, United States Secretary of Defense, commanding general, 2004–2007, Iraq War Herman Nickerson Jr., Army Distinguished Service Cross, commanding officer, Battle of the Punchbowl, Korean War Oscar F. Peatross, Navy Cross, commanding officer, 1964–1966, Vietnam War Lewis "Chesty" Puller, five Navy Crosses Amor L. Sims, two Silver Stars, commanding officer, Guadalcanal campaign, WWII Edward W. Snedeker, Navy Cross, commanding officer, Battle of Okinawa, WWII Lawrence F. Snowden, commanding officer, 1966–1967, Vietnam War Todd Burnett, NCOIC of Truck Company detachment, Gulf War Master Gunnery Sergeant Charles Baker, Regimental Operations Chief "Ripper 3C" (2017-2018) Master Gunnery Sergeant Jeremiah "Jay-Jay" Johnson, most collective time spent within 7th Marine Regiment (2nd BN 7th MAR 2001-2004, 1st BN