PATROL BASE BEN, Helmand province, Afghanistan -- Twenty-year-old Cincinnati, native Lance Cpl. Tyler Smithers (left) and 26-year-old Naguabo, Puerto Rico, native Lance Cpl. Luis Montanez, both riflemen with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, take a moment to joke around with the Marines in their squad. Smithers said he is looking forward to being back with his wife, while Montanez said he is looking forward to being back with his girlfriend and family when his deployment ends. The Marines helped increase security for the nearby town of Barkzai during their seven-month deployment.