FORWARD OPERATING BASE GANNON (Iraqi-Syrian border) — My embed unit, Regimental Combat Team 2, lost a Marine yesterday: Killed in an ambush while interdicting fuel tankers just up the road from my position in the Al Qaim sector. RCT2 then shut down all military to civilian communication — in order that the family be notified before word leaked out — so I have been unable to contact anyone beyond our area of operations.

The Marines are understandably angry about the loss of one of their brothers. One highly vocal leatherneck here was also quick to point out that the Marine's death is "far more than just a casualty of war. It's a sacrifice."

He added, "They should quit calling sacrifices casualties."

I've since left Battle Position Tarawa, moved to Camp (Forward Operating Base) Gannon, and made two stops at Battle Position Hue City, driving through the narrow streets of the towns and villages between Tarawa and Gannon.

Anbar has indeed turned around. It's no longer the local residents who are the problem: They're truly trying to help us (often under the threat of death).

The problem remains Al Qaeda in Iraq, the smugglers on the Iraqi-Syrian border facilitating the border crossings of foreign fighters, huge numbers of unemployed males with many little mouths to feed, criminals, and the often heavy handed tactics of the Iraqi security forces.

Col. Clardy and Lt. Col. Bohm definitely have their hands full out here. But they're making gains, and not just recent gains. The security situation in Al Anbar has been improving in baby steps — a setback here, progress there — since Operation Steel Curtain back in 2005.

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FOB GANNON — Syrians shooting wildly last night: No one exactly sure at whom or why, though the Marines at the combat operations center said it was celebratory fire after a wedding. A few rounds flew over the border and into our camp.

Just after 10:00 p.m., I climbed into the tower of post 1 overlooking Syria. There, I met Cpl. Brian T. McNeill of New Brighton, MN, passing by the post. He shouted up at the sentry, "Who's up there with you?"

When I told him who I was, he said, "Oh wow, you're the guy from National Review. My dad [Donald] reads NRO all the time. He said you were coming out here, and maybe I'd get to talk to you."

A few seconds later, the Syrians fired a couple provocative shots across our camp: The first tracer round went straight over the center of the camp. The second shot popped straight over my head.

More to come.

Semper Fi.