Painting Challeng Submission 10 - 40k Raven Guard Contraption

Invictor War Suit for my Raven Guard Space Marines. Plastic model from GW.

Have I been asleep at the blogging switch? Well, yes, yes I have...work has been busy, eating into spare time (which is OK - it pays for miniatures!) but the remaining spare time has been ruthlessly focused on painting, and on meeting my commitments as a "Minion" for Curt's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. So I have been posting stuff there, and neglecting here...enough of that! Time to catch up a bit.

Before I do, just have to acknowledge the work the Conscripts have been doing for this edition of the Painting Challenge. Frederick in particular is CRUSHING it, racking up huge points totals and keeping the honour of the Fawcett Avenue Conscripts up near the top of the league tables. Well done! Be sure to check out their work - as well as that of Dave (OGRE!), Mike F (More 30k! More!) and Byron (10mm Fantasy!) on the Painting Challenge Blog - and I hope they might also find the time to post here about it as well. And I know Dallas will be along soon to share some "Churchillian" efforts of his own...you guy have been doing great, and as the Challenge comes down to the wire, I'm sure you'll have more stuff to bring across the painting finish line!

OK - back to catching up on my own Painting Challenge stuff. Up first, another item for my 40k Raven Guard project. This is some sort of bonkers contraption known as an "Invictor War Suit". This is a multi-part plastic kit from GW, one of the newer releases for the newer Primaris Space Marine range of figures for their Warhammer 40,000 setting. It's a big walking thing with guns. 

Guns solve problems, right?

Followers of this blog will already be aware of how the grim darkness of the far future is in fact overrun with big walking things with guns. Some are big. Many are bigger. Some are quite huge. But they walk, and they have guns, and thus this "newer" design takes its place in an august lineup of universe-wrecking-walking-things-with guns. But it is also a little different, at least for Space Marines...

A view of the carbon-neutral power system...

That is because the pilot of the machine is, well, a Space Marine. Makes sense. But this is still different. You see, usually, Space Marine machines of this sort, called "Dreadnoughts", are 'crewed' by a near-dead Marine, who is essentially entombed in the machine, allowing them to fight for the Emperor for, like, nearly eternity. Lucky them. You don't see the 'pilot', because his remaining bits are plugged into arcane machinery, hidden under slabs of armour. 

So. Many. Guns.

But this thing...well, it just has a roll-cage, and the pilot can hop in and hop back out. Like a kind of regular machine. I mean, still a whacky, far-future, gun-festooned machine...but a pilot that can hop out, check things over, compare notes with fellow pilots...that seems borderline heretical! This design brings to mind the sort of "war-jack" type walker units seen in other sci-fi settings, such as the "APU Defense Sentinels" from the otherwise un-watchable "Matrix: Revolutions" film.

This kit was certainly a challenge to put together...GW made some heroic assumptions about what bits you might glue, and others you might not, and how the whole thing would work. I had major issues sorting out the cockpit, and a lot of trouble with the legs. Enough trouble that I am confident this will be the only such machine that will be joining my 40k Raven Guard forces...give me a normal dreadnought over this thing any day...

Some unsolicited feedback for the design of this model...

But for all the issues, more guns is more guns, and when you are defending The Emperor, it seems you can never have quite enough guns. This thing delivers - and for added fun, it can punch recalcitrant unbelievers into dust for sport. 

The cage doesn't exactly close, like it says it will in the instructions...but close enough. All aboard for fun!

I hope to bring this monster into action this weekend. That will be its first game. What could go wrong? We all know how newly-painted figures dominate the tabletop, right? 

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more shortly!  

Painting Challenge Submission 6 - Raven Guard Outriders

Space Marine Outriders move out for the gaming table.

More Raven Guard? Sure - more Raven Guard! My sixth submission to Curt's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge held a unit of Outriders - Space Marines riding cool motorbikes. Motorbikes with guns! And great big exhaust pipes! And they still have chainswords, because of course they would still have chainswords! And still have heavy pistols too! Because war everywhere! Right?

There are twin bolt rifles mounted on the bike, but of course it is more fun to hit people with your chainsword, right?

These are multipart plastic models from GW's "Indomitus" box set, the introductory 40k set for the 9th edition that issued a couple years ago. Or maybe a year ago? Who can tell. Whatever. Anyway, these were slightly tricky to assemble. In theory, these are push-fit kits, which should not require glue. But of course we all know "push-fit" stuff is mostly a fantasy, and it in fact the push-fit aspects made the kits harder to assemble, not easier.

These big, chunky bikes are fitting rides for the large Primaris-sized marines.

But whatever the trouble with the assembly, I love the look of these models. In fact, I have really enjoyed  all of the Marines from the "Indomitus" box. These bikers continue the theme and feel of just-the-right-amount over-the-top look for the new "Primaris" marines. Look at these bikes! The huge tyres! The massive exhaust! Not just one gun, but two - PLUS the weapons the Marine himself still carries!

Officer with a "beakie" helmet, as always...although his original helmet is clipped to his belt - there was no way to remove it. So he is all about safety!

As always, there was one Marine without a helmet, and as always, I hate that, so I swapped it out for a helmet. Of course, he still has his OTHER helmet pinned to his belt. So the guy has two helmets - one on his head, and a spare. Safety first, right?

That was all for this submission - stay tuned for more, and be sure to check out all of the other awesome submissions by Dallas, Frederick, Mike F, Byron and DaveV! The Conscripts are really dominating this year!

Painting Challenge Submission 4 - Raven Guard Specialists

Reinforcements for my 40k Raven Guard.

I continue to be a laggard when it comes to my Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge content posted to this blog! Apologies for that. Here is my fourth entry to the Challange - more figures for my Raven Guard forces in GW's Warhammer 40,000 setting. All of these figures are multi-part plastic kits from GW. This submission contains what might be described as "Specialist Marines" - a group of particularly tough fighters known as "Bladeguard Veterans", as well as an "Apothecary" and a "Librarian".

Bladeguard Veterans

Bladeguard Veteran Space Marines, painted in Raven Guard colours.

These are hard-hitting, veteran Space Marines, equipped with fancy swords, scary pistols and big shields - all rocking a requisite number of skullz, of course. You would expect these chaps to be found in the thick of the fighting, alongside the crazy Bladeguard Ancient, whacking and blasting the enemies of the Emperor back into their component atoms.

Rear view, showing some of the flash and flare on the models - and the one fellow with his shield stowed on his power pack.

As always, I stick a "beakie" style helmet on the commander.

I quite enjoy the OTT look of these types of Space Marines - they are more like a kind of "Space Knight", a sort of look which previously had been found among specific named Chapters (such as the extremely cool Grey Knights, the somewhat interesting Black Templars or the extremely pointless Dark Angels). The newer range of Space Marine figures is bringing this sort of "Space Knight" look to any Chapter you like. The design of the helmets even bears a striking resemblance to the look of the helmets on the Grey Knight Terminator models.

"Check it out guys - there is a Starbucks over there. Anyone else up for a latte?"

Of course the large, skull-covered shields are focal points for these figures, but there is all sorts of "flare" on these guys. They are covered in fun little features on them, like little religious icons hanging from belts, and copious parchment seals affixed to all manner of their kit. It's all quite whacky, and I find it all to be very enjoyable. On the gaming table, this is a small unit, but they will accompany their commanding officer and standard bearers into battle, making for a tough core of any Space Marine gaming force.   

Librarian

"You have some overdue books, and The Emperor is not pleased..."

Who's afraid of a Librarian? You should be! Not only is this guy a Space Marine - eight feet tall, a genetically enhanced super warrior with massive power armour and a big, scary sword - he has SPOOOOKY POWERS. Yes, he can fry your brain using his powers - before removing your head with his trusty sword! You know the powers are SPOOOOKY, because even though he has the sword handy, he is simply pointing in your direction, meaning whatever he can do just by concentrating on your is WORSE than what he do with a big sword. RETURN THOSE BOOKS ON TIME SON!

Light blue = SPOOOKY POWERS. At least, that is my interpretation.

The wardrobe on this fellow is kinda funny...he is clearly clad in Space Marine power armour, but he is also wearing robes over that armour, and then a huge Matrix-parody-level trenchcoat over the robes! You should flee from this guy BASED ON FASHION ALONE.

I tried to reflect/acknowledge the SPOOOOOKY POWERS by imparting something of a light blue glow to his helmet, the blade of his sword, and to his hand...the result was mixed, but it was fun to experiment. 

Apothecary

Raven Guard Apothecary contemplates some extracted bits while standing over a fallen comrade.

Medical care among the Space Marines is something of a mixed bag. On the plus side, as a Space Marine you have 100% medical coverage, pretty useful in a job where you expected to face off in battle against terrifying threats which the regular Imperial Army cannot handle. Knowing you can count on the best health care would give you peace of mind, right? 

On the other hand, since they are subject to intense pschyo-conditioning (with emphasis on the "psycho" part), "peace of mind" is not a state most Space Marines would strive for, and in any case, and seeing your "front line health care worker" might erase any peace one might have - meet the Apothecary.

Lots of extra kit comes with this job...

The Apothecary is kitted out in all manner of specialized equipment - the practice of battlefield medicine in the grimdark future being still, well, grim. Drills, saws, injection kit - much of this stuff intended to help keep brother Marines in the battle, but there is another aspect to the job that this specific figure sculpt calls attention to - let's call it "recycling". 

The extracted bits in his palm will provide a replacement for the fallen comrade under his boot...

When a Marine succumbs to injuries in battle, the so-called "gene seed" needs to be recovered so a replacement Marine can be created. With this figure, we can see a fallen Marine on the base, and the Apothecary has recovered some manner of gooey bit. Using the various lenses, he is inspecting it closely, before getting ready to place inside a specimen jar (hanging from his hand). Looking on his chest, you can see a number of other similar jars hanging from his neck...your service to The Emperor thus never truly ends, as your "gooey bits" fight on in other Marines...

That's all for this one - thanks for reading, and thanks to the other Conscripts who are keeping up an incredible painting pace during this year's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge!

Painting Challenge Submission 3 - Space Marine "Cooking" Specialists

We're not here to negotiate...Space Marine "Eradicators" from the Indomitus box set.

My third submission to Curt's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge continued a theme...more scary Space Marines! These are multi-part plastic models for GW's "Warhammer 40,000" setting - they are "Primaris Eradicators", from the "Indomitus" box set released back in 2020. They are painted in the colours of the Raven Guard Chapter (or, I should say, my interpretation of those colours). The decals are from GW, but the embossed Raven Guard chapter symbols on the shoulder plates are from "Pop Goes The Monkey".

As ever, the Sergeant in the unit sports an old-style "beakie" helmet. 

In the setting of Warhammer 40k, space is full of dark, horrible things like rebels, aliens, monsters, accountants and other terrible monsters. Some of these terrors from deep space are so fearsome as to even give the fabled Space Marines a problem or two...or, at least they might, were it not for these sorts of Space Marines. Clad in very, very heavy powered armour (same as that worn by the Heavy Intercessors), these "Eradicators" carrying very terrifying fusion weapons that are quite useful for wiping out vehicles, monsters and other irritating gribblies blocking the great glory of The Emperor.

The "melta rifle" - for when it absolutely, positively has to be "eradicated"....

Yes, when the going gets tough for the Space Marines, they call in the Eradicators, ensuring The Emperor's enemies are rendered down to a few carbon atoms. I mean, the weapons are called "melta rifles" - truly, it's all in the name, as they say. Not much will be left of anything that gets hit with a few of these...

I find the little "explosion" symbol on the shoulder (used to denote heavy support-type elements) looks hilariously close to a Maple Leaf...maybe it is just the effect of the red lining on the shoulder plate. 

I quite like the OTT heavy armour these fellows wear - it is the same kit as the Heavy Intercessors. They are chunky, heavy figures, much taller and heavier than an "average" 28mm human, and in this sense the new range of Space Marine models aligns much more with the sorts of Marines described in the various stories published by GW's Black Library. Again, the design, look and feel of these models are very different to that of the classic Marine models of the Rogue Trader era, but these do have an appeal of their own. These are very heavy sci-fi infantry.

Rear view showing the heavy power packs and - naturally - holstered pistols in case things get a little too close for comfort...

 

Still more 40k Raven Guard in the Challenge painting queue, so watch this space - and also be sure to check out the amazing work by Mike F, Byron M, Dave V, Dallas and Frederick elsewhere on this blog! 

Painting Chalenge Submission 2 - Primaris Space Marine Judiciar and Heavy Intercessors

"Let's wreck some sh*t for The Emperor!"

Well, I have been asleep at the switch for January when it comes to blogging - but not for painting! The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge is well underway (as you can see from our blog), with a heavy Conscript presence making itself felt. I have been busy painting, and busy posting and helping with the Challenge blog - and thus neglecting my own posts here...time to get caught up! This was my second submission to the Challenge, I continuing with my 40k Raven Guard Project. This post includes a lone character figure from the "Indomitus" box, and unit of Heavy Intercessors, all Space Marines painted to be part of the Raven Guard Chapter. These are multi-part plastic models from GW, enhanced with shoulder insignia from 3D print vendor "Pop Goes The Monkey". 

Judiciar

The well-dressed aspirant to a Chaplaincy in the Raven Guard - the Judiciar.

This Marine - surely a 100% emotionally well-adjusted individual, not-at-all-total-psycho - is a "Judiciar", a new sort of character figure introduced in the "Indomitus" box set. As with all of the Marine characters from that box, there is an affectionate tribute to the OTT nature of 40k in general and Space Marines in particular. 

Walking along with a giant sword and a spooky hourglass. As one does. 

A Judiciar is a sort of Chaplain-in-training in the Space Marine chapter. Taking a look at his battle gear, that training seems a little...specific? Spiritual comfort via a terrifying two-handed sword and oversize spooky hourglass? Premium on confession, I expect...

Let's go for a walk!

I did make one minor modification to this figure, swapping out the silly original head (which made the guy look like a cosplay reject) with a helmet (which a Space Marine should be wearing all of the time, even if he walks around with a bonkers sword). 

Heavy Intercessor Squad

No sneaking around for these Raven Guard - let's smash stuff!

Intercession, the act of intervening on behalf of another...it is a testament to the imagined terrors of the 41st millennium that the main line Space Marines of The Imperium are called "Intercessors". And when stuff arrives that even they have a little trouble with, the Space Marines call in "Heavy Intercessors" - some of the heaviest infantry to be found. These are even bigger dudes with even bigger bolt rifles and even heavier armour. These fellows are deployed when The Emperor has decided to wreck your sh*t.

Love the heavy bolt rifles, with the huge drum magazines...now THAT is some scary sci-fi heavy infantry.

I love how they still have pistols, even with all of that armour, and those heavy bolt rifles.

These "Heavy Intercessors" are some of the latest new-look Space Marines from GW - quite a long way away from the original "beakie" Space Marine models from the classic RTB 01 box released all of those years ago. While those original models will always be close to my hobby heart, I find I do like the look of these new, ultra-heavy infantry. The layered armour, the heavy bolt rifles with the extra-large drum-style magazines...these guys are fun.

Sergeant on the right, subaltern (at least, I call him that) on the left.

While the unit includes 10 models, in practice it would often break down into two different five-man teams, so I used different colours on the knee-plates the differentiate between the to sub-units. Whether in groups of five or 10, these Marines will lay down withering sheets of heavy fire on the gaming table. Then, when the inevitable "close combat" gets going on the table, these fellows will absorb a ton of abuse, hopefully holding out until their buddies with swords and other insane bits of kit come to help. 

Let us intercede!

The sergeant, of course, still gets a "beakie" style helmet, a tribute to the history of the old Space Marine models. Seeing that old style of helmet on the new "Gravis" power armour certainly underlines how different today's figure designs are, at least for an old grognard like me.

Stay tuned for more posts as I get caught up - and be sure to check out the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (while also keeping an eye on this space) to see so much excellent work from other Fawcett Avenue Conscripts!

Painting Challenge Submission 1 - Space Marine Characters

Bladeguard Ancient (left) and Chaplain (right) for the Raven Guard. Figures from GW.

As you have seen recently on our Blog, Curt's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge is back! A number of Conscripts are participating, and already sharing their work here, which is awesome. I'll be starting that as well - the first bit of work to share for my Challenge continues my efforts to build up a force of Raven Guard Space Marines for Games Workshop's "Warhammer 40,000" setting. These two figures are part of that ongoing effort - both are multi-part plastic figures from GW's "Indomitus" box set. They are painted in the colours of the Raven Guard Space Marine Chapter.

Bladeguard Ancient

The Bladeguard Ancient - an ominous fellow who brings this inspiring battle standard to the heat of battle in order to inspire his fellow Marines. As one does.

In Space Marine forces, the "Ancient" is usually the Marine who carries a flag into battle (unless they are a Marine interred into a Dreadnought, but that is a whole other thing). Carry a flag into battle, 40,000 years from now? Well, yes, as one does. Warfare in the dystopian future of Warhammer 40,000 carries with it a sort of dark-age aura. Thus we have genetically-modified super soldiers like the Space Marines doing baroque things like carrying flags and standards into battle. A symbol to rally around is a universal combat motivator, even 40,000 years into the future. This member of the already-scary "Bladeguard" makes his buddies fight even harder with his inspiring battle standard.

The standard is huge - it's a big model. Very over-the-top, and a lot of fun to paint.

But let's reflect on that battle standard a bit, as there is something odd here. Is that a flag? Well, no. Flags are nice, but, what if we kicked things up a notch? Why stop at telling the story of an inspirational martyr? Why stop at putting this martyr's image on a flag? Why indeed, when you can just BRING THE MARTYR'S REMAINS WITH YOU TO WAR? Makes sense to me! Not sure who the skeleton belonged to - maybe a Marine who fell fighting Horus' traitors during the Heresy? Yes, probably that. 

As GW said, this guy is "handy" in a fight...amirite? 

I have to hand to it to the figure sculptors/designers for GW's "Indomitus" box set. They leaned into the sillier aspects of the setting with the right mix of OTT inspiration and affection to create some lovely and fun figures to paint and game with. Look at this nut case! He is CARRYING A SKELETON HAND TO SLAP PEOPLE WITH. I love this. I wish I had five more of these guys to paint for other Chapters.

Chaplain

"Looking for inspiration? I CAN HELP WITH THAT..."

In the year 40,000 we gain an insight into the role of the Chaplain in a Space Marine chapter with a quick glance at his rules. What's this here? "Litany of Hate"? Isn't that the name of the algorithm Twitter uses? Anyway, sounds about right for Warhammer 40,000. Whether it is the Litany of Hate or the Litany of Starbucks, this fellow will jump into battle to inspire his fellow Marines to even greater deeds of heroism in the name of The Emperor, who is of course no longer around, but Is Still Always Around.

This figure is modified, for a couple of reasons. I needed the original top of his "Crozius Arcanum" (a.k.a. fancy baton) for another project. But then when I wanted to paint this fellow, I couldn't just have him carrying a stick, so I cut another skull bit from elsewhere on his armour, and stuck on the top of the baton to create a satisfactory badge of office.

I also love his fancy pistol. Not just because it looks heavy, and has a seal on it, but its name "absolvor" - nice that the Space Marines combine the notion of "absolution" and "revolver". Ah, I love 40k. As I said, the designers for this box set really found a sweet spot - the "Indomitus" box is a tribute to the things that make Space Marines a bit silly, very nicely done. 

I just assume those are all "thank you" notes pinned to his armour, courtesy of fellow Space Marines he has inspired...

I also replaced the un-helmeted head with a Mark III marine helmet. I did this because it is nice to have 30k shout-outs on 40k models, and also because I hate Space Marine figures without helmets. Space is dangerous. The Emperor spent Lots Of Money to create you. Wear your damn helmet.

When you participate in Curt's painting challenge, you are competing essentially against your own target. I have a goal of 1000 points worth of painting...these fellows got me 14 points - so a ways to go, but there are a couple months ahead, so it should be fun! I look forward to sharing more work here, and seeing all of the other work done by fellow Conscripts.

A Couple Of 40k Captains

Space Marine Captain from the GW "Indomitus" box set - there is a lot going on with that shield...

Christmas has come and gone and 2022 approaches - I need to cram a few more posts on to the Blog in order to a) make a push to increase the post count and b) clear the decks for the material that will be submitted to the 12th edition of Curt's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. In this post, we have some more figures I have been painting up for my 40k Raven Guard force - two different "Primaris" Captain figures, painted up for my Raven Guard.

That shield is wild...I didn't do a great job, but passable on it. It is so whacky...I just love it. 

Up first, we have another figure from the "Indomitus" box set. This Captain figure, to me, very much captures the sort of whacky affection that must have inspired the designer who came up with the Space Marine figures in that set. Not only is he a big, scary armoured Space Marine, but he has a huge sword, all sorts of flash and flare on his armour, and then there is the shield!

Not everything will be sword work...there is a heavy bolt pistol in that holster for close-range gun fights.

The Space Marines are often inspired by martyred predecessors in their Chapter. But why settle for a story, when you can just bring the martyr with you? Look at this whacky shield! Such an entertaining tribute to the Space Marine penchant for bones and other morbidly fatalistic iconography. 

Building on this whacky shield is the air of repose. This officer is between scraps, resting on his shield, like it is all just another day at the office. Because it is, right? The actual version of this figure comes with a helmeted head with the visor raised, to complete the effect, and to make it even more pronounced, there are terrain bits of wrecked neurone warriors you can add to the base. 

For my part, I like the officers in my 40k Raven Guard to sport "beakie" style helmets, so I popped one on to this fellow. But I have to hand it to GW, the Marine figures in that "Indomitus" box set are just a ton of fun to paint.

This guy turned out pretty well, but check the seam on his cloak by the left elbow...dammit...

Up next, we have a Space Marine Captain wearing "heavier" heavy armour - I think it is called "Gravis". He is also carrying a heavy bolt rifle - which is like a bolt rifle, but heavier. And of course he has the obligatory huge sword, and fancy cape to wear around on the battlefield - as one does in the 41st millennium. 

I like to include small shout-outs to the 30k-era Raven Guard on the 40k models - in this case, some XIX decals on the cloak.

There was a slight screw up in the assembly of this captain, as I managed to somehow leave a seam on the back of his cloak under the shoulder...idiotic on my part. I thought paint would cover for it, and I was too lazy to resort to green stuff...oh well...if this figure ever achieves something on the gaming table, I'll patch that over with a couple of purity seals or something.

Big gun, big sword, big armour...all set for 40k!

These are big models, lots of character and lots of fun to paint. Overall, I think the version with the big shield is a much more useful figure in the 9th edition of the 40k game, which is essentially a giant brawl on the table. In most games, heavy rifles are of limited use, while huge swords and shields will come in handy as your Marines are swarmed under by whatever they are up against. 

I hope to cram a few more posts in before the calendar turns over - but stay tuned for more from the "Indomitus" box, and from the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge! 

40k Raven Guard - Blade Guard Veterans

Blade Guard Veterans prepared for action in the grim darkness of the far future.

As 2021 draws to a close, I find myself working to build my small collection of 40k Raven Guard up to strength in order to participate in a local 40k gaming group. This inspired me to finally crack open the "Indomitus" box set - purchased back in the summer of 2020 - and get going on some of the figures inside. With the clock running out on the year, I wanted to throw up a bunch of posts highlighting some of the subsequent painting - here is the first one. This is a unit of "Blade Guard Veterans", multi-part plastic figures from the "Indomitus" box.

Shoulder insignia courtesy of "Pop Goes The Monkey"

The Space Marine models in the "Indomitus" box nearly all have a close-combat theme/look/feel. They are made for brawling, and the look and the design of the figures follows. These "Bade Guards" certainly fit that vibe - yet another new type of elite Space Marine (who are already elite, but anyway) that can certainly shoot at you, but would much rather chop you up. They have fancy shields and fancy swords to help get that job done. 

I like to drop the old Legion Numeral here and there on my 40k models...always nice to nod toward 30k inspiration.

These models are all push-fit assembly (although I still use a bit of glue because) and are covered in all manner of baroque details, including many things familiar to 40k players (many skullz, for example). In all, the effect is to bring the feel of a "Space Knight", something that for Space Marines had been more restricted previously to certain Chapters, like the Dark Angels and Grey Knights. With the tabards, shields and swords, these fellows have a different vibe from standard Marines for sure. I quite enjoy the sculpts, I think they are very well done.

Newly-painted elite models. What could go wrong?

For colours, I used my alternate (i.e. dark grey instead of black) take on the Raven Guard colour scheme, and used these particular figures to drop in a touch more colour (albeit still darker) here and there.

These three Marines will be joined shortly by reinforcements - stay tuned for more on that!