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Your answer makes as good sense as any other!
However, I can't discern a mike -- nor can I explain why the mike would be out front -- between the Marines & the camera...
I did a bit of post-processing, and the "Q+" (rotated 90o counter-clockwise) I thought I could see -- just isn't there...
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Guess it's just a photo that two very lucky Marines can send home to Mom... '-)
TXnMA