Sgt. Ricardo A. Monge, a launcher chief with 3rd Platoon, Tango Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, receives information from the fire direction center during a dry-fire drill for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System here, Feb. 26. Monge, a 24-year-old native of Los Angeles, leads a three-man launcher team in daily drills to increase their response time to support requests. The HIMARS allows the Marines to support fire missions within minutes and deliver precision fire within one meter of the target location. - Sgt. Ricardo A. Monge, a launcher chief with 3rd Platoon, Tango Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, receives information from the fire direction center during a dry-fire drill for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System here, Feb. 26. Monge, a 24-year-old native of Los Angeles, leads a three-man launcher team in daily drills to increase their response time to support requests. The HIMARS allows the Marines to support fire missions within minutes and deliver precision fire within one meter of the target location.
Capt. Jesse Hills, the team leader of Team 3, Civil Affairs Detachment 11-2, climbs a dump truck to inspect the contents during a patrol in Khan Neshin, Afghanistan, Feb. 29, 2012. The truck was carrying gravel to place over a culvert in the road. Afghans are currently paving a road in Khan Neshin, equipped with culverts to allow canals to pass though to the surrounding farms. The road is a civil affairs –initiated project to help the locals build an infrastructure on their own. Hills is a 28-year-old native of Terre Haute, Ind., who served as an intelligence officer with 11th Marine Regiment before detaching to the civil affairs team. - Capt. Jesse Hills, the team leader of Team 3, Civil Affairs Detachment 11-2, climbs a dump truck to inspect the contents during a patrol in Khan Neshin, Afghanistan, Feb. 29, 2012. The truck was carrying gravel to place over a culvert in the road. Afghans are currently paving a road in Khan Neshin, equipped with culverts to allow canals to pass though to the surrounding farms. The road is a civil affairs –initiated project to help the locals build an infrastructure on their own. Hills is a 28-year-old native of Terre Haute, Ind., who served as an intelligence officer with 11th Marine Regiment before detaching to the civil affairs team.
Lance Cpl. Matthew Spencer, a police advisor with Regimental Combat Team 5 Police Advisory Team, instructs Afghan Uniformed Police officers in proper techniques and procedures to use at vehicle check points. The advisory team spent four days conducting refresher courses to help the Afghan police in their role providing security for Marjah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz) - Lance Cpl. Matthew Spencer, a police advisor with Regimental Combat Team 5 Police Advisory Team, instructs Afghan Uniformed Police officers in proper techniques and procedures to use at vehicle check points. The advisory team spent four days conducting refresher courses to help the Afghan police in their role providing security for Marjah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz)
Corporal Ian Ward, a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, Lima Company, looks through the scope of his rifle to identify some suspicious people, with Cpl. Manuel Ortiz, a team leader with the platoon, during a patrol Feb. 27, 2012. ::r::::n::Ward, currently deployed with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, mentored his Marines, training them for when he leaves the squad. Ward put junior Marines in leadership billets, giving them valuable experience.::r::::n:: - Corporal Ian Ward, a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, Lima Company, looks through the scope of his rifle to identify some suspicious people, with Cpl. Manuel Ortiz, a team leader with the platoon, during a patrol Feb. 27, 2012. ::r::::n::Ward, currently deployed with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, mentored his Marines, training them for when he leaves the squad. Ward put junior Marines in leadership billets, giving them valuable experience.::r::::n::
A 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion bulldozer maneuvers through rubble during the patrol base reduction, Feb. 23. The 3rd CEB reduced the base in half, making it easier to maintain. Fewer Coalition Forces are stationed at the patrol base and the Afghan National Civil Order Police force is capable of taking the lead. - A 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion bulldozer maneuvers through rubble during the patrol base reduction, Feb. 23. The 3rd CEB reduced the base in half, making it easier to maintain. Fewer Coalition Forces are stationed at the patrol base and the Afghan National Civil Order Police force is capable of taking the lead.
Lance Cpl. Edgar Lima (right), a sweeper with 2nd squad, 1st platoon, Lima Company, searches for improvised explosive devices with PFC. Christopher Birdt, a machine gunner, covering him, during an afternoon patrol in Wishtan, Feb. 22. Their patrol talked to as many local people as they could, gathering information about the area and building relationships with the people. Lima, a San Diego native, uses humor to interact and build connections with the children who sometimes surround the Marines. - Lance Cpl. Edgar Lima (right), a sweeper with 2nd squad, 1st platoon, Lima Company, searches for improvised explosive devices with PFC. Christopher Birdt, a machine gunner, covering him, during an afternoon patrol in Wishtan, Feb. 22. Their patrol talked to as many local people as they could, gathering information about the area and building relationships with the people. Lima, a San Diego native, uses humor to interact and build connections with the children who sometimes surround the Marines.
Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Rodriguez, point man with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, sweeps for improvised explosive devices and clears a route during a foot patrol, Feb. 6. Rodriguez, a 19-year-old native of San Jose, Calif., led more than 120 patrols without an IED strike, and he detected three IEDs. His squad interacted with local villagers and searched the area for insurgent activity during the patrol. - Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Rodriguez, point man with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, sweeps for improvised explosive devices and clears a route during a foot patrol, Feb. 6. Rodriguez, a 19-year-old native of San Jose, Calif., led more than 120 patrols without an IED strike, and he detected three IEDs. His squad interacted with local villagers and searched the area for insurgent activity during the patrol.
U.S. Marines with the air interdiction force composed of 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, pause for a break as a CH-53 Sea Stallion refuels during an Afghan Border Police led clearing operation here, Dec. 7. The AIF circles high in sky above, searching for suspicious vehicles or personnel, and plays a unique role in counter-insurgency operations in southern Helmand. - U.S. Marines with the air interdiction force composed of 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, pause for a break as a CH-53 Sea Stallion refuels during an Afghan Border Police led clearing operation here, Dec. 7. The AIF circles high in sky above, searching for suspicious vehicles or personnel, and plays a unique role in counter-insurgency operations in southern Helmand.