U.S. Marine Col. Roger B. Turner Jr., the commanding officer Regimental Combat Team 5, shakes hands and gives the floor to Col. John R. Shafer, the commanding officer of RCT-6, after speaking during a transfer of authority ceremony here, July 5, 2012. Since their activation in 1917, 5th and 6th Marine Regiments have courageously fought for America, most notably in World War I when they fought side-by-side in the bloody Battle of Belleau Wood. In December 2011, Regimental Combat Team 6 arrived in northern Helmand province to support Operation Enduring Freedom, joining RCT-5 on the same battlefield for the first time in 94 years. This historic partnership is now coming to a close. Turner and Ruiz, the commanding officer and sergeant major of RCT-5, cased the colors of ‚Fighting Fifth‚ and transferred authority of their area of operations to Shafer and Sgt. Maj. Jamie Deets, the sergeant major of RCT-6 here, July 5. - U.S. Marine Col. Roger B. Turner Jr., the commanding officer Regimental Combat Team 5, shakes hands and gives the floor to Col. John R. Shafer, the commanding officer of RCT-6, after speaking during a transfer of authority ceremony here, July 5, 2012. Since their activation in 1917, 5th and 6th Marine Regiments have courageously fought for America, most notably in World War I when they fought side-by-side in the bloody Battle of Belleau Wood. In December 2011, Regimental Combat Team 6 arrived in northern Helmand province to support Operation Enduring Freedom, joining RCT-5 on the same battlefield for the first time in 94 years. This historic partnership is now coming to a close. Turner and Ruiz, the commanding officer and sergeant major of RCT-5, cased the colors of ‚Fighting Fifth‚ and transferred authority of their area of operations to Shafer and Sgt. Maj. Jamie Deets, the sergeant major of RCT-6 here, July 5.
Staff Sgt. Gerhard Tauss launches an unmanned aerial vehicle prior to conducting operations in the scouted area in Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan June 20, 2012. Tauss is the platoon sergeant for 2nd platoon, Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, and operated in support of Operation Jaws as apart of the route clearance effort. - Staff Sgt. Gerhard Tauss launches an unmanned aerial vehicle prior to conducting operations in the scouted area in Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan June 20, 2012. Tauss is the platoon sergeant for 2nd platoon, Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, and operated in support of Operation Jaws as apart of the route clearance effort.
Lance Cpl. Christopher Yudin, a machinegunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, looks through the sights of his M240 machinegun, May 30, 2012. - Lance Cpl. Christopher Yudin, a machinegunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, looks through the sights of his M240 machinegun, May 30, 2012.
Petty Officer 3rd Class, Norberto Zamora, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, watches the horizon during a security halt, July 1, 2012. Zamora’s training was put to the test within his first week in Afghanistan when troops step on an improvised explosive device while on a patrol. - Petty Officer 3rd Class, Norberto Zamora, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, watches the horizon during a security halt, July 1, 2012. Zamora’s training was put to the test within his first week in Afghanistan when troops step on an improvised explosive device while on a patrol.
Lance Cpl. Anthony Quintanilla makes his way into a well in an abandoned compound during Operation Sangin United Horizons here, May 17, 2012. Quintanilla, a native of Los Angeles, found narcotics, weapons, and components to construct an improvised explosive device hidden inside the well. - Lance Cpl. Anthony Quintanilla makes his way into a well in an abandoned compound during Operation Sangin United Horizons here, May 17, 2012. Quintanilla, a native of Los Angeles, found narcotics, weapons, and components to construct an improvised explosive device hidden inside the well.
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, right, commanding general of Task Force Leatherneck (TFL) and Sgt. Maj. Terry L. Jones, TFL Sergeant Major, salute the American Flag during an evening colors ceremony on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province Afghanistan May 28, 2012. Berger held the ceremony as a Memorial Day Commemoration in remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Sheila M. Brooks)::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, right, commanding general of Task Force Leatherneck (TFL) and Sgt. Maj. Terry L. Jones, TFL Sergeant Major, salute the American Flag during an evening colors ceremony on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province Afghanistan May 28, 2012. Berger held the ceremony as a Memorial Day Commemoration in remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Sheila M. Brooks)::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Afghan National Army Gunnery Sgt. Mohammad Hasan, sights in on his target with his M24 sniper rifle, May 2, 2012. Hasan was the high shooter on the first day of the range and said he remembered to control his breathing and to relax while firing the new weapon.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Afghan National Army Gunnery Sgt. Mohammad Hasan, sights in on his target with his M24 sniper rifle, May 2, 2012. Hasan was the high shooter on the first day of the range and said he remembered to control his breathing and to relax while firing the new weapon.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
An Afghan child watches as a squad of Marines patrol by the bazaar here May 3, 2012, on their way to the Afghan Uniformed Police precinct. Recently, 1st Platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, has been tasked to mentor and provide support to the local Afghan Uniformed Police precinct in northern Marjah. - An Afghan child watches as a squad of Marines patrol by the bazaar here May 3, 2012, on their way to the Afghan Uniformed Police precinct. Recently, 1st Platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, has been tasked to mentor and provide support to the local Afghan Uniformed Police precinct in northern Marjah.
Afghan National Army Sgt. Jawad, a range instructor with 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, watches an ANA soldier during a live-fire range April 29, 2012. The range is completely Afghan led, with Marines providing only the range and targets.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Afghan National Army Sgt. Jawad, a range instructor with 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, watches an ANA soldier during a live-fire range April 29, 2012. The range is completely Afghan led, with Marines providing only the range and targets.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Dharma, a 4-year-old black Labrador retriever, take a break during a patrol, April 25, 2012. Lance Cpl. Jeffery Rodriguez, a dog handler with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, exercises Dharma twice a day to keep her stamina up on patrols.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Dharma, a 4-year-old black Labrador retriever, take a break during a patrol, April 25, 2012. Lance Cpl. Jeffery Rodriguez, a dog handler with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, exercises Dharma twice a day to keep her stamina up on patrols.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::