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Tag: 1st Marine Division

Sighting in on the big picture: Afghans see independence

The unmistakable sound of gunfire breaks the mid-morning calm. The Afghan instructor paces behind several Afghan National Army soldiers, who are lying in the prone position. The sun is rising to their backs, casting long shadows, stretching before the green targets in front of them.He kneels down and positions the end of rifle squarely into the

Data network Marine an expert in her domain

When a senior Marine refers to one of his devil dogs as the most “Marine” Marine under his charge, a person reaching 5 feet 1 inch and shy of 100 pounds is probably not the visual.Nonetheless, Lance Cpl. Samantha C. Catoe, a data network specialist working at the headquarters element of Task Force Leatherneck, 1st Marine Division (Forward), was

Marine electrician keeps power on in southern Helmand province

CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan – Sometimes little luxuries like air conditioning, heat and power go unnoticed… just not in Afghanistan. Marines living on the forward edge of the battlefield in Helmand province know what life is like without the comforts of climate control or electricity. That’s why Marines here say it’s important to take care of the

Young artillery Marines serve as rocket systems chiefs

The siren went off in the fire direction center, where Marines awaited the targeting data needed to launch rockets to targets. Seconds later, the trucks rolled into position, carrying rocket launcher pods ready to help troops who were receiving mortar fire. In less than five minutes, the rockets were ready to fire because of the work of junior

Precision Rocket Artillery changes the Battlefield

There was enough explosive material to construct hundreds of improvised explosive devices. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment lacked the power to destroy the huge IED cache. They called for fire, and eight rockets landed within seconds of being fired. According to the after action report from the artillery platoon, all rounds impacted

Future of Afghan village kindled by Marines

To a district in Afghanistan that was once overlooked by its government, 2nd Lt. Andrew McGann cares for it like a member of the community.Khan Nehsin, a district of no more than 20,000 people in sporadic villages across southern Helmand province, is undergoing an overhaul. There are currently 13 civil affairs projects supervised by the Marines of

Marines train first group of ANA sharpshooters

It was January 2012 when insurgents opened up with machine gun fire at an Afghan National Army compound in Musa Qala District. Bullets landed within feet of the headquarters of Command Outpost Griffin, where four Marine advisors observed as the enemy closed within 50 meters (164 ft.) of the compound before ANA soldiers repelled the assault.

Texas Marines a ‘jack-of-all-trades’

Despite it being the hottest day in months, the Marine patrols with a constant smile, making jokes with his friends and smiling with the locals, Feb. 27. Marines with 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, called Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wurst a jack-of-all-trades. “I move around a lot between positions in the patrol,” said Wurst, currently deployed

Marines prepare Afghan police to take charge in Marjah

The role of Regimental Combat Team 5 Police Advisory Team has shifted since Marines first arrived in Marjah in 2010. Marines used to lead Afghan Uniformed Police and Afghan Local Police in patrols, mentoring them and taking charge in tactical operations. Now, Afghans are taking the lead. Sergeant Timothy Guinan, military police chief

Texas Marine prepares younger Marines to fill his shoes

The Marine double checks his men’s gear and begins to debrief, Feb. 26. The squad leader asked the Marines about the different Afghan locals they talked to and assessed what the squad did well and what they could improve on. For Cpl. Ian Ward, a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, Lima Company, the job isn’t done simply because the patrol

1st Marine Division