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Lance Cpl. Ryan Howerton, a 22-year-old native of Kansas City, Mo., and mortar man with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, searches for insurgents during an Afghan National Civil Order Police-led operation Feb. 13. Marines with 2nd Bn., 7th Marines provided fire support during the operation. - Lance Cpl. Ryan Howerton, a 22-year-old native of Kansas City, Mo., and mortar man with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, searches for insurgents during an Afghan National Civil Order Police-led operation Feb. 13. Marines with 2nd Bn., 7th Marines provided fire support during the operation.

After successful operation, ANCOP stays ahead of insurgents

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ZEEBRUGGE, Afghanistan— In the middle of the night, more than 80 Afghan National Civil Order Police and less than ten Marines boarded helicopters.The plan was to insert south of the Helmand River in Kajaki and surprise the insurgents at dawn, clearing a known enemy stronghold, Feb 13. When the sun rose, the insurgents were

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Citizens of Kajaki attend a shura here, April 14, 2012. The villagers had the opportunity to speak directly to commanders of the Marines and Afghan National Civil Order Police who provide security for their community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz) - Citizens of Kajaki attend a shura here, April 14, 2012. The villagers had the opportunity to speak directly to commanders of the Marines and Afghan National Civil Order Police who provide security for their community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz)

Afghan forces, Marines connect with Kajaki citizens through weekly shura

As Afghan forces take responsibility for more civil and security operations in Kajaki, Marines serving with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are staying connected with the local community.“One of the things we did when we first got to Kajaki was establish weekly shuras in some of the villages,” said 1st Lt. Kevin J. Fitzsimmons,

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Lance Cpl. Daniel Grant, a native of Detroit and rifleman serving with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, departs Patrol Base Virginia, an Afghan National Civil Order Police position in Kajaki, as his squad begins a foot patrol here, April 14, 2012. Marines formerly operated PB Virginia until the ANCOP officers took full responsibility for maintaining security in the local area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz) - Lance Cpl. Daniel Grant, a native of Detroit and rifleman serving with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, departs Patrol Base Virginia, an Afghan National Civil Order Police position in Kajaki, as his squad begins a foot patrol here, April 14, 2012. Marines formerly operated PB Virginia until the ANCOP officers took full responsibility for maintaining security in the local area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz)

‘Here to protect’: Marines stay involved in Kajaki

As coalition forces continue to transfer security responsibilities to Afghan National Army and police in Afghanistan, the Marines here continue to patrol to keep the people of Kajaki safe.Since arrival, Marines of Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, have assisted Afghan forces in taking control of security operations here and

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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.

Combat Engineers tear down walls, reduce ANSF base

The bulldozer, unceremoniously, rams into the wall of mud bricks and straw, causing the top half to collapse. With dust and debris forming a cloud around the machine, local Afghans children gather to see what the commotion is about. The bulldozer backs up and plows into the wall again, leaving a pile of rubble where the outer wall once stood.

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