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Captain Kyle Larish, the executive officer of Police Advisor Team 4, and 31-year-old native of Buffalo, New York, engages with the assistant district chief of police and other Afghan Uniformed Police during a patrol to the Kajaki Police Headquarters, Feb. 11. "(We) are advising their key staff members in their functional areas to coordinate their efforts with their higher headquarters," said 1st Lt. Chad Ernst, the fires officer and Joint Terminal Attack Controller with PAT-4. "We are trying to help them get the Afghan support they need in the correct format." - Captain Kyle Larish, the executive officer of Police Advisor Team 4, and 31-year-old native of Buffalo, New York, engages with the assistant district chief of police and other Afghan Uniformed Police during a patrol to the Kajaki Police Headquarters, Feb. 11. "(We) are advising their key staff members in their functional areas to coordinate their efforts with their higher headquarters," said 1st Lt. Chad Ernst, the fires officer and Joint Terminal Attack Controller with PAT-4. "We are trying to help them get the Afghan support they need in the correct format."

Marine mentors continue professional development

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ZEEBRUGGE, Afghanistan — Marines have been patrolling and fighting alongside Afghan Uniformed Police for several years, but in Kajaki the Marines are focused on a different fight: staying out of the way.Marines and sailors with Police Advisor Team 4 have established relationships with the local AUP and are now in a strictly

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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.

Mexican immigrant serves in Corps, eyes citizenship

He stands side-by-side his fellow Marines, pours his blood and sweat into his job and sacrifices time away from his family. He lives driven by a will to earn his way in life and appreciate what’s been given to him.Lance Cpl. Christopher Yudin, a machinegunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, serves in the Corps as a chance

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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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Corporal Christopher E. Gregory, a heavy equipment operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, extends the arm of his Millennia Military Vehicle to lift supplies for Marines here, April 11, 2012. Gregory, a native of Kimble, Neb., uses several large machines to move heavy loads around the base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz) - Corporal Christopher E. Gregory, a heavy equipment operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, extends the arm of his Millennia Military Vehicle to lift supplies for Marines here, April 11, 2012. Gregory, a native of Kimble, Neb., uses several large machines to move heavy loads around the base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz)

Nebraska Marine bears big burden on deployment

When a big job calls for a big machine, the Marines call on the expertise of a heavy equipment operator to get the job done.Corporal Christopher E. Gregory, 23, a native of Kimble, Neb., is one of the few heavy equipment operators here. That means whenever heavy equipment is needed, he needs to be ready.“There is never a set schedule out here,”

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