A Marine with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment posts security after a helicopter-borne insert. Marines of E Co, 2/1 conducted a three-day clearing operation in Durzay on Jan. 14. - A Marine with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment posts security after a helicopter-borne insert. Marines of E Co, 2/1 conducted a three-day clearing operation in Durzay on Jan. 14.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment and Afghanistan National Army soldiers look out the back of a CH-53E helicopter as it takes them to their insert positions during Operation Integrity in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 15. The main purpose of the operation was to successfully cordon off a suspected hotspot for Taliban activity, search for weapon and IED caches, disrupt enemy logistical operations and gather census data on locals in the region of Sistani. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment and Afghanistan National Army soldiers look out the back of a CH-53E helicopter as it takes them to their insert positions during Operation Integrity in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 15. The main purpose of the operation was to successfully cordon off a suspected hotspot for Taliban activity, search for weapon and IED caches, disrupt enemy logistical operations and gather census data on locals in the region of Sistani.

Marines with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), fires the main cannon of an M1A1 Abrams tank during a range at Camp Leatherneck, Jan. 13, 2011. The Marines are the first tank unit to deploy to Afghanistan. - Marines with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), fires the main cannon of an M1A1 Abrams tank during a range at Camp Leatherneck, Jan. 13, 2011. The Marines are the first tank unit to deploy to Afghanistan.

Marines and sailors of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and their Afghan national army counterparts, pose in front of a modified ZeroBase Regenerator at Patrol Base Sparks, in Sangin District, Dec. 29. The ZeroBased Regenerator, nicknamed “the Raptor,” after the type of power cells in its six solar panels, can keep more than 17 computers and 15 lighting units running throughout the night. The Marines of 1st Platoon, added four more panels to their “Raptor” for further solar energy conservation. - Marines and sailors of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and their Afghan national army counterparts, pose in front of a modified ZeroBase Regenerator at Patrol Base Sparks, in Sangin District, Dec. 29. The ZeroBased Regenerator, nicknamed “the Raptor,” after the type of power cells in its six solar panels, can keep more than 17 computers and 15 lighting units running throughout the night. The Marines of 1st Platoon, added four more panels to their “Raptor” for further solar energy conservation.

Young women from the non-profit National Charity League stack care packages filled with combat boot socks, snacks and other coveted items during the 4th Annual Operation Valentine at Camp San Mateo, Jan. 9. A total of 1,100 mothers and daughters from the NCL created 2,400 care packages and wrote Valentine’s Day cards for deployed Marines and sailors. The care packages will be sent to three deployed battalions from the 1st Marine Division and female engagement team members. - Young women from the non-profit National Charity League stack care packages filled with combat boot socks, snacks and other coveted items during the 4th Annual Operation Valentine at Camp San Mateo, Jan. 9. A total of 1,100 mothers and daughters from the NCL created 2,400 care packages and wrote Valentine’s Day cards for deployed Marines and sailors. The care packages will be sent to three deployed battalions from the 1st Marine Division and female engagement team members.

Lance Cpl. Ron Long, Jr., a radio operator with 3rd Plt., India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, searches for any suspicious activity during a patrol in the Sangin District, Dec. 30. The 21-year-old native of Galt, Calif., has been deployed to Helmand province, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom since October. - Lance Cpl. Ron Long, Jr., a radio operator with 3rd Plt., India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, searches for any suspicious activity during a patrol in the Sangin District, Dec. 30. The 21-year-old native of Galt, Calif., has been deployed to Helmand province, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom since October.