Marines from 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and district government officials enjoy Iftar or ‘breaking of fast,’ which is the nightly meal during the month-long Islamic holiday Ramadan, Aug. 8. Marines from 1/3 are regularly invited to Iftar with their Afghan National Army and Police counterparts during Ramadan. - Marines from 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and district government officials enjoy Iftar or ‘breaking of fast,’ which is the nightly meal during the month-long Islamic holiday Ramadan, Aug. 8. Marines from 1/3 are regularly invited to Iftar with their Afghan National Army and Police counterparts during Ramadan.

Marines from 3rd Trucks Platoon unload supplies at Combat Outpost Gorgak here, Aug. 4. Originating from Marine Corps Bases Japan, 3rd Trucks Platoon is attached to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Trucks Platoon is responsible for logistical deliveries throughout 1/3’s area of operations. - Marines from 3rd Trucks Platoon unload supplies at Combat Outpost Gorgak here, Aug. 4. Originating from Marine Corps Bases Japan, 3rd Trucks Platoon is attached to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Trucks Platoon is responsible for logistical deliveries throughout 1/3’s area of operations.

Graduates stand at attention during the Afghan Local Police (ALP) graduation ceremony at Forward Operating Base Marjah, Afghanistan, April 4, 2011. After 3 weeks of training with the U.S. Marine Corps Police Mentor Team, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, the Interim Security Critical Infrastructure members graduated to the newly constructed ALP. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher M. Carroll/Released) - Graduates stand at attention during the Afghan Local Police (ALP) graduation ceremony at Forward Operating Base Marjah, Afghanistan, April 4, 2011. After 3 weeks of training with the U.S. Marine Corps Police Mentor Team, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, the Interim Security Critical Infrastructure members graduated to the newly constructed ALP. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher M. Carroll/Released)

Hospital Apprentice Jesse Stephens, a native of Hartselle, Al., pauses to catch his breath after a firefight with insurgents in the Polpazai village, here, Aug. 11. The 19-year old Stephens, serves as a Navy corpsman with, 2nd Squad, 4th Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and is on his first deployment. - Hospital Apprentice Jesse Stephens, a native of Hartselle, Al., pauses to catch his breath after a firefight with insurgents in the Polpazai village, here, Aug. 11. The 19-year old Stephens, serves as a Navy corpsman with, 2nd Squad, 4th Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and is on his first deployment.

Cpl. Matthew Craven, quality control floor chief, Motor and Transportation section, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine, performs maintenance on a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle here, Aug. 8. The Marines of Motor T., 1/6, are responsible for resupply operations within the area, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of all vehicles within the battalion. - Cpl. Matthew Craven, quality control floor chief, Motor and Transportation section, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine, performs maintenance on a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle here, Aug. 8. The Marines of Motor T., 1/6, are responsible for resupply operations within the area, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of all vehicles within the battalion.

Lance Cpl. Jose Contreras quenches his thirst while completing the Rankel Workout here, Aug. 1. Contreras, a native of San Antonio, is a team leader with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. The Rankel workout is dedicated to Sgt. John Rankel, who died while deployed here in 2010. - Lance Cpl. Jose Contreras quenches his thirst while completing the Rankel Workout here, Aug. 1. Contreras, a native of San Antonio, is a team leader with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. The Rankel workout is dedicated to Sgt. John Rankel, who died while deployed here in 2010.

A local man speaks at the graduation of a farming cooperative course here, Aug. 14. Local farmers participated in the training. - A local man speaks at the graduation of a farming cooperative course here, Aug. 14. Local farmers participated in the training.