Lance Cpl. Edgar Lima (right), a sweeper with 2nd squad, 1st platoon, Lima Company, searches for improvised explosive devices with PFC. Christopher Birdt, a machine gunner, covering him, during an afternoon patrol in Wishtan, Feb. 22. Their patrol talked to as many local people as they could, gathering information about the area and building relationships with the people. Lima, a San Diego native, uses humor to interact and build connections with the children who sometimes surround the Marines. - Lance Cpl. Edgar Lima (right), a sweeper with 2nd squad, 1st platoon, Lima Company, searches for improvised explosive devices with PFC. Christopher Birdt, a machine gunner, covering him, during an afternoon patrol in Wishtan, Feb. 22. Their patrol talked to as many local people as they could, gathering information about the area and building relationships with the people. Lima, a San Diego native, uses humor to interact and build connections with the children who sometimes surround the Marines.
Afghan National Army Sgt. Shah Mohammed, a noncommissioned officer-in-charge with 3rd Tolai, 2nd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, moves his soldiers past Patrol Base Almas during a security patrol here, Feb. 9. Afghan soldiers took over a local patrol base, Hanjar Yak, on Feb. 8. They provide security for the local area by conducting independent patrols and maintaining positive relations with local villagers. - Afghan National Army Sgt. Shah Mohammed, a noncommissioned officer-in-charge with 3rd Tolai, 2nd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, moves his soldiers past Patrol Base Almas during a security patrol here, Feb. 9. Afghan soldiers took over a local patrol base, Hanjar Yak, on Feb. 8. They provide security for the local area by conducting independent patrols and maintaining positive relations with local villagers.
Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Rodriguez, point man with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, sweeps for improvised explosive devices and clears a route during a foot patrol, Feb. 6. Rodriguez, a 19-year-old native of San Jose, Calif., led more than 120 patrols without an IED strike, and he detected three IEDs. His squad interacted with local villagers and searched the area for insurgent activity during the patrol. - Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Rodriguez, point man with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, sweeps for improvised explosive devices and clears a route during a foot patrol, Feb. 6. Rodriguez, a 19-year-old native of San Jose, Calif., led more than 120 patrols without an IED strike, and he detected three IEDs. His squad interacted with local villagers and searched the area for insurgent activity during the patrol.
Corporal Adam McKinley, squad leader with 2nd Platoon, Weapons Co., 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, takes a thumbprint of an Afghan boy during a two-day operation here, recently. McKinley, a 24-year-old native of Sacramento, Calif., took photographs and fingerprints of locals. Afghan National Army soldiers from 4th Tolai, 2nd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, and Marines from 3rd Bn., 7th Mar., searched the area for insurgent activity. - Corporal Adam McKinley, squad leader with 2nd Platoon, Weapons Co., 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, takes a thumbprint of an Afghan boy during a two-day operation here, recently. McKinley, a 24-year-old native of Sacramento, Calif., took photographs and fingerprints of locals. Afghan National Army soldiers from 4th Tolai, 2nd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, and Marines from 3rd Bn., 7th Mar., searched the area for insurgent activity.
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nick Lacarra, a 20-year-old improvised explosive device detection dog handler with Combined Anti-Armor Team 2, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a native of Long Beach, Calif., holds security in a field with his dog Coot while halted during a partnered security patrol with Afghan Border Police here, Jan. 30. In southern Garmsir district, an area with a history of tribal conflict, the growing ABP force has deepened its roots and established governance through the mentorship of the 3/3 Weapons Co. Marines. The ABP is younger and significantly smaller than the Afghan National Army and police forces, but its mission is vital as Afghan forces prepare to assume lead security responsibility in Garmsir. “If the ABP didn’t exist, there would be holes all along Afghanistan’s southern border,” said Capt. Jason Armas, 33, the commanding officer of Weapons Co., 3/3, and a native of Rye, N.Y. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nick Lacarra, a 20-year-old improvised explosive device detection dog handler with Combined Anti-Armor Team 2, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a native of Long Beach, Calif., holds security in a field with his dog Coot while halted during a partnered security patrol with Afghan Border Police here, Jan. 30. In southern Garmsir district, an area with a history of tribal conflict, the growing ABP force has deepened its roots and established governance through the mentorship of the 3/3 Weapons Co. Marines. The ABP is younger and significantly smaller than the Afghan National Army and police forces, but its mission is vital as Afghan forces prepare to assume lead security responsibility in Garmsir. “If the ABP didn’t exist, there would be holes all along Afghanistan’s southern border,” said Capt. Jason Armas, 33, the commanding officer of Weapons Co., 3/3, and a native of Rye, N.Y.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, the Hogan family and Marine VIPs cut the ribbon for the Lance Cpl. Donald J. Hogan Bachelor Enlisted Quarters here, Jan. 17. The $124 million barracks complex commemorates the sacrifices of fallen infantryman with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. Hogan, a native of San Clemente died to save his fellow Marines in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 26, 2009. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jesse Stence) - Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, the Hogan family and Marine VIPs cut the ribbon for the Lance Cpl. Donald J. Hogan Bachelor Enlisted Quarters here, Jan. 17. The $124 million barracks complex commemorates the sacrifices of fallen infantryman with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. Hogan, a native of San Clemente died to save his fellow Marines in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 26, 2009. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jesse Stence)
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Travis Finn, a 23-year-old mortarman with 2nd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a native of Erie, Pa., learns some Pashto words from Afghan National Police patrolman Abdul Salaam at a vehicle checkpoint near Patrol Base Amir Agha, here, Jan. 12. As Afghan forces near the assumption of lead security responsibility in the district, the ANP are progressing under the mentorship of Marines with Kilo Co., 3/3. “The police of Garmsir are ready to maintain the security of our own district,” said ANP Lt. Mohammad Dawood, the district’s 2nd Precinct commander. “We’re from this area and we’re proud to serve our people … they trust us. Our country has a strong future because we have our own forces and we’re staying with our people.” - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Travis Finn, a 23-year-old mortarman with 2nd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a native of Erie, Pa., learns some Pashto words from Afghan National Police patrolman Abdul Salaam at a vehicle checkpoint near Patrol Base Amir Agha, here, Jan. 12. As Afghan forces near the assumption of lead security responsibility in the district, the ANP are progressing under the mentorship of Marines with Kilo Co., 3/3. “The police of Garmsir are ready to maintain the security of our own district,” said ANP Lt. Mohammad Dawood, the district’s 2nd Precinct commander. “We’re from this area and we’re proud to serve our people … they trust us. Our country has a strong future because we have our own forces and we’re staying with our people.”