U.S. Marine Col. Roger B. Turner Jr., the commanding officer Regimental Combat Team 5, shakes hands and gives the floor to Col. John R. Shafer, the commanding officer of RCT-6, after speaking during a transfer of authority ceremony here, July 5, 2012. Since their activation in 1917, 5th and 6th Marine Regiments have courageously fought for America, most notably in World War I when they fought side-by-side in the bloody Battle of Belleau Wood. In December 2011, Regimental Combat Team 6 arrived in northern Helmand province to support Operation Enduring Freedom, joining RCT-5 on the same battlefield for the first time in 94 years. This historic partnership is now coming to a close. Turner and Ruiz, the commanding officer and sergeant major of RCT-5, cased the colors of ‚Fighting Fifth‚ and transferred authority of their area of operations to Shafer and Sgt. Maj. Jamie Deets, the sergeant major of RCT-6 here, July 5. - U.S. Marine Col. Roger B. Turner Jr., the commanding officer Regimental Combat Team 5, shakes hands and gives the floor to Col. John R. Shafer, the commanding officer of RCT-6, after speaking during a transfer of authority ceremony here, July 5, 2012. Since their activation in 1917, 5th and 6th Marine Regiments have courageously fought for America, most notably in World War I when they fought side-by-side in the bloody Battle of Belleau Wood. In December 2011, Regimental Combat Team 6 arrived in northern Helmand province to support Operation Enduring Freedom, joining RCT-5 on the same battlefield for the first time in 94 years. This historic partnership is now coming to a close. Turner and Ruiz, the commanding officer and sergeant major of RCT-5, cased the colors of ‚Fighting Fifth‚ and transferred authority of their area of operations to Shafer and Sgt. Maj. Jamie Deets, the sergeant major of RCT-6 here, July 5.
Staff Sgt. Gerhard Tauss launches an unmanned aerial vehicle prior to conducting operations in the scouted area in Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan June 20, 2012. Tauss is the platoon sergeant for 2nd platoon, Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, and operated in support of Operation Jaws as apart of the route clearance effort. - Staff Sgt. Gerhard Tauss launches an unmanned aerial vehicle prior to conducting operations in the scouted area in Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan June 20, 2012. Tauss is the platoon sergeant for 2nd platoon, Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, and operated in support of Operation Jaws as apart of the route clearance effort.
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.
Petty Officer 3rd Class, Norberto Zamora, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, watches the horizon during a security halt, July 1, 2012. Zamora’s training was put to the test within his first week in Afghanistan when troops step on an improvised explosive device while on a patrol. - Petty Officer 3rd Class, Norberto Zamora, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, watches the horizon during a security halt, July 1, 2012. Zamora’s training was put to the test within his first week in Afghanistan when troops step on an improvised explosive device while on a patrol.
Lance Cpl. Kyle Yudin, a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, patrols through the town of Zamindawar, a known insurgent stronghold, June 1, 2012. Marines fought through hostile enemy contact and temperatures reaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the operation. - Lance Cpl. Kyle Yudin, a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, patrols through the town of Zamindawar, a known insurgent stronghold, June 1, 2012. Marines fought through hostile enemy contact and temperatures reaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the operation.
On Friday June 1 the gators of 3DAABN sent upwards of 100 marines to partake in the World Famous MARSOC Mudrun. The race was 10 kilometers through the hills and mud of Camp Pendleton . Cpl Frye of Alpha Company had this to say: "It was awesome…and a great example of unit cohesion." - On Friday June 1 the gators of 3DAABN sent upwards of 100 marines to partake in the World Famous MARSOC Mudrun. The race was 10 kilometers through the hills and mud of Camp Pendleton . Cpl Frye of Alpha Company had this to say: "It was awesome…and a great example of unit cohesion."
Lance Cpl. Anthony Quintanilla makes his way into a well in an abandoned compound during Operation Sangin United Horizons here, May 17, 2012. Quintanilla, a native of Los Angeles, found narcotics, weapons, and components to construct an improvised explosive device hidden inside the well. - Lance Cpl. Anthony Quintanilla makes his way into a well in an abandoned compound during Operation Sangin United Horizons here, May 17, 2012. Quintanilla, a native of Los Angeles, found narcotics, weapons, and components to construct an improvised explosive device hidden inside the well.
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, right, commanding general of Task Force Leatherneck (TFL) and Sgt. Maj. Terry L. Jones, TFL Sergeant Major, salute the American Flag during an evening colors ceremony on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province Afghanistan May 28, 2012. Berger held the ceremony as a Memorial Day Commemoration in remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Sheila M. Brooks)::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, right, commanding general of Task Force Leatherneck (TFL) and Sgt. Maj. Terry L. Jones, TFL Sergeant Major, salute the American Flag during an evening colors ceremony on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province Afghanistan May 28, 2012. Berger held the ceremony as a Memorial Day Commemoration in remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Sheila M. Brooks)::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Navy Cross recipient Cpl. Christopher B. Farias is congratulated by Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, commanding general of 1st Marine Division, after an award ceremony here, May 18. Farias received the nation's second highest award for bravery for actions in Kajaki district, Afghanistan. On Oct. 5, 2010, Farias and his squad were struck by a 73-millimeter recoilless rifle and received fire from three enemy positions during a night ambush. Farias received a concussion and was wounded by shrapnel but exposed himself on a rooftop to direct suppressive fire, allowing casualties to be evacuated. Farias remained in the fight until an airstrike ended the engagement. After the firefight, Farias walked while bleeding more than 2,000 meters to a pickup point. - Navy Cross recipient Cpl. Christopher B. Farias is congratulated by Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, commanding general of 1st Marine Division, after an award ceremony here, May 18. Farias received the nation's second highest award for bravery for actions in Kajaki district, Afghanistan. On Oct. 5, 2010, Farias and his squad were struck by a 73-millimeter recoilless rifle and received fire from three enemy positions during a night ambush. Farias received a concussion and was wounded by shrapnel but exposed himself on a rooftop to direct suppressive fire, allowing casualties to be evacuated. Farias remained in the fight until an airstrike ended the engagement. After the firefight, Farias walked while bleeding more than 2,000 meters to a pickup point.
A Marine Corps eight-point cover lays next to family photos, showcasing Staff Sgt. Maribel Valdez's balancing act between her family and her military career, May 15, 2012. She is the adjutant with 1st Marine Division (Forward). Valdez said she knows it's difficult for her family while she's deployed but plans on spending a lot of time with her family when she returns home.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - A Marine Corps eight-point cover lays next to family photos, showcasing Staff Sgt. Maribel Valdez's balancing act between her family and her military career, May 15, 2012. She is the adjutant with 1st Marine Division (Forward). Valdez said she knows it's difficult for her family while she's deployed but plans on spending a lot of time with her family when she returns home.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::