Corporal Randy Cripe, a squad leader with 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, talks to a local Afghan child while patrolling Feb. 27, 2012. Cripe, currently deployed with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, patrolled, with his squad, to talk to local Afghan leaders and to detain a suspected insurgent. - Corporal Randy Cripe, a squad leader with 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, talks to a local Afghan child while patrolling Feb. 27, 2012. Cripe, currently deployed with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, patrolled, with his squad, to talk to local Afghan leaders and to detain a suspected insurgent.

Lance Cpl. Matthew Spencer, a police advisor with Regimental Combat Team 5 Police Advisory Team, instructs Afghan Uniformed Police officers in proper techniques and procedures to use at vehicle check points. The advisory team spent four days conducting refresher courses to help the Afghan police in their role providing security for Marjah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz) - Lance Cpl. Matthew Spencer, a police advisor with Regimental Combat Team 5 Police Advisory Team, instructs Afghan Uniformed Police officers in proper techniques and procedures to use at vehicle check points. The advisory team spent four days conducting refresher courses to help the Afghan police in their role providing security for Marjah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz)

U.S. Marines Sgt. Maj. Joseph D. Shaw, 2nd Marine Division (Forward) Sergeant Major, left, and Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, Commanding General, 2nd MarDiv (Fwd) salute the national and unit colors during a Transfer of Authority Ceremony, here, Feb. 25. The Transfer of Authority Ceremony signifies the relief of 2nd MarDiv (Fwd) by 1st MarDiv (Fwd). (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by: Sgt. Christopher R. Rye/ released) - U.S. Marines Sgt. Maj. Joseph D. Shaw, 2nd Marine Division (Forward) Sergeant Major, left, and Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, Commanding General, 2nd MarDiv (Fwd) salute the national and unit colors during a Transfer of Authority Ceremony, here, Feb. 25. The Transfer of Authority Ceremony signifies the relief of 2nd MarDiv (Fwd) by 1st MarDiv (Fwd). (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by: Sgt. Christopher R. Rye/ released)

Corporal Ian Ward, a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, Lima Company, looks through the scope of his rifle to identify some suspicious people, with Cpl. Manuel Ortiz, a team leader with the platoon, during a patrol Feb. 27, 2012. ::r::::n::Ward, currently deployed with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, mentored his Marines, training them for when he leaves the squad. Ward put junior Marines in leadership billets, giving them valuable experience.::r::::n:: - Corporal Ian Ward, a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, Lima Company, looks through the scope of his rifle to identify some suspicious people, with Cpl. Manuel Ortiz, a team leader with the platoon, during a patrol Feb. 27, 2012. ::r::::n::Ward, currently deployed with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, mentored his Marines, training them for when he leaves the squad. Ward put junior Marines in leadership billets, giving them valuable experience.::r::::n::

A 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion bulldozer maneuvers through rubble during the patrol base reduction, Feb. 23. The 3rd CEB reduced the base in half, making it easier to maintain. Fewer Coalition Forces are stationed at the patrol base and the Afghan National Civil Order Police force is capable of taking the lead. - A 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion bulldozer maneuvers through rubble during the patrol base reduction, Feb. 23. The 3rd CEB reduced the base in half, making it easier to maintain. Fewer Coalition Forces are stationed at the patrol base and the Afghan National Civil Order Police force is capable of taking the lead.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Marcos Castelan, a light armored vehicle crewman with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and 19-year-old native of Alvin, Texas, helps Sgt. Mario Mendoza, a team leader with Alpha Co., 1st LAR, and 25-year-old native of Seguin, Texas, out of a canal during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Co., 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Co., 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Marcos Castelan, a light armored vehicle crewman with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and 19-year-old native of Alvin, Texas, helps Sgt. Mario Mendoza, a team leader with Alpha Co., 1st LAR, and 25-year-old native of Seguin, Texas, out of a canal during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Co., 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Co., 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

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. 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.