Lt. Cmdr. Patrick M. Hare, battalion surgeon with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, practices ultrasound techniques as Lt. Cmdr. Michael R. Melia, officer in charge of the Shock Trauma Platoon wi More
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaks with Brig. Gen. Joseph Osterman, commanding general of 1st Marine Division (Forward), at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam in Sangin, Afghanistan, March 8. Secretary Ga More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SABIT QADAM, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Foley, a Federal Way, Wash. native, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Albert Cisneros (right), fr More
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Charles Gurganus, left, commanding general of Regional Command (South West), shakes hands with Mohammad Sherrif, District Governor of Sangin as he arrives on Forward Operating Base S More
The first Sangin District security council meets with local Afghan National Security Forces, Sept. 8, 2012. First Battalion, 7th Marines, deployed to Sangin in March and saw a growth in the local Afghan Governm More
A panoramic view of the logos and insignias of the U.S. Marine Corps battalions that have been deployed to the Sangin District, including 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, are displa More
A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter offloads its cargo on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanistan Sept. 9, 2012. The helicopter transported mail for Marines of 1st Bat More
Cpl. John Anthony Cleaver, an Afghan National Army advisor with Regimental Combat Team 7, takes a break with one of the Afghan soldiers he trains on a daily basis. Cleaver, from Philadelphia, has known he wante More
Cpl. Eric Bobst, an Infantry Automatic Rifleman with personal security detachment, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, fires his IAR at a close-quarters range at Forward Operating Base Sabit Q More
Corporal Travis Martin, wrecker operator, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, secures chains to lift a trailer off a truck bed, Oct. 24, 2012. The combat logistics patrol delivered a tra More
Sergeant Jonathan Colobono, a food service specialist, places biscuits in a pan in preparation for the upcoming dinner rush on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, Nov. 1. Currently serving with 2nd More
Lance Cpl. Michael J. Bumanglag, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, joined the Marine Corps for a change of scenery and to find new adventures. From Wailuku, Hawaii, B More
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, salute as the National Anthem plays during a celebration of the Marine Corps’ 237th birthday at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, Nov. 10, 2012.
U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) take off in a MV-22 Osprey on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afg More
Royal Marines Maj. Gen. Ed Davis, left, the commandant general Royal Marines; U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, second from left, the commandant of the Marine Corps; and Sgt. Maj. Micheal P. Barrett, second More
Corporal Ethan Sullivan, squad leader, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, is currently conducting his third deployment and first combat deployment. He plans on using his experience as both a More
Corporal Casey Hunter, vehicle commander, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, joined the Marine Corps when he was 22. He used his life experience to lead and train his Marines an More
U.S. Navy Lt. Hans Hulsebos talks with Petty Officer 3rd Class Justyn Carage about the appropriate procedures for preparing a patient for medical evacuation from Sabit Qadam's Battalion Aid Station Sept. 19. Hu More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Thomas Martin, a motor transport operator Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (3/7), utilizes hand signals to guide the loading of cargo in preparat More
U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Scott Roberts, a corpsman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, demonstrates proper tourniquet application on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand More
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John Paxton, left, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, walks with Lt Col. Daniel Wittnam, battalion commander of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (3/7), on Forward Operating Base More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jordan Watkins, left, a bulk fuel specialist with Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, practices a vertical knee strike on Sgt. Tyrone Smith, a food service specialist wit More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony West, a mortarman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, disassembles an M2 .50-caliber machine gun on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand provinc More
British Army Brigadier Paul A. E. Nanson, deputy commander for Regional Command (Southwest) speaks with Sangin District Governor Mohammed Rasoul Khan on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afg More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Ross, a machine gunner with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, launches a Puma unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Sangin di More
Navy Lt. Jonathan T. Lau, battalion surgeon, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, reports a patient’s vitals to Petty Officer 3rd Class Dranreb Villegas, left, a corpsman, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, Jan. 31, 2014. La More
Marines of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, unload their packs and gear aboard Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 8, 2014. The Marines are relieving 3rd More
A local Afghan boy waits while his father attends a meeting known as a "shura," aboard Forward Operating Base (FOB) Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 1, 2014. The shura included U.S. civilian jour More
Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 load large containers filled with supplies, gear and equipment onto a CH-53E Super Stallion abord Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, April 30, 201 More
Lt. Cmdr. Michael R. Melia, officer in charge of the Shock Trauma Platoon with Alpha Surgical Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 15 (Forward), 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), points to the screen while co More
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaks to Marines at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam in Sangin, Afghanistan, March 8. Gates is on a two-day visit of the country.
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Charles Gurganus, left, commanding general of Regional Command (South West), shakes hands with members of the Sangin District Community Council as he arrives on Forward Operating Bas More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Inocencio Alonzo, battalion legal clerk, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, folds the American flag on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Sabit Qadam, Helmand p More
Lance Cpl. Marbelyn Cepeda checks the oil levels of an MEP-807A Generator, Oct. 18, 2012, at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan. Cepeda is responsible for making sure several generators are up and More
Cpl. John Anthony Cleaver, an Afghan National Army advisor with Regimental Combat Team 7, and avid Philadelphia hockey fan, shows off his favorite team's logo on his Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. C More
Lance Cpl. Jershon Hernandez, the youngest Marine present, takes a bite of cake during a celebration of the Marine Corps’ 237th birthday at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, Nov. 10, 2012. During More
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, right, the commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks to Marines assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam in Sangin, Helmand pro More
Corporal Casey Hunter, vehicle commander, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, worked in restaurants, car dealerships and as a lifeguard before he found his way to the Marine Corp More
Corporal Ethan Sullivan, squad leader, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, started as a mortarman and is now filling a rifle squad leader’s billet while deployed to Afghanistan. His knowledge More
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller, Jr., left, commanding general of Regional Command (Southwest), greets Sgt. Maj. Michael Miller, sergeant major of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment at Forward Oper More
U.S. Navy Lt. Hans Hulsebos checks the heart rate of an Afghan National Army soldier while corpsmen treat his wounds which were caused by an improvised explosive device. Hulsebos is the battalion surgeon with 3 More
U.S. Marines Lance Cpl. Thomas Martin, front, and Lance Cpl. Austin Adams, both motor transport operators with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (3/7), tighten straps to hold More
U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Saige Duffany, an anti-tank missileman, applies a tourniquet to U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Scott Roberts, a corpsman, both with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regimen More
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John Paxton, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks to Marines with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (3/7), on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanista More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jordan Watkins, a bulk fuel specialist with Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, conducts Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) training on Forward Operating Base Sabi More
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Gregory Friend, left, a squad leader with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and Staff Sgt. Jason Braddt, a civil affairs chief with 2nd Civil Affairs Group, atten More
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brian Beniak, a company clerk with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, pilots a Puma unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Sangin district, More
Navy Lt. Jonathan T. Lau, battalion surgeon, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, cleans a patient’s wound, Jan. 31, 2014. Lau, a 29-year-old native of Whittier, Calif., was awarded the U.S. Central Command Joi More
A Marine aboard Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanistan, operates a forklift setting items in place for the Warfighter Express Services team to set up on the FOB, March 7, 2014. The WE More
Ghulie Khan, center, the District Chief of Police for Sangin, addresses the Transatlantic Opinion Leaders aboard Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, April 14, 2014. A select group of multinational More
A CH-53-E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 performs an external lift of cargo leaving Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, April 30, 2014. Before the last Marines and sailors More
Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers with 2nd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps and Afghan Uniform Police stand in formation on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanistan May 10, 2012. The More
The logos and insignias of the U.S. Marine Corps battalions that have been deployed to the Sangin district, including 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, are displayed on Forward Opera More
Cpl. John Anthony Cleaver, an Afghan National Army advisor with Regimental Combat Team 7, is serving at an austere forward operating base in Afghanistan, two years after reaching his lifelong goal of becoming a More
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, receive their birthday meal during a celebration of the Marine Corps’ 237th birthday at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, Nov. 10, 2012. Marines t More
Bonnie Amos, front, speaks to U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam in Sangin, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 25, 2012. Amos and her husband, More
Corporal Casey Hunter, vehicle commander, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, said joining the Marine Corps later in life made him more appreciative of what the military had to o More
U.S. Navy Lt. Travis Jewell, chaplain for 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment works in his room at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, April 17, 2013. Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller, Jr., commandi More
Marines with 2nd Platoon, Transport Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, convoys to resupply Marines at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, July 11.
U.S. Navy corpsmen transports a Afghan National Army soldier to a UH-60 BlackHawk medevac helicopter at Patrol Base Sabit Qadam Sept. 19. Corpsmen have approximately 15 minutes to stabilize and prepare a patien More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. William Bruner, a mortarman, applies a tourniquet to Pfc. Saige Duffany, an anti-tank missileman, both with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, on Forward Operating More
U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion 7th Marines, and Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, conduct Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) training on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province More
U.S. Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, receive a class on an M2 .50-caliber machine gun on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 8, 2013. Weapon More
British Army Brigadier Paul A. E. Nanson, left, deputy commander for Regional Command (Southwest), speaks with Sangin District Governor Mohammed Rasoul Khan on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand provin More
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Chris Yeakel, a vehicle commander with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, performs preflight checks on a Puma unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on Forward Operating Base Sab More
Army Maj. John Robinson, left, pre-hospital director serving with the Joint Theater Trauma System Team, presents the U.S. Central Command Joint Theater Trauma System Ditch Medicine Award to Navy Lt. Jonathan T. More
The Warfighter Express Services team starts setting up the mobile exchange inside an empty shipping container aboard Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 7, 2014. The WES tea More
Rasoul Khan, center, the District Executive Officer for Sangin, addresses the Transatlantic Opinion Leaders aboard Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, April 14, 2014. A select group of multinationa More
Corporal Andrew Harris, a UH-1Y Huey crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, and a Highland, Illinois, native, performs a weapons check before an aerial assault support mission for ground c More
Afghan Uniform Policemen stand in formation on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanistan May 10, 2012. The policemen were awaiting the arrival of Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Sayed Mal More
The cake cutting ceremony is an integral part of the Marine Corps birthday celebration. The first pieces of cake are traditionally are handed down from the from the oldest Marine and then to the youngest Marine.
From left, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Micheal P. Barrett, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps; Bonnie Amos; an unidentified British marine; Royal Marines Maj. Gen. Ed Davis, the commandant general Royal Mar More
Corporal Casey Hunter, vehicle commander, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, uses his experiences to better prepare his Marines. He said he tries to advise his Marines on the im More
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Adriano Albanese, a watch clerk with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment lifts weights at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, April 17, 2013. Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller, More
A wrecker with 2nd Platoon, Transport Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, travels over a metal bridge to resupply Marines at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, July 11.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Daniel Gonzalez, an anti-tank missileman, applies a tourniquet to Kevin Talty, a mortarman, both with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, on Forward Operating Base Sabit More
An MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165 lands at Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 28, 2013. Gen. John M. Paxton, assistant commandant of the Marin More
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth Glueck, deputy commandant of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, speaks to Marines with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (3/7), on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, H More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyrone Smith, a food service specialist with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, practices a rear hand punch on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helma More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Mark Talber, left, a machine gunner, and Lance Cpl. Anthony West, a mortarman, both with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, receive a class on an M2 .50-caliber ma More
Sangin District Governor Mohammed Rasoul Khan meets with British Army Brigadier Paul A. E. Nanson, deputy commander for Regional Command (Southwest), on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afg More
Corporal Enrique Gonzalez, left, postal clerk, sets up the mobile post office as Cpl. Shawn Gaffney, center, disbursing agent, and Sgt. Robert Stone, Morale, Welfare and Recreational specialist, all part of the More
The Transatlantic Opinion Leaders speak with key leaders of Regional Command (Southwest) and the Sangin District aboard Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, April 14, 2014. A select group of multina More
Maj. Michael Smith, center, operations officer and CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Heavy Marine Squadron 466, inspects a shipping container he and his crew are preparing to lift out of Forward Operating More
A ground convoy safely maneuvers a route in support of retrograde in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 3, 2014. Before the last Marines and sailors of Forward Operating Bases Nolay and Sabit Qadam convoyed out More
Mohammad Sherrif, left, District Governor of Sangin, along with Afghan National Security Forces commanders and members of the Sangin District Community Council, await the arrival of Afghan National Army Maj. Ge More
Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, unload mail for 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Oct. 24, 2012. In addition to dropping off supplies, the Marines picked up two trailers in ne More
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller, Jr., left, commanding general of Regional Command (Southwest), greets Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Sabit Qadam, A More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jarrod Davis and Pfc. Tyler Stutts, both mortarmen with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, practice applying tourniquets on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Hel More
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John M. Paxton, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks to Marines with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, at Forward Operating Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. More
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John Paxton, left, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, and Brig. Gen. James Lukeman, commanding general, 2nd Marine Division, serve food to Marines with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Re More
Right, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jordan Watkins, a bulk fuel specialist with Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, performs a round house kick to Sgt. Tyrone Smith, a food service specialist with He More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony West, a mortarman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, assembles a M2 .50-caliber machine gun on Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand province, A More
Sergeant Robert Stone, right, Morale, Welfare and Recreational specialist, Warfighter Express Services team, scans items for a customer at the mobile exchange aboard Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Helmand More