U.S. Marine, Lance Cpl. Alberto Vazquez, from Combat Camera, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, stands during a security holt in northern Marjah, Afghanistan on Apirl 5. Vazquez was documenting Civil Affairs M More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Evaristo Gonzalez with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, scans nearby areas while on a security patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, April More
When all else fails, the Marines and sailors at the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) Combat Operations Center are the life line to keep the combat logistics patrols rolling and in the fight. Marines and sai More
An Afghan boy gives a thumbs up during a shura on Patrol Base Fulod in Sangin, Afghanistan, May 3, 2011. The children were waiting outside while village elders met with Lt. Col. Thomas Savage, battalion command More
An Afghan boy watches as U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, patrol past him in Sangin, Afghanistan, May 15, 2011. The Marines are patrolling to an over watch position,where More
Afghan national army soldiers from the 4th Kandak follow coalition vehicles during a recent convoy from Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, to the Marjah District of Helmand province. The Embedded Partnering Teams from More
COMBAT OUTPOST CASTLE, Helmand province, Afghanistan -- A young girl hides from the sun as she watches U.S. Marines from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion patrol the area of Khan Neshin, Afghanistan, M More
U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion walk from one compound to the next aboard Patrol Base Alcatraz in Sangin, Afghanistan, June 29, 2011. With the large open areas and possible enemy contact, Marines More
Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan (second from left), commanding general of Regional Command Southwest and II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), salutes as coalition forces officially transferred responsibility for s More
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jeff Liddic (left) and Lance Cpl. Thelonious Riddick (right), escort Hayatullah, a 7-year-old Afghan boy, back to his village on a V-22 Osprey Aug. 2, 2011. Hayatullah was injured a More
U.S. Marines with 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, conduct a security patrol out of Patrol Base Fulod in Sangin, Afghanistan, Aug. 17, 2011. Marine More
Two MRAPs travel the streets of Camp Leatherneck, a common scene on base. Roads are constructed to withstand the weight of the tactical vehicles and highly traveled areas are paved to assist with the steady flo More
Marines with Female Engagement Team, assigned to Task Force Belleau Wood and utilized as a 2nd Marine Division (Forward) asset, sit during a class while at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, for reset training More
Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion listen as Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos addresses them at Combat Outpost Alcatraz, Nov. 24. Amos said his m More
Regional Command Southwest leadership participated in a Transition Shura, or meeting, Nov. 28 at the Helmand Provincial Governor’s Compound in Lashka Gah. During the Shura, senior Afghan and Coalition ground fo More
Coalition forces attend an Afghan Uniformed Police recruit course graduation ceremony at the Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest in June. Additional courses are provided for advanced training for AUP members, t More
Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Alter, a corpsman with a Police Advisory Team, holds a basic Pashto language guide during a Combat Lifesaver Course he assisted with Dec. 1 aboard Forward Operating Base Jackson, More
Soldiers in the 375th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, salutes during a memorial ceremony to honor five fallen soldiers at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Dec. 10. The 375th CSSB, a reserve army unit b More
Corporal Brandy Bates, a team member with Female Engagement Team 8 and native of Ann Arbor, Mich., talks with a local Afghan boy at a stop while supporting soldiers from the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps a More
Sergeant Jessica Lugo, the team leader with Female Engagement Team 6, is a Marine reserve military policewoman from San Pedro, Calif. She and her fellow FET team member, Sgt. Autum Sekely, a Marine reservist f More
Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberly Ryan, a hospital corpsman and team leader for Female Engagement Team 8, enjoys a break after supporting the Afghan National Army and 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, on a rec More
Cpl. Brandy Bates, a team member with Female Engagement Team 8, supports soldiers from the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps and Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, during a recent f More
Corporal Brandy Bates, a member of Female Engagement Team 8, and a native of Ann Arbor, Mich., plays with a group of children on the sidelines of a soccer match played by Marines, interpreters and Afghan Nation More
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, arrives at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Feb. 4, 2012. Amos traveled to Afghanistan to visit troops and commanders throughout the battlespace.
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- More
U.S. Marines with 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaisance Battalion, Task Force Leatherneck pose for a command chronology photo at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 12, 2012. The Marin More
Sergeant Jessica Lugo, Female Engagement Team 6 leader in support of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, waits to step off on a two-day operation here, recently. Lugo, a native of San Pedro, Calif., led a team More
Afghan National Army Sgt. Shah Mohammed, a non-commissioned 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. More
Local children with a fresh catch of fish walk past Lance Cpl. William M. Baldridge, a radio operator with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, during a security patrol here recently. Baldridge, a More
Afghan National Army Sgt. Dunya Gul, a squad leader with 2nd Tolai, 3rd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, looks through his Leopold Mark 4 telescopic sight during advance marksmanship training here, Feb. 24. Th More
U.S. Marines Sgt. Maj. Joseph D. Shaw, 2nd Marine Division (Forward) sergeant major, left, and Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, commanding general, 2nd Marine Division (Fwd) salute the national and unit colors d More
Cpl. Robert P. Bolanos, an assistant patrol leader with Golf Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, places identification tags onto a memorial shrine during the memorial service for Cpl. Conner T. Lowry More
Afghanistan Second Sergeant Khangul, a noncommissioned officer with the Afghan Uniformed Police in Kajaki, and 2nd Sgt. Abdul Hari, the assistant training officer with the AUP in Kajaki, listen to patrolling ti More
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason G. Smith, the Police Advisory Team 1 officer-in-charge with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, shakes hands with Afghan Uniformed Police 2nd Sgt. Khangul, a noncommissioned office More
Lance Corporal Juan R. Sanchezvelazquez, a motor transport operator with Golf Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, walks across a bridge here during a patrol into the Tangye Bazaar, March 13, 2012. The More
Sergeant Erick A. Granados, a squad leader with Golf Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, checks on his Marines at a security post here, March 14, 2012. Granados, a 25-year-old native of Houston, contr More
Soldiers serving with the Afghan National Army's 215th Corps listen to Secretary of Defense Lean Panetta through a translator transmitting his comments during a town hall meeting here, March 14, 2012. Panetta a More
From left, U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jeffrey R. Robbins, G-6 watch officer, Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauserand, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, and Staff Sgt. Nicholas K. Strong, G-6 watch ch More
Lance Cpl. Samantha C. Catoe, a data network specialist working at the headquarters element of Task Force Leatherneck, 1st Marine Division (Forward), starts her shift at the TFL communications section help desk More
Sergeants Nicholas J. Coban, a native of Pittsburgh, and Bryce W. Cherryholmsnoll, a native of Huxley, Iowa, both U.S. Marines serving with Task Force Leatherneck, 1st Marine Division (Forward), bring down the More
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Troxell, command sergeant major of International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, greets U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Fernando Moreno with Task Force Leather More
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Javaze McDonald, back, and U.S. Navy Hospitalman 3rd Class Marvin Floer, both assigned to Task Force Leatherneck, participate in a pugil stick match during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Pro More
U.S. Marines and Sailors supporting Regional Command (South West) and Afghan National Army soldiers bow their heads in prayer during an evening colors ceremony on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province Afghanistan More
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, commanding general of Task Force Leatherneck, and Sgt. Maj. Terry L. Jones, Sergeant Major of Task Force Leatherneck, salute the American flag during a Memorial Day More
Major Gen. Sayed Malouk, commander of the 215th Corps, Afghan National Army, addresses an audience during an Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program seminar here, June 3, 2012. The APRP is an Afghan-led peace pr More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. John White, left, an embarkation clerk assigned to Task Force Leatherneck, distributes ammunition as Gunnery Sgt. William Hess, Task Force Leatherneck information assurance chief, signs t More
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, right, Task Force Leatherneck commanding general, and Afghan National Police (ANP) Col. Abdul Nabi Elham, left, Helmand Provincial Chief of Police, share a special l More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Steve E. Rice, left, Sgt. Maj. of 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (1/8), speaks with Sgt. Maj. Terry L. Jones, right, Sgt. Maj. of Task Force Leatherneck (TFL), in Kajaki, Helmand More
First Sgt. Khserwbic, left, a logistician with Zone 6 of the Afghan Border Police, takes notes during an administration course July 16, 2012. Nineteen members of the ANSF completed a two-week administration cou More
Master Sgt. Jason Velez, an operations chief with 1st Marine Division (Forward), retrieves a bag with his five-year-old son, Bishop, during a homecoming event here, Aug. 22. Velez, a 40-year-old native of New Y More
Corporals Matthew Mistretta and Philip Chronis, squad leaders serving with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, are part of a group responsible for saving the life of Ervin Hall, a former Navy pilot. Mistretta a More
A U.S. Marine stops to shakes hands with a young girl while on patrol in Marjah, Afghanistan on April 6. Marines often take the time to great young kids to show how friendly Marines actually are.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joshua Misiewicz with 3rd platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, gives an Afghan child a high-five while on a patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, A More
A British CH-47 helicopter lands at Patrol Base Wishtan to evacuate an Afghan National Civil Order Police soldier in Sangin, Afghanistan, April 15, 2011. The U.S. Marines and Corpsman of 1st Platoon, Alpha Comp More
Cpl. Boreth A. Chan, from Long Beach, Calif., a radio operator in the Combat Operations Center with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), monitors radio transmissions April 24, aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afgh More
Afghan national army soldiers from the 4th Kandak follow coalition vehicles during a recent convoy from from Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, to the Marjah District of Helmand province. The Embedded Partnering Team More
The Afghan National Civil Order Police conducts a cordon and search in Sangin, Afghanistan, May 29, 2011. The operation was led by Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, and enta More
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Logan Pierce, Combat Camera Chief attached to Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5), Regimental Combat Team 8, cuts the hair of Lt. Col. Thomas Savage, the Ba More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Arvizu, battalion sergeant major of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, enters a compound where the Marines will hold a shura in Malozi, Afghanistan, June 30, 2011. 3rd RECON was in Mal More
Camp Leatherneck is considered a “home away from home” for the more than 19,000 U.S., coalition and civilian workforce on base. Deliveries are constantly made to support the personnel living on Camp Leatherneck.
Sgt. Jessica Lugo, assigned to Female Engagement Team 6 in Sangin district, Helmand province, and a native of Los Angeles, listens to other Marines with FET talk about their experiences during deployment, Nov. More
Brigadier Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division (Forward), listens during a meeting with government officials from Helmand province, Afghanistan, in Lashkar Gah, Nov. 28. Crapa More
Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberly Ryan, a corpsman and the team leader with Female Engagement Team 8, alongside two interpreters, talks with her class of 10 Afghan Uniformed Police during a Combat Lifesaver Cour More
Afghan children study in a local school. “One of the basic functions the people want from their government, just like in the United States, is education. They want their kids to be educated, and they want their More
Sergeant 1st Class Margaret Clifford, first sergeant for 811 Ordnance Company, 375th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and a native of Summersville, W.Va., holds a wreath to be laid in honor of a fallen sol More
Corporal Brandy Bates, a team member with Female Engagement Team 8 and native of Ann Arbor, Mich., talks with local Afghan children at a stop while supporting soldiers from the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corp More
Sergeants Autumn Sekely (back) and Jessica Lugo (front), of Female Engagement Team 6, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), provide support for a patrol with 1st Squad, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regim More
Afghan children watch a puppet show that was put on for them by members of Afghan National Security Forces during a recent children’s shura aboard Forward Operating Base Jackson, Sangin district, Helmand provin More
Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberly Ryan, a hospital corpsman and team leader for Female Engagement Team 8, demonstrates how to clear the airway of an Afghan Uniformed Policeman during a recent combat lifesaver co More
Cpl. Conner T. Lowry, an ammunition technician chief and fire team leader with Golf Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, fires rounds at an enemy 1200 meters away using an M39 rifle here, Jan. 17, 2012 More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Micheal P. Barrett (middle), sergeant major of the Marine Corps, introduces long time family friend Cpl. Erin Castle (left), to Gen. James F. Amos (right), commandant of the Marine C More
Cpl. Adam McKinley, squad leader with 2nd platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, instructs his squad members during a security patrol here recently. McKinley, a 24-year-old native of Sacr More
U.S. Marines with 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Task Force Leatherneck pose for a command chronology photo at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 12, 2012. The Mari More
1st Lt. Matt T. Perry, 2nd Platoon commander, Weapons Co., 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, reports back to headquarters during a two-day operation here, recently. Perry, a native of Slidell, La., and 2008 g More
Afghan National Army Sgt. Shah Mohammed, a non-commissioned officer-in-charge with 3rd Tolai, 2nd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, gives a report back to his commander during a security patrol here, Feb. 9. Af More
Lance Cpl. Dakota M. Landrie (left), an automatic rifleman with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and Lance Cpl. William M. Baldridge (right), a radio operator with, India Co., patrol here rece More
Corporal Scott J. Olson, a scout sniper instructor with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, demonstrates a shooting position during advanced marksmanship training here, Feb. 24. Olson, a 26-year-old native of S More
Afghanistan Corporal Jonathon R. Powell, a military policeman with Police Advisory Team 1, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, draws a depiction of a tactical column during a class with Afghan Uniformed Police More
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason G. Smith, the Police Advisory Team 1 officer-in-charge with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, sits for lunch with Afghan Uniformed Police Lt. Col. Mahfuzallah, the Kajaki District Chief More
Corporal Diego E. Castaneda, a motor transport mechanic and assistant patrol leader with Golf Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, directs his Marines during a patrol here, March 13, 2012. The Marines More
Sgt. Constantine R. Smith II, a 26-year-old Princeton, N.J., native serving with 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), participated in a town hall meeting with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta here, March 14, More
Lance Cpl. Seth R. McCallum, a javelin team leader with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment advises his commander about defensive fires here, March 15, 2012. The Marines here prevent insurgents from moving towar More
From left, U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Victor Richardson, G-6 communications chief with Task Force Leatherneck, talks with U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander, U.S. Marine Corps More
Lance Cpl. Samantha C. Catoe, a data network specialist working at the headquarters element of Task Force Leatherneck, 1st Marine Division (Forward), starts her night shift at the TFL communications section hel More
Sergeants Nicholas J. Coban, a native of Pittsburgh, and Bryce W. Cherryholmsnoll, a native of Huxley, Iowa, both U.S. Marines serving with Task Force Leatherneck, 1st Marine Division (Forward), fold the Americ More
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Troxell, command sergeant major of International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, talks with members of the G-1 section with Task Force Leatherneck Camp Leatherneck, More
U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Task Force Leatherneck participate in a pugil stick match during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program class on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan May 20, 2012. Pugil sticks is a p More
U.S. Marines and Sailors supporting Regional Command Southwest and Afghan National Army soldiers stand at attention during an evening colors ceremony on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province Afghanistan May 28, 20 More
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, commanding general of Task Force Leatherneck, speaks to Marines and Sailors supporting Regional Command (South West) and Afghan National Army soldiers during an even More
Shah Wali Khan, chief of the Provincial Peace Council of Helmand province addresses a crowd during an Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program seminar here, June 3, 2012. Khan stated that the Afghan National Army More
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Francis Collado, left, consolidated memorandum receipt non-commissioned officer for Task Force Leatherneck, makes adjustments to Cpl. Juston Dickerson's rifle combat optic during a range More
The crew chief of a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey mans an M2 Browning .50 caliber Machine Gun as the tiltrotor aircraft departs Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan June 18, 2012. The Osprey trans More
Afghan National Army (ANA) Maj. Gen. Sayed Malook, center left, 215th Corps commanding general, is greeted by ANA soldiers at Forward Operating Base Marjeh, Helmand province, Afghanistan June 21, 2012. Malook a More
Staff Sgt. John R. Purcell, administrative course instructor and manpower operations chief at 1st MarDiv (Fwd), gives a class on absence-without-leave reporting procedures during an administration course July 1 More
First Lt. Levi M. Sosa, a combat engineer officer with 1st Marine Division (Forward), kisses his wife, Melissa, during a homecoming event here, Aug. 22. Sosa, a 25-year-old native of Montclair, Calif., greeted More
Corporal Matthew Mistretta, a squad leader serving with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, is part of a group responsible for saving the life of Ervin Hall, a former Navy pilot. Mistretta, Cpl. P More
A young girls looks at the camera with curiosity in Marjah, Afghanistan on April 6. Most of the children are fascinated with the camera and love their photos to be taken.
A MV-22 Osprey helicopter from VMM-254 prepares to lift off from Forward Operating Base Jackson, Sangin, Afghanistan, April 19, 2011. The Osprey was picking up U.S. Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, who came to visi More
Cpl. Gary R. Gill, from Walker, La., a clerk in the Combat Operations Center with 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), checks his computer for updates on operations April 24, aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanist More