COMBAT OUTPOST SHIR GHAZAY, Helmand province, Afghanistan

COMBAT OUTPOST SHIR GHAZAY, Helmand province, Afghanistan -- M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks sit parked under an Afghan sunset. Tankers with Alpha Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, regularly perform overwatch missions for their fellow Marines and other coalition forces. An overwatch mission consists of providing security for ground forces improving roads, constructing needed facilities or any other development projects to build a better future for Afghanistan. A single overwatch mission can last an entire day with the main gun turret and driver’s compartments reaching temperatures well above 100 degrees.