Marine SFAAT taken by surprise for ANA Kandak commander’s departure

From left to right, Capt. Jeffrey P. Sparrow, 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, Security Force Assistance Advisor Team communications advisor; Capt. Nicolas S. Rapkoch 4th Kandak SFAAT team advisor, ANA Lt.Col. Shirali Noori, 4th Kandak commander; Maj. Paul Jarr, 2nd Brigade SFAAT deputy team leader and 1st Lt. Lance B. Souza, the 2nd Brigade SFAAT combat support advisor take the time for a picture at Forward Operating Base Now Zad, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, March 18. The SFAAT Marines were surprised to find out Shirali was leaving for Jalalabad, where he is now serving as the 4th Kandak, 4th Brigade, 201st Corps' commander. Since December, Rapkoch, Sparrow and Jarr forged great relations with the commander, describing Shirali as a great leader who has made great strides to make Now Zad free of Taliban influence and a safe district where shuras, before his kandak's presence, were unheard of to a frequent activity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bryan A. Peterson)