Tag Archives: Helmand province

Climbing A Roof During Security Patrol

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A noncommissioned Afghan army officer helps U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Joshua Holden climb onto a roof while searching compounds during a security patrol in the Garmsir district in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Feb. 6, 2012. Holden is a section leader assigned to Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Marines from his unit and Afghan soldiers partnered to conduct census operations, and search houses for illegal drugs and evidence of insurgent activity. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder.

New Commanding Officer Takes Over Task Force Belleau Wood

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Outgoing commander of Task Force Belleau Wood, Marine Col. Michael E. Cordero and Sgt. Maj. Craig Cressman, cases the colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. The II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), officially handed over authority to the I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward) Feb. 8. Marine Col. Steven M. Hanson is the incoming commander of Task Force Belleau Wood, Afghanistan and commanding officer of I MHG. Photo by Sgt. Laura Bonano.

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Sweet Exchange

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U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Galen Murphy-Fahlgren hands candy to Afghan children during a security patrol with Afghan Border Police in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 30, 2012. Murphy-Fahlgren is an anti-tank missileman assigned to Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. In the southern Garmsir district, an area with a history of tribal conflict, the growing Afghan force has deepened its roots and established governance through Marine mentors. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder.

Helmand Gunner Watch

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U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Cody Varnell watches from a hill during a security patrol with Afghan Border Police in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 30, 2012. Varnell is a machine gunner assigned to Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. In the southern Garmsir district, an area with a history of tribal conflict, the growing Afghan force has deepened its roots and established governance through Marine mentors. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder.

Walking To The Local Children’s Shura

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U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kimberley Ryan holds hands with Afghan children as they walk to the local children's shura, or meeting, near Forward Operating Base Jackson in the Sangin district of Afghanistan's Helmand province, Jan. 20, 2012. Ryan is the team leader assigned to the Marine Headquarters Group, Female Engagement Team. The team, along with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, have been conducting classes to provide area citizens with a variety of educational opportunities. U.S. Marine Corps photo Cpl. Ed Galo.

Marines Stay Flexible During Operation Double Check

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Truck Four from the mobile section with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, prepares to move from its temporary position after resting overnight. Truck Four’s crew of Marines – Cpl. John Kehoe, from Joliet, Ill.; Lance Cpl. Dakin M. Jausel, from Coulterville, Ill.; and Lance Cpl. Ryan J. Merritt, from Marshall, Minn. – are each mortarmen by trade, but have worked in a truck crew for the duration of the battalion’s deployment. Photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde.

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Operation Double Check: Musa Qal’eh’s Security

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Marines from 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, wait for a multi-purpose bucket loader to finish dumping dirt into a gabion while constructing an elevated post during the opening phase of Operation Double Check, a battalion-level offensive to rid Mosulmani and other areas of southern Musa Qal’eh district of insurgents. Second Platoon is working in direct support of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, during the operation. Photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde.

Marine Metal

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tyler Sletterink uses a welding torch to cut a piece of rebar during the construction of a land bridge in the Now Zad district of Afghanistan's Helmand province, Jan. 14, 2012. Sletterink is a metal worker assigned to Support Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Gunnery Sgt. Phil Mehringer.

Musa Qal’eh: Walking The Path Of Progress

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Stockton, Calif., native Lance Cpl. Joseph D. Ramirez, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, crosses an irrigation ditch with some help from an Afghan Uniformed Police patrolman. The Marines and AUP have partnered in recent weeks to show a strong, unified presence in the area. Photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde.

 

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Safety Flares

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A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter discharges flares during a routine flight operation in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Jan. 5, 2012. The CH-53D crew, assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, uses flares to ensure the safety of the crew onboard and safeguarding the aircraft while in flight during poor visibility weather. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco.

Beef Bag

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An Afghan soldier hands a bag of beef jerky to a boy while patrolling with U.S. Marines during Operation Tageer Shamal in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Jan. 5, 2012. In recent years, Afghan and coalition forces have operated side by side, driving insurgents from populated areas in southern Helmand. The Marines are assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder.

Helmand Elder Meeting

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An interpreter, center, explains the concerns of Afghan elders to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Roger Turner, left, and Lt. Col. Matthew Palma, far right, in a shura at a school during Operation Tageer Shamal in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Jan. 6, 2012. Turner is the commanding officer of the 5th Marine Regiment and Palma is the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder.

U.S., Afghan Troops Conduct Helmand Province Security Patrol

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zachary Fisher walks through a field while Afghan soldier Baran Gul and an interpreter greet a farmer during a partnered security patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 30, 2011. Fisher is a fire team leader assigned to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. During the patrol, the Marines along with U.S. and Afghan soldiers interacted with citizens and spoke with an elder about biometrically enrolling village residents for identification purposes. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder.

British Airman Provides Security Over Lashkar Gah

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A British airman mans a .50 caliber machine gun while providing security aboard a helicopter over Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 31, 2011. The Royal Air Force provided transportation for coalition forces and Afghan media in southern Helmand province in support of Enduring Freedom. DoD photo by Sgt. Dayan Neely, U.S. Air Force.