NEWS
2/7 Marines provide security for Operation Golden Gate
Story and photos by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.
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AFGHANISTAN- -Combat engineers man their heavy equipment, pushing thousands of pounds of earth around while building and improving an area vital to the progression of southern Afghanistan. To enable the Marines, sailors and soldiers to focus on the mission at hand and to alleviate the worry of constantly looking over their shoulders for an enemy threat, the Marines of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7 are present and providing security. Operation Golden Gate is the first major operation being conducted by RCT-7. It will provide the Sangin and Musa Qal’ah districts with a bridge to connect the two regions and aid in boosting local commerce and improving quality of life. “For Golf Company, it’s definitely an honor to be a part of a big project like this,” said Capt. Miles G. Warren, the company’s commanding officer. “We’ve done minor platoon level operations, but nothing with this high of visibility on it.” (Read the STORY)
Marines under microscope, teach Afghan Army proper patrols, tactics
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
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SOUTHERN HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Afghan sun beat down on the patrol and gusts of wind threw sand and dirt on the faces of the men as they talked to locals and searched for any insurgent activity. The patrol, led by an Afghan National Army fire team with Marines in a support and advisory role, walked by mud compounds, cornfields and water systems. Curious children came out to watch the patrol, with some of the more bold children venturing out to receive a lollipop or candy bar. “We went on a census patrol, to get an idea of the surrounding area and people,” said Cpl. Anthony Middleton, team leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7. During the patrol, Afghan soldiers received hands-on training with the Marines. “We taught them (squad and fire team) formations and dispersions,” said Middleton, from Lompoc, Calif. “We showed them how far they should be from each other, the best places to set up security and how to properly wear their gear.” (Read the STORY)
Police Advisory Team watches Afghan police take control in Nawa
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Afghanistan – The Nawa police advisory team visited the Afghan Police Operational Coordination Center-District and surrounding precincts, Nov. 20, 2012. The team met with precinct commanders, checked on detainees and assessed the continued stability of the OCC-D. “As the Nawa police advisory team, our mission is to assess and assist the Afghan police force on how they operate and conduct operations within the Nawa district,” said Sgt. Sean Naquin, senior police advisor, Nawa PAT, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7. The team spent the last seven months working closely with the Afghan Uniform Police and the Afghan Local Police. They oversaw the development of the Nawa OCC-D, an operations control room that allows different Afghan agencies to share information and coordinate operations. “The AUP and the ALP work together as one like our own sheriff department and city police,” said Naquin, from New Iberia, La. (Read the STORY)
Diplomats, elders discuss security, achievements at Sangin Peace Jirga
Story and photos by Sgt. John Jackson
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SANGIN DISTRICT, Afghanistan – James Cunningham, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan; Nic Hailey, the British deputy ambassador to Afghanistan; Chairman Salahuddin Rabbani, the chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council; and Gov. Naeem, the governor of Helmand province, met with several village elders during the Sangin Peace Jirga Nov. 20. The diplomats spent the morning and early afternoon enjoying chai tea and lunch while discussing the major security gains in the Sangin district, as well as the needs and wants of the community leaders. “I’m here today to come with the Chairman of the High Peace Council Salahuddin Rabbani,” said Ambassador Cunningham. “He is attending a Peace Jirga here, an important event in Sangin, and I’ve wanted to come here for some time. This is my first visit to Sangin, and I am very impressed with what I’ve seen so far.” Sangin, a small community located next to the Helmand River, has been a notorious insurgent stronghold throughout the past several years. However, U.S. and coalition forces, along with their Afghan National Security Forces counterparts, have worked diligently to rid the area of the enemy and enemy supporters. (Read the STORY)
3/9 celebrates Thanksgiving in Helmand province
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Afghanistan – Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, were in the holiday spirit this Thanksgiving. Thousands of miles from their loved ones, the Marines traded gathering with their friends and families for spending time with their brothers and sisters in arms. “It’s hard for Marines to be away from home this time of year,” said Sgt. Corey Branner, logistics and supply chief with the battalion. For Thanksgiving, the dining facility at Forward Operating Base Geronimo served a special menu for the Marines. They ate turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and pumpkin pie. All their holiday favorites were available. It was a welcome boost of morale at a time when many Marines miss their families the most. “It’s nice having a Thanksgiving Day meal rather than a (Meal, Ready-to-Eat),” said Branner, from Chicago. “It helps the mindset of being away from home.” (Read the STORY)
VIGNETTES
Green Bay native keeps massive computer network running in Afghanistan
Story and photos by Sgt. James Mercure
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Taking on the workload of a senior noncommissioned officer is a testament to an individual Marine’s character, and doing it as a lance corporal is an inspiration. Lance Cpl. Nicholas Patterson, data network specialist and information assurance noncommissioned officer in charge for Regimental Combat Team 7, performs two jobs and never skips a beat. “I monitor the security for the network to ensure classified information stays classified,” said Patterson, a Green Bay, Wis. native. “I also troubleshoot networks for thousands of users, and it’s my job to make sure they have network capabilities and a means of communication wherever they are in Afghanistan.” Not satisfied with just making sure the networks are up and running correctly, Patterson also ensures the farther the Marines push from the larger bases that their service is never far behind. (Read the STORY)
From Iraq to Afghanistan Marine continues to keep tanks rolling
Story and photos by Cpl. Mark Garcia
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COMBAT OUTPOST SHIR GHAZAY, Afghanistan – After graduating high school, Sgt. Joshua Whiting bounced from several dead end jobs for more than a year. Knowing a change needed to be made to better his life, he decided to defend his country. Whiting, now a maintenance ramp chief with Bravo Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, decided to be the first member of his family to join the military. He enlisted in the Marine Corps during July 2002, to help pave a path for his successes in life. “There was nothing left in my town, nothing that could make me as successful as I wanted to be. Plus 9/11 had happened, so I felt I had to do something for my country,” said Whiting, from Bath, N.Y. “I’m from a real small town, so I kind of feel like I set the pace for the success in my family. Before I joined the military, none of my family had been in the service. I was kind of like the stepping stone. After I joined I had two of my stepbrothers and one of my stepsisters join the military.” Whiting joined the Marine Corps in an effort to better his life and has enjoyed his time as a Marine. He volunteered for, and is currently serving on, his second combat deployment. His first deployment was to Iraq. Along with being in charge of maintenance, Whiting also serves as a vehicle commander during convoys, a job is he familiar with from his previous deployment. (Read the STORY)
Phoenix native aids in transition to independent Afghanistan
Story and photos by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.
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AFGHANISTAN - With the end of the war in Afghanistan drawing closer, the demand for an overwhelming presence of Marines is not needed. A transition to an Afghan-led country is steadily occurring, and with that, the redeployment of U.S. forces. Afghan independence means fewer Marines in Afghanistan, but these Marines need to be accounted for and proper planning must occur to get each of them home safely. This is where the job of Marine Air-Ground Task Force planning specialists like Cpl. Raymond H. Tulkki come into play. “Really simply, it’s redeployment planning,” said Tulkki, about what his job entails. “My responsibility is to make sure all the commands under us get help. We work with Regional Command Southwest and (Marine Corps Forces Central Command) to get these guys flights home. Force management is a big part of it too. We have to make sure we don’t have too many Marines here,” added the 22-year old. (Read the STORY)
VIDEOS
ISAF Commander gives thanks to troops while deployed
Video by Sgt. John Jackson
Gen. John Allen, the International Security Assistance Force Commander gives thanks and motivates service members on Thanksgiving, on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Nov. 22. (Watch the VIDEO)
The early stages of Operation Golden Gate
Video by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.
B-Roll of the construction site of Operation Golden Gate, a project that is a combined effort to build a bridge more than 24 feet wide and will span more than 150 feet across the Helmand River, allowing for easy passage for the local people and connecting the Sangin and Musa Qal’ah districts. (Watch the VIDEO)
Diplomats, Village Elders Discuss Security, Achievements at Sangin Peace Jirga
Video by Sgt. John Jackson
Government officials, as well as international diplomats, spent the morning and early afternoon discussing security and achievements made in Sangin, Afghanistan, at the Sangin Peace Jirga, Nov. 20. Soundbites from James Cunningham, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, and Salahuddin Rabbani, chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council. (Watch the VIDEO)
Evidence Management Facility Hand Over
Video by Cpl. Kowshon Ye
Coalition forces officially hand over an evidence management facility to the Afghan National Army's 215th Corps on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, 2012. (Watch the VIDEO)
Marketed/Republished Combat Correspondent Product
TSgt. Andrew Morrow from Littleton, CO talks to a KWGN reporter about what it is like to be deployed during Thanksgiving.
Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, prepare to leave Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province to resupply three forward operating bases, Oct. 23. Photo republished in Time.
Marines Enjoy Thanksgiving Feast, Camaraderie republished on CNBNEWS.net
Marines Enjoy Thanksgiving Feast, Camaraderie republished on Elites TV.
Police Advisory Team watches Afghan police take control in Nawa republished on ISAF website.
2/7 Marines provide security for Operation Golden Gate republished on Marine Corps News.
Marines under microscope​, teach Afghan Army proper patrols, tactics republished on thankyouforyourservice.com.
Lance Cpl. Nicholas Patterson, a Wis. native, talks to Tami Roleff, at KCDZ-FM, about his experiences, responsibilities and duties as a Marine.
Marine Cpl. Raymond Tulkki talks to a KCDZ reporter, in Twentynine Palms, Calif., about his duties as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTAF) planner doing deployment and redeployment planning for his battalion.