Stories

Sgt. Jeffrey A. Whalen, a counter-improvised explosive device course instructor with 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, teaches Afghan National Army soldiers about commonly found explosives during the Counter-IED Course held at the Joint Security Academy Southwest at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Aug. 15.::r::::n:: - Sgt. Jeffrey A. Whalen, a counter-improvised explosive device course instructor with 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, teaches Afghan National Army soldiers about commonly found explosives during the Counter-IED Course held at the Joint Security Academy Southwest at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Aug. 15.::r::::n::

Lance Cpl. Taylor M. Boyd, a squad automatic weapon gunner with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, checks on his squadmates during a patrol through Marjah, Afghanistan, Aug. 15, 2010. Boyd, 19, is from Ellenboro, N.C. - Lance Cpl. Taylor M. Boyd, a squad automatic weapon gunner with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, checks on his squadmates during a patrol through Marjah, Afghanistan, Aug. 15, 2010. Boyd, 19, is from Ellenboro, N.C.

Service members and civilians at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, register for the Maj. Megan McClung Memorial Race, Aug. 14. More than 425 runners participated in the race. - Service members and civilians at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, register for the Maj. Megan McClung Memorial Race, Aug. 14. More than 425 runners participated in the race.

Cpl. Mary Warren and Waheed Mohammed teach Afghan boys during class at the Forward Operating Base Geronimo schoolhouse, July 18, 2010. Most of the kids who attend school are younger than the current war. The children are taught by Marine, Navy and Afghan volunteers. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga) - Cpl. Mary Warren and Waheed Mohammed teach Afghan boys during class at the Forward Operating Base Geronimo schoolhouse, July 18, 2010. Most of the kids who attend school are younger than the current war. The children are taught by Marine, Navy and Afghan volunteers. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga)

Lt. Col. Kyle B. Ellison, left, commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and Sgt. Maj. William Frye, sergeant major of 2/6, salute the memorial stand of Lance Cpl. Abram L. Howard during a memorial service at the Marjah District government center in Marjah, Afghanistan, Aug. 12, 2010. Howard, from Williamsport, Pa., was killed July 27 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. - Lt. Col. Kyle B. Ellison, left, commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and Sgt. Maj. William Frye, sergeant major of 2/6, salute the memorial stand of Lance Cpl. Abram L. Howard during a memorial service at the Marjah District government center in Marjah, Afghanistan, Aug. 12, 2010. Howard, from Williamsport, Pa., was killed July 27 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

A newly-graduated police officer from Joint Security Academy Southwest class 2007-07 holds up his diploma during his graduation ceremony held at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan Aug. 11. - A newly-graduated police officer from Joint Security Academy Southwest class 2007-07 holds up his diploma during his graduation ceremony held at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan Aug. 11.

First Lt. Alexander Livingston, the officer in charge of the NCO course, at the Joint Security Academy Southwest, distributes maps to Afghan National Army soldiers from the 215th Corps who are attending the NCO course, Aug. 11. Class members were tested using these individuals maps to confirm they retained the knowledge. - First Lt. Alexander Livingston, the officer in charge of the NCO course, at the Joint Security Academy Southwest, distributes maps to Afghan National Army soldiers from the 215th Corps who are attending the NCO course, Aug. 11. Class members were tested using these individuals maps to confirm they retained the knowledge.

Sgt. Mark Peters, a squad leader with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, engages an Afghan resident during a patrol through Safaar, Afghanistan, Aug. 10, 2010. The Marines of 3/1 are developing relationships with local Afghans, following a clearing operation to rid the area of Taliban presence and intimidation. Peters is from Chicago. - Sgt. Mark Peters, a squad leader with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, engages an Afghan resident during a patrol through Safaar, Afghanistan, Aug. 10, 2010. The Marines of 3/1 are developing relationships with local Afghans, following a clearing operation to rid the area of Taliban presence and intimidation. Peters is from Chicago.

Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commander of Regional Command Southwest, and Helmand Provincial Governor Gulab Mangal listen to a brief during the fifth Afghan Uniformed Police Recruitment Conference, Aug. 9, at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. The meeting was held in order to discuss the progress being made in increasing the number of Afghan policemen throughout Helmand province. - Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commander of Regional Command Southwest, and Helmand Provincial Governor Gulab Mangal listen to a brief during the fifth Afghan Uniformed Police Recruitment Conference, Aug. 9, at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. The meeting was held in order to discuss the progress being made in increasing the number of Afghan policemen throughout Helmand province.

Afghan children listen as the Marjah district education director, Nazar Khan Taukalyar, reveals plans for a new school in the Koreh Chareh bazaar area during a school ground-breaking ceremony in Marjah, Afghanistan, Aug. 9, 2010. - Afghan children listen as the Marjah district education director, Nazar Khan Taukalyar, reveals plans for a new school in the Koreh Chareh bazaar area during a school ground-breaking ceremony in Marjah, Afghanistan, Aug. 9, 2010.