Stories

Marines from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, uncover an improvised explosive device cache in an abandoned compound east of their newly established observation post in Southern Shorsurak, Helmand province, Afghanistan, during Operation New Dawn, June 20, 2010. The Marines found two directional fragmentation improvised explosive devices weighing 35 pounds each, 15 feet of detonation cord and 15 pounds of ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder. Operation New Dawn is a joint operation between Marine Corps units and the Afghanistan National Army to disrupt enemy forces, which have been using the sparsely populated region between Marjah and Nawa as a safe haven. - Marines from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, uncover an improvised explosive device cache in an abandoned compound east of their newly established observation post in Southern Shorsurak, Helmand province, Afghanistan, during Operation New Dawn, June 20, 2010. The Marines found two directional fragmentation improvised explosive devices weighing 35 pounds each, 15 feet of detonation cord and 15 pounds of ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder. Operation New Dawn is a joint operation between Marine Corps units and the Afghanistan National Army to disrupt enemy forces, which have been using the sparsely populated region between Marjah and Nawa as a safe haven.

Locals of Southern Shorsurak listen to Capt. Luke Pernotto, commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, during a shura between the local populace and 3/3 leadership near the battalion’s newly established observation post June 26, 2010. The meeting was held for the Marines to get to know the local populace as well as to determine what type of civil affairs projects the area would benefit most from as part of Operation New Dawn. Operation New Dawn is a joint operation between Marine Corps units and the Afghanistan National Army to disrupt enemy forces, which have been using the sparsely populated region between Marjah and Nawa as a safe haven. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga) - Locals of Southern Shorsurak listen to Capt. Luke Pernotto, commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, during a shura between the local populace and 3/3 leadership near the battalion’s newly established observation post June 26, 2010. The meeting was held for the Marines to get to know the local populace as well as to determine what type of civil affairs projects the area would benefit most from as part of Operation New Dawn. Operation New Dawn is a joint operation between Marine Corps units and the Afghanistan National Army to disrupt enemy forces, which have been using the sparsely populated region between Marjah and Nawa as a safe haven. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga)

Abdul Gunny, Kharshma, and Cpt. Phillip Noack, a civil affairs team leader with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, pose for a picture during a party with Afghan National Police and Marines, June 23. Noack, who will be leaving Musa Qal’eh, was the guest of honor. The party began with a meal of beans, rice, beef, and French fries. After the meal, a few of the ANP played live music and Abdual Gunny sang. The ANP and Marines were having a good time and even danced to the music. The friendships created through interactions like this will help the Afghan police force and Marines work better together. ::r::::n::(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ned Johnson) - Abdul Gunny, Kharshma, and Cpt. Phillip Noack, a civil affairs team leader with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, pose for a picture during a party with Afghan National Police and Marines, June 23. Noack, who will be leaving Musa Qal’eh, was the guest of honor. The party began with a meal of beans, rice, beef, and French fries. After the meal, a few of the ANP played live music and Abdual Gunny sang. The ANP and Marines were having a good time and even danced to the music. The friendships created through interactions like this will help the Afghan police force and Marines work better together. ::r::::n::(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ned Johnson)

Corporal Ryan Thayer, a squad leader for 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, prepares to drop an illumination round into the M224 60 mm light weight mortar tube as Cpl. Jonathan Roblespaul, a mortarman section leader with Alpha Co., ducks into a safe position at Combat Outpost Cafferetta, June 26. - Corporal Ryan Thayer, a squad leader for 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, prepares to drop an illumination round into the M224 60 mm light weight mortar tube as Cpl. Jonathan Roblespaul, a mortarman section leader with Alpha Co., ducks into a safe position at Combat Outpost Cafferetta, June 26.

A Pashto linguist speaks to Regional Command Southwest commander Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills, during a security conference at Forward Operating Base Sher Wali, Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 29, 2010. The meeting was held to discuss the emergence of the Afghan Uniform Police in Marjah, which is slated to replace the Afghan National Civil Order Police as the area’s local police force in the near future. Attending the event were Mills; Helmand provincial governor, Mohammad Gulab Mangal; Marjah’s district governor, Haji Zahir and other high-ranking Marine, ANCOP and Afghan National Army officers. - A Pashto linguist speaks to Regional Command Southwest commander Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills, during a security conference at Forward Operating Base Sher Wali, Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 29, 2010. The meeting was held to discuss the emergence of the Afghan Uniform Police in Marjah, which is slated to replace the Afghan National Civil Order Police as the area’s local police force in the near future. Attending the event were Mills; Helmand provincial governor, Mohammad Gulab Mangal; Marjah’s district governor, Haji Zahir and other high-ranking Marine, ANCOP and Afghan National Army officers.

A local village elder signs his name alongside other village elders to agree on all the issues discussed during the weekly shura with Lima Co., 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, in Garmsir District, Afghanistan, June 17, 2010. The local shura is to help build the relationship with the elders, Afghan National Army and the Marines. - A local village elder signs his name alongside other village elders to agree on all the issues discussed during the weekly shura with Lima Co., 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, in Garmsir District, Afghanistan, June 17, 2010. The local shura is to help build the relationship with the elders, Afghan National Army and the Marines.

Lt. Col. Brian Christmas, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, mingles with Afghan locals following a reintegration shura at Forward Operating Base Sher Wali, Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 23, 2010. During the event, six Marjah locals with former connections to the Taliban were reintegrated back in to society. - Lt. Col. Brian Christmas, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, mingles with Afghan locals following a reintegration shura at Forward Operating Base Sher Wali, Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 23, 2010. During the event, six Marjah locals with former connections to the Taliban were reintegrated back in to society.