Stories

A former Taliban commander is greeted by members of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, as he gets off an MV-22 Osprey at Forward Operating Base Geronimo to participate in a reintegration shura June 1. After determining he was no longer a threat, the former Taliban commander in the Nawa area, was released by an Afghanistan National Army general. At the shura, the former commander vowed to participate in the peace and prosperity of Nawa. - A former Taliban commander is greeted by members of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, as he gets off an MV-22 Osprey at Forward Operating Base Geronimo to participate in a reintegration shura June 1. After determining he was no longer a threat, the former Taliban commander in the Nawa area, was released by an Afghanistan National Army general. At the shura, the former commander vowed to participate in the peace and prosperity of Nawa.

Marines assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, depart a vehicle checkpoint and patrol back to Forward Operating Base Geronimo May 30. The Marines are a part of the H&S guard force, a group of mostly non-infantrymen who perform infantry duties in the H&S battle space. The patrol was the first the Marines had completed on their own without being accompanied by a platoon sergeant or commander. “They’re doing really well, a lot better than I expected,” Cpl. Eric Ramirez, squad leader, said. “Out on patrol they’ve been building their confidence. They’re learning a lot and are motivated.” - Marines assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, depart a vehicle checkpoint and patrol back to Forward Operating Base Geronimo May 30. The Marines are a part of the H&S guard force, a group of mostly non-infantrymen who perform infantry duties in the H&S battle space. The patrol was the first the Marines had completed on their own without being accompanied by a platoon sergeant or commander. “They’re doing really well, a lot better than I expected,” Cpl. Eric Ramirez, squad leader, said. “Out on patrol they’ve been building their confidence. They’re learning a lot and are motivated.”

Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Gray, a rifleman with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, peers through his rifle combat optic, which now has a hole through it caused by an insurgent's bullet. Gray's head was only six inches away from the impact when it struck his rifle during a firefight, May 15. Gray suffered a minor shrapnel wound to his face and continued to fight during the engagement. Gray, 20, is from Warner Robins, Ga. - Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Gray, a rifleman with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, peers through his rifle combat optic, which now has a hole through it caused by an insurgent's bullet. Gray's head was only six inches away from the impact when it struck his rifle during a firefight, May 15. Gray suffered a minor shrapnel wound to his face and continued to fight during the engagement. Gray, 20, is from Warner Robins, Ga.

A soldier from the Afghan National Army leads attendees of a shura in prayer prior to the event's start at Forward Operating Base Sher Wali, Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 29, 2010. The shura, which was attended by an estimated 410 people, focused on the need for the people of Marjah to unite against the Taliban to improve the area. - A soldier from the Afghan National Army leads attendees of a shura in prayer prior to the event's start at Forward Operating Base Sher Wali, Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 29, 2010. The shura, which was attended by an estimated 410 people, focused on the need for the people of Marjah to unite against the Taliban to improve the area.

Sgt. Maj. Michael Kufchak, Regimental Combat Team 7 sergeant major, left, and Col. Randy P. Newman, commanding officer, RCT-7, right, uncase the colors of the Regimental Combat Team 7 during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Dwyer, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 24, 2010. Throughout the next five months, Marines here are still pressing on, as they wrap up the remaining months of their deployment. As the battalions rotate out, RCT-7 is facilitating the changeovers. This will allow Regimental Combat Team 1 to focus on establishing themselves for success. - Sgt. Maj. Michael Kufchak, Regimental Combat Team 7 sergeant major, left, and Col. Randy P. Newman, commanding officer, RCT-7, right, uncase the colors of the Regimental Combat Team 7 during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Dwyer, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 24, 2010. Throughout the next five months, Marines here are still pressing on, as they wrap up the remaining months of their deployment. As the battalions rotate out, RCT-7 is facilitating the changeovers. This will allow Regimental Combat Team 1 to focus on establishing themselves for success.

Lance Cpl. Justin D. Loya, a reproduction specialist serving as a combat photographer with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, rests against a Hesco barrier with his camera at Forward Operating Base Sher Wali, Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 30, 2010. Loya, from El Paso, Texas, was with Lima Company, 3/6, during the push of Marjah where he successfully documented the first months of Operation Moshtarak and bonded with Lima’s Marines. - Lance Cpl. Justin D. Loya, a reproduction specialist serving as a combat photographer with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, rests against a Hesco barrier with his camera at Forward Operating Base Sher Wali, Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 30, 2010. Loya, from El Paso, Texas, was with Lima Company, 3/6, during the push of Marjah where he successfully documented the first months of Operation Moshtarak and bonded with Lima’s Marines.

An Afghan Counter Narcotic National policeman holds the Afghan government’s primary drug kingpin in Marjah, Afghanistan May 18. The mission, a team effort between the Marines, Drug Enforcement Administration and Counter Narcotic Police of Afghanistan, nabbed high-level drug traffickers.::r::::n:: - An Afghan Counter Narcotic National policeman holds the Afghan government’s primary drug kingpin in Marjah, Afghanistan May 18. The mission, a team effort between the Marines, Drug Enforcement Administration and Counter Narcotic Police of Afghanistan, nabbed high-level drug traffickers.::r::::n::

This summer Ashley K. Geoco will give birth to Cameron. The father, Lance Cpl. Tom Geoco, from Peoria, Ariz., a radio operator with Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, will be deployed to Afghanistan and will miss the birth of his son. The Geoco Family isnt alone. More than ten couples in Americas Battalion will give birth during the deployment. The Geocos said though they knew this was a possibility for a Marine family, it doesnt make the separation easier. Ashley, from Glendale, Ariz., said she will rely on the support of family and the Operation Special Delivery program. The program provides trained volunteer doulas for pregnant women whose husbands or partners have been severely injured, or who have lost their lives due to the current war on terror, or who will be deployed at the time they are due to give birth. Models for portraits: Chasity and Lance Cpl. Shane T. Tackett. - This summer Ashley K. Geoco will give birth to Cameron. The father, Lance Cpl. Tom Geoco, from Peoria, Ariz., a radio operator with Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, will be deployed to Afghanistan and will miss the birth of his son. The Geoco Family isnt alone. More than ten couples in Americas Battalion will give birth during the deployment. The Geocos said though they knew this was a possibility for a Marine family, it doesnt make the separation easier. Ashley, from Glendale, Ariz., said she will rely on the support of family and the Operation Special Delivery program. The program provides trained volunteer doulas for pregnant women whose husbands or partners have been severely injured, or who have lost their lives due to the current war on terror, or who will be deployed at the time they are due to give birth. Models for portraits: Chasity and Lance Cpl. Shane T. Tackett.

Staff Sgt. Jose E. Garcia, the communications chief for Alpha Co., 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, uses Training Exercise Straps of the side of his vehicle the deserts of Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 16. The vehicle was not only their home and gym over the battalion’s five-month deployment, but it also served the battalion’s combat operations center. - Staff Sgt. Jose E. Garcia, the communications chief for Alpha Co., 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, uses Training Exercise Straps of the side of his vehicle the deserts of Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 16. The vehicle was not only their home and gym over the battalion’s five-month deployment, but it also served the battalion’s combat operations center.

A local villager of Naw-Abad waits outside Naw-Abad to receive medical care, May 15 during a village medical outreach. Marines and medical officers from Brigade Headquarters Group and 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) and an Afghan National Army medic from Camp Shorabak, set up and conducted a medical outreach to provide medical care and assess long term medical needs. - A local villager of Naw-Abad waits outside Naw-Abad to receive medical care, May 15 during a village medical outreach. Marines and medical officers from Brigade Headquarters Group and 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) and an Afghan National Army medic from Camp Shorabak, set up and conducted a medical outreach to provide medical care and assess long term medical needs.