Stories

Corporal Charles Daniels, supply warehouse chief, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, takes inventory of some of the battalion's gear aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, July 9, 2014. Daniels, a native of Baton Rouge, La., and only four other Marines are the responsible holders and maintainers of 1st Bn., 2nd Marines' $117 million supply of gear and equipment to be retrograded upon the unit's redeployment. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson) - Corporal Charles Daniels, supply warehouse chief, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, takes inventory of some of the battalion's gear aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, July 9, 2014. Daniels, a native of Baton Rouge, La., and only four other Marines are the responsible holders and maintainers of 1st Bn., 2nd Marines' $117 million supply of gear and equipment to be retrograded upon the unit's redeployment. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson)

First Lt. Joshua Bridges, a native of Morganton, N.C., and assessments and plans officer, Regional Command (Southwest), poses for a photo after being awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during a ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, July 13, 2014. Bridges deployed to Helmand province during Jan. 2014 and was vital to RC(SW) planning efforts during the 2014 Afghan presidential elections and the upcoming transition of full security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces in the region by the end of 2014. - First Lt. Joshua Bridges, a native of Morganton, N.C., and assessments and plans officer, Regional Command (Southwest), poses for a photo after being awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during a ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, July 13, 2014. Bridges deployed to Helmand province during Jan. 2014 and was vital to RC(SW) planning efforts during the 2014 Afghan presidential elections and the upcoming transition of full security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces in the region by the end of 2014.

Col. Roman Jokhadze, left, Deputy Chief of General Staff of Georgia, addresses service members during the Georgian flag-lowering ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 15, 2014. The ceremony marked the end of mission for the Republic of Georgia's army serving with Regional Command (Southwest). - Col. Roman Jokhadze, left, Deputy Chief of General Staff of Georgia, addresses service members during the Georgian flag-lowering ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 15, 2014. The ceremony marked the end of mission for the Republic of Georgia's army serving with Regional Command (Southwest).

Afghan National Army soldiers with the 215th Corps stand in formation during their graduation ceremony aboard Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, July 10, 2014. More than 650 soldiers graduated a completely Afghan-led, six-week combat training course, which consisted of 29 courses varying from hands-on weapons training to rifleman tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released) - Afghan National Army soldiers with the 215th Corps stand in formation during their graduation ceremony aboard Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, July 10, 2014. More than 650 soldiers graduated a completely Afghan-led, six-week combat training course, which consisted of 29 courses varying from hands-on weapons training to rifleman tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released)

Corporal Eric Garcia, squad leader, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, scans the surrounding area while patrolling in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 5, 2014. Garcia, a native of Waukegan, Ill., and the company operated in Gereshk for three days and were involved in numerous kinetic engagements with Taliban insurgents.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released) - Corporal Eric Garcia, squad leader, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, scans the surrounding area while patrolling in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 5, 2014. Garcia, a native of Waukegan, Ill., and the company operated in Gereshk for three days and were involved in numerous kinetic engagements with Taliban insurgents. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released)

Lt. Gen. David H. Berger (left) assumes command of I Marine Expeditionary Force from Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan (right) during the most recent MEF change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 11, 2014. Berger formerly served as the commanding general of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nathan Castillo) - Lt. Gen. David H. Berger (left) assumes command of I Marine Expeditionary Force from Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan (right) during the most recent MEF change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 11, 2014. Berger formerly served as the commanding general of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nathan Castillo)

U.S. Marine Sgt. Michael M. Estes, 20, a native of Torrance, Calif., and electro-optical ordnance repairer with Combat Logistics Battalion 7, Regional Command (Southwest), stands outside of the CLB-7 headquarters aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 9, 2014. Estes deployed during January 2014, and kept Marine Corps individual and heavy weapons optics in the fight during ongoing security operations and led redeployment and retrograde efforts of Marine Corps equipment from the region. - U.S. Marine Sgt. Michael M. Estes, 20, a native of Torrance, Calif., and electro-optical ordnance repairer with Combat Logistics Battalion 7, Regional Command (Southwest), stands outside of the CLB-7 headquarters aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 9, 2014. Estes deployed during January 2014, and kept Marine Corps individual and heavy weapons optics in the fight during ongoing security operations and led redeployment and retrograde efforts of Marine Corps equipment from the region.

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lee, left, and Staff Sgt. Kenneth Morris, both crew chiefs with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467, watch for any suspicious activity on the ground during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 3, 2014. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467 was established five years ago aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and is on their first combat deployment as a squadron. The Marines of HMLA-467 will be the last Marines to conduct close-air support operations in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released) - Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lee, left, and Staff Sgt. Kenneth Morris, both crew chiefs with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467, watch for any suspicious activity on the ground during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 3, 2014. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467 was established five years ago aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and is on their first combat deployment as a squadron. The Marines of HMLA-467 will be the last Marines to conduct close-air support operations in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commander of Regional Command (Southwest), salutes a battlefield cross during a memorial ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, July 2, 2014. The memorial was in honor of Sgt. Thomas Z. Spitzer, a professionally instructed gunman with Scout Sniper Platoon, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, who was killed while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 25, 2014.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released) - Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commander of Regional Command (Southwest), salutes a battlefield cross during a memorial ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, July 2, 2014. The memorial was in honor of Sgt. Thomas Z. Spitzer, a professionally instructed gunman with Scout Sniper Platoon, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, who was killed while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 25, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released)

Marines with Redeployment and Retrograde in support of Reset and Reconstitution Operations Group secure equipment to tactical vehicles aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 1, 2014. R4OG was established during April 2012 and has a significant role as the unit responsible for bringing all Marine Corps gear home from Afghanistan. - Marines with Redeployment and Retrograde in support of Reset and Reconstitution Operations Group secure equipment to tactical vehicles aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 1, 2014. R4OG was established during April 2012 and has a significant role as the unit responsible for bringing all Marine Corps gear home from Afghanistan.