Stories

ANA soldiers graduate first Afghan operated instructor training course aboard Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan - ANA soldiers graduate first Afghan operated instructor training course aboard Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan

ANA soldiers graduate first Afghan operated instructor training course aboard Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan

Soldiers with the Afghan National Army graduated from a six-week instructor training course at the Regional Corps Battle School aboard Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Aug. 20, 2014.The graduation was significant because it was the first instructor course entirely operated by Afghan instructors without any influence by coalition forces.“This was the

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First in, last out: Sailor serves with Marine units making history in Afghanistan - First in, last out: Sailor serves with Marine units making history in Afghanistan

First in, last out: Sailor serves with Marine units making history in Afghanistan

A day that many remember and few will ever forget – the day four planes were hijacked and America was attacked. It was a day that would change the lives of thousands of Americans, on that day and for many years to come.Born May 13, 1977, Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Spaulding’s life-long dream was to enlist into the Navy as a medical corpsman. He

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Supply Marines with Marine Expeditionary Brigade - Afghanistan retrograde excess gear aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - Supply Marines with Marine Expeditionary Brigade - Afghanistan retrograde excess gear aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan

Supply Marines with Marine Expeditionary Brigade - Afghanistan retrograde excess gear aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan

As Marines prepare to shift full security responsibility in Helmand province to Afghan National Security Forces by the end of 2014, they are also concentrating on getting all of their gear and equipment out of Afghanistan.Nine Marine Expeditionary Brigade - Afghanistan Marines consisting of one supply officer, one supply chief, four supply

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ANA opens new trauma center, brings improved medical capabilities to Helmand province - ANA opens new trauma center, brings improved medical capabilities to Helmand province

ANA opens new trauma center, brings improved medical capabilities to Helmand province

The Afghan National Army’s Surgeon General Maj. Gen. Mussa Wardak visited Camp Shorabak to celebrate the opening of the Afghan Army’s newest medical facility, Aug. 21.Maj. Gen. Wardak along with Maj. Gen. Sayed Malouk, the commander of the 215th Corps, ANA, and Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, the commander of Regional Command (Southwest), cut the

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Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1 conduct retrograde operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan - Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1 conduct retrograde operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1 conduct retrograde operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan

As the U.S. footprint throughout Afghanistan begins to shrink, the extra gear and equipment needs to be retrograded back to the States by a unit capable of moving large items in a timely fashion. For Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, it is their mission.Service members with CLB-1 conducted a retrograde operation aboard Patrol

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New Jersey Marine accounts for millions during Afghanistan drawdown - New Jersey Marine accounts for millions during Afghanistan drawdown

New Jersey Marine accounts for millions during Afghanistan drawdown

Making sense of a military’s budget in a war zone is no easy task. Corporal Jesus O. Maldonado, 30, a native of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and financial management resource analyst with Regional Command (Southwest), takes these matters seriously. Maldonado deployed to Afghanistan during Jan. 2014, with Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan, the

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Minnesota Marine is a heavy lifter during Helmand drawdown - Minnesota Marine is a heavy lifter during Helmand drawdown

Minnesota Marine is a heavy lifter during Helmand drawdown

During the final year of operations in Helmand province, U.S. forces with Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan, Regional Command (Southwest), are hard at work. While some security force assistance advisors continue to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces, others are focused on ensuring the retrograde mission is met

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ISAF medical advisors laud Afghan National Security Forces in Helmand province

The Taliban announced the start of the 2014 fighting season May 12, 2014, and their campaign sought to disrupt the transfer of power during the presidential elections and incite violence against the Afghan National Security Forces. During June, fighting increased across northern Helmand province, challenging the ANSF as International Security

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Marines with Weapons Company conduct security patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan - Marines with Weapons Company conduct security patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan

Marines with Weapons Company conduct security patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan

Enemy insurgents continue to operate in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in the area surrounding Camps Bastion and Leatherneck. In order to mitigate this threat, patrols are conducted to clear the surrounding area of all suspicious individuals and threats.Marines with 1st Platoon, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, conducted a

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1st Marine Regiment cases colors, ends mission in Afghanistan - 1st Marine Regiment cases colors, ends mission in Afghanistan

1st Marine Regiment cases colors, ends mission in Afghanistan

A blinding sandstorm swept across the desert floor surrounding Regional Command (Southwest)’s security-nexus, Task Force Belleau Wood, Aug. 15, 2014. During a brief pause in the storm, Marines with 1st Marine Regiment held a small ceremony to case the unit’s battle colors for the final time in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The regiment deployed to

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