Stories

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)

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.

Marines and sailors with the Afghan National Police Advisor Team prepare to leave Patrol Base Dimond, Helmand province, Afghanistan, for the final time, June 27, 2014. The Marines and sailors of the ANPAT completed their eight-month deployment of advising the Afghan National Police to develop a strong, capable and credible police force for Helmand province. The ANPAT's retrograde back to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, was assisted by the Marines and sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 7. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson) - Marines and sailors with the Afghan National Police Advisor Team prepare to leave Patrol Base Dimond, Helmand province, Afghanistan, for the final time, June 27, 2014. The Marines and sailors of the ANPAT completed their eight-month deployment of advising the Afghan National Police to develop a strong, capable and credible police force for Helmand province. The ANPAT's retrograde back to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, was assisted by the Marines and sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 7. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Micah Musso, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467, stands next to a Super Cobra helicopter before a mission on the Fourth of July. U.S. service members throughout Regional Command (Southwest) gathered with their units to honor Independence Day while deployed to Afghanistan, July 4, 2014. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Micah Musso, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467, stands next to a Super Cobra helicopter before a mission on the Fourth of July. U.S. service members throughout Regional Command (Southwest) gathered with their units to honor Independence Day while deployed to Afghanistan, July 4, 2014.

Sergeant Andrew Sewell, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, prepares to attach a chain to an empty 210,000-gallon bulk fuel bladder aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, June 28, 2014. In three hours' time, more than 15 Marines with MWSS-274 and 15 contractors removed the last one of eight non-Marine Corps owned bulk fuel bladders at the bulk fuel site. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released) - Sergeant Andrew Sewell, a bulk fuel specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, prepares to attach a chain to an empty 210,000-gallon bulk fuel bladder aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, June 28, 2014. In three hours' time, more than 15 Marines with MWSS-274 and 15 contractors removed the last one of eight non-Marine Corps owned bulk fuel bladders at the bulk fuel site. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released)

Sergeant Eduardo Ayala, left, field mess chief, "Suicide" Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and Sgt. Abidail Estrada, squad leader, pose for a photo with the trophy of the Dwyer World Cup tournament after winning the championship game aboard Camp Dwyer, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 22, 2014. A total of four teams participated in the tournament to include Team America, Afghanistan, Jordan and the World Team (consisting of contractors on the camp). The Marines ultimately defeated the World Team during the final game and were the champions of the tournament. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released) - Sergeant Eduardo Ayala, left, field mess chief, "Suicide" Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and Sgt. Abidail Estrada, squad leader, pose for a photo with the trophy of the Dwyer World Cup tournament after winning the championship game aboard Camp Dwyer, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 22, 2014. A total of four teams participated in the tournament to include Team America, Afghanistan, Jordan and the World Team (consisting of contractors on the camp). The Marines ultimately defeated the World Team during the final game and were the champions of the tournament. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released)

Courtesy photo - Marines, government civilians and contractors with Logistics Command Forward pose for a unit photo recently during their current deployment to Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan. The unit was comprised of an effective and efficient staff that allowed them to easily expand or contract logistical support to meet the requirements of the operational commander with minimal resources being pulled from the operating forces, prior to their flag-folding ceremony, June 1, 2014. - Courtesy photo - Marines, government civilians and contractors with Logistics Command Forward pose for a unit photo recently during their current deployment to Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan. The unit was comprised of an effective and efficient staff that allowed them to easily expand or contract logistical support to meet the requirements of the operational commander with minimal resources being pulled from the operating forces, prior to their flag-folding ceremony, June 1, 2014.