Stories

The guidon for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 flies for the last time just before a midnight transfer of authority ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 23, 2014. Since Vietnam, the “Gunfighters” of HMLA-369 have proven themselves a versatile unit ready to support the Marine Air Ground Task Force time and again in combat and humanitarian efforts around the globe. Their final missions complete in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the squadron from Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., transferred authority to HMLA-467, currently deployed from MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released) - The guidon for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 flies for the last time just before a midnight transfer of authority ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 23, 2014. Since Vietnam, the “Gunfighters” of HMLA-369 have proven themselves a versatile unit ready to support the Marine Air Ground Task Force time and again in combat and humanitarian efforts around the globe. Their final missions complete in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the squadron from Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., transferred authority to HMLA-467, currently deployed from MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Corporal Jonathan Hollis, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is currently deployed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Hollis, an anti-tank missileman with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, earned a combat meritorious promotion to corporal, June 2, 2014.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released) - Corporal Jonathan Hollis, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is currently deployed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Hollis, an anti-tank missileman with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, earned a combat meritorious promotion to corporal, June 2, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released)

Petty Officer 2nd Class David Tadlock, a religious program specialist with Regional Command (Southwest), teaches Marines about the effects of stress during an Operational Stress Control and Readiness class aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 29, 2014. During the OSCAR class, Marines discussed the signs of high-level stress and proper paths to treat the symptoms and get the individual back on track. - Petty Officer 2nd Class David Tadlock, a religious program specialist with Regional Command (Southwest), teaches Marines about the effects of stress during an Operational Stress Control and Readiness class aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 29, 2014. During the OSCAR class, Marines discussed the signs of high-level stress and proper paths to treat the symptoms and get the individual back on track.

Lance Cpl. Cody Kelley, machine gunner, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and a native of Midway, Utah, patrols with an M240B medium machine gun during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 15, 2014. The company operated in Larr Village for two days to establish a presence and to disrupt enemy fighters. Throughout the mission the infantrymen conducted several patrols within the village and discovered hazardous materials which could be used to create improvised explosive devices. - Lance Cpl. Cody Kelley, machine gunner, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and a native of Midway, Utah, patrols with an M240B medium machine gun during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 15, 2014. The company operated in Larr Village for two days to establish a presence and to disrupt enemy fighters. Throughout the mission the infantrymen conducted several patrols within the village and discovered hazardous materials which could be used to create improvised explosive devices.

Service members with Regional Command (Southwest) stand at attention during a Memorial Day ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 26, 2014. During the ceremony, RC(SW) Commander Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo spoke about the importance of the day and service members observed a moment of silence to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Ostroska/ Released) - Service members with Regional Command (Southwest) stand at attention during a Memorial Day ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 26, 2014. During the ceremony, RC(SW) Commander Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo spoke about the importance of the day and service members observed a moment of silence to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Ostroska/ Released)

Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Morris, a native of Harrington, Washington, provides medical treatment to a local Afghan elder during a security patrol near the town of Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 21, 2014. Morris, a corpsman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and the Marines and sailors of the unit conduct daily patrols in order to maintain trust and communication with the local Afghan population. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/Released) - Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Morris, a native of Harrington, Washington, provides medical treatment to a local Afghan elder during a security patrol near the town of Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 21, 2014. Morris, a corpsman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and the Marines and sailors of the unit conduct daily patrols in order to maintain trust and communication with the local Afghan population. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/Released)

Soldiers with the Danish Contingent stand in formation during their end of mission ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 20, 2014. This year marked the 17th rotation and final deployment to Afghanistan for DANCON. Since their first mission began, more than 18,000 Danish soldiers have deployed to the country. - Soldiers with the Danish Contingent stand in formation during their end of mission ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 20, 2014. This year marked the 17th rotation and final deployment to Afghanistan for DANCON. Since their first mission began, more than 18,000 Danish soldiers have deployed to the country.

Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, patrol through a bazaar in Gereshk, Afghanistan, during a mission in Helmand province, May 12, 2014. The company disrupted Taliban fighters to aid in the retrograde of Sturga II, a British base northeast of Lashkar Gah. The battalion has conducted dozens of missions since they assumed their battlespace March 15, but this was their first combat engagement with insurgents since their arrival in country. - Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, patrol through a bazaar in Gereshk, Afghanistan, during a mission in Helmand province, May 12, 2014. The company disrupted Taliban fighters to aid in the retrograde of Sturga II, a British base northeast of Lashkar Gah. The battalion has conducted dozens of missions since they assumed their battlespace March 15, but this was their first combat engagement with insurgents since their arrival in country.

Gunnery Sgt. Michael Hutton, company gunnery sergeant, “Suicide” Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and a native of McLennan County, Texas, ground guides the final vehicle out of Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, May 5, 2014. The company turned over full security responsibilities of the FOB to the ANA, May 5. The infantrymen of 1st Bn., 7th Marines, were the final Marines to occupy FOB Sabit Qadam and the surrounding area in Sangin District. - Gunnery Sgt. Michael Hutton, company gunnery sergeant, “Suicide” Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and a native of McLennan County, Texas, ground guides the final vehicle out of Forward Operating Base Sabit Qadam, Afghanistan, May 5, 2014. The company turned over full security responsibilities of the FOB to the ANA, May 5. The infantrymen of 1st Bn., 7th Marines, were the final Marines to occupy FOB Sabit Qadam and the surrounding area in Sangin District.

While in Sangin's southern area of operations, Marines scan the area before moving to an objective point, Dec. 23, 2010. The Marines of 2nd Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment departed Forward Operating Base Jackson on an operation to secure a new patrol base in the area. Although the Marines were met with enemy fire, they quickly maneuvered, killed the enemy and seized their objective area. - While in Sangin's southern area of operations, Marines scan the area before moving to an objective point, Dec. 23, 2010. The Marines of 2nd Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment departed Forward Operating Base Jackson on an operation to secure a new patrol base in the area. Although the Marines were met with enemy fire, they quickly maneuvered, killed the enemy and seized their objective area.