Stories

Marines and sailors with Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan load onto a KC-130 aircraft on the Camp Bastion flightline, Oct. 27, 2014. The Marine Corps ended its mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the day prior and all Marines, sailors and service members from the United Kingdom withdrew from southwestern Afghanistan. - Marines and sailors with Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan load onto a KC-130 aircraft on the Camp Bastion flightline, Oct. 27, 2014. The Marine Corps ended its mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the day prior and all Marines, sailors and service members from the United Kingdom withdrew from southwestern Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Col. Seth Yost, right, commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, speaks during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Tactical Base Dwyer, Afghanistan, Oct. 1, 2014. “It’s been a memorable deployment for 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. It’s been inspiring to have been here as we help to write the final chapter of the Marine Corps’ presence in Helmand province,” Yost said. - Lieutenant Col. Seth Yost, right, commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, speaks during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Tactical Base Dwyer, Afghanistan, Oct. 1, 2014. “It’s been a memorable deployment for 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. It’s been inspiring to have been here as we help to write the final chapter of the Marine Corps’ presence in Helmand province,” Yost said.

Sergeant Dominic Sharpsteensurina, right, a native of Apple Valley, California, and an assault section leader with Weapons Platoon, Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, inspects Lance Cpl. Jordan Pettid, a squad leader with Weapons Plt., aboard Camp Dwyer, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 21, 2014. During his current deployment in Afghanistan, Sharpsteensurina was meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant. He is glad to be able to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom with his fellow infantrymen and become someone they can look up to. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released) - Sergeant Dominic Sharpsteensurina, right, a native of Apple Valley, California, and an assault section leader with Weapons Platoon, Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, inspects Lance Cpl. Jordan Pettid, a squad leader with Weapons Plt., aboard Camp Dwyer, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 21, 2014. During his current deployment in Afghanistan, Sharpsteensurina was meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant. He is glad to be able to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom with his fellow infantrymen and become someone they can look up to. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released)

More than 100 Afghan National Army soldiers with the 215th Corps as well as Afghan civilians stand waiting to board an aircraft aboard Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 27, 2014. The soldiers and civilians are planning to travel to Kabul for a rest and relaxation period with their families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released) - More than 100 Afghan National Army soldiers with the 215th Corps as well as Afghan civilians stand waiting to board an aircraft aboard Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 27, 2014. The soldiers and civilians are planning to travel to Kabul for a rest and relaxation period with their families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released)

A Marine with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, provides security during an operation in Helmand province, Sept. 9, 2014. During the 72-hour operation, Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers conducted dismounted patrols on foot to search nearby compounds for weapons and lethal aid. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released) - A Marine with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, provides security during an operation in Helmand province, Sept. 9, 2014. During the 72-hour operation, Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers conducted dismounted patrols on foot to search nearby compounds for weapons and lethal aid. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Haas/ Released)

Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, left, commander, Regional Command (Southwest) and Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan, pins the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device onto Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Van Horn, a corpsman with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, during an award ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Sept. 17, 2014. Van Horn received the award for heroic achievement while being a first responder to Marine casualties after their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. - Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, left, commander, Regional Command (Southwest) and Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan, pins the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device onto Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Van Horn, a corpsman with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, during an award ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Sept. 17, 2014. Van Horn received the award for heroic achievement while being a first responder to Marine casualties after their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

Mr. Naeem Baloch, governor of Helmand province, cuts the ribbon during a ceremony officially opening New Camp Garm Ser, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sep. 1, 2014. New Camp Garm Ser was officially opened for the ANA as a southern post to sustain their forces in the operating area without having to come back to their central location on Camp Shorabak on a regular basis. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal, Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan/ Released) - Mr. Naeem Baloch, governor of Helmand province, cuts the ribbon during a ceremony officially opening New Camp Garm Ser, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sep. 1, 2014. New Camp Garm Ser was officially opened for the ANA as a southern post to sustain their forces in the operating area without having to come back to their central location on Camp Shorabak on a regular basis. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal, Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan/ Released)

Marines, sailors and coalition partners with Regional Command (Southwest) salute while the American flag is raised at the RC(SW) headquarters during a 9/11 memorial ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2014. “For Americans, 9/11 evokes a very special meaning. It’s a memory of the world as we knew it on that day changing forever. Today’s simple but solemn ceremony is a tribute to those innocent young men, women and children who were killed by a cowardly and heartless act of terror,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commander, RC(SW) and Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan. - Marines, sailors and coalition partners with Regional Command (Southwest) salute while the American flag is raised at the RC(SW) headquarters during a 9/11 memorial ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2014. “For Americans, 9/11 evokes a very special meaning. It’s a memory of the world as we knew it on that day changing forever. Today’s simple but solemn ceremony is a tribute to those innocent young men, women and children who were killed by a cowardly and heartless act of terror,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commander, RC(SW) and Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan.

General James F. Amos, left, the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett, the 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, speak to Marines and sailors of Marine Aircraft Group - Afghanistan aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Sept. 6, 2014. Gen. Amos and Sgt. Maj. Barrett visited Marines and sailors serving with Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan in Helmand province for the final time, thanking them for their service and sacrifice. - General James F. Amos, left, the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett, the 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, speak to Marines and sailors of Marine Aircraft Group - Afghanistan aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Sept. 6, 2014. Gen. Amos and Sgt. Maj. Barrett visited Marines and sailors serving with Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan in Helmand province for the final time, thanking them for their service and sacrifice.

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