Stories

1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade departs for Dawn Blitz

More than 700 Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade boarded the USS Bonhomme Richard to launch Exercise Dawn Blitz 2011 today. 1st MEB Command Element, 3rd Amphibian Assault Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 17 and Marine Aircraft Group 16, will participate in a continuation of exercises aimed to prepare forces to deploy on

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Cpl. Michael H. Whorton, an intelligence analyst, with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, smiles while eating his Thanksgiving Day dinner at Marine Corps Forward Operating Base Camp Hansen, Nov 25. Marine food specialists managed to prepare approximately 550 pounds of turkey, 400 pounds of ham, 330 pounds of steak and serve over 2000 slices of pie in 2/9’s area of operation. - Cpl. Michael H. Whorton, an intelligence analyst, with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, smiles while eating his Thanksgiving Day dinner at Marine Corps Forward Operating Base Camp Hansen, Nov 25. Marine food specialists managed to prepare approximately 550 pounds of turkey, 400 pounds of ham, 330 pounds of steak and serve over 2000 slices of pie in 2/9’s area of operation.

Thanksgiving chow means morale for Marjah Marines

With preparations beginning before sunrise, the battalion cooks launched into what may have been their highest profile assignment of the year. Their mission? Prepare a bountiful Thanksgiving feast for infantryman who will subside on little more than prepackaged rations and meals-ready-to-eat for most of a six-month deployment. Throughout the day,

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Lt. Col. Mubark Sha, commanding officer for Afghanistan National Police in Marjah, addresses a crowd in front of Afghani Press during a security shura at a Marine Corps Base in Northern Marjah, Oct. 22. As part of the stabilization process in the region, key leaders of Helmand Province, joined by the Provincial Governor’s Security Advisor, Afghanistan National Director of Security, and the District Chief of Police traveled to Sistani to host several Shuras. - Lt. Col. Mubark Sha, commanding officer for Afghanistan National Police in Marjah, addresses a crowd in front of Afghani Press during a security shura at a Marine Corps Base in Northern Marjah, Oct. 22. As part of the stabilization process in the region, key leaders of Helmand Province, joined by the Provincial Governor’s Security Advisor, Afghanistan National Director of Security, and the District Chief of Police traveled to Sistani to host several Shuras.

Marjah leaders rally locals for peace as US Marines see signs of stability in the region

When 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment arrived in Marjah, parts of the region were unstable from months of fighting with Taliban forces. Many locals fled. Once 2/9 identified specific hot spots of enemy activity, they quickly increased security patrols, constructed numerous new patrol bases, and took the fight directly to the insurgents’ front

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Lance Cpl. Cole. A. Jenks, a mortarman with Combined Action Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, shows Afghan Army soldier Nazef how to set the fuse on a 60 mm high-explosive mortar round during a mission rehearsal at Range Juarez, Afghanistan, Aug. 28, 2010. Jenks is from Denver, Pa. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga) - Lance Cpl. Cole. A. Jenks, a mortarman with Combined Action Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, shows Afghan Army soldier Nazef how to set the fuse on a 60 mm high-explosive mortar round during a mission rehearsal at Range Juarez, Afghanistan, Aug. 28, 2010. Jenks is from Denver, Pa. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga)

Afghan soldiers build warrior skill set, add mortars to repertoire

The U.S. Marine and the Afghan soldier may speak different languages, but as 60 mm high-explosive mortar rounds sailed through air eventually reaching their fiery conclusion a few hundred meters away, the men reacted the same way — with awe and motivation, brothers in a warrior culture. Marines and Afghan soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine

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Sgt. DAvid T. Silvers, joint reception center staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Regional Command Southwest, hits a line-drive during his playoff game, Aug. 3, at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Marines organized a softball league here to boost morale and relieve stress while playing a competitive sport. - Sgt. DAvid T. Silvers, joint reception center staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Regional Command Southwest, hits a line-drive during his playoff game, Aug. 3, at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Marines organized a softball league here to boost morale and relieve stress while playing a competitive sport.

Leatherneck softball league swings for the fences

What started off as a game of softball played on Sundays for physical training rapidly turned into an organized softball league at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.The season started in May with 14 teams comprised of Marines, sailors, soldiers and a team of British soldiers. “We started playing on Sundays for fun,” said Gunnery Sgt. Cesar G. Swalm,

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From 'Ambush Alley' to peaceful alley

Step after step, combat boots hit the pavement. It’s been a few hours for the Marine squad walking the Ramadi streets. Fatigued yet steady, the young men push forward on their routine foot patrol despite the mid-day desert heat; each squad member maintaining a constant alertness with eyes scanning the environment in every direction. The squad

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