The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos pins a Purple Heart on Sgt. Shane Fredericks during a visit to Combat Outpost Shir Ghazi, Afghanistan, July 17, 2012. Fredericks, from Syracuse, N.Y., and an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, suffered a concussion when the vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device explosion in Now Zad District, May 12, 2012. General Amos and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett visited Marines throughout Helmand province, stopping at six bases. They thanked the Marines for their service and sacrifice and praised them for working hard to transition security in the region to Afghan forces. - The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos pins a Purple Heart on Sgt. Shane Fredericks during a visit to Combat Outpost Shir Ghazi, Afghanistan, July 17, 2012. Fredericks, from Syracuse, N.Y., and an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, suffered a concussion when the vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device explosion in Now Zad District, May 12, 2012. General Amos and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett visited Marines throughout Helmand province, stopping at six bases. They thanked the Marines for their service and sacrifice and praised them for working hard to transition security in the region to Afghan forces.

Marines with Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, patrol through the swirling dust during Operation Sangin United Horizons, May 19. Operation Sangin United Horizons was a large-scale operation, which took place May 17 through 20. Dog Company, 1st Bn., 7th Marines, was responsible for finding and destroying weapons caches, improvised explosive devices and drug producing facilities. - Marines with Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, patrol through the swirling dust during Operation Sangin United Horizons, May 19. Operation Sangin United Horizons was a large-scale operation, which took place May 17 through 20. Dog Company, 1st Bn., 7th Marines, was responsible for finding and destroying weapons caches, improvised explosive devices and drug producing facilities.

Robert Schaeffer, a dog handler with American K-9 Detection Services, searches vehicles for drugs and bombs during a command authorized vehicle search conducted May 12 at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. - Robert Schaeffer, a dog handler with American K-9 Detection Services, searches vehicles for drugs and bombs during a command authorized vehicle search conducted May 12 at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

Members of the San Diego Chapter of Women in Defense, watch a video featuring the female engagement team in action in Afghanistan, during the 3rd Annual Women in Defense symposium March 10, in La Jolla, Calif. Members of the female engagement team were present as guest speakers and shared their experiences with the audience. - Members of the San Diego Chapter of Women in Defense, watch a video featuring the female engagement team in action in Afghanistan, during the 3rd Annual Women in Defense symposium March 10, in La Jolla, Calif. Members of the female engagement team were present as guest speakers and shared their experiences with the audience.

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.

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.

Lance Cpl. Kimberly R. Burrows, a combat engineer with Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) moves a two-by-four while working on improvements for Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge, Sept. 12. Burrows, 22, Albany, Ore. is the only female on the FOB during 9th ESB’s mission to improve security and living conditions there. - Lance Cpl. Kimberly R. Burrows, a combat engineer with Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) moves a two-by-four while working on improvements for Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge, Sept. 12. Burrows, 22, Albany, Ore. is the only female on the FOB during 9th ESB’s mission to improve security and living conditions there.