Stories

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.

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.

Afghan farmers listen to the Nawa District governor, Haji Abdul Manaf, during a shura for the Helmand province food zone program in Nawa, Afghanistan, Oct. 17, 2010. Hundreds of farmers attended the shura to hear the Helmand deputy governor and Nawa District governor address concerns about the food program, which provides farmers with alternative crop options to poppy. - Afghan farmers listen to the Nawa District governor, Haji Abdul Manaf, during a shura for the Helmand province food zone program in Nawa, Afghanistan, Oct. 17, 2010. Hundreds of farmers attended the shura to hear the Helmand deputy governor and Nawa District governor address concerns about the food program, which provides farmers with alternative crop options to poppy.

Corporal Richard J. Zondor, a rifleman with Combined Anti-armor Team 2, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, poses with the six-year-old Fada Mohamad; his father, Haji Mirbash; and Afghan National Army soldier Narhaden, Oct. 14, in Laki, Helamand province, Afghanistan. While holding security at a nearby checkpoint, Zondor dove into a canal to save Mohamad, who had fallen in while hearding sheep across a bridge with his father. - Corporal Richard J. Zondor, a rifleman with Combined Anti-armor Team 2, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, poses with the six-year-old Fada Mohamad; his father, Haji Mirbash; and Afghan National Army soldier Narhaden, Oct. 14, in Laki, Helamand province, Afghanistan. While holding security at a nearby checkpoint, Zondor dove into a canal to save Mohamad, who had fallen in while hearding sheep across a bridge with his father.

Lance Cpl. Tylon William, a team leader with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, patrols through Trek Nawa, Afghanistan, just before sunrise, during Operation Black Tip, Oct. 14, 2010. Black Tip was a one-day clearing operation to disrupt enemy activity, during which the Marines, partnered with Afghan soldiers from the 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, detained four men suspected of combatant activity and removed a weapons cache from the area. William is from Compton, Calif. - Lance Cpl. Tylon William, a team leader with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, patrols through Trek Nawa, Afghanistan, just before sunrise, during Operation Black Tip, Oct. 14, 2010. Black Tip was a one-day clearing operation to disrupt enemy activity, during which the Marines, partnered with Afghan soldiers from the 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, detained four men suspected of combatant activity and removed a weapons cache from the area. William is from Compton, Calif.

Gunnery Sgt. Chris Denham, the company gunny for India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, watches as the rocket from his light anti-tank weapon closes in on a compound used by enemy fighters during a firefight in Trek Nawa, Afghanistan, while participating in Operation Mako, Sept. 21, 2010. “The only thing louder than the back blast of the rocket was the Marines cheering,” said Capt. Francisco X. Zavala, the India Company commander. Mako was a one-day clearing mission to disrupt enemy activity. Denham is from Millbrook, Ala. - Gunnery Sgt. Chris Denham, the company gunny for India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, watches as the rocket from his light anti-tank weapon closes in on a compound used by enemy fighters during a firefight in Trek Nawa, Afghanistan, while participating in Operation Mako, Sept. 21, 2010. “The only thing louder than the back blast of the rocket was the Marines cheering,” said Capt. Francisco X. Zavala, the India Company commander. Mako was a one-day clearing mission to disrupt enemy activity. Denham is from Millbrook, Ala.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, unload desks at Yellow School, Sept. 2, in Marjah. Yellow School is one of the many community restoration projects 3rd Civil Affairs Group, 2/9 has accomplished. The unit is preparing for the opening day of school later in the week, posting security and ensuring all students have the essential school supplies.::r::::n:: - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, unload desks at Yellow School, Sept. 2, in Marjah. Yellow School is one of the many community restoration projects 3rd Civil Affairs Group, 2/9 has accomplished. The unit is preparing for the opening day of school later in the week, posting security and ensuring all students have the essential school supplies.::r::::n::