A local villager guides a ferry across the Helmand River, the easiest mode of transportation across the body of water. With the river cutting off easy access to the Sangin bazaar, a point of main commerce for the area, Operation Golden Gate was christened to change that. The first large operation in Regimental Combat Team 7’s area of responsibility calls for a bridge more than 150 feet long and 24 feet wide to be placed across the river. - A local villager guides a ferry across the Helmand River, the easiest mode of transportation across the body of water. With the river cutting off easy access to the Sangin bazaar, a point of main commerce for the area, Operation Golden Gate was christened to change that. The first large operation in Regimental Combat Team 7’s area of responsibility calls for a bridge more than 150 feet long and 24 feet wide to be placed across the river.

Soldiers with the Afghan National Army carry a simulated casualty into their emergency room to treat him for his wounds as part of a mass casualty simulation exercise held, Sept. 9, 2012. During the mass casualty simulation, members of the Afghan National Army were given a list of symptoms and wounds. ANA medics then had to determine the proper way to treat them and who needed to be treated first depending on their wounds. - Soldiers with the Afghan National Army carry a simulated casualty into their emergency room to treat him for his wounds as part of a mass casualty simulation exercise held, Sept. 9, 2012. During the mass casualty simulation, members of the Afghan National Army were given a list of symptoms and wounds. ANA medics then had to determine the proper way to treat them and who needed to be treated first depending on their wounds.

Lance Cpl. Justin Nobles, radio technician, Regimental Combat Team 6, updates the software on a radio system, Sept. 5, 2012. Although Nobles didn’t originally plan on being a radio technician, he says he couldn’t have been given a better job in the Marine Corps. - Lance Cpl. Justin Nobles, radio technician, Regimental Combat Team 6, updates the software on a radio system, Sept. 5, 2012. Although Nobles didn’t originally plan on being a radio technician, he says he couldn’t have been given a better job in the Marine Corps.

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Hospitalman Zachary D. Greenberg is currently deployed to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6. The Woodenville, Wash., native’s family has a rich history in the Navy. A great grandfather, grandfather, uncle and a brother have all taken the oath of service before him. - Hospitalman Zachary D. Greenberg is currently deployed to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6. The Woodenville, Wash., native’s family has a rich history in the Navy. A great grandfather, grandfather, uncle and a brother have all taken the oath of service before him.

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Afghan National Army Sgt. Nizamuddin Azizi, explosive ordnance disposal technician, Route Clearance Tolay, 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, searches for an improvised explosive device in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2012. In the past month, EOD teams with 2nd Brigade have independently neutralized more than 30 IEDs. - Afghan National Army Sgt. Nizamuddin Azizi, explosive ordnance disposal technician, Route Clearance Tolay, 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, searches for an improvised explosive device in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2012. In the past month, EOD teams with 2nd Brigade have independently neutralized more than 30 IEDs.

Sergeant Jeremiah L. Hoff, a reconnaissance man and squad leader serving with Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award during a ceremony here July 25, 2012. He received the award along with fellow reconnaissance Marine Sgt. Nicholas T. Govin, which was presented to them by Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force. - Sergeant Jeremiah L. Hoff, a reconnaissance man and squad leader serving with Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award during a ceremony here July 25, 2012. He received the award along with fellow reconnaissance Marine Sgt. Nicholas T. Govin, which was presented to them by Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force.