Photos

Army Sgt. Maj. Brian M. Rauschuber, an instructor with Joint Special Operation Forces Senior Enlisted Academy, gives Marines attending the 1st Intelligence Battalion Corporals Corse a class on Joint Operations aboard Camp Pendleton Calif., April 4. Rauschuber, a former special operator, spoke about the importance of joint special operations and why the Department of Defense incorporates all different branches of service.

Photo by LCpl John Baker

Senior Master Sgt. Bradley Reilly, an instructor with Joint Special Operation Forces Senior Enlisted Academy, gives Marines attending the 1st Intelligence Battalion Corporals Corse a class on irregular warfare aboard Camp Pendleton Calif., April 4. Reilly, a Silver Star recipient, talked about his experiences during combat and explained to the corporals why it is important to know the difference between conventional and irregular warfare.

Photo by LCpl John Baker

Senior Master Sgt. Bradley Reilly, an instructor with Joint Special Operation Forces Senior Enlisted Academy, gives Marines attending the 1st Intelligence Battalion Corporals Corse a class on irregular warfare aboard Camp Pendleton Calif., April 4. Reilly, a Silver Star recipient, talked about his experiences during combat and explained to the corporals why it is important to know the difference between conventional and irregular warfare.

Photo by LCpl John Baker

Sergeant Troy Garza, squad leader, Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, is currently deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan, for his second time. Garza, a native of Harlingen, Texas, first deployed to Sangin with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, during 2010. The battalion sustained more than 200 Marines wounded in action and 28 Marines killed in action, which rendered them almost combat ineffective. Garza’s mission is entirely different this time because the Afghans are now the lead element, and Charley Co. is preparing to transfer full security responsibilities to them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released)

Photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan

Sergeant Troy Garza, squad leader, Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, is currently deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan, for his second time. Garza, a native of Harlingen, Texas, first deployed to Sangin with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, during 2010. The battalion sustained more than 200 Marines wounded in action and 28 Marines killed in action, which rendered them almost combat ineffective. Garza’s mission is entirely different this time because the Afghans are now the lead element, and Charley Co. is preparing to transfer full security responsibilities to them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released)

Photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan

A CH-53E Super Stallion and its crew with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, prepares for a training mission with the Marines of the Georgian Liaison Team and a platoon from the 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion, April 2, 2014. The Super Stallions inserted the Georgian soldiers and Marines of the GLT at the training site as the sun sat just above the horizon, leaving behind a swirling cloud of dirt and rocks as they took off. For the platoon of Georgian soldiers, this was their first time conducting a training mission with a helicopter. (USMC Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

Marines with the Georgian Liaison Team and Georgian soldiers from the 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion quickly exit a CH-53E Super Stallion as they are inserted into a training area in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 2, 2014. The Super Stallions inserted the Georgian soldiers and Marines of the GLT at the training site as the sun sat just above the horizon, leaving behind a swirling cloud of dirt and rocks as they took off. For the platoon of Georgian soldiers, this was their first time conducting a training mission with a helicopter. (USMC Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

Staff Sgt. Michael Walk, a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, stands on the ramp of a CH-53E Super Stallion as it prepares for a training mission with the Marines of the Georgian Liaison Team and a platoon from the 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion, April 2, 2014. The Super Stallions inserted the Georgian soldiers and Marines of the GLT at the training site as the sun sat just above the horizon, leaving behind a swirling cloud of dirt and rocks as they took off. For the platoon of Georgian soldiers, this was their first time conducting a training mission with a helicopter. (USMC Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

Georgian soldiers from the 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion and Marines with the Georgian Liaison Team patrol an area during a training exercise in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 2, 2014. The training exercise consisted of the soldiers and GLT members patrolling an area to sweep and clear any improvised explosive devices and securing two simulated objectives. After the training was complete, they set a perimeter for a helicopter landing zone in order to be picked up by two CH-53E Super Stallions. (USMC Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 prepares for landing to pick up Marines of the Georgian Liaison Team and a platoon from the 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion from a training exercise in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 2, 2014. The Super Stallions inserted the Georgian soldiers and Marines of the GLT at the training site as the sun sat just above the horizon, leaving behind a swirling cloud of dirt and rocks as they took off. For the platoon of Georgian soldiers, this was their first time conducting a training mission with a helicopter. (USMC Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

Georgian soldiers with the 31st Light Infantry Battalion off-load from a CH-53E Super Stallion following a training exercise in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 2, 2014. The Super Stallions inserted the Georgian soldiers and Marines of the Georgian Liaison Team at the training site as the sun sat just above the horizon, leaving behind a swirling cloud of dirt and rocks as they took off. For the platoon of Georgian soldiers, this was their first time conducting a training mission with a helicopter. (USMC Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 flies out on its second mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 2, 2014. The Super Stallions set out for an aerial reconnaissance mission in support of ground troops by flying over areas of interest and bringing back requested information. (USMC Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 flies out for an aerial reconnaissance mission over Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 2, 2014. The Super Stallions conducted an aerial reconnaissance mission in support of ground troops by flying over areas of interest and bringing back requested information. (USMC Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

First Lt. John Moore, intelligence officer and aerial observer with Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 prepares to take photos for an aerial reconnaissance mission over Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 2, 2014. The Super Stallions conducted an aerial reconnaissance mission in support of ground troops by flying over areas of interest and bringing back requested information. (USMC Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

British Army Col. David Madden, center, the Regional Command (Southwest) Assistant Chief of Staff for plans, and British Warrant Officer 1 Gary Main, the senior enlisted advisor of Task Force Helmand, recite the 7th Armoured, 'Desert Rats’ prayer during the merger ceremony of Task Force Helmand and RC(SW) aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, April 1, 2014. Following eight years of combat operations in Helmand province, the ceremony marked the end of the United Kingdom’s military headquarters in southwestern Afghanistan. The functions of the British headquarters element now reside with RC(SW). The task force was established in April 2006 and has conducted 16 rotations since its beginning.

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

Brigadier James Woodham, commander of Task Force Helmand, gives his parting remarks as the final commander of TFH during the merger ceremony for the task force and Regional Command (Southwest) aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, April 1, 2014. Following eight years of combat operations in Helmand province, the ceremony marked the end of the United Kingdom’s military headquarters in southwestern Afghanistan. The functions of the British headquarters element now reside with RC(SW). The task force was established in April 2006 and has conducted 16 rotations since its beginning.

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

Brigadier Gen. Daniel Yoo, commander of Regional Command (Southwest), gives his remarks about the great achievements made by Task Force Helmand during the merger ceremony for the task force and Regional Command (Southwest) aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, April 1, 2014. Following eight years of combat operations in Helmand province, the ceremony marked the end of the United Kingdom’s military headquarters in southwestern Afghanistan. The functions of the British headquarters element now reside with RC(SW). The task force was established in April 2006 and has conducted 16 rotations since its beginning.

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

Brigadier Gen. Daniel Yoo, left, commander of Regional Command (Southwest), shakes hands with Brigadier James Woodham, commander of Task Force Helmand, as a symbol of Task Force Helmand’s merge with Regional Command (Southwest) during a ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, April 1, 2014. Following eight years of combat operations in Helmand province, the ceremony marked the end of the United Kingdom’s military headquarters in southwestern Afghanistan. The functions of the British headquarters element now reside with RC(SW). The task force was established in April 2006 and has conducted 16 rotations since its beginning.

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

Brigadier James Woodham, right, commander of Task Force Helmand, gives the final salute to Brigadier Gen. Daniel Yoo, commander of Regional Command (Southwest), symbolizing the closure of Task Force Helmand during a merger ceremony for the task force and RC(SW) aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, April 1, 2014. Following eight years of combat operations in Helmand province, the ceremony marked the end of the United Kingdom’s military headquarters in southwestern Afghanistan. The functions of the British headquarters element now reside with RC(SW). The task force was established in April 2006 and has conducted 16 rotations since its beginning.

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson

From left to right: Brigadier James Woodham, commander of Task Force Helmand; Brigadier Gen. Daniel Yoo, commander of Regional Command (Southwest); and Brig. Robert Thompson, deputy commander of RC(SW), pose for a photo after a Task Force Helmand and RC(SW) merger ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, April 1, 2014. Following eight years of combat operations in Helmand province, the ceremony marked the end of the United Kingdom’s military headquarters in southwestern Afghanistan. The functions of the British headquarters element now reside with RC(SW). The task force was established in April 2006 and has conducted 16 rotations since its beginning.

Photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson