NEWS

Belleau Wood Marines reunite on Afghan battlefield

Story and photos by Marine Cpl. Ed Galo and Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez

 

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan – For the first time since World War I, the Marines and sailors of 5th and 6th Marine Regiments are fighting side by side. Marines and sailors with Regimental Combat Team 5 are currently operating from Forward Operating Base Dwyer while the Marines and sailors of Regimental Combat Team 6 are currently based out of Forward Operating Base Delaram II. The last time the 5th and 6th Regiments fought together was 94 years ago, during the Battle of Belleau Wood, one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history. During the month of fighting, which started June 1, 1918, both French and Americans fought against the Germans. The two Marine regiments joined the battle on June 6. At the end of fighting on June 26, nearly 10,000 U.S. service members had died. (Read the STORY)

From partners to leaders: ANA take charge in Garmsir

Story and photos by Marine Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

 

GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Marines in Garmsir are seen less frequently on patrols with the Afghan National Army as they take a step back as partners and the ANA become more independent. Marines with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, operating in Garmsir have transitioned from a partnership role with ANA soldiers at the most junior levels, to mentoring the ANA at particular leadership positions only. “Before we arrived, the Marines were partnered at a lower level,” said Capt. Ryan R. Kinder, the ANA Weapons Tolay advisor team leader, Kilo Company, 3rd Bn., 8th Marines. “They were assigned to all the different (patrol bases, combat outposts and forward operating bases). Now, we’ve taken two positions only. The (ANA) can interact with the locals on their own completely Marine-free.” (Read the STORY)

Embedded Partnering Team works hand-in-hand with Afghan National Army to prepare for smooth transition

Story and photos by Marine Sgt. Michele Watson

 

CAMP GARMSER, Afghanistan – With coalition forces reducing their footprint in Afghanistan, advisor teams continue to prepare the Afghan National Army for security responsibilities here. Eight Marines and one corpsman with the Embedded Partnering Team, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) work daily with ANA soldiers of the 5th Kandak, 1st Brigade at Camp Garmser, Afghanistan, to improve their logistical operations. Since arriving in April, the CLB-5 EPT has taught multiple courses to help create a capable, independent organization. From combat life saving courses to combat vehicle operators training to live fire weapons ranges, the EPT strives to offer as much instruction to the ANA as possible. “When we first got here, we hit the ground running trying to help out with everything we could,” said Gunnery Sgt. Earl Delack, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the CLB-5 EPT. (Read the STORY)

Key Helmand members, ANA soldiers meet, discuss peace, reintegration program

Story and photos by Marine Master Sgt. Grady Fontana

 

SHORABACK, Afghanistan — About 130 Afghan citizens and Afghan National Army soldiers gathered here, June 3, 2012, to participate in an Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program seminar to discuss program implementation in Helmand province as part of a recent mandate that all government institutions in Afghanistan support the APRP. The APRP is an Afghan-led peace program and aims to remove insurgents out of the fight and return them to their communities with honor and dignity to live peaceful and productive lives. This particular program is being driven by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as part of a Presidential decree published, June 29, 2010. This seminar was hosted by the Commander of the ANA 215th Corps, Maj. Gen. Sayed Malouk, and included staff and officers of the 215th Corps and representatives from the Helmand Provincial Peace Committee, provincial- and national-level Joint Secretariat Team, and other key officials from Helmand province and Kabul. (Read the STORY)

Marine, Afghan operation against insurgents successful

Story and photos by Marine Sgt. James Mercure

 

DEH MUSHEK, Afghanistan – Another door bursts open as an Afghan soldier slams his boot against its wooden frame. The familiar smell of animal manure burns his nostrils. He learned how to kick open a door that day from a lance corporal patrolling with him. The town they are clearing is Deh Mushek. During operation Trap House, May 23 – 29, the Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, partnered with the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Civil Order Police to disrupt insurgents’ freedom of movement and kill enemy fighters in the area. “Our objective was to drop in and pick a fight with the enemy,” said 1st Lt. Devin Claridy, 3rd platoon commander, Alpha Co., 1st Bn., 8th Marines, from Akron, Ohio. “We were going to a pretty hostile area, and we wanted to draw them in – keep them on their toes.” (Read the STORY)

Afghan Military Policemen learn tactical site exploitation techniques

Story and photos by Marine Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr

 

AFGHANISTAN - Tactical site exploitation skills are becoming an increasingly valuable asset for Afghan National Security Forces, when it comes to conducting counterinsurgency operations. With these skills, Afghan forces are able to link evidence found in a crime scene or cache site to the insurgents operating against ANSF and coalition forces. To help develop this skill set, Marines with the Joint Prosecution Exploitation Center’s Operational Support Team, traveled here from Camp Dwyer to teach Afghan National Army soldiers a Tactical Site Exploitation course, June 3. The soldiers, assigned to Military Police Tolai, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, command and operate out of here without the presence of International Security Assistance Forces presence. (Read the STORY)

Marines provide Delaram II security

Story and photos by Marine Cpl. Ed Galo

 

DELARAM DISTRICT CENTER, Afghanistan – Patrolling taking small arms fire and living without basic comforts is every day life for one group of Marines. The Marines with Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6 have a tough mission of maintaining the security for the nearby Forward Operating Base Delaram II. The squad-sized force of Marines and sailors with Echo Battery operate out of a small patrol base in the Delaram District Center, just outside of FOB Delaram II. They patrol through district center to talk to locals and show a presence of American forces to possible enemies hiding in the district. “We basically try to provide an early warning to (FOB Delaram II),” Sgt. Michael Montgomery, patrol base non-commissioned officer in charge, Echo Battery, said. “We’re just outside the FOB so we can watch what’s happening in Delaram. We provide security for the district governor too. (Read the STORY)

British forces celebrate Diamond Jubilee in Afghanistan

U.K. Defence News

 

Being thousands of miles from home hasn't stopped British forces celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in Afghanistan. The distance and difficult conditions haven't stopped them, and there's just the same amount of enthusiasm and pageantry as if they were back in the UK. As well as all the celebrations being important in their own right, it was also important to show everyone back home that, in and amongst the hard work being done in Afghanistan, there was still time to relax and celebrate, even if it was just for an hour. Events included over 300 troops gathering in an 'E II R' formation, which was no mean feat, getting sailors, soldiers and airmen from across the central hub of the mission in Helmand together to show their appreciation for Her Majesty, their Commander-in-Chief. (Read the STORY)
VIGNETTES

California Marine deploys back to back

Story and photos by Marine Cpl. Ed Galo

 

DELARAM DISTRICT CENTER, Afghanistan — Deployments can be challenging for service members and their families. Sgt. Izmael Loria, squad leader, Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, has faced this challenge twice in two years with back-to-back combat deployments. “I got orders to a deploying unit while I was on my last deployment,” said Loria, of Rialto, Calif. “I love this deployment though. It’s different experience from my last (one).” Loria, a field wireman, deployed to Afghanistan with 8th Communications Battalion, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., in June 2011. He came home in January 2012 and then deployed again to Afghanistan in April 2012 with Echo Battery. (Read the STORY)

Ugly Angels deliver devil dogs

Story and photos by Marine Cpl. Isaac Lamberth

 

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Rolling down the runway on Camp Bastion, Staff Sgt. Hugo Paniagua, an aerial observer with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, makes preparations and adjustments to his .50-caliber machine gun prior to taking off for a counternarcotics operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 4. As his CH-53D Sea Stallion flies into a firing range, he lets loose a burst from the gun, ensuring everything is in working order before heading into a hostile environment. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Paniagua knows all too well the need for a working weapon and the dangers of landing in a combat zone. During one of the squadron’s first missions of the deployment, a helicopter from the unit came under insurgent fire, wounding a crew member inside. While not present for the mission, the incident lingers in the back of his mind every time he flies into a potential hostile area. (Read the STORY)

From Guatemala to America to Afghanistan—CLB-5 corpsman advises Afghan National Army

Story and photos by Marine Sgt. Michele Watson

 

CAMP GARMSER, Afghanistan – At six months old, Petty Officer 1st Class Otto Giron was left with his older sister and grandmother in his home country of Guatemala while his mother went to America to build a better life for her family. After four years, she was finally able to send for her children, and Giron spent the rest of his childhood growing up in America. The years flew by, and as high school graduation approached, Giron knew he needed to figure out what to do with his life. “I was looking for direction,” said Giron, the medical adviser with the Combat Logistics Battalion 5 Embedded Partnering Team. “I knew I didn’t want to go to college. I wanted to be led, so I signed up.” (Read the STORY)

Seven years, four deployments: Illinois Marine loves to serve his country

Story and photos by Marine Cpl. Ed Galo

 

DELARAM DISTRICT CENTER, Afghanistan – Living the simple life in a small farm town, Sgt. Michael Montgomery felt that he had to serve his country in a time of war. “I think it’s everyone’s obligation to serve their country in the military or some sort of public service,” said Montgomery with Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6. “I joined so I could deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan.” In his seven years in the Marine Corps, Montgomery, of Potomac, Ill., has deployed four times: twice to Iraq, once with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and currently, to Afghanistan. He is serving as a squad leader and the patrol base non-commissioned officer in charge for the Delaram District Center just outside of Forward Operating Base Delaram II. Montgomery, 25, is a field artillery cannoneer by trade. (Read the STORY)

Brother and Sister serve together in Helmand

U.K. Defence News

 

Both former pupils of Whitley Bay High School, Joe (26) and Jessica (21) Stamp have found themselves serving in the same camp at the same time. Sergeant Joe Stamp, of the Light Dragoons, is a troop sergeant with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, and he acts as the eyes and ears of the soldiers on the ground, as well as assisting the Afghan Army in conducting search operations in the area. Senior Aircraftswoman Jess Stamp is an Air Steward in the Royal Air Force, based in Brize Norton. She is a part of the air crew taking troops between the UK and Afghanistan on Royal Air Force aircraft. Sergeant Joe Stamp said: “It’s a bit weird, but it’s good to see Jessica out here. We don’t get to see each other that often in the UK, so in fact I’m seeing her more out here than I do in the UK.” (Read the STORY)
VIDEOS

Afghan Peace and Reintergration Program Seminar

Video by Army Sgt. Frank Thompson

 

Leaders from the Afghan National Army, High Peace Council, and Joint Secretariat Team held a seminar to discuss the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program. The program allows insurgents to reintegrate back into their community peacefully. (Read the STORY)

Battery Marines Keep Delaram Safe

Video by Marine Cpl. Ed Galo

 

Guarding a large forward operating base can be a dangerous task. 1st Lt. Michael Hanlon explains what his Marines do to make Forward Operating Base Delaram II safer. (Read the STORY)
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