Afghan combat support soldiers work with Marine advisors
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Brian Buckwalter
COMBAT OUTPOST FIDDLERS GREEN, Afghanistan – The future success of Afghanistan’s security depends largely on the abilities of the country’s armed forces.
In southern Helmand province, Marines have been training and advising Afghan National Army soldiers on how to be a military force, helping lay the foundation for the ANA’s future success. Training runs the gamut from basic infantry training to administrative and logistical support. At Combat Outpost Fiddlers Green, Marines are advising an Afghan combat support kandak, the 4th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps. A kandak is the Afghan Army equivalent to a battalion. Combat support includes combat engineers, artillery and reconnaissance assets. Colonel John R. Shafer, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 6, recently met with 4th Kandak leadership to get an update on their progress. (Read the STORY)
Personal Security Detachment allows commanding general to travel throughout Helmand Province, meet with Marines in remote areas
Story and photos by Sgt. Michele Watson
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – A great leader makes for a great team, but when that team is comprised of thousands of Marines and sailors spread out at dozens of different locations, a leader must have an understanding of how each area affects his team members.
The Personal Security Detachment, 1st Marine Logistics Group, is a specific group tasked with escorting Brig. Gen. John J. Broadmeadow, Commanding General, 1st MLG (Fwd), to all areas of operation throughout Helmand Province, Afghanistan. “Our mission is to provide security for the commanding general while allowing him to conduct his battle field circulations,” said Sgt. Michael Johnson, Personal Security Officer, PSD, 1st MLG (Fwd). “My sole mission is to act as a personal bodyguard for the CG no matter where he goes.” (Read the STORY)
Six nations with same goal: Better NCO
Story and photos by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Noncommissioned officers representing various services throughout the North Atlantic Treaty Organization/ International Security Assistance Forces gathered on Camp Leatherneck for the Coalition Noncommissioned Officer Symposium, Aug. 1. The symposium called for a combination of NCOs and staff NCOs to lead, discuss and demonstrate various skills and exchange information on how to better the NCO corps and enhance the responsibility the position brings. Six countries were represented throughout the symposium to include United States, Danish, Tongan, Afghan, Jordanian and Bahraini forces. (Read the STORY)
Light Dragoons destroy huge Afghan insurgent explosives cache
Story and photos courtesy of Task Force Helmand
Few British soldiers from the Light Dragoons have discovered and destroyed a huge insurgent cache of bomb-making equipment in Helmand province, Afghanistan, saving military and civilian lives. The soldiers from A Squadron, known as 'The Empire', of the Light Dragoons, an elite cavalry reconnaissance regiment normally based at Swanton Morley in Norfolk, found the huge cache whilst on operations with their Afghan Army partners in the Nahr-e Saraj area of Helmand. The operation was specifically designed to take the fight to the insurgents in their own backyard. (Read the STORY)
General Support : Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 (Pictoral)
Photographs by Cpl. Isaac Lamberth
Cpl. Chan Lathung, a native of Oakland, Calif., and a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), scans the surrounding area for insurgent activity during a general support flight over Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 27. The squadron flies several general support flights weekly delivering mail, food and ammunition to troops throughout the area. (See the PHOTOS)
Super Stallions flex big guns (Pictoral)
Photos by Cpl. Lisa Tourtelot
A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 carries an M777 Howitzer from the Kajaki dam area back to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Aug. 5. The squadron, known as “Cyclops,” teamed with landing support team specialists from Combat Logistics Battalion 4 to help 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, retrograde three artillery cannons. (See the PHOTOS)
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