The United States Marine Corps

[jimmyboots]

Happy New Year! lol

[Hollis]

Happy New Years, and Semper Fi.

[vor033]

NAWA, Afghanistan – In the still winter night near Forward Operating Base Geronimo Dec. 27, a team of Marines from the logistics operations section of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, peered skyward through heat-sensitive thermal monoculars and waited.

Only minutes from drop time, the Marines scanned the horizon for the distant heat signature of an airplane flying toward them.

"I've got it! Here it comes," Staff Sgt. Jason R. Moore, drop zone commander and logistics operations chief, 1/3, announced to his Marines so they could count the parachutes and watch where they landed.

Seconds later, the United States Air Force C-17 Galaxy, cargo aircraft, flying directly over their heads opened its cargo hold and released 40 palletized bundles of food, water and building materials into the night to float into the drop zone.

When the last thud of impacts sounded, the team loaded back into their humvees and sped to the drop zone to collect the parachutes and prepare the bundles for recovery and transportation back to FOB Geronimo by forklifts and flatbed trailers.

"Basically, because of the limited logistical convoys in the area, we receive food and engineering materials by these air drops," said Moore, 30, from Redding, Calif., whose team collected 16 other bundles on an earlier drop that night. "A typical load is about 40 bundles, but we'll usually do two drops each night. In the last 24 hours, we've recovered 86 bundles."

After the supplies are collected and sorted at FOB Geronimo, they are loaded on ground convoys and sent to the various locations of 1/3's units throughout Nawa district as they conduct counterinsurgency operations, Moore said.

"These drops are important for the battalion because they keep our supplies up," said Sgt. Renaldo Gonzales, Jr., assistant drop zone commander and ammo chief, logistics operations section, 1/3. "These keep everyone fed and bring in our building supplies, which we always need."

The drops are conducted about four nights each week and procure about half of the battalion's supplies while the other half arrives via ground convoys.

"I think the need for these items is so great that logistics battalions don't have the assets to ground convoy all that we need to us," said Moore. "Also, there is the [improvised explosive device] threat travelling by ground and enemy out there. With the air drops there is less of a threat involved than putting Marines on the road. It's faster, safer and quicker and works out well for us."

The pallets are cubed bundles of goods with a thick corrugated cardboard crash pad at the bottom to absorb the force of impact. Most of the time, bundles arrive without incident, but occasionally the parachutes malfunction and send hundreds of pounds of supplies plummeting through the night sky to slam into the ground at more than 120 miles per hour.

"These parachutes are man-packed and, like anything, can malfunction, in what we call a 'burn chute,'" said Moore. "When that pallet comes out the back of the plane and the parachute doesn't deploy correctly, it just falls straight down from 3,000 feet. When it hits, it's hitting at terminal velocity and there's usually not much left of it when that happens.

"We had one tonight which had a lot of canned vegetables and there was nothing we could really salvage from that," said Moore. "It looked like an explosion hit it. It was mess. It's not a huge loss to us operationally, but it's still food and money spent that is wasted."

Once the bundles are lifted onto truck beds, Moore and his logisticians discard the used parachutes near the drop zone.

"The parachutes are only good once and we don't need them at camp, so we leave them in a pile out here because local nationals will come and get them to use for waterproofing or protecting their crops from the cold," Moore said.

For the Marines of the battalion's logistics operations section, who normally work at desks or around FOB Geronimo during the day, having the opportunity to conduct these fast-paced night operations is an exciting change-of-pace and chance to build camaraderie.

"It's great to be able to get out and be able to move around outside of the FOB," said Pfc. Kurt M. Cahill, logistics embarkation chief for 1/3. "It's fun and cool to watch the bundles drop – explaining it really doesn't do it justice.

"It's a lot of late nights for us, but we don't really think about it," said Cahill, 19, from Bradford, Maine. "We're out here and joke with each other to make it fun while we wait."

"All of my Marines come from different walks of life and they really come together to make this happen every day," said Gonzales, 28, from Abilene, Texas, who, along with Moore, credit their continued success on the hard work of their Marines. "This is definitely outside of our regular jobs, and it's fun. This is kind of the behind-the-scenes of everything.

"We're here in Afghanistan and we get to do something unique like go out in the middle of the night to call in aircraft," said Gonzalez. "In the morning everyone wakes up and there are suddenly more pallets in the yard. They don't know what it takes in accomplishing that. This is not a desk job and we really do look forward to this every day. We always have a sky full of parachutes, so we're always busy."

[vor033]

HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Walking off the loading ramp of a C-17 cargo plane and into vibrant sunlight, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment arrived at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Dec. 15. Within moments, fine, beige dust clings to uniforms and warming layers are shed. Even during the winter, it gets hot.

The Marines grabbed their gear and loaded into rickety white busses turned brown from layers of soot and dust and set out to Camp Leatherneck where they filed into ballroom-size tents and picked out racks in search of a place to rest, while waiting to move out to their area of operations.

For some, they've returned to Afghanistan after serving with the 24 Marine Expeditionary Unit, in 2008. For others, this is their first deployment, and in many cases, their first time outside of the United States.

The past several days have been a blur of drawn-out moments of calm, which slip into frantic scenes of chaos as packs are emptied in search of serialized gear or other necessary odds and ends. Throughout it all, the seasoned veterans and the very new alike all strive to find and retain a level of normalcy.

Marines get on phones in the early morning to hear the voices of girlfriends, wives and children as their loved ones back home wind down during the evening hours. Card and board games are played between training and work, as Marines and sailors seek out a routine that can be held on to throughout the course of their deployment.

There's a level of uncertainty tugging at everyone, it's expected, but solidarity and encouragement are easily found amongst one another, remarked Lance Cpl. Brandon Bright, an admin clerk with Headquarters and Service Company, 1/6.

"We're not fighting some rag-tag group – they've been at war for well over 30 years, and are an intelligent and resourceful enemy," said Bright. "I'm not as worried about gunfire; I'm much more concerned about [improvised explosive devices]. We can handle a straight-up fight."

However, even in the face of worries or angst, there is a general sense of purpose and direction, a thrill at belonging to something larger – something historic.

"I'm excited to be a part of the effort to help train and mold the Afghan military in order to lay the foundation for them to provide security and stability for their own people." said Bright, who is on his first deployment, and until now, had never left the United States. "The biggest thing that I think will help is to just keep some degree of normalcy – to keep your mind off of what might happen,"

Now on his second deployment to Afghanistan with 1/6, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Esemann, the training petty officer for Headquarters and Service Company, 1/6, looked back on the change in perspective between then and now.

"For my first deployment I was going into the unknown," said Esemann, who served in a shock trauma team with Charlie Co., 1/6, on his previous tour. "It was my first deployment, and my first time working with Marines. It was hard for my wife and I. We had brief phone calls once every two or three weeks, so mail became the main way to stay in touch with family. Whenever that mail truck came, it was like Christmas, there were always care packages and gifts to share."

On the olive-green canvas cot near Esemann was one of the many red stockings that had been sent to the Marines and sailors of 1/6, from strangers halfway across the world wishing them a happy holiday.

"When I first got here last year, there was that feeling of loneliness and uncertainty and that thought of 'what have I gotten myself into,'" Esemann said. "This time when we arrived, the first thought was 'I know this place,' and I felt surprised by how much it had changed for the better. It's familiar but different, in a good way."

Also on his second deployment to Afghanistan, which marks his sixth deployment overall, Gunnery Sgt. Richard D. Ayala, the company gunnery sergeant for Charlie Co., 1/6, commented on the difficulties facing Marines and sailors deploying for the first time.

"Having to deal with a deployment this close to the holidays is probably the hardest part for most, especially those with wives and children," said, Ayala who has been in the Marine Corps for fifteen years. "You need to stay vigilant and press forward, always taking that 30-inch step."

As he turned to leave, Ayala paused and added that above all else, being a Marine twenty-four seven matters the most now. "You need to remain focused and control what you can; don't let your mind wander towards what you can't."

[vor033]

HELAMNAD PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – What is known as Cowboy Road to Marines in southern Afghanistan is also known as a road notorious for improvised explosive devices. Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion set out to eradicate that problem by building two observation posts specifically between the most hit areas on the road, Dec. 16.

"We've been hit a lot on these roads," said Lance Cpl. Sherwin O. Charles, a motor transport operator, for Alpha Company, 2nd CEB. "With these posts, well be able to monitor the traffic, and in turn make it safer for Marines."

Through first-hand experience, 1st Lt. Chase B. Wheeler, platoon commander, for Alpha Company, 2nd CEB. Knew all too well, the threat his Marines were helping exterminate.

"There have been a lot of IEDs planted here," said Wheeler. "I've been on this road before with 1st CEB. The purpose of putting these observation posts up is to always have visibility on the road, so that we can own the road and not need route clearance. We're going to do whatever it takes to own the road. I feel confident and glad this is happening. It needs to happen."

Marines were not the only ones pleased with the mission on cowboy.

The increased Marine presence in the area as well received by the local Afghan people, said Mirwais Ahmadi, an interpreter for 2nd battalion, 2nd Marines.

"Seven months ago, the Taliban had a school teaching children. Now the children are going to mosque," said Ahmadi a translator for 2/2. "The people say the security the Marines bring allows the children to go to school with no problems."

Ahmadi explained the Afghans anguish over the Taliban's activity in the area.

"An IED blew up on four civilians on a tractor and killed them. Right now all the people hate the Taliban. If they have the ability they help the Marines, they do. When we came, they gave us bread and chai [tea]. The people are happy about us here," said Ahmadi.

During the operation, members of the Afghan national army assisted in providing security. Ahmadi translated their thoughts on the mission.

"It's good that these places are built so that they can't build IEDs," said Masood, a soldier, for the Afghan army. "The people are happy too, because it means the people are going to be safe too."

For two days the Marines worked hard, chopping down shrub and trees, building protective barriers and building roofs and sleeping areas for the posts. When their work was done, Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines stepped in ready to man the post.

"Before we set up this post, we would take the back roads," said Lance Cpl. Ethan E. Coleman, a mortarman for 2/2. "Now that we've taken this road, it's going to allow us more movement for our supplies. They didn't see us moving here freely before, but now they do. Our progress builds the Afghans confidence. When we asked the locals what they thought, they said, it was a good idea and they were happy.

[vor033]

NAWA, Afghanistan – Within minutes of leaving the protective barriers of Observation Post Khers for a security patrol Dec. 21, a squad of Marines and Afghan national army soldiers heard the sharp pops of small arms fire nearby.

"They always shoot at us," said Sgt. Mike L. Osburn, a squad leader with 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, who led the patrol. "It wasn't very close. They don't really want to fight today."

For Marines operating from the joint Marine and ANA outpost, referred to by Marines simply as "ManBearPig," getting shot at by Taliban insurgents from a distance is a daily occurrence in this remote northwestern area of Nawa district. ManBearPig is argued to be one of the most dangerous and isolated posts Marines maintain in Nawa.

"Sometimes the shots come close, but usually they're not very accurate," said Osburn, a 25-year-old from Raleigh, N.C., who has completed previous combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with 1/3. "A few days ago we took machine gun fire that hit our guard tower and around the barricades. You always have to keep an eye over your shoulder.

"It's kind of like the 'Wild West' out here," said Osburn, who leads his Marines on security patrols through what he describes as very muddy, flat and unforgiving terrain where Afghans farm the desert landscape using irrigation canals. "It's not gun slinging every day, but it's not very friendly. When our patrol walks by, kids run into homes, people stop farming and just kind of disappear. It's like an old western where everyone in town knows the bad guys are about to show their face around the corner."

Another danger for Marines and ANA soldiers at ManBearPig is the threat of improvised explosive devices, both on and off of roads. One nearby road is so scarred by blasts and visibly peppered with waiting bombs that Marines, civilians and insurgents alike know to keep well clear of it. Not long ago, Marines discovered an unlucky insurgent who tried planting a bomb and was killed when he accidentally stepped on another bomb's pressure activation plate, said Osburn.

Bravo Company Marines say conducing counterinsurgency operations and working with the population at Nawa's northwestern edge is challenging due to the Taliban's undermining influence and intimidation of local citizens who are afraid to come forward. Sometimes the only way Afghan citizens will speak with Marines is behind a wall or building, where they know insurgents can't see.

"We embed ANA soldiers in each of our patrols," said 2nd Lt. Victor P. Barnes, Jr., platoon commander, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company. "They notice a lot of the little things in town faster than we do. They can tell when something's out of the norm."

Typically, ANA soldiers enlist from Afghan provinces other than Helmand and speak mostly Dari, but an advantage of serving alongside this unit of ANA soldiers is nearly all of them speak Pashto, the primary language in Nawa. This allows the ANA to take the lead in interacting with local citizens if an interpreter is not around, said Osburn.

"Living here with the ANA is very interesting, and we all get along great," said Barnes. "Thankfully, we have an interpreter, but we've learned some Pashtu, they've learned some English, and we're teaching them some of our tactics."

Last week, Marines also included ANA soldiers in their Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training to further enhance the soldiers' combat effectiveness.

When not on patrol in the often knee-deep mud which can stop vehicles in their tracks, Marines spend time at ManBearPig standing guard posts or enjoying precious hours of rest.
Some Marines pursue personal interests in their off time, like Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Jensen, a machine gunner with Scout Sniper Platoon, Bravo Company. Jensen said he has goals of developing his creative skills in many different ways over the months he expects to spend at the small camp.

At night Jensen often plays his harmonica, guitar, drumsticks, reads and writes, or draws in his sketchbook. Recently, he has begun writing rap lyrics for a satirical music video in which he and his platoon mates will star.

"I think we got the lucky card and will be at ManBearPig the whole deployment," said Jensen, a 24-year-old from Sonoma, Calif. "When you're not getting bullets flying over your head, this is a peaceful place. There's a lot to see here for inspiration you can write about. I really want to leave here having bettered myself."

But ManBearPig is certainly not all quiet or fun and games, Jensen warned.

"We've trained hard and we want to be where the action is," he said of his platoon. "We took a [rocket-propelled grenade] attack the first day we were out here and it was a real wakeup call. Right now, this is the place for fighting bad guys."

[vor033]

A giant fireball captures the attention of the audience just after Marines fast-roped out of a UH-1Y helicopter. This was part of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Demonstration during the MCAS Miramar Air Show, Oct. 2



Lance Cpl. Alex J. Olivares, 20, from San Antonio, and Lance Cpl. Matthew S. Lundh, 22, from Chicago, military policemen with Military Police Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, work as a team to fire the M-240 G machine gun at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 28. The machine gun training familiarized the Marines with the weapons they’ll be taking with them on their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.




Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, participate in live-fire training course at Twenty-nine Palms, Calif. throughout August. Roughly 800 service members with CLB-1, participate in the month-long Mojave Viper combat training at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center.




Corporal Ignacio G. Garcia, a motor transportation specialist, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, practices the command ‘Present Sword’ during a Corporals Course run by 1st MLG at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 7.



U.S. Marine Captain Eric Meador from Laurel, Mississippi of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, RCT 2nd Battalion 8th Marines Echo Co. takes up a fighting position during the start of Operation Khanjari on July 2, 2009 in Main Poshteh, Afghanistan.



U.S. Marine Sgt. Monica Hardin loads a 120mm white phosphorus mortar while firing towards a Taliban position on April 3, 2009

[vor033]

U.S. Marines attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, walk down a dirt road at dawn during an operation in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 23, 2009.



U.S. Marines LCpl (front to back) Julien Chabin, Nicholas Wilson and William Higgins, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, take their positions while on operation in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 23, 2009.




A U.S. Marine attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, takes part in an operation in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 23, 2009.



United States Marine machine gunner LCpl. Julian Chabin, of Nev. from the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines "Warlords" walks during an operation in the Garmsir district of the volatile Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.



U.S. Marine Lance Corporal James Harris, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is silhouetted at dawn while on operation in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 23, 2009.



U.S. Marine Pvt. Bryan Huffman, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, uses a metal detector while searching for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and weapons caches in a sheep pen during an operation in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 23, 2009.



U.S. Marine Private Bryan Huffman, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, uses a metal detector while searching for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and weapons caches during an operation in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 23, 2009.



U.S. Marines attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, are silhouetted at dawn while using a radio during an operation in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 23, 2009.



U.S. Marine Pvt. Bryan Huffman, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, uses a metal detector while searching for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and weapons caches during an operation in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 23, 2009.

[vor033]

U.S. Marines board helicopters in Now Zad, in Helmand province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.




U.S. Marines, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, gesture while on operation in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 23, 2009.



United States Marines from the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines "Warlords" and Afghan National Army soldiers walk in formation during an operation in the Garmsir district of the volatile Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.




U.S. Marines LCpl Julien Chabin (Front) and Nicholas Wilson, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, take their positions while an operation in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 23, 2009.



U.S. Marine LCpl Owen Selby and LCpl Franklin Romans, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, keep guard on the sidelines of a shura, or meeting of leaders, in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province on December 21, 2009.



United States Marines from the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines "Warlords" and Afghan National Army soldiers walk in formation during an operation in the Garmsir district of the volatile Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.

[vor033]

U.S. Marines, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, pursue militants during an operation in Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 20, 2009.



U.S. Marines, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, secure a road while pursuing militants in Garmsir district of Helmand Province on December 20, 2009.



A U.S. Marine attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, lights up a cigarette during an operation at dusk in Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 20, 2009.



U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Josh Thompson, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, uses his sights while pursuing militants in Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 20, 2009.



A U.S. Marine, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is silhouetted at dusk during an operation in Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 20, 2009.



U.S. Marines, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, assist each other in lighting a cigarette during an operation in Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 20, 2009.



U.S. Marines, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, take their positions along a dirt road while pursuing militants in Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 20, 2009.



U.S. Marines, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, cross a make-shift bridge while pursuing militants in Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 20, 2009.



U.S. Marines, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, pursue militants during an operation in Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 20, 2009

[vor033]

United States Marines LCpl. Owen Selby of Tenn. , left, and LCpl. Franklin Romans, center, of Mich. from the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines "Warlords" stand guard during a shura or meeting between the Marines, local government officials, and villagers in the Garmsir district of the volatile Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 21, 2009. The meeting was part of an operation in the area to push out insurgents.



United States Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines "Warlords" rest during an operation to hunt for insurgents following an exchange of fire in the Garmsir district of the volatile Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.



U.S. Marines Lance Corporals Josh Thompson (L) and Matthew Weisbeck, attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, use their sights while looking for militants in Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 20, 2009.




A U.S. Marine attached to the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina uses his sights past Afghan men while pursuing militants in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province December 20, 2009.



United States Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines "Warlords" take position during an operation to hunt for insurgents following an exchange of fire in the Garmsir district of the volatile Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.



A United States Marine from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines "Warlords" searches an Afghan man during an operation to hunt for insurgents following an exchange of fire in the Garmsir district of the volatile Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.



A United States Marine from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines "Warlords" looks through the scope of his rifle during an operation to hunt for insurgents following an exchange of fire in the Garmsir district of the volatile Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.



United States Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines "Warlords" take position during an operation to hunt for insurgents following an exchange of fire in the Garmsir district of the volatile Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.

[vor033]

A U.S. Marine scout sniper targets enemy combatants during combat operations as part of a security patrol in the Nawa district of the Helmand province of Afghanistan Aug. 14, 2009. The Marine is assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3 to conduct counterinsurgency operations with Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan



U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jarid Phalzgraf, of Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific (FASTPAC) Company, 5th Platoon, looks at identification tags left by service members at a memorial atop Mount Surabachi on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, Dec. 21, 2009. The Marines hiked to the top during their trip to Mount Suribachi, which was the site of the iconic flag-raising photograph taken during the 37-day long battle for the island during World War II.




U.S. Marines with Weapons Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment (3/1) practice marksmanship with the shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon inside the indoor simulated marksmanship trainer at Camp Horno aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 24, 2009. 3/1 is preparing for upcoming deployments



An MV-22 Osprey aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 prepares to take off from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4) Nov. 1, 2009, while under way in the Atlantic Ocean conducting a composite unit training exercise.



U.S. Marines fire an M-777A2 lightweight howitzer during a calibration shoot at Fire Base Pico in the Helmand province of Afghanistan Nov. 2, 2009. The Marines are with Gun One, November Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, which is attached to 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment and deployed with Regimental Combat Team 7



U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jordan Christie prepares to fire a shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon at a compound in the Helmand province of Afghanistan Oct. 15, 2009, during a fire fight. Christie, who is assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, is attached to Regimental Combat Team 3, whose mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan.



U.S. Marines wait as a C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying a high-mobility artillery rocket system, equipped with a new universal fire control system, lands aboard Forward Operating Base Dwyer, Afghanistan, Oct. 8, 2009. The new system improves reliability and reduces the sustainment of current systems. The Marines are with Romeo Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment.



U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Daniel Lefebvre provides security as a convoy passes through an entry control point in the Nawa district of the Helmand province of Afghanistan Sept. 28, 2009. Lefebvre is assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, a combat element of Regimental Combat Team 3 that is deployed to conduct counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan.



U.S. Marines with 1st Combat Engineers Battalion, 1st Marine Division prepare to fire a shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon (SMAW) at Range 600 on Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 3, 2009. The SMAW is an 83-mm portable anti-armor rocket launcher.

[vor033]

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alex Allmen fires an M-203 grenade launcher during training on Range 110A at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., Sept. 14, 2009. Allmen is with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, which continuously trains to maintain a constant state of readiness.




U.S. Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment prepare to return fire after being attacked during a security patrol in the Nawa district of the Helmand province of Afghanistan Aug. 14, 2009. The Marines are deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3 to conduct counterinsurgency operations with Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan



U.S. Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment conduct a security patrol in the Nawa district of the Helmand province of Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2009



U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Scott Nechay uses a radio during a security patrol in the Helmand province of Afghanistan July 27, 2009. Nechay is from Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment



U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Helmut Eggl holds his M-9 Beretta handgun above water as he crosses a canal July 26, 2009, during a patrol in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Eggl is assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment



U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment board an MV-22 Osprey aircraft at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center July 20, 2009, during exercise Mojave Viper in Twentynine Palms, Calif. Mojave Viper is a training program that prepares Marines and Sailors for combat deployment through live-fire and combined arms exercises



U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Christopher Malloy, landing support chief, Combat Logistics Battalion 46, observes as an MV-22 Osprey aircraft hovers above an M777 howitzer during an airlift operation at Landing Zone Sandhill at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., July 10, 2009



U.S. Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment return enemy fire in the Nawa district of the Helmand province of Afghanistan July 2, 2009. The Marines are attached to Regimental Combat Team 3, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Afghanistan and are deployed in support of NATO's International Security Assistance Force to participate in counterinsurgency operations and train Afghan National Security Forces.



U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), conduct a security halt during an operation in the Helmand province of Afghanistan July 5, 2009. The Marines, who are part of a ground combat element of Regiment Combat Team 3, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, are deployed to the area to prevent insurgent activities

[charlieboy76]

amazing pics, as ever.. thanks for posting

[PathFindeR[BE]]

I like your personal selection Vor, thx !