The United States Marine Corps

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Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conducting a clearing operation in the Geston valley of Helmand province - 05.24.2012

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U.S. Marines with Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment (Btry R, 5/11) move a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to a firing point during Offensive Air Support 5 near Siphon 8, Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., April 24, 2012. Btry R, 5/11 was in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-12, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Richard A. Tetreau/Released)

U.S. Marines with Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment (Btry R, 5/11) reload a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during Offensive Air Support 6 near Siphon 8, Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., April 25, 2012. Btry R, 5/11 was in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-12, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Richard A. Tetreau/Released)

A U.S. Marine with Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment (Btry R, 5/11) assists in reloading a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during Offensive Air Support 6 near Siphon 8, Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., April 25, 2012. Btry R, 5/11 was in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-12, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Richard A. Tetreau/Released)

U.S. Marines with Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment (Btry R, 5/11) reload a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during Offensive Air Support 6 near Siphon 8, Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., April 25, 2012. Btry R, 5/11 was in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-12, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Richard A. Tetreau/Released)

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ed Galo, a combat correspondent with Regimental Combat Team 6, takes part in security patrol in Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012.

A U.S. Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 walks through a poppy field during a security patrol in Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012.

A U.S. Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 provides security with an M240B machine gun during a halt in a patrol in Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012.

A U.S. Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 provides security with an M240B machine gun during a halt in a patrol in Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012. Marines conducted the patrol in search of suspected enemy fighters.

A U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 observes the area through the entryway of a compound in the Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012. Marines occupied the compound during a patrol in search of suspected enemy fighters.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Pommrehn, a rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, observes the area through his Rifle Combat Optic during a security patrol in the Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012. Marines conducted the patrol in search of suspected enemy fighters.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeffery Andrews, a team leader with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, provides security during a patrol in Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012. Marines conducted the patrol in search of suspected enemy fighters.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jason Kelleher, a combat engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), climbs through a hole in a damaged compound wall during a security patrol in Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012. Marines conducted the patrol in search of suspected enemy fighters.

U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 conduct a security patrol in Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012. Marines conducted the operation in search of suspected enemy fighters.

U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 conduct a security patrol in Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012. Marines conducted the operation in search of suspected enemy fighters.

U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 take cover behind a damaged wall in Gorazan Valley, Helmand province, Afghanistan April 17, 2012. Marines conducted operations in search of suspected enemy fighters.

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Landing support team Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 rush toward a hovering Kaman K1200, "K-MAX," unmanned helicopter in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 22. Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 made history with the CLB-5 Marines by performing the first ever unmanned, mid-flight cargo hookups, also known as "hot hookups."

Sgt. Brianna Conte, a landing support team leader with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 and Lafayette, Calif., native, directs her team after executing an external cargo hookup with a hovering Kaman K1200, "K-MAX," unmanned helicopter in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 22. The CLB-5 Marines made history with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 by performing the world's first unmanned "hot hookups" and assisting in the delivery of nearly 6,000 pounds of gear on the first day of trials.

Landing support team Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 prepare to hook cargo to a hovering Kaman K1200, "K-MAX," unmanned helicopter in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 23. Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 made history by being the first organization to test the K-MAX's ability to perform mid-flight, unmanned cargo hookups with Marines on the ground.

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 wait to approach a cargo hookup site in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 22. Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 made history with the landing support team Marines and the Kaman K1200, "K-MAX," unmanned helicopter by performing the first unmanned, mid-flight cargo hookups.

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 wait to approach a cargo hookup site in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 22. Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 made history with the landing support team Marines and the Kaman K1200, "K-MAX," unmanned helicopter by performing the first unmanned, mid-flight cargo hookups.

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 return from familiarizing themselves with the downward thrust of a Kaman K1200, or "K-MAX," unmanned helicopter during initial testing in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 22. Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 pioneered the first unmanned, mid-flight external cargo hookups, and delivered approximately 6,000 pounds of gear in their first day of testing.

A Kaman K1200, "K-MAX," unmanned helicopter with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 hovers over a cargo load in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 22. The squadron broke new ground with the platform by performing the first mid-flight, unmanned cargo hookups with landing support team Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 5.

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Cpl. Mark Hummel and Cpl. Nicholas Hill, instructors with Dugout Platoon, Combat Instructor Co., The Basic School, conduct a hasty ambush during an immediate action drill exercise at Landing Zone 7 on May 23.

Cpl. Chad Nillo, an instructor with Dugout Platoon, Combat Instructor Co., The Basic School, engages the enemy during a simulated hasty ambush at an immediate action drill exercise at Landing Zone 7 on May 23. Charlie Co. will continue to work on their IA drill the rest of this week with their first convoy exercise this week.

Cpl. Christopher Savage, an instructor with Dugout Platoon, Combat Instructor Co., The Basic School, uses an arm signal to tell his squad to halt during IA drill exercise at Landing Zone 7 on May 23. Lieutenants from Charlie Co. took notes as they prepared to go through the same exercise this week.

Cpl. Mark Hummel, an instructor with Dugout Platoon, The Basic School, posts security while his squad leader directs his fire team leader to which immediate action drill to conduct during IA drill exercise at Landing Zone 7 on May 23. Instructors covered five different IA drills during the exercise.

Combat instructors with Dugout Platoon, Combat Instructor Co., The Basic School, conduct a foot patrol during an immediate action drill exercise at Landing Zone 7 on May 23. The instructors taught lieutenants who are going through 26 weeks of TBS.

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2nd Lt. Jerry Hauburger, a rifleman with 2nd Platoon, 4th Squad, Charlie Co., The Basic School, sprints across a road during a foot patrol exercise at Landing Zone 7 on May 25. More than 200 Marines with Charlie Co.,TBS, completed their final preparations for their convoy exercise

2nd Lt. Jerry Hauburger, a rifleman with 2nd Platoon, 4th Squad, Charlie Co., The Basic School, posts security while his squad crosses a linear danger area during a foot patrol exercise at Landing Zone 7 on May 25. Crossing a linear danger area is an immediate action drill to crossing a road.

2nd Lt. Jonathan Bowman, squad leader for 2nd Squad, 4th Platoon, Charlie Co., The Basic School, briefs his squad on the scheme of maneuver during a foot patrol exercise at Landing Zone 7 on May 25. There to assess his mission brief is Sgt. Jose Zepata, a combat instructor, Dugout Platoon, Combat Instructor Company, TBS.

2nd Lt. Jonathan Bowman, squad leader for 2nd Squad, 4th Platoon, Charlie Co., The Basic School and Sgt. Jose Zepata, a combat instructor, Dugout Platoon, Combat Instructor Company, TBS, walk together during a foot patrol exercise at Landing Zone 7 on May 25. This is Bowman’s first time leading his squad.

2nd Lt. Steven Stansbury, a rifleman with 2nd Platoon, 4th Squad, Charlie Co., The Basic School, scans the terrain during a foot patrol exercise at Landing Zone 7 on May 25. This is Charlie Co. final preparations for their convoy exercise.

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Marines with scout sniper platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a static live-fire shoot to prepare for Exercise Eager Lion 12 - 05.6.2012

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Marines assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company Pacific, 3rd Platoon, conduct weapons training aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)

Lance Cpl. Cameron Barron, a Marine assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company Pacific, 3rd Platoon, conducts weapons training aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).

Lance Cpl. Darron Bartlett, a Marine assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company Pacific, 3rd Platoon, loads 9mm rounds into a magazine during weapons training aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).

Lance Cpl. Cameron Barron, a Marine assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company Pacific, 3rd Platoon, conducts weapons training aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).

Lance Cpl. Kelsey Hyde, a Marine assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company Pacific, 3rd Platoon, conducts weapons training aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).

Lance Cpl. Hidekel Delgado, a Marine assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company Pacific, 3rd Platoon, conducts weapons training aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge

Lance Cpl. Brian Christopher, a Marine assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company Pacific, 3rd Platoon, conducts weapons training aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge.

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeremy Szulborski with Police Advisory Team 2, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 takes a knee during a security halt on a patrol in Kajaki, Helmand province, Afghanistan May 21, 2012. Marines conducted the patrol to maintain a positive presence in the area.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kyle Day with Police Advisory Team 2, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 lies in the ****e position to provide security during a patrol in Kajaki, Helmand province, Afghanistan May 21, 2012. Marines conducted the patrol to maintain a positive presence in the area.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kyle Day, front, with Police Advisory Team 2, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, and Obaidullah, back, a local Afghan Uniformed Policeman (AUP), take part in a security patrol in Kajaki, Helmand province, Afghanistan May 21, 2012. Marines and AUP patrolled to maintain a positive presence in the area.

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Corporal Adam M. Grajewski, a combat engineer serving with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, provides security during a security halt in a patrol here, May 19, 2012. Grajewski, a native of Grosse Ile, Mich., is currently attached to Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and accompanied them as part of the main effort during Operation Sangin United Horizons.

Corporal Stephen Perry, a team leader serving with Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, walks up a ramp to the roof of a compound here, May 18, 2012. Perry, a native Poteau, Okla., led his team to investigate compounds for signs of insurgent activity during Operation Sangin United Horizons.

Marines of 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and Afghan National Army soldiers investigate a well during a patrol here, May 18, 2012. The Marines and Afghan soldiers searched for hidden narcotics, weapons and improvised explosive device making materials.

Marines of 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, gather supplies to resupply themselves and fellow Marines here, May 18, 2012. The Marines arrived in helicopters and had to send daily patrols to waiting convoys to gather food and water.

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Although the Marines with 2nd LAAD have acted as a security battalion while deployed they still keep their primary mission skills up to order incase a threat does appear. “There will always be a time and place for this training to pay off,” said Lt. Col. Joel A. Burdette, commanding officer of the air defense battalion. "Unmanned aerial vehicles could become a possible threat to us at anytime. That is why my Marines continue to train with the Stinger Missile.”

A Marine with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion hold fires a PL-87 Stinger Missile at an unmanned aerial target off the coast of Onslow Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 25.

Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion hold their breath as the smoke clears after a PL-87 Stinger Missile was fired at an unmanned aerial target off the coast of Onslow Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 25.

Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion prepare a PL-87 Stinger Missile before approaching the firing line at Onslow Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 25.

Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion prepare a PL-87 Stinger Missile before approaching the firing line at Onslow Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 25.

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Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 performing the first ever mid flight, unmanned helicopter external cargo hook ups, or "hot Hook Ups", with landing support team Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 5, Helmand Province, Afghanistan - 05.25.2012

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Rear BUIS is down.

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Marines with 3rd Radio Battalion, attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, receive training in jungle patrolling at the Jungle Warfare Training Center. The training is part of a multi-week course designed to familiarize Marines with operating in a jungle environment - 05.22.2012

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U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, provide suppressive fire during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 25, 2012. Fox Company took part in a ten-day partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.

U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 provide suppressive fire during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 25, 2012. Fox Company took part in a ten-day partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers and U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 provide suppressive fire during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 25, 2012. Fox Company and ANA took part in a ten-day partnered patrol to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Parker T. Lacy, right, with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 provides grid coordinates to the combat operation center during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 25, 2012. Fox Company took part in a ten-day partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.

U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 engage enemy forces during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 25, 2012. Fox Company took part in a ten-day partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nathan M. Ford with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 engages enemy forces with his M249 squad automatic weapon during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 25, 2012. Fox Company took part in a ten-day partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nathan M. Ford with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 engages the enemy with his M249 squad automatic weapon during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 25, 2012. Fox Company took part in a ten-day partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.

U.S. Marine Cops Sgt. Andrew C. Egan, left, with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 points out an enemy firing position to 2nd Lt. Parker T. Lacy during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 25, 2012. Fox Company took part in a ten-day partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Garrett G. Ferris with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 looks through his rifle combat optic during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 25, 2012. Fox Company took part in a ten-day partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Parker T. Lacy with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 provides grid coordinates to the combat operation center during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 25, 2012. Fox Company took part in a ten-day partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. William D. Elmgren and an Improvised Explosive Device Detector Dog with Fox Company, 2D Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9), Regimental Combat Team 5 search dried poppy plants for explosive devices during a satellite patrol in Bari Desert, Afghanistan May 23, 2012. Fox Company took part in a ten-day partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to disrupt enemy activity throughout their area of operations.