II MEF News

The Afghan National Army 215th Corps color guard marches the Afghan national colors past Helmand province and Afghan National Defense and Security Force key leaders during a graduation ceremony at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2017. The ceremony marked the end of the 6th Kandak, 1st Brigade 215th Corps’ operational readiness cycle, an eight-week course led by Afghan instructors at the Helmand Regional Military Training Center. Approximately 350 soldiers with the unit trained to enhance their infantry capabilities and will support Afghan National Defense and Security Force combat operations throughout the province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lucas Hopkins) - The Afghan National Army 215th Corps color guard marches the Afghan national colors past Helmand province and Afghan National Defense and Security Force key leaders during a graduation ceremony at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2017. The ceremony marked the end of the 6th Kandak, 1st Brigade 215th Corps’ operational readiness cycle, an eight-week course led by Afghan instructors at the Helmand Regional Military Training Center. Approximately 350 soldiers with the unit trained to enhance their infantry capabilities and will support Afghan National Defense and Security Force combat operations throughout the province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lucas Hopkins)

Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Ahmadzai, left, the commanding general of 215th Corps, speaks with U.S. Marine Col. Matthew Grosz, right, the senior ANA advisor assigned to Task Force Southwest, at Camp Shorserack, Afghanistan, July 14, 2017. Elements of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, including the 215th Corps and 505th Zone National Police, successfully cleared the Nawa district center of insurgent presence during Operation Maiwand Four with assistance from Marine advisors, and will continue to provide security and work to establish governance in the area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Ahmadzai, left, the commanding general of 215th Corps, speaks with U.S. Marine Col. Matthew Grosz, right, the senior ANA advisor assigned to Task Force Southwest, at Camp Shorserack, Afghanistan, July 14, 2017. Elements of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, including the 215th Corps and 505th Zone National Police, successfully cleared the Nawa district center of insurgent presence during Operation Maiwand Four with assistance from Marine advisors, and will continue to provide security and work to establish governance in the area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

An Afghanistan National Army soldier with the 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps talks to local children during a momentary halt during a security patrol here, July 1. The partnership between the Marines of 2nd Squad, Weapons Platoon, Alpha Company and their Afghan brothers-in-arms is an example for the rest of the infantry squads in 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment to emulate. The ANA soldiers partnered with 2nd Squad have taken on independent responsibility of the operations in their area to include sweeping for improvised explosive devices and taking part in the planning of the patrols in the area. - An Afghanistan National Army soldier with the 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps talks to local children during a momentary halt during a security patrol here, July 1. The partnership between the Marines of 2nd Squad, Weapons Platoon, Alpha Company and their Afghan brothers-in-arms is an example for the rest of the infantry squads in 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment to emulate. The ANA soldiers partnered with 2nd Squad have taken on independent responsibility of the operations in their area to include sweeping for improvised explosive devices and taking part in the planning of the patrols in the area.

Lance Cpl. Luke Stauber, a motor transportation operator with Regimental Combat Team 8, hands a case of water off to another Marine during a resupply mission to the village of Washir, Afghanistan, June 8. The mission brought food, water and fuel to the Afghan National Army soldiers of the 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, during their mission to secure the town and establish a presence in the area. - Lance Cpl. Luke Stauber, a motor transportation operator with Regimental Combat Team 8, hands a case of water off to another Marine during a resupply mission to the village of Washir, Afghanistan, June 8. The mission brought food, water and fuel to the Afghan National Army soldiers of the 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, during their mission to secure the town and establish a presence in the area.

Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of International Security Assistance Force, greets Marines and Sailors with Regimental Combat Team 1, at the RCT-1 headquarters here, May 30. Petraeus visited Camp Dwyer to evaluate coalition progress in Southern Helmand province. - Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of International Security Assistance Force, greets Marines and Sailors with Regimental Combat Team 1, at the RCT-1 headquarters here, May 30. Petraeus visited Camp Dwyer to evaluate coalition progress in Southern Helmand province.

Pfc. Clark Kirkley, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., diligently scans his surroundings while standing post here, April 29. Kirkley, a member of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment’s Guard Force Platoon, stands post and goes on patrols regularly as part of the guard force’s security responsibilities of the area. This is Kirkley’s first deployment. The battalion supports Regimental Combat Team 1, the Marine ground combat element in Southern Helmand province. The mission of the RCT is to partner with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat insurgent forces, and enable Afghanistan to assume security responsibilities in the region. Ultimately, the partnered forces promote the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance. - Pfc. Clark Kirkley, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., diligently scans his surroundings while standing post here, April 29. Kirkley, a member of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment’s Guard Force Platoon, stands post and goes on patrols regularly as part of the guard force’s security responsibilities of the area. This is Kirkley’s first deployment. The battalion supports Regimental Combat Team 1, the Marine ground combat element in Southern Helmand province. The mission of the RCT is to partner with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat insurgent forces, and enable Afghanistan to assume security responsibilities in the region. Ultimately, the partnered forces promote the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.