An Afghan man smiles after shaking Lance Cpl. Robert Lemonte hand during a security patrol here, May 25. Lemonte, a Mansfield Ind., native, is a squad leader in Charlie Company, 1st battalion 3rd Marine Regiment. He has been nicknamed ‘the little mayor of the Safar Bazaar’ because of his ability to relate to those of a different culture. His relationships in the local community are a model for how 1/3 wants it’s Marines to interact with the local people here. The battalion supports Regimental Combat Team 1, under 2nd Marine Division (Forward), which serves as the ground combat element in Helmand. The mission of the division is to partner with Afghan National Security Forces to conduct counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat insurgent forces, and enable ANSF to assume security responsibilities in the region. Ultimately, the partnered forces promote the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance. - An Afghan man smiles after shaking Lance Cpl. Robert Lemonte hand during a security patrol here, May 25. Lemonte, a Mansfield Ind., native, is a squad leader in Charlie Company, 1st battalion 3rd Marine Regiment. He has been nicknamed ‘the little mayor of the Safar Bazaar’ because of his ability to relate to those of a different culture. His relationships in the local community are a model for how 1/3 wants it’s Marines to interact with the local people here. The battalion supports Regimental Combat Team 1, under 2nd Marine Division (Forward), which serves as the ground combat element in Helmand. The mission of the division is to partner with Afghan National Security Forces to conduct counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat insurgent forces, and enable ANSF to assume security responsibilities in the region. Ultimately, the partnered forces promote the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.