II MEF News

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian Coyne, left, commanding officer of 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, pins a Bronze Star Medal on British Royal Marine Maj. James A. Fuller, the future operations officer with 2nd Marine Regiment, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 3, 2020. Fuller received the Bronze Star for his distinctive contributions and efforts as the assistant operations officer with Task Force Southwest 19.1, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in Afghanistan. Fuller directly increased TSFW’s combat effectiveness and operational reach in Helmand Province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacqueline Parsons) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian Coyne, left, commanding officer of 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, pins a Bronze Star Medal on British Royal Marine Maj. James A. Fuller, the future operations officer with 2nd Marine Regiment, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 3, 2020. Fuller received the Bronze Star for his distinctive contributions and efforts as the assistant operations officer with Task Force Southwest 19.1, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in Afghanistan. Fuller directly increased TSFW’s combat effectiveness and operational reach in Helmand Province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacqueline Parsons)

U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 2-501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, fire an 81mm mortar in support of the Afghan National Army during operation Maiwand 10 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Dec. 26, 2017. The Soldiers fired multiple illumination rounds in order to light a nearby area of Marjah where the ANA experienced a nighttime ambush. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff) - U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 2-501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, fire an 81mm mortar in support of the Afghan National Army during operation Maiwand 10 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Dec. 26, 2017. The Soldiers fired multiple illumination rounds in order to light a nearby area of Marjah where the ANA experienced a nighttime ambush. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff)

An Afghan Air Force tactical air controller scouts notional targets for MD-530 helicopters during an ATAC training exercise at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2017. Several ATACs worked to enhance their aircraft directing skills with assistance from coalition advisors in preparation for future operations in Helmand province. Tactical air controllers often travel with ground force elements on the battlefield to direct airstrikes onto Taliban targets, allowing for better maneuver and safety of Afghan forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - An Afghan Air Force tactical air controller scouts notional targets for MD-530 helicopters during an ATAC training exercise at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2017. Several ATACs worked to enhance their aircraft directing skills with assistance from coalition advisors in preparation for future operations in Helmand province. Tactical air controllers often travel with ground force elements on the battlefield to direct airstrikes onto Taliban targets, allowing for better maneuver and safety of Afghan forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

Afghan National Army Command Sgt. Maj. Roshan, right, the senior enlisted advisor to the President of Afghanistan, offers remarks to U.S. and Afghan military personnel during a warfighter forum at Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 15, 2017. The warfighter forum was a two-day event bringing together senior enlisted leaders from the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and their U.S. counterparts to discuss solutions to challenges such as accountability, mortuary affairs and female integration in order to further professionalize the Afghan forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Afghan National Army Command Sgt. Maj. Roshan, right, the senior enlisted advisor to the President of Afghanistan, offers remarks to U.S. and Afghan military personnel during a warfighter forum at Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 15, 2017. The warfighter forum was a two-day event bringing together senior enlisted leaders from the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and their U.S. counterparts to discuss solutions to challenges such as accountability, mortuary affairs and female integration in order to further professionalize the Afghan forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Roger Turner, left, the commanding general of Task Force Southwest, greets Col. Kareem, the Provincial Headquarters G-2, during a key leader engagement at Bost Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 15, 2017. Task Force Southwest Marines are assisting their Afghan National Defense and Security Force Counterparts throughout Operation Maiwand Seven through battle tracking and close air support. The mission focuses on clearing the Taliban from the Nad’Ali district in order to expand security around the provincial capital Lashkar Gah while also promoting security and stability for the local populace. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff) - U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Roger Turner, left, the commanding general of Task Force Southwest, greets Col. Kareem, the Provincial Headquarters G-2, during a key leader engagement at Bost Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 15, 2017. Task Force Southwest Marines are assisting their Afghan National Defense and Security Force Counterparts throughout Operation Maiwand Seven through battle tracking and close air support. The mission focuses on clearing the Taliban from the Nad’Ali district in order to expand security around the provincial capital Lashkar Gah while also promoting security and stability for the local populace. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff)

Afghan National Defense and Security Force policemen from various units conduct daily tasks at the Operational Coordination Center – Regional at Bost Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 2, 2017. One of the primary missions of the OCC-R is to maintain situational awareness with operational forces on the ground and provide information to ground commanders so they can manage their forces and resources effectively. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff) - Afghan National Defense and Security Force policemen from various units conduct daily tasks at the Operational Coordination Center – Regional at Bost Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 2, 2017. One of the primary missions of the OCC-R is to maintain situational awareness with operational forces on the ground and provide information to ground commanders so they can manage their forces and resources effectively. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff)

Afghan National Army soldiers with 215th Corps and U.S. Marines with Task Force Southwest disembark a CH-47 Chinook during Operation Maiwand Six near Gereshk, Afghanistan, Sept. 25, 2017. Key leaders from both forces met to discuss recent progress and develop plans for the mission. Maiwand Six combines multiple elements of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces with advising and assistance from the Task Force, and is designed to bolster security in Gereshk and surrounding areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Afghan National Army soldiers with 215th Corps and U.S. Marines with Task Force Southwest disembark a CH-47 Chinook during Operation Maiwand Six near Gereshk, Afghanistan, Sept. 25, 2017. Key leaders from both forces met to discuss recent progress and develop plans for the mission. Maiwand Six combines multiple elements of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces with advising and assistance from the Task Force, and is designed to bolster security in Gereshk and surrounding areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photos 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) - 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)

A U.S. Marine advisor with Task Force Southwest speaks with his counterparts during a train, advise and assist mission at the Helmand Provincial Police Headquarters in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, July 9, 2017. This mission provided an opportunity for advisors to meet with their counterparts, review the security posture at the PHQ and ensure that Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have an effective defense of Lashkar Gah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff) - A U.S. Marine advisor with Task Force Southwest speaks with his counterparts during a train, advise and assist mission at the Helmand Provincial Police Headquarters in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, July 9, 2017. This mission provided an opportunity for advisors to meet with their counterparts, review the security posture at the PHQ and ensure that Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have an effective defense of Lashkar Gah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff)

An Afghan National Army soldier with the 215th Corps and a U.S. Marine advisor with Task Force Southwest discuss offensive strategy during an advisory meeting at Camp Hanson, Afghanistan, June 13, 2017. Marines and Sailors from Task Force Southwest are supporting and assisting the 1st and 3rd Brigades of the 215th Corps during Operation Maiwand Three, which is designed to clear Nad-e Ali and Marjah of insurgents. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - An Afghan National Army soldier with the 215th Corps and a U.S. Marine advisor with Task Force Southwest discuss offensive strategy during an advisory meeting at Camp Hanson, Afghanistan, June 13, 2017. Marines and Sailors from Task Force Southwest are supporting and assisting the 1st and 3rd Brigades of the 215th Corps during Operation Maiwand Three, which is designed to clear Nad-e Ali and Marjah of insurgents. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)