Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment pay their final respects to Sgt. Joseph Garrison, a squad leader with Fox Company, 2/8, during a memorial service here, June 15. Garrison, a native of Clarion, Pa., made the ultimate sacrifice during combat operations in Northern Marjah, June 6. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment pay their final respects to Sgt. Joseph Garrison, a squad leader with Fox Company, 2/8, during a memorial service here, June 15. Garrison, a native of Clarion, Pa., made the ultimate sacrifice during combat operations in Northern Marjah, June 6.

Staff Sgt. Justin B. Clemens, a native of Kansas City, Miss., greets a local man during Operation Maneuver One in the Village of Ghughori Baba within Sangin, Afghanistan, June 5. The district of Sangin is located Clemens talked to the man to learn about the town, the security of the village and what the village lacked as it is secluded between the mountains and the Helmand River. “Ultimately what this fight comes down to are the people,” said Clemens, the platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. “We are here to protect the people and provide security.” - Staff Sgt. Justin B. Clemens, a native of Kansas City, Miss., greets a local man during Operation Maneuver One in the Village of Ghughori Baba within Sangin, Afghanistan, June 5. The district of Sangin is located Clemens talked to the man to learn about the town, the security of the village and what the village lacked as it is secluded between the mountains and the Helmand River. “Ultimately what this fight comes down to are the people,” said Clemens, the platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. “We are here to protect the people and provide security.”

110615-N-DR248-017 CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (June15,2011) Comedian Jodi Miller, entertains coalition troops with a high energy performance at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, June 15. Miller is best known for her roles in the television shows "Sapronos" and "Law and Order". - 110615-N-DR248-017 CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (June15,2011) Comedian Jodi Miller, entertains coalition troops with a high energy performance at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, June 15. Miller is best known for her roles in the television shows "Sapronos" and "Law and Order".

Hospitalmen who work at the Combined Aid Station aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, bow their heads during a prayer lead by Lt. Edward H. Erwin, a chaplain with Regional Command Southwest, at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the bases new CAS and Wounded Warrior berthing area, June 16. The new CAS and berthing area provides more space for the hospitalmen to work in, and more privacy for patients. - Hospitalmen who work at the Combined Aid Station aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, bow their heads during a prayer lead by Lt. Edward H. Erwin, a chaplain with Regional Command Southwest, at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the bases new CAS and Wounded Warrior berthing area, June 16. The new CAS and berthing area provides more space for the hospitalmen to work in, and more privacy for patients.

Cpl. Rene Sotelo, the loadmaster for 2nd Platoon, Truck Company B, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, tightens down a ratchet strap after off loading heavy equipment during a resupply at Forward Operating Base Jackson in Sangin, June 15. Marines of Truck Company B, deployed out of Camp Margarita aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., to serve as the combat logistic resupply element for 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. The platoon runs CLR trains six nights a week in addition to operational and security support missions in support of 1/5. Sotelo, 23, is from Chicago and graduated from Martin West High School in 2006. - Cpl. Rene Sotelo, the loadmaster for 2nd Platoon, Truck Company B, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, tightens down a ratchet strap after off loading heavy equipment during a resupply at Forward Operating Base Jackson in Sangin, June 15. Marines of Truck Company B, deployed out of Camp Margarita aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., to serve as the combat logistic resupply element for 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. The platoon runs CLR trains six nights a week in addition to operational and security support missions in support of 1/5. Sotelo, 23, is from Chicago and graduated from Martin West High School in 2006.

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Afghan National Army soldiers listen to speeches during the graduation ceremony of Explosive Hazard Reduction Course at Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, June 9. The EHRC is a four week course designed to teach ANA soldiers how to detect improvised explosive devices and eliminate them. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel A. Wulz) -

Afghan National Security Forces stand at attention during the Afghanistan National Anthem while being saluted by an official party at the Generator Mechanic Course graduation, at the Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, Helmand province, June 13. Nineteen men graduated from the seven-day course that taught them basic operations of generators such as preventative maintenance, internal wiring and troubleshooting. - Afghan National Security Forces stand at attention during the Afghanistan National Anthem while being saluted by an official party at the Generator Mechanic Course graduation, at the Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, Helmand province, June 13. Nineteen men graduated from the seven-day course that taught them basic operations of generators such as preventative maintenance, internal wiring and troubleshooting.