II MEF News

Afghan National Army soldiers with Artillery Brigade, 215th Corps prepare to conduct a notional firing exercise using a 122mm howitzer D-30 at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Oct. 21, 2017. U.S. Marine advisors with Task Force Southwest are instructing an eight-week artillery course to more than 20 ANA soldiers with the brigade. The students are all forward observers, artillery crewmen or part of a fire direction control team, and are learning how to properly employ artillery to support combat missions throughout Helmand province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Afghan National Army soldiers with Artillery Brigade, 215th Corps prepare to conduct a notional firing exercise using a 122mm howitzer D-30 at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Oct. 21, 2017. U.S. Marine advisors with Task Force Southwest are instructing an eight-week artillery course to more than 20 ANA soldiers with the brigade. The students are all forward observers, artillery crewmen or part of a fire direction control team, and are learning how to properly employ artillery to support combat missions throughout Helmand province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

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)

Brig. Gen. Roger Turner, the commanding general for Task Force Southwest, greets British Army Maj. Gen. Charles Herbert, the Resolute Support senior advisor to the Minister of Interior, at Bastian Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2017. The purpose of the visit for the Afghan Minister of Interior was an introduction to the leadership of 505th Zone National Police and an opportunity to meet some of the MOI forces at Bost Airfield. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Brig. Gen. Roger Turner, the commanding general for Task Force Southwest, greets British Army Maj. Gen. Charles Herbert, the Resolute Support senior advisor to the Minister of Interior, at Bastian Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2017. The purpose of the visit for the Afghan Minister of Interior was an introduction to the leadership of 505th Zone National Police and an opportunity to meet some of the MOI forces at Bost Airfield. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

Afghan National Army soldiers with 7th Special Operations Kandak, 215th Corps carry a simulated casualty toward an Afghan Air Force Mi-17 helicopter at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Sept. 10, 2017. Approximately 65 soldiers completed nighttime CASEVAC training, which focused on enhancing their procedures when faced with wounded personnel on the battlefield and providing a realistic training environment in preparation for real-world scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Afghan National Army soldiers with 7th Special Operations Kandak, 215th Corps carry a simulated casualty toward an Afghan Air Force Mi-17 helicopter at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Sept. 10, 2017. Approximately 65 soldiers completed nighttime CASEVAC training, which focused on enhancing their procedures when faced with wounded personnel on the battlefield and providing a realistic training environment in preparation for real-world scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

An Afghan National Army soldier displays his certificate of completion during a graduation ceremony at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Aug. 30, 2017. Approximately 70 engineer soldiers with various units from 215th Corps graduated from a route clearance course, which was led by U.S. advisors. The curriculum focused on developing the Afghan’s tactics and procedures when locating and clearing improvised explosive devices and mines, helping to improve mobility of troops and supplies on the battlefield. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - An Afghan National Army soldier displays his certificate of completion during a graduation ceremony at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Aug. 30, 2017. Approximately 70 engineer soldiers with various units from 215th Corps graduated from a route clearance course, which was led by U.S. advisors. The curriculum focused on developing the Afghan’s tactics and procedures when locating and clearing improvised explosive devices and mines, helping to improve mobility of troops and supplies on the battlefield. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

U.S. Marine Capt. John Quail, the Task Force Southwest operations advisor to Afghan National Army 215th Corps, and ANA Col. Abdul Latif, the operations officer of 215th Corps, develop plans to secure a portion of Nawa district in Helmand province during Operation Maiwand Five Aug. 21, 2017. Advisors with the Task Force are assisting their Afghan National Defense and Security Force counterparts throughout the operation as a means to deny safe havens to insurgents in Nawa and promote security and stability to the local populace. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Harrison) - U.S. Marine Capt. John Quail, the Task Force Southwest operations advisor to Afghan National Army 215th Corps, and ANA Col. Abdul Latif, the operations officer of 215th Corps, develop plans to secure a portion of Nawa district in Helmand province during Operation Maiwand Five Aug. 21, 2017. Advisors with the Task Force are assisting their Afghan National Defense and Security Force counterparts throughout the operation as a means to deny safe havens to insurgents in Nawa and promote security and stability to the local populace. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Harrison)

Afghan National Army soldiers with the Helmand Regional Military Training Center fire M240B machine guns during a training range at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Aug. 17, 2017. More than 60 instructors at the RMTC are undergoing a four-week train-the-trainer course in preparation for an upcoming operational readiness cycle. U.S. Marine advisors with Task Force Southwest are enhancing the infantry knowledge and skills of the instructors to more effectively teach and train soldiers throughout the eight-week ORC. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Afghan National Army soldiers with the Helmand Regional Military Training Center fire M240B machine guns during a training range at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Aug. 17, 2017. More than 60 instructors at the RMTC are undergoing a four-week train-the-trainer course in preparation for an upcoming operational readiness cycle. U.S. Marine advisors with Task Force Southwest are enhancing the infantry knowledge and skills of the instructors to more effectively teach and train soldiers throughout the eight-week ORC. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

U.S. Navy Sailor Lt. Laura Cargill, right, the lead medical planner of Task Force Southwest, instructs Afghan National Army soldiers with 2nd Kandak, 4th Brigade, 215th Corps how to properly call for a casualty evacuation at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Aug. 13, 2017. Several ANA units partnered with the Afghan Air Force and U.S. advisors to enhance their CASEVAC procedures through classroom instruction and practical application. Quickening the CASEVAC process allows for faster movement of a wounded soldier to a medical facility and greatly improves chances for survivability and full recovery. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - U.S. Navy Sailor Lt. Laura Cargill, right, the lead medical planner of Task Force Southwest, instructs Afghan National Army soldiers with 2nd Kandak, 4th Brigade, 215th Corps how to properly call for a casualty evacuation at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Aug. 13, 2017. Several ANA units partnered with the Afghan Air Force and U.S. advisors to enhance their CASEVAC procedures through classroom instruction and practical application. Quickening the CASEVAC process allows for faster movement of a wounded soldier to a medical facility and greatly improves chances for survivability and full recovery. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. David M. Clark, right, the senior enlisted leader of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, speaks with Afghan National Army noncommissioned officers at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Aug. 13, 2017. More than 100 ANA NCOs completed a three-day seminar led by Afghan senior enlisted leaders, who stressed the importance of leadership in combat and technical and tactical proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. David M. Clark, right, the senior enlisted leader of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, speaks with Afghan National Army noncommissioned officers at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Aug. 13, 2017. More than 100 ANA NCOs completed a three-day seminar led by Afghan senior enlisted leaders, who stressed the importance of leadership in combat and technical and tactical proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)