Marines with the Personal Security Detachment patrol outside a combat outpost and interact with Afghan children during a movement through Marjah district, April 3. The PSD for 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, is currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, providing security for the battalion commander and VIPs visiting the unit’s area of operation, while also building relationships with local citizens when they go out. ::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Marines with the Personal Security Detachment patrol outside a combat outpost and interact with Afghan children during a movement through Marjah district, April 3. The PSD for 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, is currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, providing security for the battalion commander and VIPs visiting the unit’s area of operation, while also building relationships with local citizens when they go out. ::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Lance Cpl. Ivan Salinas, a McAllen, Texas, native, stands in front of a map of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan April 18. The 20-year-old Nikki Rowe High School graduate is a Marine Air Ground Task Force planner for 2nd Marine Division (Forward) and is deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Salinas has been instrumental in the control and accountability of more than 2,000 Marines and Sailors and their gear. That’s more than 100 flights going in and out of Afghanistan carrying around 88,000 pounds of cargo. (Photo by Cpl. Marco Mancha) - Lance Cpl. Ivan Salinas, a McAllen, Texas, native, stands in front of a map of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan April 18. The 20-year-old Nikki Rowe High School graduate is a Marine Air Ground Task Force planner for 2nd Marine Division (Forward) and is deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Salinas has been instrumental in the control and accountability of more than 2,000 Marines and Sailors and their gear. That’s more than 100 flights going in and out of Afghanistan carrying around 88,000 pounds of cargo. (Photo by Cpl. Marco Mancha)
Staff Sgt. Maximo Veliz, the Personal Security Detachment commander for 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, provides security for his team while they park their vehicles during a movement through Marjah District, April 3. The 29-year-old Hialeah, Fla., native is currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The PSD provides security for the battalion commander and VIPs visiting the unit’s area of operation, while also building relationships with local citizens when they go out. - Staff Sgt. Maximo Veliz, the Personal Security Detachment commander for 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, provides security for his team while they park their vehicles during a movement through Marjah District, April 3. The 29-year-old Hialeah, Fla., native is currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The PSD provides security for the battalion commander and VIPs visiting the unit’s area of operation, while also building relationships with local citizens when they go out.
New York resident Pfc. Norberto Ariza cleans the rearview mirror on a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle April 14. Ariza is a motor transport operator with Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). The Motor-T section has received and distributed more than 60 mine rollers and upgraded about 130 vehicles with independent suspension systems since arriving in Afghanistan in December. ::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - New York resident Pfc. Norberto Ariza cleans the rearview mirror on a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle April 14. Ariza is a motor transport operator with Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). The Motor-T section has received and distributed more than 60 mine rollers and upgraded about 130 vehicles with independent suspension systems since arriving in Afghanistan in December. ::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Sgt. Garrett Cheatum, front, prepares to receive his promotion at Forward Operating Base Marjah, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, April 2. The Niceville, Fla., native is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician with 1st EOD Company, attached to 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, and earned a combat meritorious promotion to staff sergeant, the first such promotion in EOD history, for his work in Marjah. The battalion is deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher M. Carroll)::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Sgt. Garrett Cheatum, front, prepares to receive his promotion at Forward Operating Base Marjah, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, April 2. The Niceville, Fla., native is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician with 1st EOD Company, attached to 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, and earned a combat meritorious promotion to staff sergeant, the first such promotion in EOD history, for his work in Marjah. The battalion is deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher M. Carroll)::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Boerne, Texas, native Lance Cpl. Wayne Snelling (left), looks on as Lance Cpl. Taylor Slay, a Baton Rouge, La., native, shares a piece of his steak with Mac, a military working dog with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Steak Team Mission, a privately funded, nonprofit organization from Dallas, served the Marines and sailors of 2nd Marine Division (Forward) steak dinners in seven separate locations within a five-day period. - Boerne, Texas, native Lance Cpl. Wayne Snelling (left), looks on as Lance Cpl. Taylor Slay, a Baton Rouge, La., native, shares a piece of his steak with Mac, a military working dog with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Steak Team Mission, a privately funded, nonprofit organization from Dallas, served the Marines and sailors of 2nd Marine Division (Forward) steak dinners in seven separate locations within a five-day period.
New York resident Pfc. Norberto Ariza adjusts a light on a mine roller April 14. Ariza is a motor transport operator with Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). The Motor-T section has received and distributed more than 60 mine rollers since arriving in Afghanistan in December. ::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - New York resident Pfc. Norberto Ariza adjusts a light on a mine roller April 14. Ariza is a motor transport operator with Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). The Motor-T section has received and distributed more than 60 mine rollers since arriving in Afghanistan in December. ::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
The Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, salute the colors as they pass. The battalion gathered aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 14, 2011 to add the Afghanistan Campaign streamer to their battle colors - The Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, salute the colors as they pass. The battalion gathered aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 14, 2011 to add the Afghanistan Campaign streamer to their battle colors
Marines and sailors with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, ready their kayaks at the starting point at the Gottschalk Marina aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 8, 2011. The race was one of the first events that make up the Comander's Cup, a battalion-wide tournament. - Marines and sailors with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, ready their kayaks at the starting point at the Gottschalk Marina aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 8, 2011. The race was one of the first events that make up the Comander's Cup, a battalion-wide tournament.
Captain Matthew J. Martin, the Operations Officer for 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, receives a Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device from Col. Paul J. Kennedy, the 2nd Marine Regiment Commander, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 08, 2011. This was Martin's second time receiving the nation’s fourth-highest award with combat distinguishing device. - Captain Matthew J. Martin, the Operations Officer for 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, receives a Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device from Col. Paul J. Kennedy, the 2nd Marine Regiment Commander, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 08, 2011. This was Martin's second time receiving the nation’s fourth-highest award with combat distinguishing device.