Detroit native Staff Sgt. Raymond German Jr., the legal chief for the office of the Staff Judge Advocate for 2nd Marine Division (Forward), rows five kilometers as part of a 1,000-mile goal. German decided to complete 1,000 miles by running, rowing and cross training during his year-long deployment. - Detroit native Staff Sgt. Raymond German Jr., the legal chief for the office of the Staff Judge Advocate for 2nd Marine Division (Forward), rows five kilometers as part of a 1,000-mile goal. German decided to complete 1,000 miles by running, rowing and cross training during his year-long deployment.

Like Constantine, Joan of Arc, Richard the Lion-hearted and many armies before them, the 2nd Marine Division (Forward) carries it’s shield into battle in the form of Cmdr. Christopher Fronk, the division chaplain. As the Monaca, PA., native crosses over the desert that is Helmand province in a UH-1Y Huey, affectionately known this day as the “Holy Helo,” armed for potential insurgent activity along the route, Fronk spends time reflecting on those Marines he will minister to throughout the day. - Like Constantine, Joan of Arc, Richard the Lion-hearted and many armies before them, the 2nd Marine Division (Forward) carries it’s shield into battle in the form of Cmdr. Christopher Fronk, the division chaplain. As the Monaca, PA., native crosses over the desert that is Helmand province in a UH-1Y Huey, affectionately known this day as the “Holy Helo,” armed for potential insurgent activity along the route, Fronk spends time reflecting on those Marines he will minister to throughout the day.

Sergeant Mitchell Lander of Irwin, Pa., provides security during a movement toward the Afghan border. The 25-year-old served as an enlisted advisor with Team 1, Border Advisor Team 1, during Operation Eagle Hunt. The Afghan-led operation allowed the Afghan Border Police and Afghan Uniformed Police to show the world their progress as security forces. - Sergeant Mitchell Lander of Irwin, Pa., provides security during a movement toward the Afghan border. The 25-year-old served as an enlisted advisor with Team 1, Border Advisor Team 1, during Operation Eagle Hunt. The Afghan-led operation allowed the Afghan Border Police and Afghan Uniformed Police to show the world their progress as security forces.

Dozens of Afghan Security Forces stage their vehicles before launching Operation Eagle Hunt. The policemen of 1st Kandak, 6th Zone, Afghan Border Police, and members of the Afghan Border Police spent the night in the middle of the desert near the Afghanistan border alongside the Marines and sailors of Border Advisor Team 1. The Afghan-led operation provided an opportunity for the Afghan forces to demonstrate their ability to provide security as they searched for insurgents. - Dozens of Afghan Security Forces stage their vehicles before launching Operation Eagle Hunt. The policemen of 1st Kandak, 6th Zone, Afghan Border Police, and members of the Afghan Border Police spent the night in the middle of the desert near the Afghanistan border alongside the Marines and sailors of Border Advisor Team 1. The Afghan-led operation provided an opportunity for the Afghan forces to demonstrate their ability to provide security as they searched for insurgents.

Afghan National Army Lt. Col. Gul Ahmad (third from left), the kandak commander of 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps; and Mercer Island, Wash., native Lt. Col. Tyler Zagurski (center), the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment; patrol through the district during the Nawa Victory Walk. The two commanding officers wanted to show local residents the roads and markets were safe and security was strong in the area. - Afghan National Army Lt. Col. Gul Ahmad (third from left), the kandak commander of 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps; and Mercer Island, Wash., native Lt. Col. Tyler Zagurski (center), the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment; patrol through the district during the Nawa Victory Walk. The two commanding officers wanted to show local residents the roads and markets were safe and security was strong in the area.

M777 howitzers lie in wait at the end of another day, ready to send rounds down range at any moment. The artillerymen of Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, are always on call. They live feet from the gun line, ensuring they are suppressing the enemy within minutes when the call comes for fire support comes in - M777 howitzers lie in wait at the end of another day, ready to send rounds down range at any moment. The artillerymen of Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, are always on call. They live feet from the gun line, ensuring they are suppressing the enemy within minutes when the call comes for fire support comes in

Manassas, Va., native Cpl. Alonso Arviso (left), an assistant section chief with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, observes an Afghan National Army soldier with 4th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps as he fires rounds down range. The Afghan soldiers spent three days in the desert working with the 122 mm howitzer D-30 artillery cannons to increase the soldiers’ confidence with the weapon system. - Manassas, Va., native Cpl. Alonso Arviso (left), an assistant section chief with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, observes an Afghan National Army soldier with 4th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps as he fires rounds down range. The Afghan soldiers spent three days in the desert working with the 122 mm howitzer D-30 artillery cannons to increase the soldiers’ confidence with the weapon system.

New Orleans native Cpl. Mason Panyko, an artilleryman with 1st Battalion, 12 Marine Regiment, made becoming a Marine his goal after his uncle, a former Marine, helped him graduate high school. Panyko is now an artillery recorder, responsible for listening to, recording and repeating fire mission commands and keeping track of ammunition in order to ensure rounds are on target. - New Orleans native Cpl. Mason Panyko, an artilleryman with 1st Battalion, 12 Marine Regiment, made becoming a Marine his goal after his uncle, a former Marine, helped him graduate high school. Panyko is now an artillery recorder, responsible for listening to, recording and repeating fire mission commands and keeping track of ammunition in order to ensure rounds are on target.

Mogadore, Ohio, native Lance Cpl. Ryan Heigelmann, a dog handler with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, plays with his dog, Cpl. Gretchen. The two were paired several months ago after Heigelmann’s dog Sheriff was injured crossing a bridge - Mogadore, Ohio, native Lance Cpl. Ryan Heigelmann, a dog handler with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, plays with his dog, Cpl. Gretchen. The two were paired several months ago after Heigelmann’s dog Sheriff was injured crossing a bridge

A mushroom cloud rises into the air above the Ladar Bazaar after Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion detonate a line charge. Second CEB leveled the marketplace to eliminate the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices. Local residents expressed a concern for their safety due to insurgent activity in the area and have been unable to use the bazaar for some time. - A mushroom cloud rises into the air above the Ladar Bazaar after Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion detonate a line charge. Second CEB leveled the marketplace to eliminate the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices. Local residents expressed a concern for their safety due to insurgent activity in the area and have been unable to use the bazaar for some time.