An Afghan boy watches Afghan National Army soldier

An Afghan boy watches Afghan National Army soldier Abdul Ghayed (right), fellow ANA soldiers and U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment clear strains of illegal activity remaining among the Safar Bazaar's legitimate vendors during Operation Sandman here, Dec. 28, 2011. In November 2011, the Marines and sailors of 'America's Battalion' began their final Afghanistan deployment to Helmand province's Garmsir district. After six combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq since 2004, they're finally coming home. During their seven months in Garmsir, they advised and developed Afghan forces preparing to take the lead in providing security for the district. As the Afghan forces grew in number and capability, commerce expanded and successful district community council elections were held in April 2012. 'America's Battalion' transferred control of coalition positions in Garmsir to Kilo Co., 3rd Bn., 8th Marines, May 14.