An interpreter and a local elder watch as Afghan National

An interpreter and a local elder watch as Afghan National Army soldier Abdul Karim and U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Alex Puente, the 25-year-old commander of 3rd Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and New Orleans native, examine bags of fertilizer and poppy seed while clearing a housing compound during Operation Tageer Shamal (Shifting Winds) here, Jan. 4. Over the past five years, coalition forces have operated with Afghan National Security Forces to defeat the insurgency in the central Helmand River valley. Driven from the green zones, or populated areas, of districts in southern Helmand, enemy fighters have sought refuge in bed-down locations west of the Helmand River. This area on the outskirts of Garmsir district has been, until now, nearly untouched by the partnered forces and the Afghan government. During the operation, Jan. 4-8, Afghan forces and Marines with 3/3 cleared the area of insurgent activity, weapons and improvised explosive device-making materials, and held shuras to address the concerns of local elders.