U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nick Lacarra, a 20-year-old

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nick Lacarra, a 20-year-old improvised explosive device detection dog handler with Combined Anti-Armor Team 2, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a native of Long Beach, Calif., holds security in a field with his dog Coot while halted during a partnered security patrol with Afghan Border Police here, Jan. 30. In southern Garmsir district, an area with a history of tribal conflict, the growing ABP force has deepened its roots and established governance through the mentorship of the 3/3 Weapons Co. Marines. The ABP is younger and significantly smaller than the Afghan National Army and police forces, but its mission is vital as Afghan forces prepare to assume lead security responsibility in Garmsir. “If the ABP didn’t exist, there would be holes all along Afghanistan’s southern border,” said Capt. Jason Armas, 33, the commanding officer of Weapons Co., 3/3, and a native of Rye, N.Y.