Sergeant Ben Edwards, squad leader, Lima Company, 3rd
Sergeant Ben Edwards, squad leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, crosses an irrigation system during a joint patrol with the Afghan National Army, Nov. 27, 2012. E... More
Lieutenant Col. Carl Cooper Jr., right, commanding
Lieutenant Col. Carl Cooper Jr., right, commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, and Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Monssen, battalion sergeant major, pay their respects to Lance Cpl... More
Pictured is Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training
Pictured is Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows, about 20 miles northwest of Bridgeport, Calif. Nearly 100 California Air and Army National Guardsmen conducted cold weather training,... More
Staff Sgt. Jaime Butler, left, administration chief,
Staff Sgt. Jaime Butler, left, administration chief, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, enjoys a Thanksgiving Day meal with Sgt. Corey Branner, logistics and supply chief with the bat... More
Lance Cpl. Caleb Hackbarth, rifleman, Lima Company,
Lance Cpl. Caleb Hackbarth, rifleman, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, walks through thick mud during a partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army, Nov. 27, 2012. ... More
Sergeant Michael Sinicropi, left, maintenance management
Sergeant Michael Sinicropi, left, maintenance management chief, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, works with Sgt. Jose Ortega, right, linguist manager and administration noncommissio... More
Afghan Local Police 3rd Lt. Shah Mohammad meets with
Afghan Local Police 3rd Lt. Shah Mohammad meets with Sgt. Ben Edwards, squad leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, Nov. 27, 2012. The two enjoyed chai tea and talke... More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. "Rush," an improvised explosive
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. "Rush," an improvised explosive device detection dog with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, goes after a ball aboard Forward Operating Base (FOB) Boldak, Helmand provin... More
Afghan National Army Sgt. Gulagh, left, squad leader,
Afghan National Army Sgt. Gulagh, left, squad leader, 1st Tolai, 1st Kandak, 4th Brigade, 215th Corps, thanks Sgt. Cordero Gonzalez, squad leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Tea... More
Lance Cpl. Erik Jacobsen, rifleman, India Company,
Lance Cpl. Erik Jacobsen, rifleman, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, places a pair of boots while constructing the battlefield cross, Dec. 8, 2012 The battlefield cro... More
Immediately after the 1st Radio Battalion formation
Immediately after the 1st Radio Battalion formation is dismissed, a couple embraces after being apart close to 7 months. Close to 300 Marines from that unit and 9th Communications Battalion returned from Afghan... More
Pictured is Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training
Pictured is Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows, about 20 miles northwest of Bridgeport, Calif. Nearly 100 California Air and Army National Guardsmen conducted cold weather training,... More
Sgt. Joshua Gould with the 95th Civil Support Team,
Sgt. Joshua Gould with the 95th Civil Support Team, California Army National Guard, adjusts his gas mask at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows, about 20 miles northwest of Bridgepor... More
Afghan National Army Lance Cpl. Eid Mohammad, infantryman,
Afghan National Army Lance Cpl. Eid Mohammad, infantryman, 1st Tolai, 1st Kandak, 4th Brigade, 215th Corps, jokes with a local Afghan boy during a partnered patrol, Nov. 16, 2012. The patrol met with several lo... More
Staff Sgt. Garrick Whitley, a reconnaissance
Staff Sgt. Garrick Whitley, a reconnaissance non-commissioned officer with the 95th Civil Support Team, California Army National Guard, helps Sgt. Joshua Gould get into his gear at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare... More
Sergeant Cordero Gonzalez, center, squad leader, Lima
Sergeant Cordero Gonzalez, center, squad leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, introduces himself to Afghan National Army Sgt. Gulagh, right, team leader, 1st Tolai, 1st Ka... More
Lance Cpl. Clinton Rivas, rifleman, Lima Company, 3rd
Lance Cpl. Clinton Rivas, rifleman, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, patrols through southern Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 27, 2012. The patrol teamed with Afgh... More
Lance Cpl. Kody Broderick, machine gunner, Weapons
Lance Cpl. Kody Broderick, machine gunner, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, stands post, Dec. 11, 2012. Broderick, from North Pole, Alaska, is used to harsh winters... More
The reflection from the eye protection of Lance Cpl.
The reflection from the eye protection of Lance Cpl. Kody Broderick, machine gunner, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, shows his machinegun and the area he watches while standing pos... More
Participants of the Marine Corps Marathon Forward pass
Participants of the Marine Corps Marathon Forward pass the 26-mile marker during the race, Oct. 28, 2012. Many runners ran in honor of fallen friends. The marathon ran through Camp Leatherneck and Camp Bastion.
The FBI set up weapons and Ricin samples for the 95th
The FBI set up weapons and Ricin samples for the 95th Civil Support Team, California Army National Guard, to train on during Operation Red Snow at Marine Corps Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows, about 2... More
Immediately after the 1st Radio Battalion formation
Immediately after the 1st Radio Battalion formation is dismissed, Marines and their friends and family rush to greet each other after being apart for over 6 months. Close to 300 Marines from that unit and 9th C... More
1st Lt. Serguei Louchnikov of Chino, Calif., the 1-160th
1st Lt. Serguei Louchnikov of Chino, Calif., the 1-160th Infantry Battalion, California Army National Guard Scout Platoon Leader, briefs soldiers from the 1-160th Inf. Bn. before they begin reconnaissance missi... More
Sergeant Ben Edwards, squad leader, Lima Company, 3rd
Sergeant Ben Edwards, squad leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, says goodbye to Afghan National Army Staff Sgt. Samandar Khan, squad leader, Headquarters Tolai, 1... More
Lieutenant Col. James McArthur, operations officer,
Lieutenant Col. James McArthur, operations officer, Regimental Combat Team 7, gives the opening brief at the first RCT-7 commander’s conference, Dec. 19, 2012. Each unit’s representative at the meeting had a ch... More
The FBI set up weapons and Ricin samples for the 95th
The FBI set up weapons and Ricin samples for the 95th Civil Support Team, California Army National Guard, to train on during Operation Red Snow at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows... More
Lance Cpl. Dallin Jaramillo, rifleman, Lima Company,
Lance Cpl. Dallin Jaramillo, rifleman, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, patrols through southern Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 27, 2012. The Marines partnered wi... More
Sgt. Joshua Gould with the 95th Civil Support Team,
Sgt. Joshua Gould with the 95th Civil Support Team, California Army National Guard, checks for chemical warfare at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows, about 20 miles northwest o... More
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Edward Baon of Daly City, Calif.,
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Edward Baon of Daly City, Calif., the medical operations officer for the 95th Civil Support Team and exercise director for Operation Red Snow, leans on a bandvagn at the Marine Corps Mountain ... More
Major Speros Koumparakis, detachment commander, 9th
Major Speros Koumparakis, detachment commander, 9th Communications Battalion, Regional Command (Southwest), runs the Marine Corps Marathon Forward to honor his fallen friends, Oct. 28, 2012. Koumparakis said he... More
(Left to right) Staff Sgt. Garrick Whitley, a reconnaissance
(Left to right) Staff Sgt. Garrick Whitley, a reconnaissance non-commissioned officer with the 95th Civil Support Team, California Army National Guard, Master Sgt. Jimmy Schiotis, a security forces training man... More
Staff Sgt. Garrick Whitley, a reconnaissance
Staff Sgt. Garrick Whitley, a reconnaissance non-commissioned officer with the 95th Civil Support Team, California Army National Guard, helps Staff Sgt. Esteban Peralta get into his gear at Marine Corps Mountai... More
Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental
Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, flip tires for more than one mile, Nov. 25, 2012. The workout pushes Marines to use their entire body to flip the large tires.
Regimental Combat Team 7 held a commander’s conference
Regimental Combat Team 7 held a commander’s conference with key coalition leaders operating within RCT’s area, Dec. 19, 2012. The leaders discussed the future of Afghanistan and the coalition forces’ direction ... More
Major Gen. David H. Berger, commanding general, Task
Major Gen. David H. Berger, commanding general, Task Force Leatherneck, talks to key coalition leaders during the first commander’s conference under Regimental Combat Team 7, Dec. 19, 2012. The leaders discusse... More
Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental
Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, enjoyed a Thanksgiving Day meal, Nov. 22, 2012. The meal helped build camaraderie within the battalion.
An Afghan boy enjoys a lollipop while curiously watching
An Afghan boy enjoys a lollipop while curiously watching Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers patrol close to his home, Nov. 16, 2012. The Marines advised and coached their ANA counterparts, teaching them ... More
Two Afghan girls curiously watch a partnered patrol
Two Afghan girls curiously watch a partnered patrol of Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines pass by their home, Nov. 16, 2012. Marines worked as coaches and advisors to the Afghan-led patrol.
Afghan Local Police 2nd Lt. Abdul Raziq, left, station
Afghan Local Police 2nd Lt. Abdul Raziq, left, station commanding officer, meets with Sgt. Ben Edwards, squad leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, during a patrol,... More
Sgt. Joshua Gould with the 95th Civil Support Team,
Sgt. Joshua Gould with the 95th Civil Support Team, California Army National Guard, checks for chemical warfare at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows, about 20 miles northwest of Br... More
Members of the 144th Security Forces Squadron and 146th
Members of the 144th Security Forces Squadron and 146th Security Forces Squadron, California Air National Guard, set up tents in the mountains of Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows,... More
A food service worker piles on turkey for a Marine,
A food service worker piles on turkey for a Marine, Nov. 22, 2012. The Thanksgiving Day meal helped bring the Marines together as a family, while they are thousands of miles from their own.
Marine officers from throughout Regimental Combat Team
Marine officers from throughout Regimental Combat Team 7’s area of operation attended the first RCT-7 commander’s conference, Dec. 19, 2012. The daylong conference discussed everything from preparing for the su... More
Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental
Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, and other coalition servicemembers enjoy a Thanksgiving Day feast, Nov. 22, 2012. The dining facility was decorated with banners, happy... More
Staff Sgt. Jaime Butler, administration chief, 3rd
Staff Sgt. Jaime Butler, administration chief, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, worked with 20 Marines, flipping tires around the base. Butler, from Warren, Mich., missed the first ... More
A helicopter lands at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare
A helicopter lands at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows, about 20 miles northwest of Bridgeport, Calif. Nearly 100 California Air and Army National Guardsmen conducted cold weather... More
Sergeant Austin Perry, squad leader, India Company,
Sergeant Austin Perry, squad leader, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, renders a salute at the beginning of a memorial service honoring Lance Cpl. Anthony Denier, Dec.... More
Corporal Connor Flaherty, team leader, India Company,
Corporal Connor Flaherty, team leader, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, speaks at a memorial service honoring Lance Cpl. Anthony Denier, a rifleman with the company, ... More
Afghan National Army Lance Cpl. Azrat Wali, infantryman,
Afghan National Army Lance Cpl. Azrat Wali, infantryman, 1st Tolai, 1st Kandak, 4th Brigade, 215th Corps, sets security at the corner of a compound wall during a partnered patrol, Nov. 16, 2012. The ANA soldier... More
A Marine gives his final farewell during a memorial
A Marine gives his final farewell during a memorial service in honor of Lance Cpl. Anthony Denier, rifleman, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, Dec. 8, 2012. After the ... More
Staff Sgt. Jaime Butler, administration chief, 3rd
Staff Sgt. Jaime Butler, administration chief, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, begins to flip a tire during a physical fitness session, Nov. 25, 2012. Butler, from Warren, Mich., u... More
Food service workers present another turkey ready to
Food service workers present another turkey ready to be carved for Marines, Nov. 22, 2012. The Marines enjoyed a holiday-themed menu including turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie.
A Marine plays taps on his trumpet following a three-volley
A Marine plays taps on his trumpet following a three-volley salute during a memorial service honoring Lance Cpl. Anthony Denier, rifleman, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Te... More
Members of the 144th Security Forces Squadron and 146th
Members of the 144th Security Forces Squadron and 146th Security Forces Squadron, California Air National Guard, climb out of a bandvagn at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows, a... More
Members of the 144th Security Forces Squadron and 146th
Members of the 144th Security Forces Squadron and 146th Security Forces Squadron, California Air National Guard, tear down tents at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows, about 20 ... More
U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Claudia Huizar, right,
U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Claudia Huizar, right, a Staff Section Chief for Regional Command (Southwest) (RC(SW)), watches U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. "Rush," an improvised explosive device detection dog with Cha... More
Sergeant Sean Naquin, senior police advisor, Nawa Police
Sergeant Sean Naquin, senior police advisor, Nawa Police Advisor Team, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, makes chai tea with Afghan Uniform Police Sgt. MahMad Dawood, Operational Coordinatio... More
Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental
Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, line up for their Thanksgiving Day meal, Nov. 22, 2012. The holiday season is especially tough on Marines away from their families, but... More
Marines and sailors with India Company, 3rd Battalion,
Marines and sailors with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, stand silently at parade rest during the beginning of a memorial service in honor of Lance Cpl. Anthony Deni... More
Sergeant Sean Naquin, senior police advisor, Nawa Police
Sergeant Sean Naquin, senior police advisor, Nawa Police Advisor Team, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, meets with a local precinct’s police chief, Nov. 20, 2012. The team worked closely wi... More
Greenlee Demes, the niece of Sgt. Michael Wylie, displays
Greenlee Demes, the niece of Sgt. Michael Wylie, displays an American flag as she waits for him to arrive at Camp Pendleton after his Afghanistan deployment. Wylie, from 9th Communications Battalion, returned w... More
Lance Cpl. Dallin Jaramillo, rifleman, Lima Company,
Lance Cpl. Dallin Jaramillo, rifleman, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, takes a break at an Afghan Local Police station, Nov. 27, 2012. The Marines drank chai tea with... More
A Marine stands post during a memorial service honoring
A Marine stands post during a memorial service honoring Lance Cpl. Anthony Denier, Dec. 8, 2012. Denier, a rifleman with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, died while c... More
Sergeant Sean Naquin, senior police advisor, Nawa Police
Sergeant Sean Naquin, senior police advisor, Nawa Police Advisor Team, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, talks to new detainees at the police headquarters, Nov. 20, 2012. The team spent the ... More
A Marine with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines,
A Marine with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, patrols the surrounding area of Forward Operating Base Geronimo, Nov. 16, 2012. Marines partnered with Afghan National Army sold... More
Sergeant Alberto Conrado, left, platoon sergeant, Personal
Sergeant Alberto Conrado, left, platoon sergeant, Personal Security Detachment, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, and Lance Cpl. Omar Rodriguez, machine gunner with PSD, flip a tire ... More
Afghan National Army Sgt. Gulagh, squad leader, 1st
Afghan National Army Sgt. Gulagh, squad leader, 1st Tolai, 1st Kandak, 4th Brigade, 215th Corps, directs his soldiers where to post security, Nov. 16, 2012. Gulagh uses the Marines as mentors and coaches, takin... More
First Lt. Kevin Murphy, platoon commander, India Company,
First Lt. Kevin Murphy, platoon commander, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, pays his respects to Lance Cpl. Anthony Denier, Dec. 8, 2012. Denier, a rifleman in Murphy... More
Lance Cpl. Robert Johnson, team leader, India Company,
Lance Cpl. Robert Johnson, team leader, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, salutes a battlefield cross honoring Lance Cpl. Anthony Denier, Dec. 8, 2012. Johnson reflect... More
A battlefield cross, comprised of an upside down rifle
A battlefield cross, comprised of an upside down rifle with a bayonet, Kevlar helmet, a pair of boots and identification tags is set up as a memorial for Lance Cpl. Anthony Denier, Dec. 8, 2012. Denier, a rifle... More
Staff Sgt. Garrick Whitley, a reconnaissance
Staff Sgt. Garrick Whitley, a reconnaissance nonc-ommissioned officer with the 95th Civil Support Team, California Army National Guard, radios back to base at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center i... More
Corporal Anthony Middleton, team leader, Lima Company,
Corporal Anthony Middleton, team leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, introduces himself to a local during a partnered patrol Nov. 16, 2012. The census patrol allowed Mari... More
Lance Cpl. Kody Broderick, right, machine gunner, Weapons
Lance Cpl. Kody Broderick, right, machine gunner, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, stands post with Lance Cpl. Carl Adams, a mortarman with the company, Dec. 11, 20... More
Sergeant James Fuller, embark chief, 3rd Battalion,
Sergeant James Fuller, embark chief, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, flips the smaller of two tires, during a workout, Nov. 25, 2012. Marines started the workout to build camarader... More
Colonel Austin Renforth, commanding officer, Regimental
Colonel Austin Renforth, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 7, addresses coalition leaders on the overall mission for RCT-7 during the regiment’s first commander’s conference, Dec. 19, 2012. Representat... More
Lance Cpl. Limuel Richards, team leader, Lima Company,
Lance Cpl. Limuel Richards, team leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, meets with Afghan National Army Staff Sgt. Samandar Khan, squad leader, Headquarters Tolai, 1... More
Sergeant Alberto Conrado, platoon sergeant, Personal
Sergeant Alberto Conrado, platoon sergeant, Personal Security Detachment, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, screams for motivation during a workout, Nov. 25, 2012. Twenty Marines fli... More
An Afghan prepares chai tea for the Marines with Lima
An Afghan prepares chai tea for the Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, during a partnered patrol with the Afghan National Army to visit an Afghan Local Poli... More
Corporal Jesse Swayze, patrol supervisor, 1st Law
Corporal Jesse Swayze, patrol supervisor, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, Regional Command (Southwest) (left), and Cpl. Erin Castle, topographic analyst, 1st Intel Battalion, RC(SW), wear shirts with the names o... More
Family and friends of 1st Radio Battalion Marines anxiously
Family and friends of 1st Radio Battalion Marines anxiously await their formation to be dismissed. Close to 300 Marines from that unit and 9th Communications Battalion returned from Afghanistan Wednesday aftern... More
Major Speros Koumparakis, detachment commander, 9th
Major Speros Koumparakis, detachment commander, 9th Communications Battalion, Regional Command (Southwest), runs the Marine Corps Marathon Forward in his Team Kelly T-shirt, Oct. 28, 2012. Team Kelly, named aft... More
Staff Sgt. James Woolford, left, platoon sergeant,
Staff Sgt. James Woolford, left, platoon sergeant, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, leads the firing detail during their three-volley salute during a memorial service... More
A helicopter lands at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare
A helicopter lands at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadows, about 20 miles northwest of Bridgeport, Calif. Nearly 100 California Air and Army National Guardsmen conducted cold weather... More
Three curious Afghan boys watch Cpl. Anthony Middleton,
Three curious Afghan boys watch Cpl. Anthony Middleton, team leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, during a partnered patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers, Nov. 16, 20... More
Afghan National Army Staff Sgt. Samandar Khan, squad
Afghan National Army Staff Sgt. Samandar Khan, squad leader, Headquarters Tolai, 1st Kandak, 4th Brigade, 215th Corps, posts security during a partnered patrol, Nov. 27, 2012. Khan said he learned a significant... More