A young boy sits on a moped at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar,
A young boy sits on a moped at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of insurgent fighters who operated in the area, with relative impunity, until the outse... More
A young boy plays with his friends at the Kajaki Sofla
A young boy plays with his friends at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of insurgent fighters who operated in the area, with relative impunity, until th... More
A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion,
A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provides security during a patrol through the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of... More
Cpl. Brian Robbins, a combat engineer, from Maryville,
Cpl. Brian Robbins, a combat engineer, from Maryville, Tenn., and a 2007 graduate of Heritage High School, inspects an insurgent fighting position discovered during patrol, Oct. 29 in Kajaki Sofla. The Marines... More
Corporal Chris Ginandt, a grenadier from Cincinnati,
Corporal Chris Ginandt, a grenadier from Cincinnati, halts during a patrol in Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 4. Ginandt, a 2008 graduate of Amelia High School, and his peers with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th ... More
A Marine provides security during a patrol in Kajaki
A Marine provides security during a patrol in Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 14. The Marines and sailors of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment continue to patrol the vivid landscape here, amidst the looming ... More
Two children herd their flock of goats through the
Two children herd their flock of goats through the Kajaki Sofla bazaar, as Marines with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, patrol Nov. 7. Seeing children return to the bazaar is a key s... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, stands outside the engineer lot at Forward Operating Base White House, Kajaki Sofla, Dec. 22. King, originally... More
Sergeant Chris Gonzalez, the Civil Affairs team chief
Sergeant Chris Gonzalez, the Civil Affairs team chief with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, speaks with a member of the Afghan Uniformed Police at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Nov. 5. Members of the A... More
Children hang around at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct
Children hang around at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of insurgent fighters who operated in the area, with relative impunity, until the outset of Op... More
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon gunner, from Fayetteville, N.C., patrols in Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 8. Mathis, now on his 2nd deployment to Afghanistan with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st B... More
An Afghan Uniformed Police officer heads out of the
An Afghan Uniformed Police officer heads out of the police station, here, Nov. 2. Afghan National Security Forces and their Marine counterparts have been conducting joint operations in Kajaki Sofla in order to ... More
Afghan National Civil Order Police officers, with 1st
Afghan National Civil Order Police officers, with 1st Battalion, 5th Brigade, return to their duties after welcoming Maj. Gen. John Toolan, commander of Regional Command Southwest, and Col. Ghulan Sahki Ghafory... More
A boy holds the bags of rice and beans he received
A boy holds the bags of rice and beans he received from Afghan Uniformed Police officers at their compound outside the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Nov. 5. Members of the AUP and their Marine counterparts with 1st Batt... More
A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion,
A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provides security during a patrol through the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of... More
1st Lt. Dennis Graziosi, a platoon commander from Altoona,
1st Lt. Dennis Graziosi, a platoon commander from Altoona, Pa., explains the rules to a group of children, prior to a soccer game between local kids and the Marines of Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regi... More
Lance Cpl. Justin Blosser, a police advisor, from Mansfield,
Lance Cpl. Justin Blosser, a police advisor, from Mansfield, Ohio, and 2009 graduate of Madison Comprehensive High School, fills bags of rice and beans to be given away to locals at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Nov... More
A Marine walks through a graveyard in Kajaki Sofla,
A Marine walks through a graveyard in Kajaki Sofla, during a patrol, Nov. 14. The Marines and sailors of Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment continue to patrol the vivid landscape here, amidst the loo... More
A group of children watches Marines, during their patrol
A group of children watches Marines, during their patrol in Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 14. The Marines and sailors of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment continue to expand their presence in the region si... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, enjoys the warmth of his makeshift shelter, built from scrap wood, discarded nails and waterproof tarps. The 5... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, enjoys the warmth of his makeshift shelter, built from scrap wood, discarded nails and waterproof tarps. The 5... More
Members of the Afghan Uniformed Police stand post outside
Members of the Afghan Uniformed Police stand post outside their compound near the Kajaki Sofla bazaar, Nov. 5. Members of the AUP and their Marine counterparts with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, took part... More
Sgt. William “Bud” Thomas (left), an explosive ordnance
Sgt. William “Bud” Thomas (left), an explosive ordnance technician, and Staff Sgt. Tim Harrison (right), an explosive ordnance disposal team leader, look over a small cache of improvised explosive device making... More
A young girl glances at a Marine at the Kajaki Sofla
A young girl glances at a Marine at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Nov. 5. Members of the Afghan Uniformed Police and their Marine counterparts with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, took part in the Islamic holida... More
A group of local elders, Police Advisers, with 1st
A group of local elders, Police Advisers, with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and Afghan Uniformed Police Officers gather for a meal at Patrol Base Pennsylvania, Nov. 6. Afghan National Security Forces and... More
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon gunner, from Fayetteville, N.C., stops during a security halt on patrol in Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 8. Mathis, now on his 2nd deployment to Afghanistan with 2n... More
A group of local elders, Police Advisers, with 1st
A group of local elders, Police Advisers, with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and Afghan Uniformed Police Officers gather for a meal at Patrol Base Pennsylvania, Nov. 6. Afghan National Security Forces and... More
A village elder attends a shura, the equivalent of
A village elder attends a shura, the equivalent of a town hall meeting, at Patrol Base Pennsylvania, near Kajaki Sofla, Oct. 28. The Marines of Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, are conducting ope... More
An Afghan National Civil Order Police officer, with
An Afghan National Civil Order Police officer, with 1st Battalion, 5th Brigade, stands at attention during a formation welcoming Maj. Gen. John Toolan, commander of Regional Command Southwest, and Col. Ghulan S... More
A young boy smiles for the camera at the Kajaki Sofla
A young boy smiles for the camera at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of insurgent fighters who operated in the area, with relative impunity, until the... More
A shop keeper sits outside his store at the Kajaki
A shop keeper sits outside his store at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of insurgent fighters who operated in the area, with relative impunity, until ... More
Sgt. Randy King (left), a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sgt. Randy King (left), a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, speaks with his Marines at the engineer lot at Forward Operating Base White House, Kajaki Sofla, Dec. 22. T... More
Who's the new guy?, US Marine Corps Photo
A young girl glances at a Marine at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Nov. 5. Members of the Afghan Uniformed Police and their Marine counterparts with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, took part in the Islamic holida... More
A group of local elders, Police Advisers, with 1st
A group of local elders, Police Advisers, with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and Afghan Uniformed Police Officers gather for a meal at Patrol Base Pennsylvania, Nov. 6. Afghan National Security Forces and... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, takes a break at the engineer lot at Forward Operating Base White House, Kajaki Sofla, Dec. 22. King, a Marine... More
A family walks past Marines, during a security halt
A family walks past Marines, during a security halt while out on patrol, Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 14. The Marines and sailors of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment continue to patrol the vivid landscap... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, stands outside the engineer lot at Forward Operating Base White House, Kajaki Sofla, Dec. 22. King, originally... More
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon gunner, from Fayetteville, N.C., patrols in Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 8. Mathis, now on his 2nd deployment to Afghanistan with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st B... More
A herd of camels passes by a Marine patrol, in Kajaki
A herd of camels passes by a Marine patrol, in Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 4. The Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, conduct a high rate of patrols in the area in an attempt to limit the insurge... More
A Marine patrol moves past a child playing in a field
A Marine patrol moves past a child playing in a field in Kajaki Sofla, Oct. 29. The Marines of Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, are conducting operations in the area to disrupt the freedom of mov... More
A young boy rides his bike through the Kajaki Sofla
A young boy rides his bike through the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of insurgent fighters who operated in the area, with relative impunity, until the o... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, helps a Marine build a bench at the engineer lot at Forward Operating Base White House, Kajaki Sofla, Dec. 22.... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, takes a break at the engineer lot at Forward Operating Base White House, Kajaki Sofla, Dec. 22. King, original... More
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon gunner, from Fayetteville, N.C., patrols in Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 8. Mathis, now on his 2nd deployment to Afghanistan with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st B... More
Children and teenagers play soccer with the Marines
Children and teenagers play soccer with the Marines of 2nd Platoon, Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment at Felber field, aboard Patrol Base Pennsylvania, June 6. Marines, linguists and Afghan Nationa... More
A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Company B., 1st Battalion,
A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment plays soccer with the local children of Kajaki Sofla during a soccer game at Felber field, aboard Patrol Base Pennsylvania, June 6. Ma... More
Two girls glance back at a Marine holding security
Two girls glance back at a Marine holding security during a patrol in Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 14. The Marines and sailors of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment continue to patrol the vivid landscape h... More
Children from Kajaki Sofla are split into teams, prior
Children from Kajaki Sofla are split into teams, prior to soccer practice at Felber field, aboard Patrol Base Pennsylvania, headquarters for Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, June 7. Marines, ling... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, stands outside the engineer lot at Forward Operating Base White House, Kajaki Sofla, Dec. 22. King, originally... More
A man rides his moped through the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar,
A man rides his moped through the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of insurgent fighters who operated in the area, with relative impunity, until the outset... More
Young children and teenagers from Kajaki Sofla play
Young children and teenagers from Kajaki Sofla play soccer with the Marines of 2nd Platoon, Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment at Felber field, aboard Patrol Base Pennsylvania, June 6. Marines, ling... More
A Marine patrols past a group of children sitting in
A Marine patrols past a group of children sitting in the shade outside of their home in Kajaki Sofla, Oct. 30. The Marines of Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, are conducting operations in the are... More
Children from Kajaki Sofla take turns kicking a soccer
Children from Kajaki Sofla take turns kicking a soccer ball at the makeshift goal at Felber field, aboard Patrol Base Pennsylvania, headquarters for Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, June 7. Marin... More
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon gunner, from Fayetteville, N.C., flips through his notebook of poetry and short stories. Mathis, now on his 2nd deployment to Afghanistan with 2nd Platoo... More
A young boy rides his bike through the Kajaki Sofla
A young boy rides his bike through the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of insurgent fighters who operated in the area, with relative impunity, until the o... More
Locals pass through the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, while
Locals pass through the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, while a Marine stands guard on the road, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of insurgent fighters who operated in the area, with rela... More
1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment was split across
1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment was split across three distinctly different areas of operation. Charlie Company was in Marjah, reinforcing Marine and Afghan forces operating in the city’s remaining troubled ... More
Maj. Gen. John Toolan, commander of Regional Command
Maj. Gen. John Toolan, commander of Regional Command Southwest (center), and Lt. Col. George S. Benson, battalion commander, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (center-right), make their way through Forward Ope... More
Sgt. Chris Gonzalez, the civil affairs team chief with,
Sgt. Chris Gonzalez, the civil affairs team chief with, Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, speaks to locals at the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the con... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, enjoys the warmth of his makeshift shelter, built from scrap wood, discarded nails and waterproof tarps. The 5... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, stands outside the engineer lot at Forward Operating Base White House, Kajaki Sofla, Dec. 22. King, originally... More
A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion,
A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provides security during a patrol through the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of... More
A young boy kicks a soccer ball during practice at
A young boy kicks a soccer ball during practice at Felber field, aboard Patrol Base Pennsylvania,headquarters for Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, June 7. Marines, linguists and Afghan National C... More
Marines pass a pair of men taking a break from farming,
Marines pass a pair of men taking a break from farming, during a patrol in Kajaki Sofla, Oct. 29. The Marines of Company B., 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, are conducting operations in the area to disrupt ... More
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon gunner, from Fayetteville, N.C., stops during a security halt on patrol in Kajaki Sofla, Nov. 8. Mathis, now on his 2nd deployment to Afghanistan with 2n... More
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon gunner, from Fayetteville, N.C., flips through his sketchbook. Mathis, now on his 2nd deployment to Afghanistan with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Batt... More
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat
Sergeant Randy King, a platoon guide for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and Ashville, N.C., native, stands outside the engineer lot at Forward Operating Base White House, Kajaki Sofla, Dec. 22. King, originally... More
Civil Affairs Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion,
Civil Affairs Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, meet with local elders during the holiday of Eid al-Adha, Nov. 7. Members of the Afghan Uniformed Police and their Marine counterparts w... More
First Lt. David Hechler, the Police Advisory Team commander
First Lt. David Hechler, the Police Advisory Team commander assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, takes a moment to rest after patrol, here, Nov. 5. Afghan National Security Forces and their Marine co... More
Maj. Gen. John Toolan, commander of Regional Command
Maj. Gen. John Toolan, commander of Regional Command Southwest (right), and Lt. Col. George S. Benson, battalion commander, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (left), speak during Toolan’s visit to Forward Oper... More
A Marine, with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and
A Marine, with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and an Afghan Uniformed Police officer embrace after a long day of patrolling, here, Nov. 5. Afghan National Security Forces and their Marine counterparts have ... More
Lance Cpl. Howard Price, a turret gunner with Company
Lance Cpl. Howard Price, a turret gunner with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, mans the M240G medium-machine gun with a photo of his girlfriend duct taped to the side of the turret. Marines in mob... More
A young boy receives bags of rice and beans from a
A young boy receives bags of rice and beans from a member of the Afghan Uniformed Police at their compound outside the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Nov. 5. Members of the AUP and their Marine counterparts with 1st Batt... More
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
Lance Cpl. Damien Mathis, an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon gunner, from Fayetteville, N.C., flips through his notebook of poetry and short stories. Mathis, now on his 2nd deployment to Afghanistan with 2nd Platoo... More
A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion,
A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provides security during a patrol through the Kajaki Sofla Bazaar, Oct 26. Until recently the district was securely under the control of... More