2/8 PMT ABP Patrol

The Afghan Border Police ABP and Marines attached to Police Mentoring Team PMT are looking for enemy forces after reports of enemy activity in the Helmand province area, Sept. 10, 2009. USMC photo Sgt. Pete Thibodeau

Battery Walkies

"Cpl. Timothy A. Webb, left, and Lance Cpl. John Franke carry a Humvee battery during a patrol in the Nawa district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 6, 2009. Webb and Franke are amphibious assault vehicle operators." That's what the caption read. I know. I was thinking the same thing. Why? Why are two amphibious assault drivers, in land locked Afghanistan, taking a their battery out for a walk? Hummm. Well. There's a war on. Somethings you're just not meant to know. photo LCpl. John McCall

Hot Work? Damn Hot Work

Lt. Mike Kuiper, H&S One Five, takes a break during a patrol in the Nawa district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 15, 2009. USMC Photo LCpl. Jeremy Harris

Radio Check-Thumb Check

Cpl. Joshua King, a scout observer with 2ndANGELICO, checks his radio after they survived an IED explosion that rolled his vehicle in Helmand province Aug. 18, 2009.photo Sgt. Christopher R. Rye

Night Watch

Cpl. Cody Frasier, assigned to HQ. Co. RCT 3, stands night watch at a guard post lit by chem-lights outside of the RCT-3 compound at Camp Dwyer, Helmand.USMC photo Sgt. Pete Thibodeau

Take Cover

Bravo One Five Marines take cover after receiving enemy fire during a security patrol through Helmand province's Nawa district, Afghanistan, Aug. 20, 2009. USMC photo Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg

On Your Six America

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Lionel Ortiz with Bravo Company, one five changes cover position during a firefight with the Taliban in the Nawa district of Helmand province, on Aug. 14, 2009. USMC photo Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg

Lance Corporal Donald J. Hogan Killed in Helmand Province

The Department of Defense announced today the death of Marine Lance Corporal Donald J. Hogan who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Donald J. Hogan, 20, of San Clemente, Calif., died Aug. 26 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Two Eight Fights in the Helmand River Valley

America, Who's Got Your Six?

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Marquez w/2/8 keeping a keen eye out for possible Orcs sneaking up for a quick lethal bite near Lakari Bazaar in the Garmsir district of the Helmand province of Afghanistan on July 19, 2009. photo by Gunnery Sgt. James A. Burks, a gunny on patrol, humm not your old man's green machine. Forty four years ago, I don't recall ever going out in the bush with a gunny in the Queson Valley. Ever.

Who's Got Your Six, America....

Lance Cpl. Jorge Rios, an MP on patrol with the 1/5 in the Helmand Province.USMC photo by Staff Sgt. William Greeson

Radios for Helmand

Marine First Sgt. David Wilson, with one-five hands a radio to an Afghan boy during a security patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers through the Nawa District bazaar in Helmand Province.photo by Staff Sgt. William Greeson

Lance Cpl. Darhele With The One Five in Helmand

Marine Lance Cpl. Sukhvir Darhele, with the one five, provides security during a patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers through the Nawa District bazaar in Helmand Province,U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. William Greeson

Photos by Sgt. Pete Thibodea USMC Combat Photog Helmand Province

Top-The CO of Golf two eight-Capt Matthew Martin, second bivouac somewhere in the Helmand Valley, third, watchful eyes out for orcs, fourth...letting the dogs out for air.Sgt. Ryan Steinbacher, two eight, after an exhausting day a brief pause only with nightfall watches will be set, 50 percent watch most likely.

USMC photo by CWO 3 Philippe E. Chasse
Two Eight Marines along with approximately 650 Afghan soldiers and police officers saddle up to board CH-53D Sea Stallion and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters at Forward Operating Base Dwyer, Afghanistan, July 2, 2009. The Marines and ANSF are in a major operation in the Helmand Province to kick Taliban plans for global world domination in the ass.