Joker

Only when I  deployed was I actually hounded to upload my work onto the Defense Video Imagery Distribution System, and I'm really upset I didn't do it more often in my early years in the Marines. Well, lesson learned! Below, I have put up the intro to my work with a photo and the links to the full story if you'd like to read on. I hope you enjoy!

I MEF (FWD) reactivates for historic Afghanistan deployment
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.- The I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) reactivated during a ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 23, in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan during early 2014.
I MEF (Fwd) will assume command of Regional Command (Southwest), which is comprised of Helmand and Nimroz provinces.  Read the rest of the story here





Faith has no uniform: British Islamic religious advisor visits with U.S. Marines
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan- Imam Asim Hafiz, an Islamic religious advisor with the British Ministry of Defence, visited British and American leaders aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2014, to discuss the religious environment and its impact in Afghanistan.
Though Imam Hafiz spoke with high-ranking officials during his visit, he made time to highlight the diversity of the armed forces by sitting down to talk with American Muslim Marines currently deployed to Afghanistan. Read more


Mobile Strike Force advisors guide Afghan 3rd MSF toward success
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan— The Marines of Mobile Strike Force Security Force Assistance Advisor Team brought their Afghan counterparts of the 3rd Mobile Strike Force to Camp Leatherneck, for vehicle recovery training with simulated Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles with catastrophic damage, Feb. 23 and 24.
The MSF SFAAT has been working with the Afghan soldiers of 3rd MSF for the past several months building strong relationships and a vehicle maintenance program. Read more









Mobile exchange brings comforts to Forward Operating Bases
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SABIT QADAM, Afghanistan - For most Marines and sailors, a trip to the post exchange for a snack and drink may consist of a short walk or drive, but for the Marines and sailors aboard forward operating bases across Regional Command (Southwest), the PX must come to them.
A small group of Marines known as a Warfighter Express Services team travels throughout the RC(SW) battle space and sets up shop inside an empty shipping container to provide postal, disbursing and Marine Corps Exchange services for Marines and sailors on different FOBs. 
Read more










Landing zone study improves efficiency at patrol bases
PATROL BASE BOLDAK, Afghanistan— A three-man team consisting of two U.S. Marines and a British Royal Air Force airman conducted a helicopter landing zone study aboard Patrol Base Boldak, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 20, 2014.
Landing zone studies are performed as often as possible in order to update requirements and the coordination needed to maintain the HLZ, as well as to ensure proper procedures and safety requirements are set in place. Read more











1st Combat Engineer Battalion clear the way for friendly forces HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan—The Marines of 4th platoon, Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, conducted a route clearance operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 24. Read more










Regional Command (Southwest) takes in British 'Desert Rats'
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – The British-led Task Force Helmand combined with Regional Command (Southwest) during a merger ceremony held on Camp Bastion, April 1. Following eight years of combat operations in Helmand province, the ceremony marked the end of the United Kingdom’s military headquarters in southwestern Afghanistan. The functions of the British headquarters element now reside with RC(SW). Read more










All in a day’s work: HMH-466 transports troops for training, provides aerial reconnaissance
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The powerful blades of a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 transformed the cool morning breeze into a powerful wind as it prepared to take to the skies over Helmand province on a dark, early spring morning, April 2.
The Camp Bastion flightline was a beehive of activity underneath bright flood lights and fading stars as Marines performed preflight checks and aircraft started spinning up and taking off. Read more











Last U.S. Forces leave Nimroz province, Afghan National Army is ready to stand on their own
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan— An estimated 7 million Afghans were able to successfully and peacefully vote in the recent Afghan national elections due to the security provided solely by Afghan National Security Forces.
The ANA and other ANSF pillars stood strong, ensuring a peaceful voting process for their fellow Afghans after years of training and advising from their International Security Assistance Force partners. The ANA soldiers of 4th Brigade, 215th Corps have been trained and advised by a rotational team of Marines and sailors known as Security Force Assistance Advisor Team 4-215. Read more










Leaving Nimroz, Combat Logistics Battalion 7 returns Marines, sailors, equipment to Camp Leatherneck

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan - Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 7 were instrumental in returning more than 302,000 pounds of equipment and supplies as well as the last of the Marines and sailors of Security Force Assistance Advisor Team 4-215 back to Camp Leatherneck from Forward Operating Base Delaram II in Nimroz province, Afghanistan, April 7 and 8. Read more











Georgian Liaison Team, 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion conduct air raid led by Afghan National Army soldiers
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan- A platoon of Georgian soldiers with the 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion and Marines with the Georgian Liaison Team conducted an air raid led by Afghan National Army soldiers in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 12.
The mission was to conduct a synchronized helicopter-borne and motorized raid in order to capture a high-value target. Read more











Marine Aircraft Group- Afghanistan helps retrograde last of personnel, equipment from Sangin Valley
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan— Marine Aircraft Group- Afghanistan assisted in the retrograde of equipment and personnel from northern Helmand, May 3-5.
Before the last Marines and sailors of Forward Operating Bases Nolay and Sabit Qadam convoyed out of northern Helmand to return to Camp Leatherneck for the final time, the “Gunfighters” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 and “Heavyweights” of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 provided overwatch for returning vehicle convoys as well as retrograde support. Read more











Afghan National Army firefighters blaze through live-fire training
CAMP SHORABAK, Afghanistan— As the sun lowered below the horizon, prayers were heard rising in the warm summer air and eight Afghan National Army soldiers with the 215th Corps stood in full firefighting attire ready for their next training mission, June 7.
The few ANA soldiers who make up the Camp Shorabak Fire Department listened intently to their brief inside the brightly lit fire station, ready to test their mettle in the fire. Read more










Tango Battery provides artillery support for coalition forces in southwestern Afghanistan
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan— In a noncombat environment, a Marine Corps artillery battery is comprised of two platoons containing one type of weapon system, either M777A2 Howitzer cannons or High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers. However, the Marines of Tango Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, aboard Camps Bastion and Leatherneck have a unique makeup for an artillery battery. Read more









Afghan National Police Advisor team completes advising mission in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – The Marines of the Afghan National Police Advisor Team returned to Camp Leatherneck from Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 27.
The ANPAT, an advising team made up of approximately 20 Marines from all over the Marine Corps force including the reserves, spent eight months advising the Afghan National Police in order to develop a strong, capable and credible police force for Helmand province.  Read more










HMLA-467 conducts first combat deployment supporting operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan — Marine Aircraft Group-Afghanistan has different air assets contributing to the last operations in Regional Command (Southwest), and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467 brings the multirole versatility needed for combat operations in southern Afghanistan.
The unit, known as the Sabers, is currently deployed from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and is comprised of Marines with varying specialties to man and maintain the AH-1W Cobras and UH-1Y Hueys. The squadron was established five years ago and is on its first combat deployment. Read more











1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, supply Marines account for $117 million worth of gear
Tracking equipment required to sustain missions for an infantry battalion in a combat zone may seem like it would be the work for an entire battalion itself. For 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, the supply shop consists of only five Marines.
The supply section is the responsible holder and maintainer of all of the battalion’s gear, equipment and supplies. The job seems intimidating, but the Marines seem to have found their rhythm in order to keep everything organized and flowing smoothly. Read more












VMGR-352 lights up night sky for battlefield illumination mission
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – A six-man air crew with Marine Aerial Refueling Transportation Squadron 352 prepared their KC-130J Hercules for a battlefield illumination mission over Helmand province, July 18.
The squadron conducts various types of missions throughout Helmand province, including battlefield illumination missions that light up areas in support of coalition operations within Regional Command (Southwest). Read more 














Turret gunners of Combat Logistics Battalion 7 keep convoy safe
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – While most aboard Camp Leatherneck were eating breakfast as the early morning sun began burning the earth in a golden heat wave, turret gunners of Combat Logistics Battalion 7 were already mounting .50 caliber and M240B machine guns inside the turrets of their vehicles, preparing for one of the battalion’s last missions, July 14.
The gunners and the rest of the Marines from CLB-7 were at work for a few hours ensuring that they as well as all of their gear were ready for another trip outside the wire to Patrol Base Boldak.  Read more 













These are not all of my products but some of my favorite stories. I have videos and other stand alone photos if you want to see those all you have to do is click my name after clicking on the link to the story and you can see all of my product since being here in Afghanistan. It's been a fun ride, but it's time for me to get back. Any other updates to this page will be work from stateside :)

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