Weekly Report, August 13, 2011

The following content summarizes a weeks worth of activity from Regional Command Southwest, commanded by Maj. Gen. John Toolan and covering Helmand and Nimroz Provinces, Afghanistan. The content was created by Marine Corps Combat Correspondents, Combat Camera and personnel with UK media operations under Task Force Helmand. Feel free to forward our stories to family, friends and loved ones supporting those who are deployed.

Featured Stories
Coming of age through war: Cpl. Timothy Stark MARJAH DISTRICT, Afghanistan Cpl. Timothy Stark wrings his hands, unconsciously tapping the wedding band on his ring finger as he speaks about his wife and unborn daughter. (more)

By Cpl. Colby Brown, Regimental Combat Team 1

Female Marines launch first Musa Qaleh womans school FORWARD OPERATING BASE MUSA QAL'EH, Afghanistan Afghanistan harbors a harsh environment where street smarts are more common than a formal education, especially for women. Many skills that are learned from experience can be the difference between life and death, but with limited formal education, the society can only advance so far. (more)

By Lance Cpl. Clayton Vonderahe, Regimental Combat Team 8

Mass casualty training keeps ANA ready for combat CAMP SHORABAK, Afghanistan Afghan National Army soldiers with 215th Corps Logistics Battalion continue to develop into a more independent fighting force by learning different field expedient medical treatments and casualty evacuation. (more)

By Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Searching for IEDs - one of the most dangerous jobs in Helmand Sapper Vasilis 'Taz' Tzanetis is the lead searcher in an elite team of Royal Engineers on 24-hour call to seek out improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Helmand province. (more)

A UK Military Operations News Article

Operation Black Sand blasts the insurgency to dust COMBAT OUTPOST SHUKVANI, Afghanistan A blast of fire, triggered by 1,750 pounds of C4 explosive, erupted from the ground sending a shockwave ripping through the air. Secondary explosions suggested local improvised explosive devices sympathetically detonated as a massive mushroom cloud rose into the sky. (more) (video)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

Petraeus' successor discusses progress with Marjah officials CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan Gen. John Allen, the commanding general of International Security Assistance Force made his first command visit to Marjah, Aug. 4, to view its progress and meet its leaders. (more)

By 1st Lt. Alex Lim, Regimental Combat Team 1

Lone Star Marines guide Afghan soldiers to new battlespace HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Marines with the Houston-based 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, also known as the Lone Star Battalion, provided security and guidance to Afghan National Army soldiers traveling through Helmand province, Aug. 5. (more)

By Cpl. Adam Leyendecker, Regional Command Southwest

Home is where you lay your sea bags FIREBASE SAENZ, Afghanistan Marines regularly deploy around the world in support of various operations, leaving all the comforts of home behind for months on end. Big screen TVs, favored restaurants, and the wide-open spaces of America the Beautiful fade into the back of their minds. Though all the Land of Opportunity has to offer is out of reach, the Marines of Alpha Battery have made their firebase a home. (more)

By Sgt. Earnest J. Barnes, 2nd Marine Division

1 Rifles, 39 Engineer Squadron build new command post in Helmand province COMMAND POST KHAMANAN,Afghanistan - U.K. soldiers with A Company, 1 Rifles, and a section from 39 Engineer Squadron, 24 Commando Royal Engineer Regiment, participated in Operation Kapcha Afsana 9, July 24 through Aug. 6, to establish a new command post north of Narh Khil, Helmand province. (more)

By MC2 Matt Snodgrass, Regional Command Southwest

Coalition Forces Patrol, Take Contact B-roll of 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Marines, Royal 9th/12th Lancers and Afghan National Army Soldiers patrol in Yakchal, Nes North, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Troops lay low while other forces take contact around them and ANGLICO Marines call for air support. (video)

By Lance Cpl. Daniel Wulz, Regional Command Southwest

Royal Marines strengthen bond with Afghan National Army, locals through football NAHR-E SARAJ, Afghanistan A contingent of Royal Marines has found a new ally in strengthening relations with Afghan troops: football. (more)

By MC2 Adam Stapleton, Regional Command Southwest

Coram, N.Y. native leads Marines in Afghan fight COMBAT OUTPOST SHIR GHAZAY, Afghanistan - First impressions are usually lasting ones and one Coram, N.Y. Marine will always remember the first sights and sounds of his initial introduction to the real war in Afghanistan. (more)

By Lance Cpl. Clayton Vonderahe, Regimental Combat Team 8

EOD Conducts Controlled Dets Marines and Sailors with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 2nd Maine Logistics Group (Forward) conduct controlled detonations to dispose of nearly 25,000 pounds of unserviceable ammunition August 4, 2011. Near Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan (video)

By Lance Cpl. Bruno Bego & Lance Cpl. Katherine Solano, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Marine mechanics keep Shukvani rolling COMBAT OUTPOST SHUKVANI, Afghanistan While many others are dreaming the night away, Marine motor transport mechanics attached to the Republic of Georgias Army 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, work diligently to maintain the vehicles that keep the unit operational. (more)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

On patrol with the Afghan Army during Ramadan Throughout the fasting period of Ramadan the Afghan National Army (ANA) are still working hard with the help of their British mentors to ensure that the local population in Helmand remains safe and protected. (more)

A UK Military Operations News Article

British forces' Helmand church brightened by kids' paintings A church for Service personnel in Afghanistan has been fitted with some colourful new windows, thanks to a group of schoolchildren from Plymouth. (more)

A UK People in Defence News Article

Marine James Robert Wright killed in Afghanistan It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Marine James Robert Wright, from Juliet Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Nad 'Ali (North), was killed in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, on Friday 5 August 2011. (more)

A UK Military Operations News Article

For additional stories from RC(SW) visit:

Regional Command Southwest 2nd Marine Division RCT-1 RCT-8 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing 2nd Marine Logistics Group Task Force Helmand Task Force Helmand on Facebook Task Force Belleau Wood on Facebook FaceBook