Cpl. Matthew Morales, the non-commissioned officer

Cpl. Matthew Morales, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Landing Zone, Forward Operating Base Geronimo, directs a forklift while arranging incoming supplies. Morales is stationed with Combat Logistics Battalion-7 in support of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. The regiment is currently assigned to Regimental Combat Team 1, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). Morales is in charge of manifesting all personnel for inbound and outbound flights into the FOB, as well as all cargo and supplies. “I like my job because I get to directly support the [infantry] to keep them in the fight,” said Morales, a Humble, Texas, native. The division, also known as Task Force Leatherneck, is serving as the ground combat element in southwest Afghanistan. The mission of the division is to partner with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat insurgent forces, and enable ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.