U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ryan Ralph, a mortarman attached

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ryan Ralph, a mortarman attached to 2nd Platoon, Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 8, drops a 60 mm mortar round while fellow mortarman Lance Cpl. Warren Barter stabilizes the mortar system during a firefight with insurgents at 2nd Platoon's patrol base in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 24. Elements of 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed to Afghanistan to provide regional security in Helmand province in support of the International Security Assistance Force.