Buffalo Marine Leads Recon Through Danger Zone
PATROL BASE ALCATRAZ, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -- Buffalo, N.Y., native Cpl. Jebediah Stevens stands beside B Company’s flag. The reconnaissance Marine with B Company, 2nd Reconnaissan... More
U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion walk
U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion walk from one compound to the next aboard Patrol Base Alcatraz in Sangin, Afghanistan, June 29, 2011. With the large open areas and possible enemy contact, Marines... More
Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Polito of Naval Mobile
Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Polito of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 helps guide a new section of drill steel up to the derrick handler, Seaman Tomas Gonzalez on the drilling rig at the water well site ... More
Sergeant Jonathon Brewer, a Marine with 3rd Reconnaissance
Sergeant Jonathon Brewer, a Marine with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, sits during a memorial for Sgt. Daniel Gurr, Aug. 26 while Marines speak of memories shared with the fallen during a ceremony at Patrol Base... More
Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine
Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), unload supplies at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Helmand province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Eastern Storm, Aug. 26. PB Alcatr... More
A local Afghan child waits before a shura, or meeting,
A local Afghan child waits before a shura, or meeting, held at Patrol Base Alcatraz Sept. 3. District and provincial government representatives from the area came to the base to talk to local citizens about the... More
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company,
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, set up Base X tents to act as the battalion Command Operations Center aboard Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Sept. 14,... More
Cpl. Joshua C. Riebold, left, and Lance Cpl. Taylor
Cpl. Joshua C. Riebold, left, and Lance Cpl. Taylor Gibson fill sandbags constructing living areas for the Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 Marines at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Oct. 20. Gibson and Rieb... More
Capt. Michael Gagnon takes notes on the debriefing
Capt. Michael Gagnon takes notes on the debriefing at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, on the conclusion of a successful mission, Oct. 21. Gagnon, a native of Oxford, Mass., commands a team of roughly 20 men ... More
Sgt. Leon Anderson Jr., a food service specialist with
Sgt. Leon Anderson Jr., a food service specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, prepares steak for the Marines of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion for their Thanksgiving breakfast at Patrol Base Alcatraz, ... More
A soldier with the Afghan National Army’s Cashf Tolai,
A soldier with the Afghan National Army’s Cashf Tolai, 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, hands out humanitarian-assistance supplies like rice, cooking oil, hygiene items, and blankets to Upper Sangin Valley... More
Corporal Jose Huitronluna, a Portland, Ore., native
Corporal Jose Huitronluna, a Portland, Ore., native and a water purification specialist from 9th Engineer Support Battalion, opens the control panel door for the Tactical Water Purification System. Huitronluna,... More
Sergeant Tony Serrato (right), a Bayard, Neb., native,
Sergeant Tony Serrato (right), a Bayard, Neb., native, and Sgt. Leon Anderson, a Newark, N.J., native, prepare dinner in the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion field mess hall. Serrato and Anderson are food service s... More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Arvizu, battalion sergeant
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Arvizu, battalion sergeant major of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, enters a compound where the Marines will hold a shura in Malozi, Afghanistan, June 30, 2011. 3rd RECON was in Mal... More
Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Polito of Naval Mobile
Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Polito of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 helps guide a new section of drill steel up to the derrick handler, Seaman Tomas Gonzalez on the drilling rig at the water well site ... More
Sergeant Michael Barczak, a member of Company B, 3rd
Sergeant Michael Barczak, a member of Company B, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, takes a final moment to say last goodbyes to his fallen friend and fellow Marine, Sgt. Daniel Gurr, who was killed in action Aug. 5... More
A local Afghan citizen waits before a shura, or meeting,
A local Afghan citizen waits before a shura, or meeting, held at Patrol Base Alcatraz Sept. 3. District and provincial government representatives from the area came to the base to talk to local citizens about t... More
The day before the first mission, Capt. Michael Gagnon
The day before the first mission, Capt. Michael Gagnon briefs his Marines at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Oct. 20, on the plan to construct a helicopter-landing zone for a special operations outpost in th... More
Cpl. Christopher Cane constructs a helicopter landing
Cpl. Christopher Cane constructs a helicopter landing zone in the Helmand River valley of southwestern Afghanistan from behind the wheel of an armored bulldozer, Oct. 21. Cane, a native of Olympia, Wash., is a ... More
Sgt. Leon Anderson Jr., a food service specialist with
Sgt. Leon Anderson Jr., a food service specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, prepares steak for the Marines of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion for their Thanksgiving breakfast at Patrol Base Alcatraz, ... More
A soldier with the Afghan National Army’s Cashf Tolai
A soldier with the Afghan National Army’s Cashf Tolai mans an M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun during a shura, or meeting, hosted by the tolai, recently. The unit belonging to the 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th... More
Lance Cpl. Omar Montero, a Bronx, N.Y., native and
Lance Cpl. Omar Montero, a Bronx, N.Y., native and a water purification specialist from 9th Engineer Support Battalion, checks shut-off valves on the Tactical Water Purification System as part of the system mai... More
Sergeant Tony Serrato, a Bayard, Neb., native, flips
Sergeant Tony Serrato, a Bayard, Neb., native, flips steaks on a barbeque pit behind the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion field mess hall. He is a food service specialist attached to the battalion.
U.S. Marine Sgt. Jared Barnard with 3rd Reconnaissance
U.S. Marine Sgt. Jared Barnard with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion relaxes in the safety of a compound in Malozi, Afghanistan, June 30, 2011. 3rd RECON was in Malozi performing a two-day operation of clearing, se... More
Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Polito and Seaman Tomas
Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Polito and Seaman Tomas Gonzalez of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 position a new section of drill steel on the drilling rig after having replaced the worn out drill bit (for... More
Cpl. Matthew Wrisley, a member of 3rd Reconnaissance
Cpl. Matthew Wrisley, a member of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, pauses in a moment of reflection at the battlefield memorial for Sgt. Daniel Gurr, who was killed in action Aug. 5 during combat operations in the... More
An Afghan National Army soldier from the Heavy Weapons
An Afghan National Army soldier from the Heavy Weapons Tolay, 2nd Kandak, stands at attention during the playing of the Afghanistan National Anthem before a shura, or meeting, with local government representati... More
Capt. Michael Gagnon tests the communications equipment
Capt. Michael Gagnon tests the communications equipment on a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, in the early morning hours of Oct. 21. Gagnon, a native of Oxford, Mass... More
Capt. Michael Gagnon, left, and Sgt. Eric Zauner test
Capt. Michael Gagnon, left, and Sgt. Eric Zauner test the communications equipment on a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Oct. 20. Gagnon, a native of Oxford, Mass., ... More
Sgt. Leon Anderson Jr., a food service specialist with
Sgt. Leon Anderson Jr., a food service specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, prepares steak for the Marines of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion for their Thanksgiving breakfast at Patrol Base Alcatraz, ... More
Afghan National Army soldiers with the Cashf Tolai,
Afghan National Army soldiers with the Cashf Tolai, 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, and the 4th Kandak Headquarters personnel prepare a vehicle for a convoy. The tolai has partnered with the U.S. Marine C... More
Corporal Noah J. Davidson, a Eugene, Ore., native and
Corporal Noah J. Davidson, a Eugene, Ore., native and a water purification specialist from 7th Engineer Support Battalion, checks the laundry facility log book. Davidson came up with a logbook and bin system to... More
Corporal Chad Willis, a Chicago native and a reconnaissance
Corporal Chad Willis, a Chicago native and a reconnaissance Marine with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, serves a spoonful of vegetables to a fellow recon Marine. Willis is one of two messmen assigned for duty in ... More
U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion rest
U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion rest in the safety home the Marines are using for shelter in Malozi, Afghanistan, June 30, 2011. Hours after this photo, the room was hit by a malfunctioning illum... More
Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Allison of Naval Mobile
Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Allison of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 adds a gelling compound, which will help to seal the walls of the well shaft to the mixing pan in the mud lab at the water well si... More
Local citizens listen as a member of the District Community
Local citizens listen as a member of the District Community Council addresses approximately 60 men and children from the Upper Sangin Valley, Sept. 3. District and provincial government representatives from the... More
Sgt. Eric Zauner, a native of Greendale, Wis., starts
Sgt. Eric Zauner, a native of Greendale, Wis., starts a motor in the Helmand River valley of southwestern Afghanistan, working to build a helicopter landing zone for a special operations outpost in the Helmand ... More
Lance Cpl. John Koman grips his rifle while he sets
Lance Cpl. John Koman grips his rifle while he sets up the turret in a mine resistant ambush protected all-terrain vehicle at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, in the early morning hours of Oct. 21. Koman, a n... More
Sgt. Ghan Muhammad, the communications chief for the
Sgt. Ghan Muhammad, the communications chief for the Cashf Tolai, relays a radio message to his kandak headquarters. The Cashf Tolai belongs to the Afghan National Army’s 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, a... More
Corporal Noah J. Davidson (right), a Eugene, Ore.,
Corporal Noah J. Davidson (right), a Eugene, Ore., native, tosses a bag of dirty laundry to Lance Cpl. Ricardo DeJesus, a New York native. Both Marines are water purification specialists from 7th Engineer Suppo... More
A soldier with the Afghan National Army’s Cashf Tolai,
A soldier with the Afghan National Army’s Cashf Tolai, 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, hands out humanitarian-assistance supplies like rice, cooking oil, hygiene items, and blankets to Upper Sangin Valley... More
Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Allison of Naval Mobile
Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Allison of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 releases the pressure in the malfunctioning mud pump on the drilling rig before disassembly. The pump is necessary for pumping mud... More
The Deputy District Governor of Sangin, Mohammad Akbar
The Deputy District Governor of Sangin, Mohammad Akbar Khan, addresses the citizens of Upper Sangin Valley, Sept. 3. District and provincial government representatives from the area came to the base to talk to ... More
Lance Cpl. John Koman sets up the .50-caliber machine
Lance Cpl. John Koman sets up the .50-caliber machine gun turret in a mine resistant ambush protected all-terrain vehicle at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, in the early morning hours of Oct. 21. Koman, a na... More
Capt. Michael Gagnon teaches Afghan children how to
Capt. Michael Gagnon teaches Afghan children how to fist bump in the Helmand River valley of southwestern Afghanistan, Oct. 21. Gagnon, a native of Oxford, Mass., commands a team of roughly 20 men dubbed "Task ... More
Petty Officer Tomas Gonzalez and Petty Officer 1st
Petty Officer Tomas Gonzalez and Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Allison of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 disassemble the malfunctioning mud pump on the drilling rig. The pump is necessary for pumping mu... More
A local citizen handles his prayer beads during a governance
A local citizen handles his prayer beads during a governance shura held at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Sept. 3.
Gunnery Sgt. Ronald D. Williams Jr. prepares for a
Gunnery Sgt. Ronald D. Williams Jr. prepares for a mission from the front seat of a mine resistant ambush protected all-terrain vehicle at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, in the early morning hours of Oct. 2... More
Cpl. Christopher Cane constructs a helicopter landing
Cpl. Christopher Cane constructs a helicopter landing zone in the Helmand River valley of southwestern Afghanistan from behind the wheel of an armored bulldozer, Oct. 21. Cane, a native of Olympia, Wash., is a ... More
The Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 Water Well
The Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 Water Well Team pose together in front of their drilling rig at the water well site on Patrol Base Alcatraz in southwestern Afghanistan. NMCB 4 is a component of the Na... More
The Deputy District Governor of Sangin, Mohammad Akbar
The Deputy District Governor of Sangin, Mohammad Akbar Khan addresses the citizens of Upper Sangin Valley, Sept. 3. District and provincial government representatives from the area came to the base to talk to l... More
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company,
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, set up Base X tents to act as the battalion Command Operations Center aboard Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Sept. 14, ... More
Capt. Michael Gagnon addresses his troops at Patrol
Capt. Michael Gagnon addresses his troops at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, at the conclusion of a successful mission, Oct. 21. Gagnon, a native of Oxford, Mass., commands a team of roughly 20 men dubbed "T... More
A group of Afghan men as seen through the windshield
A group of Afghan men as seen through the windshield of a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle in the Helmand River valley of southwestern Afghanistan, Oct. 21. Roughly 20 men with Marine Wing Support Squadr... More
Petty Officer 3rd Class Susanne Salerno of Naval Mobile
Petty Officer 3rd Class Susanne Salerno of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 performs a filter cake test in the mud lab at the water well site where the mud is constantly monitored for viscosity, sand conte... More
A local citizen speaks out to a District Community
A local citizen speaks out to a District Community Council member during a shura, or meeting, held Sept. 3 at Patrol Base Alcatraz. The citizens don’t have a chance to make their way to the Sangin District Cent... More
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company,
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, set up Base X tents to act as the battalion Command Operations Center aboard Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Sept. 14, ... More
Sgt. Eric Zauner speaks at the debriefing at Patrol
Sgt. Eric Zauner speaks at the debriefing at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, on the conclusion of a successful mission, Oct. 21. Zauner, a native of Greendale, Wis., serves as the senior motor vehicle operat... More
Capt. Michael Gagnon, right, and Cpl. Christopher Cane
Capt. Michael Gagnon, right, and Cpl. Christopher Cane discuss the construction of a helicopter landing zone for a special operations outpost in the Helmand River valley of southwestern Afghanistan, Oct. 21. Ga... More
Tower leader and driller, Petty Officer 2nd Class Luis
Tower leader and driller, Petty Officer 2nd Class Luis Esparza of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 monitors the operation of the drilling rig from the driller station on the rig at the water well site on P... More
A local Afghan child and his father carry away bags
A local Afghan child and his father carry away bags of humanitarian assistance supplies provided by the Afghan National Army and the Afghan government following a shura, or meeting, with district and provincial... More
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company,
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, set up Base X tents to act as the battalion Command Operations Center aboard Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Sept. 14,... More
A team of roughly 20 men from Marine Wing Support Squadron
A team of roughly 20 men from Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 dubbed "Task Force Nomad" undertakes the task of constructing a helicopter landing zone for a special operations outpost in the Helmand River valle... More
Sgt. Eric Zauner looks down from a water tank while
Sgt. Eric Zauner looks down from a water tank while cleaning and repairing equipment at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Oct. 21. Zauner, a native of Greendale, Wis., serves as the senior motor vehicle operat... More
Petty Officer 2nd Class Luis Esparza of Naval Mobile
Petty Officer 2nd Class Luis Esparza of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 helps guide a new section of drill steel up to the derrick handler, Petty Officer 3rd Class Oscar Delarosa on the drilling rig at th... More
A mine resistant ambush protected all-terrain vehicle
A mine resistant ambush protected all-terrain vehicle stands at the security perimeter in the Helmand River valley of southwestern Afghanistan, Oct. 21, for a team of roughly 20 men dubbed "Task Force Nomad." O... More
Cpl. Christopher Cane constructs a helicopter landing
Cpl. Christopher Cane constructs a helicopter landing zone in the Helmand River valley of southwestern Afghanistan from behind the wheel of an armored bulldozer, Oct. 21. Cane, a native of Olympia, Wash., is a ... More
Petty Officer 3rd Class Oscar Delarosa and Petty Officer
Petty Officer 3rd Class Oscar Delarosa and Petty Officer 2nd Class Luis Esparza of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 monitor the operation of the drilling rig before adding a new section of drill steel on t... More
An armored bulldozer moves gravel as part of the
An armored bulldozer moves gravel as part of the construction of a helicopter landing zone for a special operations outpost in the Helmand River valley of southwestern Afghanistan, Oct. 21. Over the next severa... More
Petty Officer 3rd Class Oscar Delarosa and Petty Officer
Petty Officer 3rd Class Oscar Delarosa and Petty Officer 2nd Class Luis Esparza of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 monitor the operation of the drilling rig after adding a new section of drill steel on th... More
Capt. Michael Gagnon, right, and Gunnery Sgt. Ronald
Capt. Michael Gagnon, right, and Gunnery Sgt. Ronald D. Williams Jr. debrief a recent mission from Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, Oct. 21. Gagnon, a native of Oxford, Mass., commands a team of roughly 20 me... More
Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and
Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion listen as Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos addresses them at Combat Outpost Alcatraz, Nov. 24. Amos said his mos... More
Roughly 20 Marines and one Navy corpsman make up a
Roughly 20 Marines and one Navy corpsman make up a subset of Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 dubbed "Task Force Nomad," seen here from their headquarters on Patrol Base Alcatraz, Oct. 21. Over the next several... More
Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and
Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion listen as Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos addresses them at Combat Outpost Alcatraz, Nov. 24. Amos said his most m... More
Lance Cpl. Scott D. Van New Kirk cleans his rifle at
Lance Cpl. Scott D. Van New Kirk cleans his rifle at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, at the conclusion of a successful mission constructing a helicopter landing zone for a special operations outpost in the H... More
Gen. John R. Allen, commanding general of International
Gen. John R. Allen, commanding general of International Security Assistance Force-Afghanistan, met up with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, on Patrol Base Alcatraz in the early morning of... More
USMC-111021-M-UB212-031
Lance Cpl. John Koman grips his rifle while he sets up the turret in a mine resistant ambush protected all-terrain vehicle at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Afghanistan, in the early morning hours of Oct. 21. Koman, a ... More