June 20, 2011 Weekly report

The following content depicts a weeks worth of activity from Regional Command Southwest, commanded by Maj. Gen. John Toolan and covering Helmand and Nimruz 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 Story
Marines, Afghan route clearance support Operation Afghan Warrior
The Marines from Route Clearance Platoon, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion performed a partnered route-clearance mission with the Afghan Route Clearance Tolai, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps of the Afghan National Army in support of Operation Afghan Warrior (Read Story) Story by Sgt. Earnest J. Barnes, 2nd MarDiv (Fwd)

Afghan army improves defenses in Sangin

Afghan National Army leadership have been improving their base defenses and their skill level with the help of Marine advisor teams in Sangin. Recently a partnered patrol, that included ANA soldiers from the 1st Tolay, 2nd Kandak, and Marines of Advisor Team 2 (Read Story) Story by Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, Regimental Combat Team 8

JSAS trains last Afghan uniform police class at Camp Leatherneck

The last class of Afghan Uniformed Police trainees that Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest will train completed their final field exercise here, June 13. The field exercise encompassed everything the AUP (Read Story) Story by MC2 Matthew Snodgrass, Regional Command Southwest

7th ESB continues road repairs in Marjah

Ease of movement for troops, equipment and supplies is a high priority for coalition forces operating in Marjah, Afghanistan. Route repairs improve infantry and logistical units mobility in and out of combat outposts and forward operating bases throughout the area (Read Story) Story by Lance Cpl. Bruno Bego, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Fwd.)

Navy aerospace physiologist keeps pilots safe in Afghanistan

Amber Biles mother is a doctor. Her father served as a U.S. Navy pilot for 23 years. So perhaps it was only natural she became an aerospace physiologist. The pride in serving our country has definitely been passed down to me and I hope I can make my family even a quarter as proud as I am of them and their accomplishments (Read Story) Story by Pfc. Sean Dennison, 2nd Marine Air Wing (Fwd.)

Defence Secretary sees progress toward transition in Helmand

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox has visited British forces in Helmand province as they prepare to begin the process of handing over substantive security responsibilities to their Afghan counterparts in Lashkar Gah. Accompanied by the Chief of the...

(Read Story)
Story courtesy of Task Force Helmand

39 Armored Engineer Squadron Bridge Construction

Video of engineers with 39 Armored Engineer Squadron, 24 (Commando) Engineer Regiment, 3 Commando Brigade construct a bridge across the Nahr-e-Bughra Canal(Watch Video) Story by Lance Cpl. Bryan Nygaard, Regional Command Southwest

Deployed Fallsington father stays connected with family

He was the first one to cradle your tiny body in his arms before giving you a warm kiss on the forehead and whisper I love you, into your ear. He helped change your diapers and clean the mess of you made on the high chair at dinner (Read Story) Story by Cpl. Marco Mancha, 2nd MarDiv (Fwd.)

Operation Afghan Warrior continues

Afghan forces now stand guard over every street in the Washir marketplace and man observations posts on hilltops surrounding the villages. Operation Afghan Warrior, that began 6 June, is now in its final stages having encountered no direct resistance from insurgent forces (Read Story) Story by 1st Lt. Timothy Irish, Regimental Combat Team 8

Marine light attack helicopter squadron answers call to duty

The commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 received a phone call from his higher headquarters in May. Within a few weeks of receiving that phone call (Read Story) Story by Cpl. Samantha Arrington, 2nd Marine Air Wing (Fwd.)

For additional stories from units assigned to Regional Command Southwest 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 Regional Command Southwest on FaceBook