Weekly Report, October 22, 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, Navy Mass Communication Specialists, 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
US Marines continue Operation Eastern Storm FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan Operation Eastern Storm continues to secure Route 611 from Sangins District Center to the Kajaki Dam. (more)

By 1st Lt. Timothy Irish, Regimental Combat Team 8

Task Force Leatherneck forces Taliban out of Upper Sangin Valley CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- Coalition Forces with Task Force Leatherneck located in Helmand province have kicked off Operation Tofan Sharq (Eastern Storm), a major offensive operation to root out the Taliban-led insurgency in the Upper Sangin Valley region of Kajaki. (more)

By Maj. Bradley Gordon, 2nd Marine Division

Rifleman Vijay Rai killed in Afghanistan It is with great regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Rifleman Vijay Rai from 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday 15 October 2011. (more)

A UK Military Operations news article

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Youre on: CLB-1 takes over battle space CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan - During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Craig. P. Barnett, the CLB-7 commanding officer, highlighted the accomplishments of his Marines and sailors. He spoke of their unwavering dedication to duty and mission accomplishment. (more) (video)

By Cpl. Katherine M. Solano, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Georgia Marine turns hobby into career PATROL BASE WOLFPACK, Afghanistan - Theres one thing my stepdad told me that Ill never forget: If you always have a trade, you will never go hungry. (more)

By Cpl. Marco Mancha, 2nd Marine Division

Team of Marines integrates ground, air forces in Afghanistan CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - As the Marines and coalition and Afghan forces in the southwestern regional command of NATOs International Security Assistance Force patrol the Helmand River valley, they do so knowing an overwhelming advantage is behind them. (more)

By Cpl. Brian Adam Jones, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

Helmands largest hospital introduces new MRI capabilities CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan The Role 3 Hospital aboard Camp Bastion, Helmand province, celebrated the opening of its first magnetic resonance imaging scanning center Oct. 15 during a brief ceremony just outside the hospital. (more) (video)

By Cpl. Timothy Solano, Regional Command Southwest

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Engineers receive Afghanistan campaign medals Soldiers from 32 Engineer Regiment have been presented with their campaign medals after a demanding six-month tour in Afghanistan. During the tour the soldiers provided engineering support to the NATO-led mission to prepare the Afghans to fully take over the security of their own country. (more)

A UK History and Honour news article

Engineers keep fellow Marines in fight FORWARD OPERATING BASE PAYNE, Helmand province, Afghanistan Black grease stains cover his arms after working for hours in the hot weather. The young Marine takes a drink from a warm water bottle that sat beside him as he worked. He accidentally smudges his face with grease as he wipes the sweat away. (more)

By Cpl. Marco Mancha, 2nd Marine Division

UK Army bomb specialists welcomed home from Helmand Essex-based explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists received a rousing welcome as they marched through Saffron Walden to mark their return from Afghanistan. (more)

A UK History and Honour news article

Camp Leatherneck Sailors Celebrate Navy's Birthday Service members aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province celebrate the Navy's Birthday with a fun run and cake cutting ceremony (video)

By MC2 Matt Snodgrass, Regional Command Southwest

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Marines, Afghans enjoy pace of Nawa districts unique countryside COMBAT OUTPOST JAKER, Afghanistan Cornfields, dirt paths, tree lines and canals dominate the backcountry of Nawa district, Helmand province. This rugged, fertile community is quite the sight to see, a place where residents wear traditional attire and live an agrarian lifestyle that may seem like a scene from the past. (more)

By Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde, 2nd Marine Division

Washington native works toward healthy living in Afghanistan CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Hes extremely dedicated. Most people would be casual about (going) to the gym; not Sergeant Powers, said Gonzales, La., native Maj. Geoffrey Shows, the deputy Staff Judge Advocate for 2nd Marine Division (Forward). He is there sometimes twice a day, going late at night after a long day on his own time to get in a second workout; hes taking it to the next level. (more)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

Salt Lake City Marine serves others at home, in Afghanistan CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan Salt Lake City, Utah native, Marine Lance Cpl. Ricardo Medinaferrer, is currently serving a one year tour with Regimental Combat Team 5 in Afghanistan as a Personnel Administration and Retention specialist. Although he is one of the youngest Marines aboard Camp Dwyer at 18 years old, Medinaferrer has had a long, hard road to get to where he is today. (more)

By Staff Sgt. Andrew Miller, Regimental Combat Team 5

Seabees Prepare Musa Qal'ah for Flooding Season NMCB4 Seabees build a bridge connecting surrounding villages together. Interview with Lt. j.g. Jim Corbett, Musa Qal'ah NMCB4 Det. Officer in Charge. (video)

By MC2 Matt Snodgrass, Regional Command Southwest

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Life on Patrol Base Boldak: The routine of Weapons Co., 1st Bn., 25th Marines PATROL BASE BOLDAK, Afghanistan A horde of flies swarms above Cpl. James Bakers head. They repeatedly swoop down and buzz around his face. He quickly swats one away, only to swat another moments later. (more)

By Cpl. Bryan Nygaard, Regional Command Southwest

Why We Run: Serenity - Maryland Marine runs to free her mind, boost self-confidence CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Sgt. Jasman Anderson admits that she does not like running. She never ran competitively in high school or pursued marathons in her home state, but at the end of October, Anderson will join hundreds of others aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, in running the Marine Corps Marathon. (more)

By Cpl. Katherine M. Solano, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

For additional stories from RC(SW) visit:

Regional Command Southwest 2nd Marine Division RCT-5 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

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup