Weekly Report, July 9, 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, 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
4 SCOTS fights through hornets nest during Operation ZMARAY SUK II NAHR-E SARAJ DISTRICT, Afghanistan - As dawn broke over Nahr-e Saraj District, Helmand province, July 2, several Chinook HC2 helicopters landed in a small pocket of farmland. More than 60 soldiers from A Company, The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, sprinted from the back of the helicopters and moved into defensive positions. (more)

Story by Lance Cpl. Bryan Nygaard, Regional Command Southwest

Afghan combat medic course graduates ready for field operations CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Seventeen Afghan National Army soldiers graduated July 7 from the Combat Medic course at Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, here.(more)

Story by MC1 Class Gino Flores, Regional Command Southwest

Experienced Afghan soldier teaches alongside Marines CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Earlier this year when Afghan National Army Sgt. Sarajadin was a student at the Joint Non-Commissioned Officer Course at the Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, here, he studied not for himself, but for his fellow soldiers. (more) 1

Story by Cpl. Adam Leyendecker, Regional Command Southwest

Afghan soldiers and Marines rescue bus survivors PATROL BASE DEH MEZONG, Afghanistan - Patrol Base Deh Mezong, in the district of Khash Rud, became a mass casualty triage and treatment facility after a bus full of Afghan civilians struck an improvised explosive device June 30th.(more)

Story by 1st Lt. Timothy Irish, Regimental Combat Team -8

Coalition forces mentor Afghans in IED hazard reduction CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan The explosive hazard reduction course at Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, here, allows coalition forces instructors teach members of the Afghan National Security Forces the fundamentals of identifying and countering improvised explosive devices. (more)

Story by MC1 Gino Flores, Regional Command Southwest

Helmand Marines loosen reigns on local soldiers GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan Punching bags and jump rope help, but you dont really learn how to fight until you set foot in the ring. (more)

Story by Cpl. Colby Brown, Regimental Combat Team -1

UK Prime Minister visits troops in Helmand The UK's Prime Minister David Cameron has travelled to Afghanistan this week where he met British troops at Camp Bastion in Helmand province and held a meeting with Governor Mangal. (more)

A Defence Policy and Business news article

45 Commando build on the peace in Afghanistan They are halfway through their tour in Afghanistan and 45 Commando Royal Marines are looking to ensure that the recent period of relative peace in Nad 'Ali (South) continues. Report by Ian Carr. (more)

A Military Operations news article

Camp Leatherneck Independence Day Celebration Interview

Col. Mike Sweeney of Havelock, N.C., talks to a WNCT-TV reporter in North Carolina about being deployed in Afghanistan during Independence Day. (more)

Camp Leatherneck Independence Day Celebration Interview

Master Sgt. Patrick Olson talks to a KCII-TV reporter about his responsibilities and serving in Afghanistan on Independence Day. (more)

Camp Leatherneck Independence Day Celebration Interview Capt. Joseph Dalton talks to a WNCN-TV reporter about his responsibilities in Afghanistan and celebrating Independence Day while deployed. (more)

Camp Leatherneck Independence Day Celebration Interview Lance Cpl. Dante Holmes of Morton, Pa. talks with WTXF TV in Philadelphia, Pa.,
about how he's celebrating the 4th of July, and his plans for when he returns to Philadelphia. (more)

Independence Day: Afghanistan style FORWARD OPERATING BASE EDINBURGH, Afghanistan While service members and civilians deployed to Afghanistan might not get a day off for holidays, they still find time to celebrate.(more)

Story by Sgt. Rachael Moore, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Marine trainers get first-hand look at Afghan police progress CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan During courses at the Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, here, instructors train Afghan National Security Forces and track their progress until graduation. (more)

Story by Cpl Adam Leyendecker, Regional Command Southwest

Marines drop 'Velvet Hammer' on Wazirabad WAZIRABAD, Afghanistan The rising sun crept slowly over the horizon, spilling drops of sunlight over the Helmand River Valley as Afghan Border Police and Marines trekked across the dunes overlooking the town. (more)

Story by Cpl. Jeffrey Drew, 2nd Marine Division

Marine survives close encounter with anti-personnel mine CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan According to the United Nations Mine Clearance Program, Afghanistan is the most heavily mined country in the world. (more)

Story by Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Maintenance Marines: Supporting the Warfighter CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan The intense climate and rugged terrain of Afghanistan is rough on military vehicles, which makes maintenance teams an important asset to convoy operations. Sgt. Rachel Moore met up with Marines from 2nd Maintenance Battalion to see what they're doing to keep troops on the road. Sound bite from Staff Sgt. Spencer Velez, Maintenance Company SNCOIC. (more video)

Video footage by Sgt. Rachael Moore, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Oregon Marine pursues photography passion in Afghanistan

CAMP LEATHERNCK, Afghanistan - Capturing moments in time is a passion Sgt. Tristeza Castellanoz finds great pleasure in. What began as a casual interest in photography has grown into a long-term hobby, a method of expression and a potential career for the Nyssa, Ore., native. (more)

Story by Cpl. Rashaun X. James, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)

Marine puts Hollywood music career on hold to serve in Afghanistan CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Whether Sgt. Sean Castaneda is recording an album in Hollywood, Calif., or providing imagery intelligence to troops on the ground in the desert of southern Afghanistan, serving his country while pursuing his music dreams are just another day (more)

Story by Cpl. Katherine Kelleher, Regional Command Southwest

For additional stories from RC(SW) 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 FaceBook