Weekly Report, September 3, 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
Navy chaplain carries tragic memories of Ground Zero to Afghanistan CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Though hes spent the past 23 years in the Navy, Rondall Browns thick drawl, formed in the Blue Ridge Mountains, distinctly makes its presence known when one word crosses the chaplains lips horror. (more)

By Cpl Brian Jones, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)

Female Marines assist in delivery of local baby GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan Sgt. LaJuanna Baker and Cpl. Andrea Moreira-Rios were in the right place at the right time on July 30. (more)

By Cpl. Colby W. Brown, Regimental Combat Team 5

Afghans execute first solo patrol in eastern Marjah MARJAH, Afghanistan Afghan National Army soldiers with 2nd platoon, 1st Tolai, 3rd Kandak, partnered with Afghan Local Police patrolmen to execute the first Afghan-only patrol in eastern Marjah. (more)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Healing the Bleeding Ulcer: A More Hopeful Prognosis in Southern Helmand Province CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan When Gen. Stanley McChrystal applied the label bleeding ulcer to a Helmand district in May of 2010, he raised the international communitys awareness of the difficulties involved in counterinsurgency operations in the province. (more)

By Sgt. Jesse Stence, Regimental Combat Team 5

Marjah residents take stand against insurgents, rebuild community MARJAH, Afghanistan Before Afghan and coalition forces began security operations here last year, the insurgency cast an oppressive shadow over the citys residents. Few local citizens stood up to the insurgents for fear of kidnapping or death. Times were dark, but one family decided enough was enough and stood up for what was right, knowing full well the risks. (more)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

Afghan National Army takes lead, Marines lend support SHORSHURAK, Afghanistan Residents welcomed Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines into their village when they arrived during a recent security patrol. The patrol leaders discussed business with village elders as children swarmed the troops responsible for holding security asking for chocolate from nearly everyone wearing a flack jacket and Kevlar helmet. (more)

By Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde, 2nd Marine Division

Mentor team corpsman trains Afghan medics in Lashkar Gah CAMP LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan - Many people come to America looking for the freedom and prosperity not available to them in their homelands. For Petty Officer 3rd Class Kossi Noameshie, a native of Togo, West Africa, and a corpsman with the Afghan National Civil Order Police 5th Brigade mentor team, becoming an American citizen has meant serving the country hes adopted by sharing his corpsman expertise in Afghanistan. (more)

By MC2 Matt Snodgrass, Regional Command Southwest

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

EID celebrated aboard Camp Leatherneck CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Several hundred coalition service members and local nationals gathered together in front of a chapel aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, to participate in Eid ul-Fitr, Aug. 30. (more)

By Cpl. Bryan Nygaard, Regional Command Southwest

3rd Recon Bn. honors fallen brother PATROL BASE ALCATRAZ, Afghanistan - Marines and sailors of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8, paused to remember the life of Sgt. Daniel Gurr, Aug. 26 during a ceremony at Patrol Base Alcatraz, Helmand province, Afghanistan. (more)

By Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, Regimental Combat Team 8

UK Sergeant Barry Weston killed in Afghanistan It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Sergeant Barry John Weston, from Kilo Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, was killed in Afghanistan yesterday, Tuesday 30 August 2011. (more)

A UK Military Operations news article

Marines train Afghan soldiers to shoot RPGs CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Eleven soldiers from the Afghan National Armys 215th Corps learned to fire rocket propelled grenade launchers aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Aug. 24. (more) (video) (multimedia)

By Cpl. Bryan Nygaard, Regional Command Southwest

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

ISAF Commander visits British troops in Afghanistan The Commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (COMISAF), General John Allen, visited British troops working in Task Force Helmand. (more)

A UK Defence Policy and Business news article

Operation Sing Sing: ANA, 3rd Recon make strides toward governance in Upper Sangin Valley MALOZAI, Afghanistan The small farming community of Malozai, just north of Sangin, is quiet and peaceful. The sounds of the night feature chirping of crickets and the bark of dogs as the Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines of Company B, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, move quietly on patrol through the fields of corn and dirt paths cutting through the community. (more)

By Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, Regimental Combat Team 8

CCRS Marines break $100K in equipment repair savings CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Saving money is a priority for everyone in current economic times and the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) is following suit. (more)

By Sgt. Justin Shemanski, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Barbells, Dumbbells, Kettlebells, Oh My! GARMSIR DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan Across the room from a Kevlar helmet and body armor, near an M-16 rifle and night vision goggles, sits a jug of whey protein. Outside the doorless entryway, resting against the wall, are a minesweeper and electronic countermeasure gear entangled by a recently used jump rope. Sweatstained uniforms hang from corners of a well-used pull-up bar. (more)

By Cpl. Colby Brown, Regimental Combat Team 5

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Huey crew chiefs receive award for efforts in Afghan skies CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan - Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 awarded 18 Marines with combat aircrew wings at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Aug. 26. The combat wings signify service in a combat environment, compared to the basic wings all aircrew receive when their initial training is complete. The crew chiefs of HMLA-267 who received their combat aircrew wings have each flown more than 170 combat mission hours with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). (more)

By Cpl. Samantha H. Arrington, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)

Afghan soldiers, US Marines help Helmand farmers with food delivery CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Just outside of Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, insurgents still occasionally emplace improvised explosive devices into the sand and fields where local children play, farmers tend flocks, and coalition and Afghan National Security Forces conduct patrols. (more) (video)

By Cpl. Adam Leyendecker, Regional Command Southwest

Detroit native keeps smilin through deployment COMBAT OUTPOST AZADI, Afghanistan The title of United States Marine is earned, never given, but along with the title comes sacrifice. Marines give up time with friends and family to deploy to foreign lands in unselfish service to the nation. (more)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

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

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup