U.S., GEORGIAN AND AFGHAN SOLDIERS PATROL IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S., Georgian and Afghan army soldiers patrol outside of the Qaleh Musa Pain village in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 12, 2015. The U.S. troops are assigned to U.S. Forces Afghanistan, Task Force Solid. The mission was to attend an opening ceremony for repaired culverts in the village. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class David Wheeler. 

A Georgian soldier patrols past a compound outside the Qaleh Musa Pain village in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 12, 2015. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class David Wheeler.

U.S. MARINES AND U.K. SERVICE MEMBERS LEAVE HELMAND BASES IN HANDS OF AFGHAN FORCES

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT

Left:  Marines and sailors with Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan load onto a KC-130 aircraft at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, Oct. 27, 2014. The Marine Corps ended its mission in Helmand province the day prior. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. John Jackson.  

Marines, Brits Turn Over Helmand Bases to Afghan Forces
By Marine Corps 1st Lt. Skye Martin
Regional Command Southwest

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Oct. 27, 2014 – U.S. Marines and service members from the United Kingdom left Regional Command Southwest in Afghanistan’s Helmand province today, turning their facilities over to the Afghan security forces.

The lift-off followed a ceremony held at the former command post of Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan at Camp Leatherneck, signifying the transfer of Camps Bastion and Leatherneck to the control of the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps.

Regional Command Southwest is the first of the International Security Assistance Force commands to transfer authority to the Afghan national security forces as ISAF moves toward the Resolute Support mission that begins in 2015.
During the past year, Bosnia, Estonia, Denmark, Georgia, Jordan and Tonga ended their operations in Regional Command Southwest.
‘A very, very tough area’

Army Gen. John F. Campbell, ISAF commander, acknowledged that Helmand has been a “very, very tough area,” and he expressed confidence in the Afghan forces. “We feel very confident with the Afghan security forces as they continue to grow in their capacity and they continue to work better between the police and the army," he said.

Above:  U.S. Marine Corps and British Royal Air Force helicopters fly in formation after departing Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Oct. 27, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. John Jackson.

Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, commander of ISAF Joint Command, echoed that confidence. "We lift off confident in the Afghans’ ability to secure the region,” he said. “The mission has been complex, difficult and dangerous. Everyone has made tremendous sacrifices, but those sacrifices have not been in vain."

Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commander of Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan, said today’s transfer is a sign of progress. “It's not about the coalition,” he said. “It is really about the Afghans and what they have achieved over the last 13 years. What they have done here is truly significant.”
The Marines, sailors and British service members flew to Kandahar Airfield after the ceremony and will return home in the coming weeks.

RECENT DOD PHOTOS: MARINES PATROLLING IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Marines use optic sensors on vehicles to observe the surrounding area during a security patrol in Shorab in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Sept. 20, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John A. Martinez Jr.

U.S. Marines patrol in a tactical column in Shorab in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Sept. 20, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John A. Martinez Jr.

RECENT U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Marines troubleshoot an AH-1W Cobra helicopter before a mission on Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, July 3, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Kenneth Morris scans the area for any suspicious activity on the ground during a mission over Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 3, 2014. Morris, a crew chief, is assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson.

U.S. MARINES PROVIDE SECURITY IN HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Marines provide security during an operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 28, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John A. Martinez Jr.

U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. 1st Class Michael Fabregat scans his sector while providing security during an operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 28, 2014. Fabregat, a rifleman, is assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John A. Martinez Jr.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Lucas A. Bankson observes his surroundings during an operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 28, 2014. Bankson, a squad leader, is assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John A. Martinez Jr.

MARINES PATROL IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters take off after transporting U.S. Marines during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 6, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan.

U.S. Marines conduct a security patrol during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 6, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan.

U.S. MARINES PATROL IN HELMAND PROVINCE AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT

U.S. Marines Corps 2nd Lt. Michael Bressler observes a row of small shops for any signs of danger during a security patrol before making contact with the local Afghans near the town of Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 21, 2014. Bressler, a platoon commander, is assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Dye.

U.S. Marines and sailors conduct a security patrol near Patrol Base Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 21, 2014. The Marines and sailors, assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, conduct patrols to maintain trust and communication with the local Afghan population. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Dye.

U.S. MARINES IN AFGHANISTAN DEPART FORWARD OPERATING BASE NOLAY TO CAMP LEATHERNECK

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Marine Corps trucks wait in place as the sun sets on Forward Operating Base Nolay for the last time before departing the Sangin Valley in Afghanistan's Helmand province, for Camp Leatherneck, May 4, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Young.

U.S. Marines and sailors prepare to leave Forward Operating Base Nolay in Afghanistan's Helmand province, for Camp Leatherneck, May 4, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Young.

U.S. MARINES, GEORGIAN SOLDIERS PARTICIPATE IN "OPERATION CYCLONE" IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Marines and Georgian soldiers board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter as they prepare to participate in an air assault mission during Operation Cyclone near Passau village in Afghanistan's Helmand province, April 12, 2014. The Marines are assigned to Georgian Liaison Team 11, and the Georgian soldiers are assigned to Bravo Company, 31st Georgian Light Infantry Battalion. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dustin D. March.

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter prepares to land in a field to extract U.S. Marines and Georgian soldiers during Operation Cyclone in Passau village in Afghanistan's Helmand province, April 11, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Darien J. Bjornda.

U.S. MARINES LEAVE FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II FOR THE LAST TIME

FROM:  U.S. DEFENCE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Marines stand by their vehicles to depart Forward Operating Base Delaram II in Nimroz province, Afghanistan, for the last time as they head back to Camp Bastion in Helmand province, April 8, 2014. U.S. Marines. 

U.S. Marines prepare and ready their vehicles to depart Forward Operating Base Delaram II in Nimroz province, Afghanistan, as they head back to Camp Bastion in Helmand province, April 8, 2014. U.S. Marines Corps photo by Sgt. Frances Johnson.

RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

A U.S. Marine Corps mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle provides security in the Now Zad district in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Feb. 16, 2014. The vehicle is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. The unit supported Afghan forces conducting an operation in the area. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sean Searfus.

U.S. Marines shield themselves from the blast of a breaching charge explosion during Exercise Cobra Gold 2014 in Ban Chan Krem, Thailand, Feb. 14, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Mille.

RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS

FROM:  U.S. MARINE CORPS 

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rush, a military working dog, searches for explosives during a patrol near Patrol Base Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 30, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zachery B. Martin.

A U.S. Marine and his military working dog take a break during a patrol near Patrol Base Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 30, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zachery B. Martin. 

RECENT AFGHANISTAN PHOTOS FROM U.S. MARINE CORPS

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Eddie Glowacki unstraps a fuel barrel at an Afghan army base near Forward Operating Base Nolay in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Jan. 27, 2014. Glowacki is a generator mechanic with a security force advise and assist team, which is assigned to the Afghan army's 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Young -

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Eddie Glowacki provides security for Marines at an Afghan army base near Forward Operating Base Nolay in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Jan. 27, 2014. Glowacki is a generator mechanic with a security force advise and assist team, which is assigned to the Afghan army's 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps. The Marines frequently received enemy fire while refueling generators for surveillance towers. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Young -

RECENT U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT

U.S. Marines conduct rocket range training outside of Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 31, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Eric S. Wilterdink

A U.S. Marine fires a shoulder mounted rocket during rocket range training outside of Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 31, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Eric S. Wilterdink.

RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Dylan Tucker patrols during an operation in Qul'ah Zer in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 20, 2013. Tucker, a rifleman, is assigned to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James Mast.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard Munoz provides security during an operation in Qul'ah Zer in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 20, 2013. Munoz, a rifleman, is assigned to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James Mast.

PHOTOS FROM RECENT FIREFIGHT IN HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Ian Forry, left, and Brian Schaeffer crouch behind a wall during a firefight with insurgents near a bazaar in the Nad Ali district of Afghanistan's Helmand province, Dec. 4, 2013. Forry and Schaeffer, riflemen, are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul Peterson.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kyle Klingaman, front, leads a group of Marines to cover during a firefight with insurgents near a bazaar in the Nad Ali district of Afghanistan's Helmand province, Dec. 4, 2013. Klingaman, a scout sniper, is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul Peterson.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Bowker, bottom, supports a fellow Marine as he attempts to locate insurgents during a firefight near a bazaar in the Nad Ali district of Afghanistan's Helmand province, Dec. 4, 2013. Bowker is a rifleman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul Peterson.

RECENT DOD PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

Above:  U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Savoie provides aerial security over Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 28, 2013. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 supported Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, during an interdiction operation in Gurjat village. Savoie, a crew chief, is assigned to the squadron. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Gabriela Garcia

Right:  U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Steve Schmid runs the 26.2-mile course for the Marine Corps Marathon Forward on Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Oct. 27, 2013. Schmid finished first overall with a time of 2:41:36. The event coincides with the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bobby J. Yarbrough.

RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Marine Corps Cpls. Michael Emerson, left, scans the surrounding area for threats as Andrew Crisp, right, relays information to his leadership team during Operation Grizzly in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 18, 2013. Emerson and Crisp are assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena.

A U.S. Marine scans the surrounding area for threats during Operation Grizzly in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 18, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena.

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM: U.S. NAVY
U.S. Navy Seabees replace the tire on equipment on Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 18, 2013. The Seabees are assigned to the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 15. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Garas

A U.S. Navy Seabee dumps dirt into the back of a truck along a fence line on Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 18, 2013. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Garas.

U.S. MARINES AND GEORGIAN SOLDIERS CONDUCT OPERATION NORTHERN LION II IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

Georgian soldiers provide security during operation Northern Lion II in Afghanistan's Helmand province, July 3, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena

A Georgian soldier provides security during operation Northern Lion II in Afghanistan's Helmand province, July 3, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena.