Afghan Border Police with 4th Tolai, 2nd Kandak, and Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, board a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter near Combat Outpost Torbert here before the start of Operation Shahem Tofan (Eagle Storm), Feb. 10, 2012. After deploying to Helmand province’s Garmsir district in November 2011, Cpl. Reece Lodder, a combat correspondent with 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines, witnessed positive progress in Garmsir that has largely been ignored by mainstream media. He chronicled the work of Marines and sailors developing and advising Afghan forces taking the lead in strengthening security in Garmsir. With improved security, commerce flourished and successful district community council elections were held without incident mid-April. In the coming weeks, 3rd Bn., 8th Marines will relieve 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines in Garmsir and complete the district’s transition of lead security responsibility from coalition to Afghan forces.


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Photo credit: © 508 collection / Alamy / Afripics
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