Weekly Report, June 12, 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
Boston native devises operation in volatile Sangin Marines with the 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and partnered soldiers from the 1st Tolay, 2nd Kandak, of the Afghan National Army, launched Operation Kalawal Sunrise at day break, June 1.

Story by Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, RCT 8

ANA launch Operation 'Afghan Warrior' into Washir The Afghan National Army have begun a large scale independent operation to take back the district of Washir in Helmand province.

Story by 1st Lt. Timothy Irish, RCT 8

Harvest Moon reflects fading Southern Helmand insurgency Spring will no longer be a favorite time of year for Southern Helmand insurgents because of counterinsurgency operations like the recent narcotics interdiction conducted by Afghan National Security Forces, with the support of Marines, soldiers and sailors of

Story by Sgt. Jesse Stence, RCT 1

SecDef swings through Helmand during farewell tour During his farewell tour of Afghanistan, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stopped here, June 5, to praise service members and field a variety of questions.

Story by Sgt. Jesse Stence, RCT 1

Safar Bazaars little mayor reaches Afghans Lance Cpl. Robert Lemonte smiles as he patrols, at six in the morning, down the main street of the Safar Bazaar. Hes not smiling because someone told a joke; the Mansfield, Ind., native smiles because he recognizes the shop owners who are opening up for the day. He smiles because they smiled at him first.

Story by Cpl. Colby Brown, RCT 1

ANA show they can teach their own In an effort to help the Afghan national army sustain themselves in future operations, coalition forces are implementing mentorship programs to teach ANA soldiers different skills.

Story by Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego, 2nd MLG (Fwd)

FOB Edinburgh Shock Trauma Platoon Video package about the FOB Edinburgh Shock Trauma Platoon in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Story by Sgt. Rachael Moore, 2nd MLG (Fwd)

Afghans graduate Explosive Hazard Reduction course Afghan national army soldiers graduated the Explosive Hazard Reduction course 11-4 held at Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest aboard Camp Leatherneck, June 9.

Story by Lance Cpl. Daniel Wulz, RC(SW)

New control tower for Bastion Airfield The RAF Air Traffic Controllers at Camp Bastion, the main UK base in Helmand province and the UK's fourth busiest airfield, have recently moved into a new state-of-the-art control tower.

Story courtesy of Task Force Helmand

RAF brother and sister serve together in Bastion A brother and sister in the Royal Air Force have found themselves serving together for the first time, at Camp Bastion in Helmand province.

Story courtesy of Task Force Helmand

Waterford Marine experiences improvements during second tour to Nad Ali South Before every deployment, Marines are trained up on the area of operation they will perform their duties to prepare them for mission success.

Story by Cpl. Adam Leyendecker, RC(SW)

For additional stories from RC(SW) visit:

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