U.S. Marine Col. Roger B. Turner, commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 5 receives certificates of appreciation from Helmand Province Governor Gulab Mangal here, May 16, 2012. Mangal visited Camp Dwyer's Combat Support Hospital and thanked U.S. Army medical personnel for taking care of wounded Afghans civilians and security forces in southern Helmand.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment disrupted insurgent activity in northern Musa Qa'leh district during Operation Ox Bow, May 8-12.

Happy Mother's Day greeting from 5th Marine Regiment.

Over the past seven months, I've seen and experienced progress in Afghanistan most Americans will never hear about from mainstream media.

As the transition toward Afghan-led security continues, coalition forces in southern Helmand province are focusing their advising efforts on developing the Afghan National Army’s combat support capabilities.

The Combat Support Advisory Team is tasked with advising the Afghan National Army’s 4th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, on the many different aspects of combat support operations.

When Sgt. Andrew Jender, watch chief for 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, enlisted in the Marine Corps, he envisioned himself becoming an infantryman but he had no idea he would be looking after the president.

As insurgents begin preparations for Afghanistan's poppy harvest season, Marines, coalition forces and Afghan National Security Forces participated in Operation Jaws April 5-8.

The sounds from a controlled flurry of medical activity drifted through a narrow hallway packed with patients, stretchers and U.S. Navy corpsmen, funneling their calm conversations and unbreakable focus into the buzzing aid station.

In a time of transition, Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment’s embedded training team work to establish an effective Afghan fighting force.

A patrol leader with the Afghan Uniformed Police here said his message against growing poppy is reaching farmers. In return, farmers are sealing their compliance with handshakes and understanding.

Sometimes little luxuries like air conditioning, heat and power go unnoticed... just not in Afghanistan.

As Marine forces in Helmand province shift into an advisory role and the capabilities and responsibilities of Afghan National Security Forces continue to grow, the people of southern Helmand are reaping the benefits.

The men and women who have earned the title of Marine share a unique history and tradition only found in the Corps. In some cases, this history and tradition is shared by generations of Marines from the same family.

Establishing a strong relationship with the local population is critical to any successful counterinsurgency operation.

Without the Marine's watchful eyes and his dog's trained nose, the round metal container packed with 40 pounds of homemade explosives could have wreaked destruction on their patrol.

Day in and day out, reservists from every service are making sacrifices for their families, friends and their country.

As Afghan National Security Forces in Nawa are beginning to take the lead in counterinsurgency operations across the district, many Marines find themselves doing less work in traditional occupational specialties and more work in an advisory role.

The heart of Garmsir district is safe.

Over the past five years, coalition forces have operated with Afghan National Security Forces to defeat the insurgency in the central Helmand River valley. Driven from the green zones, or populated areas, of districts in southern Helmand, enemy fighters have sought refuge in bed-down locations west of the Helmand River. This area on the outskirts of Garmsir district has been, until now, nearly untouched by Afghan and coalition forces and the Afghan government.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will present the Navy Cross to the family of Lance Cpl. Donald J. Hogan here, Jan. 17.

Lt. Col. Thomas Savage passes the battle colors of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment to the battalion's new commanding officer, Lt. Col. Terry Johnson, during a change-of-command ceremony at the 5th Marine Regiment parade deck, Jan. 6. Savage assumed command of 1st Bn., 5th Marines in February 2010 and led the battalion to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011. Johnson deployed to Afghanistan with 1st Marine Division in 2010 and will lead the battalion as they train for an upcoming expeditionary deployment.

As a squad of Afghan National Army soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, patrols a dusty road, chaos ensues.

Silver Star recipient remains calm, humble through Afghanistan tour

The Solyndra solar debacle has some in Congress arguing that government needs to get out of the renewable-power ­business. Don’t tell that to the Marine Corps, the bravest new recruit in the clean-energy revolution.

His days end late in the evenings and begin well before sunrise. While most in Nawa are still sleeping soundly in their beds, he is already awake preparing for another seemingly endless day.

The culture, landscape and austere conditions of Helmand province can be downright shocking to American troops deployed to the area for the first time. Life in Helmand is completely different than life in the United States, and one can only begin to understand this exotic land after experiencing it first-hand.

His days end late in the evenings and begin well before sunrise. While most in Nawa are still sleeping soundly in their beds, he is already awake preparing for another seemingly endless day.

Afghan Uniformed Police patrolmen and Marines from 3rd Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, have been conducting partnered patrols in Musa Qal’eh district, Helmand province, in recent weeks to show a strong, partnered presence in the platoon’s area of responsibility.

Marines and sailors with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, attended a memorial service Oct. 13 to honor Lance Cpl. Benjamin W. Schmidt, 24, of San Antonio.

More than 70 sailors, Marines and civilians turned out to show their support and appreciation as the sailors here honored 236 years of pride and tradition during the U.S. Navy Birthday celebration, Oct. 14.