Weekly Report, July 30, 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
Afghan Civil Order Police brigade activates in Helmand capital LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan - The Afghan National Civil Order Polices 5th Brigade officially took control of its own command during a stand-up ceremony in the Helmand provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, July 25. (more) (video)

By MC2 Matt Snodgrass, Regional Command Southwest

New school in Sangin shows progress, brings hope SANGIN, Helmand province, Afghanistan The summer is winding down and the school year is just weeks away in the United States. Children of all ages have nervous butterflies in anticipation of the first day of school, while parents purchase school supplies to prepare their sons and daughters for the coming months. (more)

By Cpl Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

Royal Military Police train Afghan Local Police in Lashkar Gah LASHKAR GAH DISTRICT, Afghanistan - Royal Military Police with Theater Provost Group have been busy recently helping turn Afghan locals into Afghan Local Police at Patrol Base Bolan-T, Lashkar Gah District, Helmand province. (more) (multimedia package)

By MC2 Jonathan Chandler, Regional Command Southwest

Pittsburgh native survives blast, returns to duty CAMP HANSON, Helmand province, Afghanistan My bell was rung, said Pittsburgh native Zachary Beamer as he recounted his story of survival from an Improvised Explosive Device detonation. (more)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

4 Scots increases patrols, check points to keep insurgents at bay PATROL BASE BOLAN-T, Afghanistan - Recent insurgent activity in the area of operations for 4th Battalion, the Highlanders, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, in Lashkar Gah District, Helmand province, has led the battalion to step up its patrol presence. (more) (video)

By MC2 Jonathan Chandler, Regional Command Southwest

Female Engagement Team supports 1/5, Afghan soldiers in Sangin PATROL BASE FULOD, Afghanistan The two service women of Female Engagement Team 15, Petty Officer 2nd Class Amanda Richeal and Lance Cpl. Chandra Francisco, have been supporting 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, and their Afghan partners in their counterinsurgency mission since arriving in Sangin District, Helmand province, in the late spring. (more)

By Cpl. Katherine Keleher, Regional Command Southwest

Afghan medic saves lives using corpsmans training PATROL BASE ATUL, Sangin District, Helmand province, Afghanistan The Afghan National Army foot patrol came to a halt as a shock wave engulfed the patrol. When the smoke cleared, Sgt. Wahid Zula had absorbed the majority of the blast and lay on the ground bleeding from the injuries he sustained. (more)

By Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, Regimental Combat Team 8

An American hero: Georgia native loses leg, returns to combat zone CAMP HANSON, Helmand province, Afghanistan The pouring rain drenched the streets of Ramadi, Iraq, mixing with the rancid stench of backed-up sewage canals. The knee-deep concoction made the night patrol difficult for the Marines, but they had a mission to accomplish. (more)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

Family before self PATROL BASE FAHEEM, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Norberto Mendez-Hernandez, known to most as Mendez, decided to join the Marine Corps after the birth of his first born child to set an example for his children and his younger brother. (more)

By Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, Regimental Combat Team 8

Marine sergeant major, son serve together in Afghanistan CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Upon hearing the news that his son would be deploying to Afghanistan, Sgt. Maj. Robert Allen of Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 began making the arrangements to join the fight. (more)

By Cpl. Rashaun James, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)

II MHG Military Working Dog Platoon completes Afghanistan tour CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province - Mans best friend has a long history of serving in military operations, and now the Marines of Military Working Dog Platoon, Military Police Support Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), can add their names and those of their dogs to the list. (more)

By MC2 Matt Snodgrass, Regional Command Southwest

ANA and EPT: Not just a working partnership CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan The 215th Corps Logistics Brigade, a new kandak in the Afghan National Army, arrived at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, in May 2011, where they were introduced to with their counterparts the Embedded Partnering Team, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward). (more)

By Sgt. Rachael Moore, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Athlete swaps Olympic glory for the Royal Marines After winning a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics, Lieutenant Tom Lucy has finally achieved his childhood dream of becoming a Royal Marine. (more)

A People in Defence News Article

Helmand memorial honours Royal Artillery fallen A new memorial to the fallen gunners of the Royal Artillery was dedicated at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, last week. On Monday, 18 July 2011, members of the Royal Artillery's 29 Commando Regiment gathered at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, to witness the dedication of the first memorial to the Royal Artillery's fallen gunners. (more)

A History and Honour news article

Bomb disposal pair clears Taliban IED factory Two members of the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force (C-IED TF) have spent two full days making safe an IED factory found by British soldiers in the Nahr-e Saraj area of Helmand province. (more)

A Military Operations News Article

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