Pat Dollard

U.S. Marine Cpl. Joshua Melendez, 26, a squad leader from Anaheim, Calif., and Lance Cpl. Joseph Streeby, 23, an artillery forward observer from Princeton, W.V., interact with local children during a security patrol here, Nov. 12. Melendez and Streeby are with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. During the patrol, they interacted with children and spoke with local leaders. “America’s Battalion” recently arrived in Garmsir to relieve 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. They’ll partner with the Afghan National Security Forces to establish a secure environment and develop district government to better meet the needs of the Afghan people.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin Jones, 22, a combat photographer with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a native of Owosso, Mich., walks past a group of local nationals during a security patrol here, Nov. 12. The Guard Force Marines are responsible for maintaining security around nearby Forward Operating Base Delhi. During the patrol, they interacted with children and spoke with local leaders. “America’s Battalion” recently arrived in Garmsir to relieve 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. They’ll partner with the Afghan National Security Forces to establish a secure environment and develop district government to better meet the needs of the Afghan people

Lance Cpl. Andrew Gray, 20, a team leader with Guard Force Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and native of Brandon, Miss., jokes with a local boy about bartering for his hat during a security patrol here, Nov. 12. The Guard Force Marines are responsible for maintaining security around nearby Forward Operating Base Delhi. During the patrol, they interacted with children and spoke with local leaders. “America’s Battalion” recently arrived in Garmsir to relieve 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. They’ll partner with the Afghan National Security Forces to establish a secure environment and develop district government to better meet the needs of the Afghan people.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Joshua Melendez, 26, a squad leader with Guard Force Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a native of Anaheim, Calif., walks past the Garmsir district medical center during a security patrol here, Nov. 12. The Guard Force Marines are responsible for maintaining security around nearby Forward Operating Base Delhi. During the patrol, they interacted with children and spoke with local leaders. “America’s Battalion” recently arrived in Garmsir to relieve 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. They’ll partner with the Afghan National Security Forces to establish a secure environment and develop district government to better meet the needs of the Afghan people.