U.S. Marine vehicles leave a mortar range near Camp Shorabak in Afghanistan's Helmand province, May 4, 2013. The Marines provided security for the Regional Corps Battalion School instructors who trained Afghan soldiers on the 60mm mortar system. The Marines are assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ezekiel R. Kitandwe
US Marines Pack Up In Afghanistan As Taliban Wages Spring Offensive -- NBC
It was the summer of 2012 and the most dangerous part of the mission – when soldiers get complacent and make mistakes. So, even in 130-degree heat, Cpl. Randy Derstine and his men of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, patrolled hard in the mountainous, heavily disputed Kajaki Dam area of Helmand province.
Between missions, they broke their remote firebase down to the nails and plywood. They were going home. Derstine’s commanders explained that this was not your usual “RIP” or swap-out with a follow-on unit. (In the military RIP stands for “Relief in Place” – not “Rest In Peace”).
This was nothing less than the end of an era – U.S. Marines had been active in Helmand since the spring of 2008, when a pre-surge Marine company inserted by helicopter into the Taliban stronghold of Garmser.
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More News On Afghanistan
ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, May 13th -- ISAF
Combined Force in Kandahar Province Arrests Taliban Leader -- US Department of Defense
2 civilians killed, 4 detained during NATO operation in Kandahar -- Khaama Press
Kandahar bomb blast kills 10 Afghan civilians -- BBC
Afghanistan: Roadside Blast Kills 10 -- Voice of America
Deadly blast rocks Kandahar, 10 killed and 12 injured -- Khaama Press
Kunar residents suffer casualties in Pakistan missile attacks -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan says Iranian guards killed 10 migrants -- Newsday/AP
Afghanistan Protests Over Killing Of Migrants By Iranian Border Guards -- RTT
Afghanistan Summons Iranian Ambassador Over Alleged Border Killings -- Radio Free Europe
Iran police deny killing Afghan migrants -- Global Post/AFP
Officials visit Iran to probe killing of Afghans by Iranian forces -- Khaama Press
Ambush, Shootings Deadly Betrayal by Afghan Allies -- Military Times/Tacoma News Tribune
Medics train Afghans to treat their own in war zone -- Washington Times
Nerves, tempers sometimes flare as US troops back up Afghan soldiers on patrol -- Stars and Stripes
Cost for U.S. to exit Afghanistan: $7 billion -- Washington Times
Taliban renounces war on anti-polio workers -- The Telegraph
Karzai calls for new Pakistan govt to back peace talks. -- DAWN
Afghanistan Protests Over Killing Of Migrants By Iranian Border Guards -- RTT
Afghanistan Summons Iranian Ambassador Over Alleged Border Killings -- Radio Free Europe
Iran police deny killing Afghan migrants -- Global Post/AFP
Officials visit Iran to probe killing of Afghans by Iranian forces -- Khaama Press
Ambush, Shootings Deadly Betrayal by Afghan Allies -- Military Times/Tacoma News Tribune
Medics train Afghans to treat their own in war zone -- Washington Times
Nerves, tempers sometimes flare as US troops back up Afghan soldiers on patrol -- Stars and Stripes
Cost for U.S. to exit Afghanistan: $7 billion -- Washington Times
Taliban renounces war on anti-polio workers -- The Telegraph
Karzai calls for new Pakistan govt to back peace talks. -- DAWN
Karzai urge new Pakistani government to assist Afghan peace talks -- Khaama Press
Finance minister disclose names of corrupt Afghan lawmakers -- Khaama Press
Denmark's PM in Afghanistan on Surprise Visit -- Naharnet
Afghanistan memories from 40 Commando Royal Marines -- BBC
Why U.S. is losing support among Afghans? -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan: transitional relief -- The Guardian editorial
NATO’s Plan for Afghanistan Post-2014: A ‘Stable Instability’ -- Michael Hirsh, National Journal
Afghanistan Summons Iranian Ambassador Over Alleged Border Killings -- Radio Free Europe
Iran police deny killing Afghan migrants -- Global Post/AFP
Officials visit Iran to probe killing of Afghans by Iranian forces -- Khaama Press
Ambush, Shootings Deadly Betrayal by Afghan Allies -- Military Times/Tacoma News Tribune
Medics train Afghans to treat their own in war zone -- Washington Times
Nerves, tempers sometimes flare as US troops back up Afghan soldiers on patrol -- Stars and Stripes
Cost for U.S. to exit Afghanistan: $7 billion -- Washington Times
Taliban renounces war on anti-polio workers -- The Telegraph
Karzai calls for new Pakistan govt to back peace talks. -- DAWN
Karzai urge new Pakistani government to assist Afghan peace talks -- Khaama Press
Finance minister disclose names of corrupt Afghan lawmakers -- Khaama Press
Denmark's PM in Afghanistan on Surprise Visit -- Naharnet
Afghanistan memories from 40 Commando Royal Marines -- BBC
Why U.S. is losing support among Afghans? -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan: transitional relief -- The Guardian editorial
NATO’s Plan for Afghanistan Post-2014: A ‘Stable Instability’ -- Michael Hirsh, National Journal