Weekly Report, August 20, 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
From zero to hero: Texas Marine overcomes homeless childhood CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - At age 10 many children are busy learning at elementary school. However, one boy was already on his own during a typical day, trying to sell candy for more than the original price so he could buy food. Many times kids from the school would come by and make fun of him and throw rocks. (more)

By Cpl. Adam Leyendecker, Regional Command Southwest

Coming of age through war: Hospital Apprentice Jesse Stephens MARJAH DISTRICT, Afghanistan An easy smile accentuates the boyish features of Navy Hospital Assistant Jesse Stephens face the faintest stubble dodging the blades of his electric razor as he shaves in the morning. (more)

By Cpl. James Clark, Regimental Combat Team 1

UK Highlander helps find huge IED stash Highlander Mark Purves was amongst the first soldiers to secure an area in Helmand recently where one of the biggest finds of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) this summer was made by British forces. (more)

A UK Military Operations news article

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Anaheim cop patrols mean streets of Afghanistan PATROL BASE ERTOBA, Afghanistan Lt. Raul Cantu was returning from a patrol in the southern portion of Musa Qalah District, Helmand province, when the mine resistant ambush protected vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device. The explosion jostled everyone inside. (more)

By Cpl Bryan Nygaard, Regional Command Southwest

Marines Destroy IED Factory During Operation Black Sand COMBAT OUTPOST SHUKVANI, Afghanistan A blast of fire, triggered by 1,750 pounds of C4 explosive, erupted from the ground sending a shockwave ripping through the air. Secondary explosions suggested local improvised explosive devices sympathetically detonated as a massive mushroom cloud rose into the sky. (multimedia)

By MC2 Jonathan Chandler, Regional Command Southwest

Lieutenant Daniel John Clack killed in Afghanistan It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Lieutenant Daniel John Clack, from 1st Battalion The Rifles, was killed in Afghanistan on 12 August 2011. (more)

A UK Military Operations news article

Afghan farmers build business savvy CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan -- More the 200 farmers throughout southern Helmand province graduated, Aug. 14, from a five-week farming cooperative course headed by Green Afghanistan Agriculture and Livestock Organization. (more)

By Sgt. Jesse Stence, Regimental Combat Team 1

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Member of Scout Sniper Platoon remembered for his enthusiasm FORWARD OPERATING BASE JACKSON, Afghanistan -- If there was one word to describe Gonzo it would be 'motivated,' said Cpl. Daniel P. Bothwell. After every brief before a mission, Gonzo would get all pumped up and say Lets do it! with the sound of excitement in his voice. (more)

By Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, Regimental Combat Team 8

Led by honor, 1/5 mourns true warrior FORWARD OPERATING BASE JACKSON, Afghanistan - If there is one thing I would have to say about Sgt. Robinson it would be that he is the ultimate mans man, said Cpl. Michael A. Pinedo. (more)

By Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, Regimental Combat Team 8

Ohio-native extends service, makes ultimate sacrifice FORWARD OPERATING BASE JACKSON, Afghanistan - Ohio native Sgt. Daniel J. Patron could have been honorably discharged as Mr. Patron, but chose to extend his enlistment to do one more tour as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. (more)

By Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, Regimental Combat Team 8

Marines in Afghanistan run in honor of fallen sister CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - More than 500 U.S. Marines and deployed troops participated in a 5-kilometer memorial run to honor the life and service of Maj. Megan McClung at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Aug. 13. (more) (Video package)

By Cpl. Samantha Arrington, 2nd Marine Air Wing (Forward)

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Yuma Marines re-enlist in Afghan skies HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - A group of Marines in Afghanistan recently extended their service to the Corps, not on the sands of the countrys battlefields, but thousands of feet above it. (more)

By Pfc. Sean Dennison, 2nd Marine Air Wing (Forward)

Real life helicopter-borne insert puts video games to shame SANGIN, Afghanistan - The Marines of 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, executed the type of operation most people only see from the backside of a video game controller. From that perspective gamers only see the firefights and the destruction of targets to achieve some notional mission. (more)

By Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, Regimental Combat Team 8

Tanks deadliest weapon: teamwork COMBAT OUTPOST SHIR GHAZAY, Afghanistan -- John Wooden, who is accepted as one of the most successful basketball coaches of all-time, had many philosophies about teamwork. It takes 10 hands to score a basket, was one philosophy he was most famous for which emphasized the importance of every player on a basketball team. A tanks success on the battlefield is also defined by the teamwork of its four crewmen, who each play a vital role. (more)

By Cpl. Marco Mancha, 2nd Marine Division

The dog days of summer CAMP HANSON, Afghanistan Dependability, integrity, endurance, unselfishness, courage, enthusiasm, loyalty these are just a few of the leadership traits Marine Corps drill instructors aim to instill within their recruits. The black and yellow labs partnered with Marine infantrymen of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are a great deal like Marine recruits. (more)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Coalition patrol starts with a bang, ends with a boom MAIN OPERATING BASE PRICE, Afghanistan - Sitting below the crops and lying in the dirt and rocks along Route California, near Yakchal in Nahr-e Saraj District, Helmand province, Marines with 1st Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and U.K. soldiers with A Squadron, Royal 9th/12th Lancers, called for air support while other A Squadron, and Afghan soldiers came under fire during a patrol, Aug 9. (more)

By Lance Cpl. Daniel Wulz, Regional Command Southwest

HIMARS Video Video B-roll of U.S. Marines with Romeo Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, fire a High Mobility Rocket System (HIMARS) aboard Camp Delaram II. (video)

By Lance Cpl. Eric Wilterdink, Regimental Combat Team 8

ANA medics stay on track through medical training CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Medics are responsible for providing care to wounded soldiers on and off the battlefield. To ensure Afghan National Army medics can care for their own, corpsmen with the Embedded Partnering Team, 2nd Marine Logistics group (Forward), continually teach them new techniques. (more)

By Lance Cpl. Bruno Bego, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

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

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup