Weekly Report, September 17, 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, Navy Mass Communication Specialists, 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
Asad Suri School opens in Now Zad, helps ensure childrens future NOW ZAD, Afghanistan - Young boys gather at the gates of a building residing just behind an abandoned Soviet tank. They are wearing their best clothes and carrying bags and makeshift backpacks to hold school supplies. (more) (video)

By Lance Cpl. Clayton Vonderahe, 2nd Marine Division

Afghan police complete first advanced urban tactics training CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Thirty-five Afghan Uniformed Policemen graduated from the first Provincial Response Company Course at the Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Sept. 12. (more)

By Cpl. Katherine Keleher, Regional Command Southwest

29 Commando finishes operations in Helmand province Nahr-e Saraj district, Afghanistan British soldiers from Light Regiment Royal Artillery, 29th Commando, 3rd Commando Brigade, attached to Bravo Company,1st Battalion the Rifles, are completing operations in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province. (more)

By MC2 Jonathan Chandler, Regional Command Southwest

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Marines make first extended stay in Zaranj, talk security, development CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan For the first time since Marines assumed the operational lead of the NATO mission in Helmand and Nimroz provinces, a group of Marines spent an extended stay in Zaranj, the capital of the remote Nimroz province along the Iranian border. (more)

By Cpl. Adam Leyendecker, Regional Command Southwest

Oregon Marine adds diversity to international team in Afghanistan GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan With every partnered patrol or operation the Afghan National Army conducts, their soldiers gain valuable military experience. (more)

By Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde, 2nd Marine Division

NJ native continues family legacy to serve CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan On the eve of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, then Maj. Gen. James Mattis described his Marines as no better friend, no worse enemy. Ewing, N.J., native Cpl. Abdelbasset Jibbou epitomizes this description with his generosity, tenacity and honor. (more) (video)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

Afghan Uniformed Police graduates ready to protect people of southern Helmand province REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER SOUTHWEST LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan The people of Afghanistan saw their country take another step forward toward continued security and stability as more than 220 Afghan Uniformed Police graduated here, Sept. 7. (more)

By Staff Sgt Andrew Miller, Regimental Combat Team 5

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Shock Trauma Platoon hits the ground running CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Surrounded by nothing but sand and mountains, there exists a state-of-the-art medical facility specializing in combat casualties. It has the resources and manpower to treat multiple patients with a wide range of injuries. (more)

By Cpl. Katherine Solano, 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Former Harrier pilot provides guidance on ground HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - While the current brood of Marine Attack Squadron 513 AV-8B Harrier pilots is providing closeair support from the sky to Marines on the ground, one former VMA-513 pilot is fulfilling his role on the ground. (more)

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

Lance Corporal Jonathan James McKinlay killed in Afghanistan It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Lance Corporal Jonathan James McKinlay, of B Company, 1st Battalion The Rifles, was killed in Afghanistan on 14 September 2011. (more)

A UK Military Operations news article

Royal Marines help secure Afghan village A ground-breaking ceremony has taken place in Loy Mandeh Kalay in Afghanistan, after Royal Marines from 42 Commando worked for months to make it safe. (more)

A UK Military Operations news article

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Body armour saves UK soldiers in Helmand fire fight Osprey body armour and ballistic protection saved the lives of two British soldiers when they came under attack in southern Afghanistan. (more)

A UK Military Operations news article

9/11 Ceremony Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - Service members attended a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on the ten year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (video)

By Regional Command Southwest Team

10 years after 9/11: Marines, sailors honor victims, fallen brothers in Sangin SANGIN DISTRICT, Afghanistan - Aaron Denning always knew he wanted to become a Marine. He was just shy of a month into his freshman year at Royal High School and it was September of 2001. In a matter of days his life and the world changed forever. (more)

By Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, Regimental Combat Team 8

A Message to Wounded Warriors Public service announcement featuring deployed service members thanking wounded warriors for their sacrifice and service. Includes message from Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general of Regional Command Southwest (more)

By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Ross, Regional Command Southwest

| Regional Command Southwest Roundup

Puerto Rico native goes from soccer field to battlefield CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Cpl. Alexis Lopez Alsina was born with soccer in his blood. He grew up in Cayey, Puerto Rico, where American influences played a large part in his upbringing and the strength of family bonds is paramount. He learned English through popular television programs on Nickelodeon. (more)

By Cpl. Jeff Drew, 2nd Marine Division

Royal Air Force observes Battle of Britain victory in Helmand province CAMP BASTION, Helmand province - Royal Air Force and Coalition servicemembers held a ceremony commemorating World War IIs Battle of Britain at Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Sept., 15. (more) (video)

By MC2 Matthew Snodgrass, Regional Command Southwest

For additional stories from RC(SW) visit:

Regional Command Southwest 2nd Marine Division RCT-5 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