Rehearsing for war: Marines of ‘America’s Battalion’ train for Afghan battlefield [Image 6 of 9]

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

09.16.2011

Photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder  

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Gunnery Sgt. Todd Leahey, the 81mm mortar platoon sergeant for Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, motions toward impacting rounds while supporting Kilo Company, 3/3, during Exercise Clear, Hold, Build 2 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Sept. 16. The battalion’s line companies — India, Kilo and Lima — each arrived by helicopters or tracked vehicles to clear enemy activity from the village, establish security and re-build rapport with local nationals. During the Enhanced Mojave Viper training exercise here, the Marines of “America’s Battalion” are training to kill enemy fighters by practicing counterinsurgency operations. Next month, they’ll deploy to Afghanistan’s Helmand province to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Leahey, 34, is from St. Peters, Mo.

• Date Taken: 09.16.2011
• Date Posted: 09.19.2011 12:24
• Photo ID: 458698
• VIRIN: 110916-M-MM918-005
• Resolution: 2100x1286
• Size: 1.21 MB
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US