Story by: Sgt. Aaron Rooks

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — For service members deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, security is a top priority. Although much of the area surrounding it is open desert, the camp must still be well armed along its edges. This is where a group of Marines come in, whose sole mission is to ensure the camp is protected.

The Marines of Brigade Headquarters Group's Base Defense Operations Center, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, conduct security operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week in order to protect those residing aboard Camp Leatherneck.

"If the perception is this place is untouchable, I think people are wrong," said 1st Lt. Timothy McCormick, assistant operations officer, BHG, MEB-Afghanistan.

"I have to recognize where I'm at," said Cpl. Joselito Menjivar, who mans a BDOC guard post on Camp Leatherneck. "It's not like we're back home and safe. It's a war zone."

Camp Leatherneck's defense begins at the wall with Marines like Menjivar manning posts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But it doesn't stop there.

Alpha Company, BHG, conducts regular counterinsurgency operations outside Camp Leatherneck in the Washir district to deny insurgents the opportunity to target the base.

"The area around Camp Leatherneck isn't as empty as people say," McCormick said. "We're going out into the fight every day to reduce the threat on the base here."

"It's defense in depth," McCormick continued. "It's not just the wall. You can't secure this base from just the wall. That's why there's a company that focuses on the ground around the camp. These efforts to show our presence and strength; this is how we have reduced the threat."

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