With the fight in sight: ‘America’s Battalion’ completes training for Afghanistan deployment [Image 8 of 9]

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

09.28.2011

Photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder  

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Lance Cpl. Andrew Gray, a team leader with Guard Force Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, searches two Afghan role-players after stopping their vehicle while patrolling during Exercise Clear, Hold, Build 4 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Sept. 28, 2011. During the evolution, the Marines of 3/3 transitioned from clearing a village's enemy threat to re-building rapport with its citizens. The counterinsurgency training, part of the Enhanced Mojave Viper exercise, marked the completion of seven months of pre-deployment training for "America's Battalion." Next month, they will deploy to Afghanistan to support combat operations in Helmand province. Gray, 20, is from Brandon, Miss.

• Date Taken: 09.28.2011
• Date Posted: 09.29.2011 14:12
• Photo ID: 465129
• VIRIN: 110928-M-MM918-001
• Resolution: 2100x1410
• Size: 2.49 MB
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US