Kaneohe native locates enemy caches on third Afghanistan deployment

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

02.17.2012

Photo by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

U.S. Marine Sgt. Jared Carlson (far), a squad leader with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and 26-year-old native of Kaneohe, Hawaii, and Sgt. Mario Mendoza, a team leader with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and 25-year-old native of Seguin, Texas, plot the location of a compound on a map during Operation Highland Thunder here, Feb. 17. Carlson was inspired to join the Marines because he heard stories of their valor while growing up in the islands of Palau. During his career, he has served combat deployments in Kunar province, Afghanistan in 2005, Haditha, Iraq in 2006 and Khan Neshin in 2009. He also served in a Marine Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training in 2007. Since returning to Afghanistan in November 2011, Carlson has led his squad on over 80 dismounted patrols, finding 21 caches containing weapons, drugs and improvised explosive device components.

• Date Taken: 02.17.2012
• Date Posted: 02.23.2012 10:34
• Photo ID: 530135
• VIRIN: 120217-M-4438L-476
• Resolution: 4000x2800
• Size: 3.84 MB
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF