(click pictures to enlarge)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment sort mail at Patrol Base Jaker in the Nawa district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Aug 23, 2009. The 1st Battalion is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3 to conduct counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan security forces in southern Afghanistan. DoD photo by Lance Cpl. James Purschwitz, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Gilberto Bravo, with Jump Platoon, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, provides security during a foot patrol in the Nawa district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Aug. 20, 2009. The Marines are deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3 to conduct counterinsurgency operations in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. William Greeson, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brian Kightlinger, with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, crosses a bridge over a canal during a security patrol through Nawa district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Aug. 22, 2009. The 1st Battalion is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3 to conduct counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan security forces in southern Afghanistan. DoD photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

A U.S. Marine Corps air crewman scans the river valley below for threats while flying over Nawa district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Aug, 22, 2009. The 1st Battalion is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3 to conduct counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan security forces in southern Afghanistan. DoD photo by Lance Cpl. James Purschwitz, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment carry their tent to their living hole at the company’s forward operating base in the Nawa district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Aug. 18, 2009. The Marines are deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3 to conduct counterinsurgency operations with Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan. DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Harris, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)