4/30/2012 By Cpl. Reece Lodder
Regimental Combat Team 5
U.S.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Valdez (left), a corpsman with 1st
Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and
30-year-old native of Waipahu, Hawaii, extends a helping hand to Marine
Lance Cpl. Patrick Mireles, a team leader and 23-year-old native of
Austin, Texas, as Mireles jumps a stream during a security patrol here,
April 30, 2012. In November 2011, the Marines and sailors of 'America's
Battalion' began their final Afghanistan deployment to Helmand
province's Garmsir district. After six combat deployments to Afghanistan
and Iraq since 2004, they're finally coming home. During their seven
months in Garmsir, they advised and developed Afghan forces preparing to
take the lead in providing security for the district. As the Afghan
forces grew in number and capability, commerce expanded and successful
district community council elections were held in April 2012. 'America's
Battalion' transferred control of coalition positions in Garmsir to
Kilo Co., 3rd Bn., 8th Marines, May 14.
