Operation Western Gambit clears insurgents in Now Zad

12/11/2011 Cpl. Clayton VonDerAhe, Regimental Combat Team 8

Marines and sailors wait in the cold, dark, desolate Afghan desert.  The air is heavy with moisture, teasing the troops with a potential downpour. 

If the rain came, then the aircraft wouldn’t....

Wadi crossing opens for Musa Qal’eh

12/9/2011 Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, Regimental Combat Team 8

Commerce and travel through the District of Musa Qal’eh just became easier with the completion and grand opening of the Musa Qal’eh Wadi Crossing, Dec. 9.

The new crossing was officially opened to traffic by Helmand Provincial Governor Gu...

RCT-8 seeks Marine feedback at NCO symposium

10/7/2011 Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, Regimental Combat Team 8

A contingent of non-commissioned officers gathered at Forward Operating Base Delaram II, Afghanistan recently to discuss lessons learned from their experiences on the battlefield.

From every unit across the...

3/4 Marines take, return fire near Gereshk, Afghanistan

7/25/2011 Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, Regimental Combat Team 8

In the low lands of Gereshk, Afghanistan, the Marines of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, know they are being watched by the insurgency. 

This becomes apparent on many patrols and convoys moving between Patrol Base Kak...

Georgian Liaison Team assists 33rd Light Infantry Battalion during Afghanistan deployment

6/3/2011 Lance Cpl. Clayton Vonderahe, Regimental Combat Team 8

Marines with the Georgian Liaison Team, Regimental Combat Team 8, are currently operating out of Shukvani, Afghanistan in efforts to support the Republic of Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion. 

The GL...

Georgia’s 33rd Light Infantry Battalion works to bring peace, justice to Shukvani

5/29/2011 Lance Cpl. Clayton Vonderahe, Regimental Combat Team 8

Soldiers of the Republic of Georgia’s Army 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade, are currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The battalion arrived in Afghanistan in ear...

Alpha Co., 1/23 reflects on fallen brothers

5/22/2011 Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, Regimental Combat Team 8

Marines and sailors of 1st  Battalion, 23rd Marines, and Regimental Combat Team 8, paused to remember the lives of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Navy Seaman Benjamin Rast, May 22.

Smith and Rast were kill...

CMC, Sangin Marines Bid Farewell to SMMC

5/12/2011 Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, Regimental Combat Team 8

The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, accompanied by the Corps’ top enlisted Marine, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent, spoke to the Marines and sailors of 1st Ba...

1/5 Marines conduct, teach LPOP

5/9/2011 Cpl. Benjamin Crilly, Regimental Combat Team 8

Marines brought their Afghan National Army counterparts with them to conduct a partnered listening post and observation post, LPOP,  May 9.

The overnight LPOP enabled 2nd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regi...

Delaram citizens learn a marketable skill

5/7/2011 Lance Cpl. Clayton Vonderahe, Regimental Combat Team 8

The Marines of 4th Civil Affairs Group, Regimental Combat Team 8, arranged a three-week course for local citizens here to be mentored in the sought after skill of masonry.

The group began the initiative for the course a...