Three Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, were awarded the Air Medals with combat distinguishing devices, Jan. 7.

The awards were given for actions while serving with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Expeditionary Strike Group Five in support of joint task force Odyssey Dawn.

Forward Operating Base Mescal has no Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility. It has no Post Exchange, no laundry drop off and no post office.

Soldiers stationed here receive mail about once a month and the chow hall offers two choices at every meal: Take it or leave it.

Despite the spartan accommodations however, six National Guard Soldiers with the 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion from Yonkers, N.Y., call Forward Operating Base, or FOB, Mescal home and they are perfectly happy to do so.

Video by 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Afghan and coalition forces detained 12 insurgents and cleared one improvised explosive device during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Jan. 15.

Khowst province
Afghan Border Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Bak district.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces detained four insurgents during an engagement in Yayah Khel district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

For the first time in early January of 2013, the Afghan National Army (ANA) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the Lithuanian-led Ghor Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT-16) participated in a joint explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operation. They neutralized 35 units of various types of explosives, which were transferred to NDS (National Directorate of Security) agents.

Counter-narcotics work continues in support of GIRoA’s policy on poppy eradication. In the last 12 months (January 2012 – December 2012) coalition forces from Regional Command (South West), often in partnership with Afghan forces, have seized a total of 79, 786 kg of drugs valued at $46, 203, 853.47.

A team of 10 Marines serving in Helmand province, Afghanistan, spent the last year not only supplying more than 2,000 Marines and sailors with everything from boots and beanies to pens and notepads, but began the process of taking care of all the gear acquired during the war.

With less Marines in the region because of the drawdown, their job became a key part during the closing stages in Afghanistan.

Video by NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator in Khugyani district, Nangarhar province, during an operation today.

The facilitator enabled the distribution of weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices and suicide vests for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also acquired suicide vehicle improvised explosive device materials for insurgents operating in the province, and organized and planned attacks using SVIEDs.