The Marines have the watch

A Marine with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, provides security with an M249 squad automatic weapon Dec. 8 in Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Under the request of Regional Command South, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Afghanistan supplied Co. I to provide security for a large British logistics convoy, moving supplies from an area in transient with NATO Forces. Co. I and its headquarters, 3/8, are the ground combat element of SPMAGTF-A, whose mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations, and train and mentor the Afghan national police. Photo and story: Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan.