Camp Leatherneck

Marine Corps Times to embed in Afghanistan in October

By Dan Lamothe on September 27, 2012 Afghanistan, Camp Leatherneck, Embedded journalism, Infantry

It’s that time again: Marine Corps Times is heading back to the Sandbox. In coming days, I’ll be embedding with Marine forces in Afghanistan with Colin Kelly, a senior videographer and photographer on staff. It’ll mark the third trip for each of us to Afghanistan, and my second in Helmand province this year. It’s a key time to visit the war zone for several reasons, as pointed out in this new story I put together after interviewing several deployed general officers. In recent days, the U.S. has completed its drawdown to about 68,000 troops across Afghanistan, ending a two-plus year…

Report: Harrier squadron CO Lt. Col. Christopher Raible died leading counter attack after Camp Bastion infiltrated

By Andrew deGrandpre on September 22, 2012 Afghanistan, Aviation, Camp Leatherneck, Leadership

The Washington Post published a noteworthy story this morning revealing new details about the deadly Sept. 14 attack on Camp Bastion, a British facility in Afghanistan’s Helmand province that abuts the Marine Corps’ principal hub there, Camp Leatherneck. Citing multiple Marine sources in theater, the Post’s Ernesto Londoño reports that Lt. Col. Christopher Raible — the commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 211 who was killed along with Sgt. Bradley Atwell after 15 insurgents dressed as U.S. soldiers infiltrated the base and torched six AV-8B Harriers — died heroically while leading several other Marines in an aggressive counter attack as mayhem…

Current phase of Marine drawdown in Afghanistan nears completion

By Dan Lamothe on August 24, 2012 Afghanistan, Camp Leatherneck, Drawdown, Infantry

The next major phase of the drawdown of Marine forces in Afghanistan is nearly complete. Thousands of Marines have returned from Helmand province in the last few weeks, leaving behind a smaller force that is focused primarily on partnered security force assistance with Afghan National Security Forces, rather than offensive operations. Marine officials declined to say how many Marines remain, but have acknowledged previously that there could be as few as 7,000 by October. The overall number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan this fall is expected to drop to 68,000, the approximate same number as when President Obama ordered a…

‘Holy Helo’ delivers priests to Marines in Afghanistan

By Dan Lamothe on April 29, 2012 Afghanistan, Camp Leatherneck, Embedded journalism, Infantry, Marines, Sangin

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHAMSHER, Afghanistan – Helicopters are used for many reasons in Afghanistan, but only a few are called the “Holy Helo.” That’s the nickname U.S. service members give to the aircraft used to deliver chaplains to military bases in a war zone. They’re frequently on bases just a few hours, long enough to conduct a religious service and say hello before moving on to the next location. That was the case Sunday morning when The Rev. Kevin Sweeney arrived here at the home of Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, out of Twentynine Palms, Calif. Sweeney, a Roman…

‘Holy Helo’ delivers priests to Marines in Afghanistan

By Dan Lamothe on April 29, 2012 Afghanistan, Camp Leatherneck, Embedded journalism, Infantry, Marines, Sangin

Free wireless Internet in Camp Leatherneck housing

By Dan Lamothe on April 23, 2012 Afghanistan, Camp Leatherneck, Embedded journalism, Marines

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Good morning, friends. We’re still on this forward operating base today, which gives me a good reason to bring up something Marines have going for them here. Leatherneck’s housing and quality of life have improved dramatically over the last couple years, particularly after the U.S. military shipped in containerized housing units, or CHUs. Most permanent personnel aboard Leatherneck live in them, typically sharing an air-conditioned 8-foot by 20-foot space with at least one other service member. That’s tight quarters, but it beats the heck out of a dusty tent. The CHUs have an interesting perk, too.…

Checking in midway through our Afghanistan assignment

By Dan Lamothe on April 22, 2012 Battle Rattle, Camp Leatherneck, Embedded journalism, Infantry, Kajaki, Marines

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Three weeks after flying out of Washington, D.C., photographer James Lee and I have reached a milestone midway on our assignment in Helmand province. We arrived today on this forward operating base from Kajaki district, marking the conclusion of our media embed with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. I’d personally like to thank all the Marines in the unit who shared their world with us, from battalion commander Lt. Col. Kevin Trimble right on down to the many lance corporals we trailed outside the wire on patrols. If you’ve been following this…

General: Marines targeting Afghan drug smugglers ahead of spring poppy harvest

By Andrew deGrandpre on April 16, 2012 Afghanistan, Camp Leatherneck, Embedded journalism, Infantry, Kajaki, Marjah

We trust you’ve been reading — and enjoying — senior staff writer Dan Lamothe’s numerous dispatches from Afghanistan, where he and photographer James Lee are embedded presently with members of 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. Thanks so much for your continued interest in their work. Today, over on Marine Corps Times’ home page, we’ve rolled out Lamothe’s first hard-news report from this trip to the war zone. It details aggressive efforts to curtail the flow of stored poppy out of Afghanistan ahead of the spring harvest, now just weeks away. Before shipping out last week to…

Marines at Leatherneck concussion center heal, return to combat

By Dan Lamothe on April 7, 2012 Afghanistan, Camp Leatherneck, Embedded journalism, Infantry, Marines, Safety, Wounded warriors

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Lance Cpl. Scott Anderson had been in Afghanistan about a month when he was “blown up.” The rifleman with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., was responding to a March 26 firefight as part of a quick reaction force when the six-wheel Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle he was rocked with an improvised explosive device, he said. Anderson shook off the blast in northern Helmand province, jumping into the vehicle’s gun turret to return fire. After the firefight, however, the Marine had lingering concussion symptoms. He was evacuated by helicopter to…

Marine store in Afghanistan clears $4.5M in monthly sales

By Dan Lamothe on April 6, 2012 Afghanistan, Camp Leatherneck, Embedded journalism, Marines

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – When it comes to morale on a forward operating base, creature comforts are no small thing. I saw that firsthand two years ago here on my way to and from an embed in Marjah district. There was only one small PX store on Camp Leatherneck in a tent, and it could take an hour to get through the line for the register. Popular items ranging from T-shirts to energy drinks frequently were out of stock. The solution? On Nov. 15, the base opened a new PX with a 6,900 square-foot sales floor. To say it is…

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