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Cpl. Charles Kristel, a Schenectady, N.Y., native and team leader with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, uses the scope on his rifle to survey a distant compound during an interdiction operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2013. Kristel, an anti-tank missileman by trade, lead a section of infantry Marines during the clearing operation.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul Peterson)
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Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment provide security during a clearing operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2013. The company established temporary patrol bases and conducted dismounted patrols over the course of three days to build relations with local residents and counter any insurgent presence in the area.
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A Marine with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment provides security during a clearing operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2013. The company established temporary patrol bases and conducted dismounted patrols over the course of three days to build relations with local residents and counter any insurgent presence in the area.
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A Marine with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment provides security during a clearing operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2013. The company established temporary patrol bases and conducted dismounted patrols over the course of three days to build relations with local residents and counter any insurgent presence in the area.
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U.S. Marine Cpl. John Sedlacek, an engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, exits a room while searching compounds during a patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19. 2013
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U.S. Marine Cpl. Mark O"Brien, an assistant patrol leader with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, provides security for Marines searching a compound while patrolling in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 20. The company established temporary patrol bases and conducted dismounted patrols over the course of three days to build relations with local residents and counter any insurgent presence in the area.
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U.S. Navy Seaman Garry Phillip, a corpsman with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, talks with a local Afghan while on patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19. The company established temporary patrol bases and conducted dismounted patrols over the course of three days to build relations with local residents and counter any insurgent presence in the area.
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U. S. Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick Tomassi, a grenadier with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, searches for insurgents firing on Marines during a patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 22. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Austin Long)
[video=youtube;cn6iM6CO--0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn6iM6CO--0&feature=c4-overview&list=UUHstNaT6R-1zA0lBU_XBr_Q[/video] 
