Marines Battle Taliban Insurgents ~ A Defend America Photo Essay

Defend America ^ | June 8, 2004

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Marines Battle Taliban Insurgents

Marine Sgt. Ryan West, of Lafayette, Indiana, a squad leader with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) shouts for his Marines to take cover as sniper fire impacts around them during a fight with anti-coalition militia in central Afghanistan. During two days of heavy fighting in early June, three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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Marines and sailors from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) look skyward for inbound AV-8B Harrier II attack jets preparing to make a bombing run against anti-coalition militia forces who have taken refuge on a mountain in central Afghanistan. During two days of heavy fighting in early June, three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) duck at intermittent sniper fire as they scan a mountain in central Afghanistan where anti-coalition militia have taken refuge. During two days of heavy fighting in early June, three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) climb a mountain in central Afghanistan to dig out anti-coalition militia who have taken refuge on the rocky mountain. During two days of heavy fighting in early June, three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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An Army AH-64 attack helicopter scans an mountain ridge in central Afghanistan for anti-coalition militia as a Marine from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) takes a closer look. During two days of pitched fighting in early June, three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) look toward the sounds of fresh firing during a firefight with anti-coalition militia who have taken refuge on a mountain in central Afghanistan. During two days of heavy fighting in early June, three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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Smoke erupts from the mountaintop in central Afghanistan where anti-coalition militia have taken refuge during a pitched firefight with elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). The smoke was caused by a bomb dropped from an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber called in to support the unit's attack. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) race toward their Humvees to move toward anti-coalition militia on the mountain in the background who opened fire them. During two days of heavy fighting in central Afghanistan in early June, three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) scan the surrounding mountains in central Afghanistan for anti-coalition militia who moments earlier opened fire on their convoy. During two days of heavy fighting in early June, three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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A Marine from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) knocks down a blocked door to search for weapons and anti-coalition militia near where anti-coalition militia forces enaged the Marines in central Afghanistan. During two days of heavy fighting in early June, three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Shevokas, a corpsman with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), treats an anti-coalition militia fighter for gunshot wounds he received during a firefight with Marine infantryman on a mountain range in central Afghanistan. During two days of heavy fighting in early June, three Marines were lightly wounded and at least 25 anti-coalition militia fighters killed.  Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

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[Ragtime Cowgirl]

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit 

Special Operations Capable

~    ~

                                                                                                              (Bad news for the Taliban bad guys!)

[pitinkie]

YEAH!

[Americanwolf]

Very cool... good to see some action shots of the marines doing what they do best!

[RaceBannon]

Marine Bump!

[facedown]

Dang, that's some rough terrain. Glad to see most of our guys wearing camelbacks.

[TexasCowboy]

[fatima]

Ragtime Cowgirl,Here's a bump.

[Mike-o-Matic]

This photo speaks volumes about the US and its forces. I bet you a doughnut, our guys would not receive the same treatment. BTTT.

[Force12]

I see the 3/6 Teufelhunden are on the job! They're always a good force multiplier!

Go USMC!

[blasater1960]

I think I would rather see his dead body. Now we have to put him in a nice cozy cell with 3 squares of muslim food and take him for walks and then set him free only to have the Muther come back and set IEDs, snipe and ambush our guys in the future.

[zeugma]

Excellent graphic. I want that font!

[Force12]

Proud bump from the brother of a Marine LT in Afghanistan... ADJ LT posing with a good piece of gear: "Boys With Toys" -- Camp Bulldog, Bagram Airbase:

[TexasCowboy]

"I want that font!"

Feel free to steal it.

That's what I did!

[anymouse]

Marine ping

[beebuster2000]

thanks!!

looked like in the first picture, the marine on the left is carrying a shotgun? surprised to see that.

[Force12]

More Marine Ping of USMC Afghan Ops (My brother's battalion -- 3/6 "Teufelhunden" out of Lejeune). Note the evidence of the previous Russian occupants at Bagram Airbase; a MiG that looks like an abandoned refrigerator in some backwoods shooting range. The last shot is of gathering some intel from locals through an interpreter. The official word, not surprisingly, is that anything outside the wire in Afghanistan is considered Indian Country -- hence all Marines are armed, all the time.

[F14 Pilot]

Thanks for the ping!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the added pics and insight, Force12, and please thank your brother for his awesome service.

Added (hugs) for a brother who supports his brother.

[bruin66]

I think Gunnery Sgt. Keith Milks needs some R&R. He's in the middle of the action taking snaps. Shouldn't he be gunnering?