U.S. Marines in Afghanistan, 2010-2014: Anthology and Annonated Bibliography

Excerpt from U.S. Marines in Afghanistan, 2010-2014: Anthology and Annotated Bibliography:

This volume presents a collection of 21 articles, interviews, and speeches describing many aspects of the U.S. Marine Corps’ participation in Operation Enduring Freedom from 2010 to 2014. This work is intended to serve as a general overview and provisional reference to inform both Marines and the general public until the U.S. Marine Corps History Division completes monographs covering major Marine Corps operations during the campaign. The accompanying annotated bibliography provides a detailed look at selected sources that currently exist and should be sufficient until new scholarship and archival materials become available.

This anthology is organized into six parts: one section for each year and a final section devoted to a broader overview of Marine participation in the Afghanistan conflict. This work is not meant to be an authoritative history but rather a selected record of Marine contributions to the Afghan war effort as captured by the media and other sources.

Table of Contents:

Foreword ....................................................................................................................................vii

Preface ..........................................................................................................................................ix

Maps ..............................................................................................................................................xi

Part I: Marineistan, 2010

MV-22 Osprey: Proving Itself in Combat

Corporal Ryan Rholes........................................................................................................................5

Marine Artillery in Afghanistan: 1/11-Every Marine an Infantryman and a Cannoneer

Andrew Lubin.................................................................................................................................11

Operation Steel Dawn II: The Raid on Bahram Chah

Colonel Nathan S. Lowrey, USMCR (Ret)....................................................................................19

“It’s Your Medal”: Read Kyle Carpenter’s Inspiring Speech to Marjah Vets

Hope Hodge Seck.............................................................................................................................41

Interview: Captain Jonathan A. Hutchison

Marine Corps History Division.......................................................................................................45

Part II: Taliban Hunting, 2011

Remarks by the President on the Way Forward in Afghanistan

President Barack H. Obama............................................................................................................63

The Everyday Warfighters: Indefatigable Mission Fidelity in the Modern Toil of War

Ed Darack......................................................................................................................................69

Counterinsurgency as Cargo Cult

First Lieutenant Matthew F. Cancian .............................................................................................77

Interview: First Lieutenant Dennis A. Graziosi

Marine Corps History Division.......................................................................................................83

Interview: Corporal Raymundo Mendez Romero

Marine Corps History Division.......................................................................................................95

Part III: Every Marine a Rifleman, 2012

Regimental Combat Team 6: “India” Company, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines

Builds Relations in Afghanistan

Ed Galo........................................................................................................................................ 111

First Time, First Firefight—Marine Stays Focused during Combat

Corporal Timothy Lenzo................................................................................................................115

Otis Raible Defines Leadership

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jernigan..............................................................................................119

Part IV: Advising and Nation Building, 2013

In Time of Transition, Marines Support Afghan Advisors

Sergeant Ned Johnson.....................................................................................................................129

This Is My Life: Marines in Afghanistan

Corporals Austin Long and Paul Peterson.....................................................................................133

Last Marine Infantry Regiment Departs Helmand Province

Sergeant Ned Johnson.....................................................................................................................143

Part V: Exiting Afghanistan, 2014

Marines Confiscate Narcotics, Prevent Taliban from Reaping Profits

Corporal Joseph Scanlan.................................................................................................................151

Statement by the President on Afghanistan

President Barack H. Obama..........................................................................................................155

Last Marines Exit Sangin, Afghanistan

Corporal Joshua Young...................................................................................................................161

Part VI: Looking Back

MARSOC in Afghanistan, 2010–14

Dr. Frank L. Kalesnik .................................................................................................................169

Marine Commanders Reflect on 13 Years of War in Afghanistan

Hope Hodge Seck...........................................................................................................................181

Appendices

Appendix A:

Command and Staff List..........................................................................................................191

Appendix B:

Unit List......................................................................................................................................227

Appendix C:

Selected Terms and Abbreviations from Operation Enduring Freedom....................... 244

Appendix D:

Chronology of Events, 2010–14 .............................................................................................250

Appendix E:

Medal of Honor Citation/Presidential Unit Citation..........................................................265

Appendix F:

Selected Sources and Annotated Bibliography.....................................................................267

Index ......................................................................................................................................................283

This anthology (with annotated bibliography) is one of the first references for anyone, civilian or military, studying Marines and the Afghanistan conflict to consult in order to find more information and continue deeper research.