Operation Cobra in Showshork Desert

SOUTHERN SHORSHORK, Afghanistan - US troops alongside their counterparts in the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) believe they have made progress in the troubled area of Southern Shorshork, Helmand province, Afghanistan.

With help from the ANA, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment established an observation post as part of Operation Cobra here on June 17.

The operation's objective is to disrupt enemy forces which have been using the area, located between Marjah and Nawa, as a base of operations.

According to Capt. Luke Pernotto, commander of the company, the joint US and Afghan forces now sit on the borderline between the desert and civilisation. He insists that the troops have only occupied unfavourable desert land and their presence will show the local populace that they are safe and the military is there to help.

Lima Company searches a local Afghan man in Southern Shorshork, Helmand province, Afghanistan, during the second day of Operation Cobra, June 17. The man pulled up in front of the Marines' observation post to survey what was happening. It turned out the man lived nearby and was just curious. The Marines thanked him for his cooperation.

Photos by Mark Fayloga