2nd Battalion 9th Marines--Operation Oasis...

Marines with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, rush towards a CH-53E helicopter after successfully executing Operation Oasis in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 3. Marines with Golf, 2/9, inserted via helicopter and surrounded a local bazaar making sure no one exited. During the operation, Marines were able to enroll nearly all locals into an identification system database and discuss issues concerning locals at several shuras.

Marines with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, rush towards a CH-53E helicopter after successfully executing Operation Oasis in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 3. Marines with Golf, 2/9, inserted via helicopter and surrounded a local bazaar making sure no one exited. During the operation, Marines were able to enroll nearly all locals into an identification system database and discuss issues concerning locals at several shuras.

 A Marine CH-53E helicopter shoots flares as it approaches its landing zone during Operation Oasis in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 3. Marines with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, inserted via helicopter and surrounded a local bazaar making sure no one exited. During the operation, Marines were able to enroll nearly all locals into an identification system database and discuss issues concerning locals at several shuras.

A Marine CH-53E helicopter shoots flares as it approaches its landing zone during Operation Oasis in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 3. Marines with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, inserted via helicopter and surrounded a local bazaar making sure no one exited. During the operation Marines were able to enroll nearly all locals into an identification system database and discuss issues concerning locals at several shuras.

Lance Cpl. Arthur E. Pew, a rifleman with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, stands security at a shura during Operation Oasis, in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 3. During the operation Marines, were able to enroll nearly all locals into an identification system database and discuss issues concerning locals at several shuras.

Lance Cpl. Christopher A. Buie, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, takes a picture to enroll a local Afghan into an identification database during Operation Oasis at a bazaar in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 3. During the operation, Marines were able to enroll nearly all locals into the system and discuss issues concerning locals at several shuras.