U.S. Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conduct a local security patrol in the abandoned village of Now Zad, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on April 12, 2009. The Marines are conducting security patrols in their area of operation to prevent enemy freedom of movement in order to bring peace and stability to the area. The 3rd Battalion is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan.