U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Chris Meechum with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment helps construct a building at the company's operating base in the Nawa district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Aug. 3, 2009. Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 3, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan are deployed to support NATO's International Security Assistance Force and will participate in counter insurgency operations. They will train and mentor Afghan National Security Forces to improve security and stability in the country.