A U.S. Marine with Guard Force 1, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment provides security during a road reconnaissance patrol in the Nawa district of the Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Sept. 6, 2009. The Marines are conducting the patrol to secure a reliable, safe passage between the government center in Nawa and Forward Operating Base Geronimo in Nawa. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3 to conduct counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan.