Marines expand their influence in southern Afghanistan

Nelvin C. Cepeda

Young Afghan children watch as U.S. Marines make their way through Safar during a patrol last week. To maintain personal contact and relationships, the Marines are using dismounted patrols.

The Marines of Camp Pendleton's Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment spend their time patrolling by foot the Safar bazaar in an effort to maintain contacts and build a relationship with the residents. Their base, Combat Outpost Rankel is names for Sgt. John K. Rankel, the 23-year-old leader of 3rd Platoon, 2nd Squad who was fatally shot June 7, 2010 during a 12-day battle near Safar.