GARMSIR DISTRICT, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Navy Seaman Daniel Freeman provides security as his squad exits a V-22 Osprey during Operation Black Dawn here, May 17. Freeman is a corpsman in 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company. Along with his squad the Woodstock, Ga., native conducted security patrols and vehicle checks in the desert of Eastern Garmsir for 24-hours, . During the operation, Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment’s focused on pinpointing trouble areas and narcotic smuggling lanes in Garmsir. The battalion supports Regimental Combat Team 1, the Marine ground combat element in Southern Helmand province. The mission of the RCT is to partner with Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat insurgent forces, and enable Afghanistan to assume security responsibilities in the region. Ultimately, the partnered forces promote the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.