300 Marines heading to Afghanistan

Approximately 300 Marines will deploy to Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan this spring, the Marine Corps announced Friday. 

Task Force South West will be made up of Marines from the II Marines Expeditionary Force, led by Brig. Gen. Roger Turner Jr.  

{mosads}The task force is charged with training and advising “key leaders” within the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and the 505th Zone National Police.

The deployment comes at the request of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan.  

The last expeditionary force troops to deploy to Helmand Province returned in 2014, according to a Marine Corps statement. 

“The Marine Corps has an operational history in Afghanistan, particularly in Helmand Province,” it said. 

“Advising and assisting Afghan defense and security forces will assist in preserving gains made together with the Afghans. This new deployment of Marines to Helmand reflects our enduring commitment to the people of Afghanistan.” 

The Marines spearheaded President Obama’s 2009 troop surge in Helmand Province.