US Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan at Helmand

More on the American war--US Marines in their part of Regional Command South a week ago:

MEB-Afghanistan assumes control of Marine battle space

5/29/2009
By Cpl. Aaron Rooks, 2nd MEB

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan —

Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Afghanistan transferred control of Marine battle space in southern Afghanistan to Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan [to be 10,000 strong, see this post] during a transfer of authority ceremony here May 29.

The event, in which Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding general of MEB-Afghanistan, assumed authority of Marine battle space and forces in Helmand Province from Col. Duffy White, commanding officer of SPMAGTF-Afghanistan, began with an invocation from Navy Cmdr. Phil Pelikan, brigade chaplain, that echoed hope for the future, as representatives from the United States, United Kingdom and Afghanistan gathered in support of the brigade.

“Use us now,” Pelikan said during his prayer, “to partner with and help the people of Afghanistan and preserve justice and freedom in their land.”

That partnership has been built upon by SPMAGTF-Afghanistan. The unit deployed in late 2008 as a bridging force, White said, to maintain a strong Marine Corps presence in southern Afghanistan, following the efforts of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Task Force 2/7, composed of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment [see this post for more on the Marines in 2008]. MEB-Afghanistan, he said, was the force they were waiting for...

The SPMAGTF has now been absorbed by MEB-Afghanistan and today became Regimental Combat Team 3, the brigade’s ground combat element [will have five battalions]...

Patch:
Commander:

Brigadier General Lawrence D. Nicholson was promoted to Brigadier General September 2007 and is currently assigned as the Commanding General, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Brigadier General Nicholson was born in Toronto, Canada...

Update: More details:

7,000 US Marines patrolling southern Afghan desert
...
Some 7,000 Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, are now in the country, Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Abe Sipe said. The forces have brought fighter aircraft, transport helicopters, artillery and the infrastructure needed to support what will ultimately be a force of around 11,000 [emphasis added]...