MARJAH DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan – A Marine with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment throws a bottle of water to several Afghan children playing in a nearby canal, here, July 30, 2011. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment met with community and military leaders in the area, hoping to build ties as they prepare to relieve 2/8, which is concluding a seven-month deployment here. The battalion supports Regimental Combat Team 1, under 2nd Marine Division (Forward), which serves as the ground combat element in Helmand. The mission of the division is to partner with Afghan National Security Forces to conduct counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat insurgent forces, and enable ANSF to assume security responsibilities in the region. Ultimately, the partnered forces promote the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.