The extent of the resistance encountered upon arriving in Sangin on October 13, 2010 surprised many of the 3/5 Marines. It was stronger than any Taliban resistance that Marines had witnessed previously in Afghanistan. During prior major Marine operations in Helmand, the insurgents had fought toe-to-toe for a few days and then relied primarily on IEDs [improvised explosive devices] and small hit-and-run ambushes. The insurgents in Sangin kept attacking in large numbers, and regrouped for counter-attacks after the initial volleys instead of dispersing. The first Marine patrol to leave the wire came under fire 150 feet from the perimeter. One member of this patrol was shot dead. Within the next four days, another eight Marines died, and within the next 7 months the tragic total amounted to 25 Marines KIA.

This video is dedicated IN MEMORY OF: Sgt. Jason Amores, Lance Cpl. Joseph Rodewald, Lance Cpl. Brandon Pearson, Cpl. Justin Cain, Cpl. Tevan Nguyen, Sgt. Matthew Abbate, Lance Cpl. Matthew Broehm, Sgt. Ian Tawney, Lance Cpl. Jose Maldonado, 1st Lt. William Donnelly, Lance Cpl. Phillip Vinnedge, Pfc. Victor Dew, Lance Cpl. Kenneth Corzine, Lance Cpl. James Stack, Lance Cpl. James Boelk, Sgt. Jason Peto, 2nd Lt Robert Kelly, Lance Cpl. Joseph Lopez, Lance Cpl. Irvin Ceniceros, Pfc. Colton Rusk, Lance Cpl. Joseph Rodewald, Lance Cpl. Randy Braggs, Lance Cpl. Alec Catherwood, Cpl. Derek Wyatt, Lance Cpl. John Sparks