Georgian Liaison Marines: one unit, any mission [Image 3 of 4]

PATROL BASE EREDVI, AFGHANISTAN

03.11.2013

Photo by Sgt. Ned Johnson 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

Corporal Donald Wesley, a motor transportation operator with the Georgian Liaison Team, 32nd Georgian Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, says he has learned a lot more on this deployment than he ever expected when he volunteered early last year to come here. Wesley, a 23-year-old native of Los Angeles, said he volunteered to deploy because he wanted to do something different and know that what he did would make a difference. Wesley mentors Georgians daily during patrols and works a multi-hour shift in the unit’s combat operations center. Lance Cpl. Connor Jones, a data systems specialist with the unit, said Wesley is one of the best leaders has ever seen. “He’s one of the best Marines out here, no matter how you put it,” Jones said. “He’s always right next to us helping us out.” Wesley, who joined the Marine Corps to get away from home for a while , said he is grateful to have an opportunity to do something outside of his normal job. Despite the language and cultural differences, Wesley likes working with the Georgians. “We do our best to help them, and we all get along,” Wesley said. “It’s been a great experience getting to do this and work with them.”

• Date Taken: 03.11.2013
• Date Posted: 03.22.2013 12:31
• Photo ID: 892602
• VIRIN: 130309-M-IV927-001
• Resolution: 1800x1200
• Size: 1.23 MB
• Location: PATROL BASE EREDVI, AF
• Hometown: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, US