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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 14, 2010

Kaneohe Marines head to Afghanistan


Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Sgt. Thomas Templeton shares a moment with his wife Heather, who holds their 8-month-old son Hunter. Templeton was among 1,000 Kaneohe Marines who left today for a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan.

BRUCE ASATO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Caitlyn Templeton weeps as she watches her dad, Sgt. Thomas Templeton, and other Kaneohe Marines board their buses today to begin a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan.

BRUCE ASATO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Family and friends gathered at Marine Corps Base Hawaii this morning to bid aloha to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

Without fanfare, the Marines said their goodbyes then boarded buses for Hickam Air Force Base.

About 1,000 Marines and sailors are being deployed to Afghanistan for a seven-month tour.

They are being sent to Helmand province to replace the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, which is scheduled to return to Kaneohe next month.

A Marine Corps statement Wednesday said the 3-3 Marines will participate in stabilization, security and counter-terror efforts, counterinsurgency operations and training of Afghan national security forces.