GALLERY: Royal Marines and Afghan soldiers carry out Operation AABI TOORAH

A Chinook inserts Royal Marines in the southern Helmand Valley at dawn [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Chinook helicopters take off as the sun rises over the southern Helmand Valley [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

A convoy of Viking Amphibious Armoured All-Terrain Vehicles throws up dust in its wake [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

A Royal Marine provides cover to a Viking convoy as it moves into position during Operation AABI TOORAH [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Armed with a Minimi Light Machine Gun, a Royal Marine looks out over the Helmand Valley for enemy activity [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

A pack of Jackal all-terrain weapons platforms moves through the Helmand Valley [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Members of the Commando Reconnaissance Force in Jackal all-terrain vehicles [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Like fish to water, armoured Jackal all-terrain vehicles were designed especially for use on the rugged open spaces of southern Afghanistan [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

A dentist from 42 Commando Group treats a village elder while Marines and Afghan forces meet locals to discuss their views and priorities [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Royal Marines on foot patrol in the southern the Helmand Valley [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

A Commando sniper team watches over the Helmand Valley [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Royal Marines and Afghan soldiers hold a shura with village elders in the 'Fish Hook' region of the southern Helmand Valley [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Royal Marines on a reconnaissance patrol in the Helmand Valley [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Royal Marines on a reconnaissance patrol in the southern Helmand Valley [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Royal Marines approach a cluster of outbuildings during a reconnaissance patrol in the southern Helmand Valley [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Royal Marines cross the river bed during a foot patrol in the southern Helmand Valley [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

A Royal Marine helps his troop reach higher ground after crossing the river bed in the southern Helmand Valley [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Royal Marines unwind after another busy day on Operation AABI TOORAH with a sunset game of rugby [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Royal Marines investigate a suspected enemy compound during Stage 4 of Operation AABI TOORAH [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]

Royal Marines prepare to load into Chinook helicopters after the succcessful completion of Operation AABI TOORAH [Picture: LA(Phot) Gaz Faulkner]