WASHINGTON -- One of the Obama administration's first major military operations in Afghanistan is under way.
U.S. Marines and Afghan security forces began moving into the nation's southern Helmand province Wednesday to clear out the Taliban and secure locals from insurgent threats.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson said the operation is the largest and fastest-moving so far in the war's newest phase.
The Pentagon says nearly 4,000 Marines and sailors and about 650 Afghan soldiers and police led the mission. U.S. Army and Marines also added air support.
British forces last week led similar missions to fight and clear out insurgents in Helmand and Kandahar provinces.
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