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Cpl. Sara A. Medina, from Aurora, Illinois, deployed to Kathmandu, Nepal with Joint Task Force 505 shortly after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country April 25. JTF 505 was called upon by the Nepalese Government to provide humanitarian relief shortly after the earthquake. On May 12, another 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the country and JTF 505 continued to provide relief. That afternoon, while providing humanitarian aid, a UH-1Y Huey, with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, crashed eight miles north of Charikot, Nepal. Two Nepalese soldiers and six U.S. Marines were on board the helicopter. One of those Marines was Cpl. Medina, a combat photographer assigned to Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Combat Camera.
The Daily Beast presents some of her photographs below.
Public Domain
Republic of Korea Marines with 7th Marine Regiment, simulated opposition forces, observe water explosions as Assault Amphibious Vehicles approach shore during Integrated Amphibious Assault Ssang Yong 14 at Doksu-ri Beach, Pohang, South Korea, March 31, 2014. Exercise Ssang Yong is conducted annually in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to enhance interoperability between U.S. and ROK forces by performing a full spectrum of amphibious operations while showcasing sea-based power projection in the Pacific.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Cpl. Sara A. Medina/Released
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joshua E. Chacon, combat videographer, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, executes pullups to maintain his physical fitness during Joint Task Force 505 humanitarian assistance and disaster relief at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 7. The Nepalese government requested the U.S. government's assistance after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country April 25. U.S Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force came together with other services to assist Nepal.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Cpl. Sara A. Medina/Released
Republic of Korea Marines with 7th Regiment rehearse landing and amphibious recon for Ssang Yong 14 at Doksu-ri Beach, Pohang, South Korea, on March 29, 2014.
U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Sara A. Medina, III MEF Combat Camera/Released
Republic of Korea Marine with 7th Regiment observes Assault Amphibious Vehicles during the rehearsal landing and amphibious recon for Ssang Yong 14 at Doksu-ri Beach, Pohang, South Korea, March 29, 2014.
U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Sara A. Medina, III MEF Combat Camera/Released
Nepalese service members look out from a U.S Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 8. The U.S. government ordered JTF 505 to assist Nepal.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Cpl. Sara A. Medina/Released
U.S. Marine with Golf Company, 2d Battalion, 3rd Marines, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit rehearse landing and amphibious recon for Ssang Yong 14 at Doksu-ri Beach, Pohang, South Korea, on March 29, 2014.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Cpl. Sara A. Medina/Released
Republic of Korea Marines conduct static line parachute operations during an Intergraded Amphibious Assault for Ssang Yong 14 at Doksu-ri Beach, Pohang, South Korea, on March 31, 2014.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Cpl. Sara A. Medina/Released