June 21, 2011

Afghan Government and ANSF Bring Governance to New District

LAGHMAN, Afghanistan (June 18, 2011) – In a dusty, hot valley in the center of eastern Afghanistan, Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. soldiers worked to bring security to the province’s newest district.

June 21, 2011

Airman aids Afghans with carpentry skills

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan (June 14, 2011) – Some of the heat has burned off as the summer moon rises overhead. An airman labors over scrap wood in a makeshift workshop under a canopy of camouflage. Fitting pieces of wood together, the shape of a tiny coffin emerges.

June 17, 2011

Face of Defense: Soldier Counts on Training, Teammates

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (June 13, 2011) – May 13 was just another day -- another mounted patrol in the mountainous area outside of Combat Outpost Honaker-Miracle, Afghanistan, Army Spc. Brian Walker said.

June 17, 2011

Chaplain Provides ‘Ministry on the Fly’

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM, Afghanistan (June 10, 2011) – It’s 2:53 p.m., and religious programs specialist Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Gallagher is nervous. Pacing in the blazing Afghanistan sun, Gallagher knows that he and the Navy chaplain he is sworn to protect have a convoy to catch in seven minutes -- one that very well may leave them stranded if they are late.

June 17, 2011

The Man With The Plans

SALAH AD DIN, Iraq — Joint Base Balad is in full-swing mode preparing for a responsible drawdown and leading the way for other bases who are also preparing for a drawdown.

June 17, 2011

NTM-A making a difference at local schools

KABUL, Afghanistan – Children in Afghanistan, especially young women, routinely risk their lives in search of an education.

June 17, 2011

Afghan troops graduate generator mechanic course

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (June 13, 2011) — Nineteen Afghan National Security Forces troops graduated from the Generator Mechanic Course at the Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, Helmand province.

June 17, 2011

Waterford Marine experiences improvements during second tour to Nad ‘Ali South

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Before every deployment, Marines are trained up on the area of operation they will perform their duties to prepare them for mission success.

June 17, 2011

15th Transportation Company transfers authority, concludes mission in Iraq

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Applause filled Memorial Hall as Capt. Stacey Jelks, commander of the 15th Transportation Company, 749th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and a Fort Sill, Okla. native, saluted Lt. Col. David Ceniti, commander of the 749th CSSB, and Sacramento, Calif. native, and said in a loud and thunderous voice; “Sir, mission complete.”

June 15, 2011

Nearing Transition: Insurgents Weaken, ANSF Grows in Strength and Numbers

Kabul (June 13, 2011) — Insurgent attacks have made headlines this week, but International Security Assistance Forces and NATO spokesmen stated insurgents are losing capability and solidifying Afghan and coalition forces’ upper hand as the beginning of the transition approaches.