June 29, 2011

100 Cache Finds in Two Weeks with Increased Security, Villages’ Help

KABUL, Afghanistan (June 29, 2011) — Many insurgent activities are being thwarted by increased security presence in Afghan villages and increased weapon caches found by Afghan National Security Forces.

June 27, 2011

Kandahar PRT begins team transition

KANDAHAR (June 27, 2011) — The Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team began the transition to a new team of Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen with a mounted combat patrol to Sub-District 2 in Kandahar City June 25.

June 27, 2011

Afghan forces expand security near Helmand capital during Operation Qala Sharqay

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (June 27, 2011) — Afghan soldiers backed by British and American troops pushed to a position northeast of the Helmand provincial capitol of Lashkar Gah to build a new patrol base and improve security in the city as part of Operation Qala Sharqay, June 19.

June 23, 2011

Obama announces troop reductions, way forward in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (June 22, 2011) – Thanks to the tremendous progress U.S., coalition and Afghan troops have made, the United States will draw down the number of troops in Afghanistan by 10,000 this year and 33,000 by the end of summer 2012, President Barack Obama said here tonight.

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

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

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.