Feb. 10, 2012

Civil Affairs team gets dirty to learn new ways to help Afghans

FRESNO, Calif. (February 10, 2012) — In Afghanistan, agriculture is the culture.

Feb. 9, 2012

Security Forces airmen conduct Afghan FTX

KABUL, Afghanistan (February 9., 2012) — Airmen from the 439th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron recently conducted a field training exercise as a course conclusion for Afghan air force security forces personnel.

Feb. 7, 2012

ANP train to take the lead

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHOJA, Afghanistan (Februray 7, 2012) — Soldiers stationed here have been training the Afghan National Police in different tactics and techniques that will come in handy once the coalition forces have left Afghanistan. The ANP and American soldiers came together Feb. 1 to conduct a training patrol in a nearby village to show their presence in the area.

Feb. 6, 2012

Operation Aluminum Python puts squeeze on insurgency

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan (February 6, 2012) — The enemy sniper moved silently in the mountain darkness, snake-like, as he stalked the American and Afghan National Army soldiers, waiting for his opportunity to strike.

Feb. 6, 2012

Air Force advisers, Afghan aircrew drop medical supplies to rural villages

KABUL, Afghanistan (February 6, 2012) — Advisors from the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group and Afghan air force helicopter aircrew, from Shindand Air Base, delivered critical medical supplies Jan. 27 to inhabitants of two remote villages struck by a measles epidemic.

Feb. 3, 2012

Camp Arena soldiers pave way for brighter Kuchi future

BALA MURGHAB, Afghanistan (February 3, 2012) — Elders and children from a Kuchi village in western Afghanistan made their way from their mud huts and nomadic tents to meet a coalition convoy during a humanitarian mission Nov. 18.

Feb. 2, 2012

Afghan Border Police, U.S. Marine partnership furthers governance in southern Helmand

BANADAR, Helmand province, Afghanistan (February 2, 2012) — Situated in the southern portion of Afghanistan’s Helmand province, Garmsir district has historically been a highway for insurgent movement from Pakistan.

Feb. 2, 2012

ANA, White Platoon key to security in Southern Bala Murghab

BALA MURGHAB, Afghanistan (February 2, 2012) — After receiving waves of enemy attacks from three different directions, Jan. 6, a small team of U.S. soldiers known as White Platoon, based at Combat Outpost Delorean in Bala Murghab valley are ordered to recon their battlefield area.

Feb. 1, 2012

Operation Double Check: Through the eyes of infantrymen

PATROL BASE 7171, Helmand province, Afghanistan (January 31, 2012) — Infantry Marines deployed to Afghanistan endure trials that Americans unfamiliar with military life cannot begin to fathom. Inclement weather, insatiable hunger, perpetual fatigue and direct combat with enemy forces are challenges frequently confronting the infantryman because he regularly operates in austere, hostile conditions. The infantry Marine in Afghanistan, commonly 18 years old and fresh out of high school, is often significantly more mature than others his age because of his unique experiences.