U.S. Army Sgt. Adam Nielsen, an infantry team leader

U.S. Army Sgt. Adam Nielsen, an infantry team leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, from Cedar Falls, Iowa, points to one of the surrounding mountain ridges his unit took fire from their last time they tried to enter the village of Shebatkyl, Afghanistan. That time, Nielsen’s platoon fought through an ambush of enemy forces firing machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades from multiple directions on the surrounding mountains. This time, Feb. 3, the soldiers were able to enter the village, conduct a lengthy key leader engagement with village elders which focused on working with the coalition to secure the town from insurgents operating in the Sygal valley, and even drank chai tea with the people. 1st Bn., 133rd Inf. Regt., Task Force Ironman, is a part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, TF Red Bulls, and the Iowa National Guard.