Sgt. Abigail Najera, from Deming, N.M., and Spc. Chantelle
Sgt. Abigail Najera, from Deming, N.M., and Spc. Chantelle Evangelista, from Wahiawa, Hawaii, drive through ankle deep sand at Forward Operating Base Kushamond. Support elements from the 172nd Support Battalion... More
Staff Sgt. Brandon Hilker, infantryman with 2nd Battalion,
Staff Sgt. Brandon Hilker, infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Black Lions, provides over watch for explosive ordinance disposal team members and local police in the Orgun-E distr... More
Sgt. Crysta Cozelos, emergency room non-commissioned
Sgt. Crysta Cozelos, emergency room non-commissioned officer in charge at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E, prepares a chart for patient Hukum Jang. Jang was injured in an insurgent improvised explosive device bl... More
Sgt. Austin Murphree (left), Pfc. Cory Tilghman (center)
Sgt. Austin Murphree (left), Pfc. Cory Tilghman (center) and Pfc. William Bowers, infantrymen with 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, out of Forward operating Base Tillman provide su... More
Medical personnel from the 2nd Forward Surgical Team
Medical personnel from the 2nd Forward Surgical Team prepare Hukum Jang lays surgery after an insurgent improvised explosive device near her home critically injured her. The blast killed two and wounded eight o... More
Spc. Benjamin Creed, from Kansas, demonstrates for
Spc. Benjamin Creed, from Kansas, demonstrates for Spc. Eric Robinson, from Wisconsin, how to test for explosive residue during a company level clearing operation near Combat Outpost Deh Yak. The joint operatio... More
Staff Sgt. Aldus Coffee, fire support non-commissioned
Staff Sgt. Aldus Coffee, fire support non-commissioned officer from Brooksville, Fla., directs a UH-47 Chinook helicopter onto a haste landing zone erected at dawn on a narrow mountainside to deliver the mortar... More
Sgt. Andrew Pruitt, personal security detail medic,
Sgt. Andrew Pruitt, personal security detail medic, 172nd Infantry Brigade, scans distant hills outside the village of Marzak for signs of enemy activity. The brigade command team came to the remote village to ... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
Sgt. Austin Murphree (left), Pfc. Cory Tilghman (center)
Sgt. Austin Murphree (left), Pfc. Cory Tilghman (center) and Pfc. William Bowers, infantrymen with 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, out of Forward operating Base Tillman provide su... More
Spc. Donald Myers and Pfc. Samuel Schultz, infantrymen
Spc. Donald Myers and Pfc. Samuel Schultz, infantrymen from Company B, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, bring their 120mm Mortar to bear against an insurgent rocket team at Forward Op... More
The battalion command teams of the 28th Infantry Regiment
The battalion command teams of the 28th Infantry Regiment stand side by side at a historical transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E in eastern Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 5. Th... More
Spc. David King, from Kansas City, Mo., observes his
Spc. David King, from Kansas City, Mo., observes his tactical explosive detection dog, Marshall, as he locates a hand grenade during training at Combat Outpost Deh Yak. Assigned to Company C, Task Force 1-2 Inf... More
Spc. Jason Roskam and Spc. Luis Espinoza, Company A,
Spc. Jason Roskam and Spc. Luis Espinoza, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, Task Force 3-66th, provide over watch for the 172nd Infantry Brigade command team as they make a river crossing in the... More
A sniper/observer with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 28th
A sniper/observer with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, scans the fields surrounding Combat Outpost Margah after an insurgent ambush against an Afghan National Army patr... More
Sgt. 1st Class Raja Richardson, platoon sergeant with
Sgt. 1st Class Raja Richardson, platoon sergeant with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, Task Force 2-28, 172nd Infantry Brigade, leads a patrol across a ridgeline outside of Forward Operating Base ... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
Pfc. Ramses Ramirez from San Diego Calif., headquarters
Pfc. Ramses Ramirez from San Diego Calif., headquarters radio telephone operator for Company C, 3-66 Infantry, established communications with the battalion headquarters in the early morning light after air ass... More
Staff Sgt. Nicholas Powell from Hazle Park, Mich.,
Staff Sgt. Nicholas Powell from Hazle Park, Mich., (far right), gun section chief for 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, watches as his gun team at... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
Spc. Donald Myers (left), Pfc. Samuel Schultz (center)
Spc. Donald Myers (left), Pfc. Samuel Schultz (center) and SPC Chaz Smith (right), infantrymen from Company B, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, bring their 120mm Mortar to bear agains... More
Hukum Jang lays in wait for surgery after an insurgent
Hukum Jang lays in wait for surgery after an insurgent improvised explosive device near her home critically injured her. The blast killed two and wounded eight others while they were driving near their family h... More
Sgt. Michael Trevino, personal security detail,
Sgt. Michael Trevino, personal security detail, non-comissioned officer, 172nd Infantry Brigade, utilizes a foot bridge to cross a swollen river outside of the village of Marzak while locals wash clothing on th... More
First Lt. Nathan Wagner from Richmond, Va., quickly
First Lt. Nathan Wagner from Richmond, Va., quickly briefs his platoon as they prepare to move to contact outside of Combat Outpost Deh Yak. While collecting biometric data from locals, the unit began receiving... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
Capt. Brad Vance, from Stuart, Fla., surveys the valley
Capt. Brad Vance, from Stuart, Fla., surveys the valley below in the early dawn light as he positions his infantrymen into blocking positions for the upcoming clearing operation. Afghan National Security Forces... More
The colors of the 28th Infantry Regiment dip before
The colors of the 28th Infantry Regiment dip before the national colors at a historical transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E in eastern Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 5. The two... More
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Boom, 172nd Infantry Brigade,
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Boom, 172nd Infantry Brigade, greets an Afghan boy while on a foot patrol to inspect construction progress of Afghan Local Police checkpoints in the Marzak Basin. Marzak has historical... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
A sniper with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry
A sniper with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, scans the fields surrounding Combat Outpost Margah after an insurgent ambush against an Afghan National Army patrol. The A... More
U.S. Army Pfc. Eric Park from San Mateo, Calif., stands
U.S. Army Pfc. Eric Park from San Mateo, Calif., stands at his "number one man."
Soldiers from 1st Platoon, Company C, Task Force 1-2
Soldiers from 1st Platoon, Company C, Task Force 1-2 Infantry, return from a clearing operation outside Combat Outpost Deh Yah. U.S. forces and their Afghan National Security Forces partners worked together to ... More
Members of 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion,
Members of 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, work at dislodging their M-777 155mm howitzer from the three-foot deep hole it dug its spades into af... More
Spc. Jose Pizano, sharpshooter with Company A, 2nd
Spc. Jose Pizano, sharpshooter with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, Task Force 3-66, provides over watch for the 172nd Infantry Brigade command team as they make a river crossing in the villag... More
Spc. Jacob Tippmann, infantryman with Company C, 3rd
Spc. Jacob Tippmann, infantryman with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, Task Force 2-28, 172nd Infantry Brigade, scans an adjacent hilltop outside of Forward Operating Base Tillman. Located just 3.... More
Two young Afghan girls watch with apprehension as coalition
Two young Afghan girls watch with apprehension as coalition forces and Afghan Uniformed Police prepare to detonate an improvised explosive device near their home in the Sharana district, Paktika province, Afgha... More
An Afghan National Army forward observer prepares to
An Afghan National Army forward observer prepares to call in coordinates for a nighttime artillery mission at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E. The recently emplaced howitzer battery is the first ever to be tacti... More
Afghan National Army soldiers leave trails of light
Afghan National Army soldiers leave trails of light as they prepare to fire their D30 howitzer at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E. The recently emplaced howitzer battery is the first ever to be tactically employ... More
U.S. Army Pfc. Eric Park (far right), from San Mateo,
U.S. Army Pfc. Eric Park (far right), from San Mateo, Calif., and the rest of 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, load their M-777 155mm howitzer, Sept. 3.
A young Afghan girl guards her new toy in the Sarobi
A young Afghan girl guards her new toy in the Sarobi district of Paktika province, Afghanistan. Afghan National Army soldiers handed out gifts to the local children on a patrol with coalition forces during a ci... More
Sgt. Kevin Bates, from California, the mortar section
Sgt. Kevin Bates, from California, the mortar section leader for Company C, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, drives a modified Gator across the side of a mountain to its firing position after inserting by ai... More
Pfc. Erasmo Alarcon, Echo Troop, 5th Cavalry Regiment,
Pfc. Erasmo Alarcon, Echo Troop, 5th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force 2-28, 172nd Infantry Brigade, takes his first sip of hot chai tea at a key leader engagement in the Sarobi district of Paktika province, Afghani... More
Staff Sgt. Brandon Jones, scout team leader, Task Force
Staff Sgt. Brandon Jones, scout team leader, Task Force 2-28, 172nd Infantry Brigade, scans the perimeter while soldiers from an explosive ordinance disposal team destroy an improvised explosive device in the O... More
A local Afghan girl watches a partnered Afghan and
A local Afghan girl watches a partnered Afghan and U.S. patrol as it passes through her village outside of Margah, Afghanistan. Sitting astride a major border infiltration route, Combat Outpost Margah and soldi... More
Afghan National Army soldiers return to Combat Outpost
Afghan National Army soldiers return to Combat Outpost Margah with after an insurgent ambush. The ANA patrol broke through the ambush and captured three insurgents.
Staff Sgt. Aldus Coffee, fire support non-commissioned
Staff Sgt. Aldus Coffee, fire support non-commissioned officer from Brooksville, Fla., directs AH-64 Apache attack helicopters onto a suspected insurgent position after receiving accurate enemy mortar fire mome... More
Lt. Col. John Meyer and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Cornelison
Lt. Col. John Meyer and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Cornelison case the colors of the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment at a historical transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E in easte... More
Sgt. Matthew Kurtz from Glendora, Calif., talks with
Sgt. Matthew Kurtz from Glendora, Calif., talks with local kids outside of Margah, Afghanistan, while on patrol with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade. Sitting astride a m... More
1st Lt. Matthew Miller (right), platoon leader with
1st Lt. Matthew Miller (right), platoon leader with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, pauses to update his platoon's position with headquarters outside of Margah, Afghani... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
Sgt. Bekzod Alimbekov scans the perimeter of Combat
Sgt. Bekzod Alimbekov scans the perimeter of Combat Outpost Margah in eastern Paktika province, Afghanistan, with a remote turret. On Oct. 15, Alimbekov and Pfc. Jorge Garcia, both of Company C, 2nd Battalion, ... More
Sgt. Kevin Bates, from California, the mortar section
Sgt. Kevin Bates, from California, the mortar section leader for Company C, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, leads his section off the back ramp of a CH-47 Chinook driving a modified Gator after inserting on... More
Capt. Nathan Gunter, from Dallas, Texas, task force
Capt. Nathan Gunter, from Dallas, Texas, task force fire support officer, refines graphical overlays after making first hand observations of the planned target reference points. Afghan National Security Forces ... More
Cpl. Nick Arellano, military information support operations
Cpl. Nick Arellano, military information support operations assistant team leader from Englewood, Colo., detonates a cache of enemy explosives under the close supervision of explosive ordnance device in the Cha... More
Spc. Tylor Calhoun, from California, provides security
Spc. Tylor Calhoun, from California, provides security while fellow soldiers work to recover their heavy expanded mobility tactical truck wrecker from thick mud during a company level clearing operation near Co... More
U.S. Army Spc. Anthony Bair and Afghan Army Sgt. 1st
U.S. Army Spc. Anthony Bair and Afghan Army Sgt. 1st Class Moheber Raman prepare to play a medical training game called "mortar attack."
Afghan National Army soldier Mufti Mohammod verifies
Afghan National Army soldier Mufti Mohammod verifies grid coordinates in the fire direction center for a nighttime artillery mission at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E. The recently emplaced howitzer battery is ... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry
Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, Task Force 3-66th, navigate narrow causeways along a river bank in the village of Marzak. Marzak has historically been a stronghold for the insurg... More
U.S. Army Pfc. Eric Park (center) pauses while he and
U.S. Army Pfc. Eric Park (center) pauses while he and the rest of 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, dislodge their M-777 155mm howitzer from the t... More
Spc. David King, from Kansas City, Mo., dispatches
Spc. David King, from Kansas City, Mo., dispatches his tactical explosive detection dog Marshall into a search pattern during training at Combat Outpost Deh Yak. Assigned to Company C, Task Force 1-2 Infantry, ... More
An OH-58 Kiowa Warrior circles overhead as soldiers
An OH-58 Kiowa Warrior circles overhead as soldiers from Company C, Task Force 1-2 Infantry move to secure the site of an improvised explosive device strike outside Combat outpost Deh Yah during a company level... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
Soldiers of the Scout Platoon, Task Force 2-28, 172nd
Soldiers of the Scout Platoon, Task Force 2-28, 172nd Infantry Brigade, spread out to investigate a report of an improvised explosive device from the local Afghan police in the Orgun-E district of Paktika provi... More
Soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Company C, Task Force 1-2
Soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Company C, Task Force 1-2 Infantry, stack on the door of an abandoned qualat to cover their Afghan partners. U.S. forces and their Afghan National Security Forces partners executed th... More
Sgt. Billy Miller, from Nacogdoches, Texas, returns
Sgt. Billy Miller, from Nacogdoches, Texas, returns from a company level clearing operation near Combat Outpost Deh Yak. The joint operation between soldiers of Company C, Task Force 1-2 Infantry and their Afgh... More
Sgt. Crysta Cozelos, emergency room non-commissioned
Sgt. Crysta Cozelos, emergency room non-commissioned officer in charge at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E, examines x-rays for patient Hukum Jang. Jang was injured in an insurgent improvised explosive device bla... More
Afghan infantrymen move across a mountain ridge to
Afghan infantrymen move across a mountain ridge to their blocking positions. Afghan National Security Forces and soldiers of Task Force Black Lions, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade... More
Sgt. Kevin Bates, from California, the mortar section
Sgt. Kevin Bates, from California, the mortar section leader for Company C, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, leads his section off the back ramp of a CH-47 Chinook driving a modified Gator after inserting on... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
The muzzle flash of a Afghan National Army D30 howitzer
The muzzle flash of a Afghan National Army D30 howitzer illuminates the night sky as the first tactically operational rounds are fired in support of Afghan forces, here. The recently emplaced howitzer battery i... More
Col. Edward Bohnemann, commander, 172nd Infantry Brigade,
Col. Edward Bohnemann, commander, 172nd Infantry Brigade, walks on patrol in the remote village of Marzak to survey new Afghan Local Police checkpoints. Marzak has historically been a stronghold for the insurge... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
U.S. Army Pfc. Eric Park, from San Mateo, Calif., adjusts
U.S. Army Pfc. Eric Park, from San Mateo, Calif., adjusts the elevation of his team's M-777 155mm howitzer during drills Sept. 1.
Spc. Christopher Marsh, from Ventura, Calif., provides
Spc. Christopher Marsh, from Ventura, Calif., provides security while fellow soldiers collect biometric data during a company level clearing operation near Combat Outpost Deh Yak. The joint operation between so... More
Col. Edward Bohnemann, commander, 172nd Infantry Brigade,
Col. Edward Bohnemann, commander, 172nd Infantry Brigade, greets Afghan Local Police at a new checkpoint in the village of Marzak. Marzak has historically been a stronghold for the insurgency over the past deca... More
Pfc. Erik Park from San Mateo, Calif., fires his M-777
Pfc. Erik Park from San Mateo, Calif., fires his M-777 155mm howitzer Sept. 3. Park, who is in 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, is the number one... More
Pfc. Graigory Porterfield and Pfc. Thomas Sasko, cavalry
Pfc. Graigory Porterfield and Pfc. Thomas Sasko, cavalry scouts with Echo Troop, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment work to establish satellite communications with higher headquarters w... More
Spc. David King from Kansas City, Mo., rewards his
Spc. David King from Kansas City, Mo., rewards his tactical explosive detection dog, Marshall, for locating a hidden grenade during training at Combat Outpost Deh Yak. Assigned to Company C, Task Force 1-2 Infa... More
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in
Toby Keith rocks Forward Operating Base Sharana in a surprise concert at the 172nd Infantry Brigade headquarters, April 29. Named one of the top 10 most dangerous places by Maxim Magazine, FOB Sharana and the s... More
Sgt. Marc Dorval, from West Orange, N.J., clears the
Sgt. Marc Dorval, from West Orange, N.J., clears the roadside ahead of vehicles from Company C, Task Force 1-2 Infantry, as the company moves to secure the site of an improvised explosive device strike outside ... More
Staff Sgt. Aldus Coffee, fire support non-commissioned
Staff Sgt. Aldus Coffee, fire support non-commissioned officer from Brooksville, Fla., directs a UH-47 Chinook helicopter onto a haste landing zone erected at dawn on a narrow mountainside to deliver the mortar... More
Afghan civilians mill about the Charbaran Bazaar as
Afghan civilians mill about the Charbaran Bazaar as coalition forces prepare to enter and search the area. The wood piles in the foreground of the photo contain a cache of explosives later detonated by the clea... More