Afghan National Army commandos practice clearing a
Afghan National Army commandos practice clearing a building at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 18. Training and practicing tactics daily maintains the commandos' readiness and builds team cohesion. Foreig... More
Gen. Shir Mohammad Karimi, Afghan National Army general
Gen. Shir Mohammad Karimi, Afghan National Army general staff chief of operations, explains the ANA commando training process to Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Camp Morehead, Afg... More
Narang district Sub-governor, Dr. Waliullah, holds
Narang district Sub-governor, Dr. Waliullah, holds a shura in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. Afghan National Police and district officials held a shura with village elders to discuss the Afghan Nationa... More
A coalition special operations forces service member
A coalition special operations forces service member uses a 60mm mortar during a fire fight while on a patrol in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. The commandos and coalition special operations forces, the... More
Afghan National Police, Afghan Local Police and coalition
Afghan National Police, Afghan Local Police and coalition special operations forces members move in formation during a dismounted foot patrol in Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, April 10. Afghani... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak rest next to
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak rest next to a creek during an operation in Sayagaz village, Arghandab district, Afghanistan, March 10. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalition special operations f... More
Coalition special operations forces members cover their
Coalition special operations forces members cover their faces to avoid flying debris as they wait to board a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-l... More
A soldier from the 8th Commando Kandak clears a room
A soldier from the 8th Commando Kandak clears a room during a training exercise in Tarin Kowt district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalition special operations... More
An Afghan National Army commando and a village elder
An Afghan National Army commando and a village elder discuss insurgent activity during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. The commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first to ... More
A coalition special operations forces soldier stands
A coalition special operations forces soldier stands at attention during an address by Gen. Paul Funk, 1st Infantry Division assistant division commander, at Camp Dyer, Afghanistan, May 11. Gen. Funk visited Ca... More
Afghan National Army commandos dismount a UH-60 Black
Afghan National Army commandos dismount a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissance for a future Village Stability P... More
A soldier with the Afghan National Army special forces
A soldier with the Afghan National Army special forces patrols a small Afghan village during a security patrol in the Maiwand district of southern Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, March 14. The ANA special forc... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak enter a compound
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak enter a compound during an operation near Sayedan village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 23. The commandos partner with coalition special operations... More
Afghan National Army commandos search a house in Kunar
Afghan National Army commandos search a house in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 31. Coalition special operations forces assisted the commando-led mission in their search for weapons caches and known anti-Afg... More
A member of coalition Special Operations Forces gathers
A member of coalition Special Operations Forces gathers firewood as snow falls in Sayagaz village, Arghandab district, Afghanistan, March 11. Coalition SOF and the 8th Commando Kandak went to the village to dis... More
Young men and boys gather to receive medical treatment
Young men and boys gather to receive medical treatment from the Afghan National Army special forces and coalition special operations forces, Sayed Abad district, Nov. 6. The forces visited three villages in the... More
A solider from the 8th Commando Kandak adjusts another
A solider from the 8th Commando Kandak adjusts another soldier's antennae prior to a patrol near Sayedan village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 23. The commandos partner with coalition s... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak conduct a patrol
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak conduct a patrol during an operation in Sayagaz village, Arghandab district, Afghanistan, March 10. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalition Special operations force... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak search a house
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak search a house during a clearance operation in Bakthu village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, May 4. The commandos partner with coalition special operation... More
Afghan National Army commandos practice entering and
Afghan National Army commandos practice entering and clearing a building at Camp McCloskey, Afghanistan, April 2. Commandos and coalition special operations forces practiced basic scenarios as part of leader-se... More
Soldiers from 8th Commando Kandak host a shura during
Soldiers from 8th Commando Kandak host a shura during a clearing operation in Shobar village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, May 10. The commandos partner with coalition special operations forc... More
Boys and young men gather around Afghan National Army
Boys and young men gather around Afghan National Army special forces to receive candy, art and school supplies, and hand-crank radios during a presence patrol, Sayed Abad district, Nov. 6. The ANASF and coaliti... More
An OH-58 Scout Weapons Team helicopter flies search
An OH-58 Scout Weapons Team helicopter flies search patterns and provides air support for a ground mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 10. In the valley below, more than 100 Afghan National Army comman... More
A village security force commander discusses insurgent
A village security force commander discusses insurgent activity with Afghan National Army and coalition special operations forces leaders during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 15. Commandos ... More
An Afghan National Army commando searches a pharmacy
An Afghan National Army commando searches a pharmacy during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 15. Coalition special operations forces advised the commandos as they searched a village for weapons ca... More
Afghan National Army commandos find spent 155 mm artillery
Afghan National Army commandos find spent 155 mm artillery shells in a Kunar province village in Afghanistan Dec. 31. Coalition special operations forces assisted more than 100 commandos as they searched for w... More
An Afghan National Army company commander conducts
An Afghan National Army company commander conducts an operation order in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 2. The commando company's leaders explained the upcoming mission to their platoon leaders using infor... More
An Afghan child smiles after receiving a knit hat from
An Afghan child smiles after receiving a knit hat from Afghan National Police in Molla Owrang Village, Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 7. The ANP distributed cold-weather clothing items to ... More
A soldier from the 8th Commando Kandak searches a vehicle
A soldier from the 8th Commando Kandak searches a vehicle during an operation in Doan-e Ulya Village, Shahid-e Hasas district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 6. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalit... More
An Afghan National Army Commando searches a room during
An Afghan National Army Commando searches a room during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 17. Coalition special operations forces advised the more than 100 Commandos as they searched an Afghani vi... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak begin a room
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak begin a room clearance evolution during a training exercise in Tarin Kowt district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalition ... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak through a river
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak through a river valley near Sayedan village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 23. The commandos partner with coalition special operations forces to con... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak and members of
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak and members of coalition special operations forces begin a village clearance in Doan-e Ulya Village, Shahid-e Hasas district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 6. The 8th... More
An Afghan National Army commando and a local security
An Afghan National Army commando and a local security force commander discuss insurgent activity during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. Commandos and coalition special operations forces, ... More
A member of coalition special operations forces engages
A member of coalition special operations forces engages a target during weapons training in Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 1. Coalition special operations forces work hand-in-hand with Af... More
Afghan National Army commandos practice entering and
Afghan National Army commandos practice entering and clearing a compound at Camp Dyer, Nangahar province, Afghanistan, March 10. Coalition special operations forces provided advice and training. The training h... More
Afghan National Army commandos board a CH-47 Chinook
Afghan National Army commandos board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, April 27. Commandos and coalition special operations forces used the helicopter for a mission in eastern Afgh... More
A coalition special operations forces service member
A coalition special operations forces service member defends his position from insurgent small arms fire during a fire fight in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 7. A force of more than 100 Afghan National Arm... More
A soldier from the 8th Commando Kandak stands in the
A soldier from the 8th Commando Kandak stands in the doorway of an abandoned building during an operation near Sayedan village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 22. The commandos partner wi... More
Members of the 9th Commando Kandak hand out book bags
Members of the 9th Commando Kandak hand out book bags to Afghan students during a humanitarian aid supply operation conducted in partnership with coalition special operation forces in Nizam-e Shahid district, H... More
Afghan National Army commandos practice patrolling
Afghan National Army commandos practice patrolling at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 18. Training and practicing tactics daily maintains the commandos' readiness and builds team cohesion. Foreign interna... More
Jamal Fareed, a reporter from Ariana Television of
Jamal Fareed, a reporter from Ariana Television of Afghanistan, and his cameraman, Sameem Seerat, interview the local Afghan National Police commander after the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a bridge opening near... More
Children stand on the roadway watching as Afghan National
Children stand on the roadway watching as Afghan National Army special forces and coalition special operations forces distribute candy, art and school supplies, and hand-crank radios to children and families du... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak clear a room
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak clear a room during a training exercise in Tarin Kowt district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalition special operations f... More
An Afghan Local Police recruit proudly displays his
An Afghan Local Police recruit proudly displays his ALP Academy graduation certificate in Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 31. The academy is a three-week course that teaches ALP candidates... More
A doctor demonstrates how treat a wound by using a
A doctor demonstrates how treat a wound by using a fleece cap as a makeshift bandage on a coalition special operations forces medic during training at the Unkhai Basic Health Clinic, Sayed Abad district, Nov. 5... More
Coalition special operations forces pararescue jumpers
Coalition special operations forces pararescue jumpers medically evacuate an injured Afghan National Army commando during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. Commandos and coalition special o... More
Afghan Local Police, Afghan National Police and coalition
Afghan Local Police, Afghan National Police and coalition special operations forces members begin a foot patrol in Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, April 13. Afghanistan National Security Forces ... More
Villagers use a cable bridge to cross a river to attend
Villagers use a cable bridge to cross a river to attend a shura in Sayagaz village, Arghandab district, Afghanistan, March 11. The 8th Commando Kandak and coalition SOF went to the village to discuss security i... More
Mohammad Karim, the Arghandab district deputy chief
Mohammad Karim, the Arghandab district deputy chief of police, speaks to villagers in Sayagaz village, Arghandab district, Afghanistan, March 11. Karim, along with Coalition Special Operations Forces and the 8t... More
Two young boys look through a backpack in search of
Two young boys look through a backpack in search of items given to them by Afghan National Army special forces and coalition special operations forces during a presence patrol, Sayed Abad district, Nov. 6. The ... More
Afghan National Army special forces and coalition special
Afghan National Army special forces and coalition special operations forces distribute candy, art and school supplies, and hand-crank radios to the children and families during a presence patrol, Sayed Abad dis... More
A Joint Expeditionary Team advisor describes a booby
A Joint Expeditionary Team advisor describes a booby trap used in improvised explosive devices to Afghan National Army commandos training at Camp McCloskey, Afghanistan, April 1. By practicing basic tactics, c... More
The Nawbahar district chief of police helps a villager
The Nawbahar district chief of police helps a villager with bags of beans in Pinzo village, Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 5. The beans and other food supplies were distributed by members ... More
Soldiers from 8th Commando Kandak host a shura during
Soldiers from 8th Commando Kandak host a shura during a clearing operation in Shobar village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, May 10. The commandos partner with coalition special operations forc... More
Afghan National Army commandos practice entering and
Afghan National Army commandos practice entering and clearing a compound at Camp Dyer, Nangahar province, Afghanistan, March 10. Coalition special operations forces provided advice and training. The training h... More
Afghan National Army Commandos enter a house during
Afghan National Army Commandos enter a house during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 17. Coalition special operations forces advised the more than 100 Commandos as they searched an Afghani villag... More
A village elder waits in line for his family to receive
A village elder waits in line for his family to receive school supplies during a humanitarian aid supply operation conducted by the 9th Commando Kandak and coalition special operation forces in Nizam-e Shahid d... More
A UH-60 Black Hawk takes off during a MEDEVAC for an
A UH-60 Black Hawk takes off during a MEDEVAC for an injured 8th Commando Kandak soldier during an operation near Sayedan village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 23. The commandos partner... More
Coalition special operations forces line up in formation
Coalition special operations forces line up in formation at Camp Morehead, Afghanistan, April 23. Coalition special operations forces prepared to meet Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,... More
An Afghan National Army commando fires his rifle during
An Afghan National Army commando fires his rifle during weapons training at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 27. Coalition Special Operations Forces training helps ANA Commandos maintain mission-readines... More
Afghan National Army commandos find spent 155 mm artillery
Afghan National Army commandos find spent 155 mm artillery shells in a Kunar province village in Afghanistan Dec. 31. Coalition special operations forces assisted more than 100 commandos as they searched for w... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak enter a compound
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak enter a compound during an operation in Surkhagen village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 10. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalition special ... More
Narang district Sub-governor, Dr. Waliullah, meets
Narang district Sub-governor, Dr. Waliullah, meets an Afghan National Army commando company commander in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. Afghan National Police and district officials held a shura with vi... More
An instructor from the 8th Commando Kandak briefs other
An instructor from the 8th Commando Kandak briefs other commandos during a training exercise in Tarin Kowt district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalition speci... More
Small blocks and colored ribbons represent houses,
Small blocks and colored ribbons represent houses, rivers and roads on a sand tabletop model of an Afghan village during an Afghan National Army commando premission brief in Kabul province, Afghanistan, Dec. 31... More
Afghan National Army commandos and coalition special
Afghan National Army commandos and coalition special operations forces board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. Commandos and SOF used the helicopter for a mission in a Nort... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak conduct a patrol
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak conduct a patrol near Sayedan village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 23. The commandos partner with coalition special operations forces to conduct o... More
Afghan National Army commandos react to contact from
Afghan National Army commandos react to contact from a far ridge line during a mission in a village in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. The commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first AN... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak clear a village
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak clear a village compound during an operation in Surkhagen village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 10. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalition ... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak set up security
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak set up security positions during an operation in Sayagaz village, Arghandab district, Afghanistan, March 11. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalition special operati... More
Afghan National Army Commandos search a room during
Afghan National Army Commandos search a room during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 17. Coalition special operations forces advised the more than 100 Commandos as they searched an Afghani villag... More
A UH-60 Black Hawk lands during a MEDEVAC for an injured
A UH-60 Black Hawk lands during a MEDEVAC for an injured 8th Commando Kandak soldier during an operation near Sayedan village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 23. The commandos partner wit... More
A soldier from the 8th Commando Kandak prepares to
A soldier from the 8th Commando Kandak prepares to burn marijuana confiscated during an operation in Doan-e Ulya Village, Shahid-e Hasas district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 6. The 8th Commando Kandak ... More
An Afghan National Army commando mans an M240 machine
An Afghan National Army commando mans an M240 machine gun during close quarters combat training at Camp Dyer, Nangahar province, Afghanistan, March 10. Coalition special operations forces provided advice and tr... More
An Afghan National Army commando platoon sergeant conducts
An Afghan National Army commando platoon sergeant conducts pre-mission rehearsals at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, April 27. Commandos and coalition special operations forces practiced basic scenarios as pa... More
Afghan National Army commandos transfer a fellow commando
Afghan National Army commandos transfer a fellow commando with simulated injuries to a stretcher during medical evacuation training in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, March 3. By training with coalition SOF, A... More
Afghan National Army commandos board a CH-47 Chinook
Afghan National Army commandos board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. Commandos and coalition special operations forces used the helicopter for a mission in a northern Afg... More
Afghan National Army commandos pass the "stop" hand
Afghan National Army commandos pass the "stop" hand signal while practicing patrolling at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 18. Training and practicing tactics daily maintains the commandos' readiness and b... More
The Chawkai district subgovernor holds a shura in Kunar
The Chawkai district subgovernor holds a shura in Kunar province, Afghanistan, April 28. Afghan National Police and district officials discussed the Afghan National Army commando mission in the valley and how i... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak scan the landscape
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak scan the landscape for threats during an operation near Sayedan village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 22. The commandos partner with coalition spec... More
A coalition special operations forces member watches
A coalition special operations forces member watches as soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak enter a room during a training exercise in Tarin Kowt district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14. The 8th Comm... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak speak with village
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak speak with village elders during a shura near Sayedan village, Shah Joy district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 22. The commandos partner with coalition special operat... More
A coalition special operations forces soldier defends
A coalition special operations forces soldier defends his position from insurgent small-arms fire during a daylong firefight in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. Afghan National Army commandos and coali... More
Coalition special operations forces pararescue jumpers
Coalition special operations forces pararescue jumpers lower a stretcher during a medical evacuation in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 13. Afghan National Army commandos and coalition special operations... More
An Afghan National Army commando company commander
An Afghan National Army commando company commander explains an upcoming operation at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, April 27. The commander explained the upcoming mission to their platoon leaders using infor... More
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak enter a compound
Soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak enter a compound during an operation in Sayagaz village, Arghandab district, Afghanistan, March 10. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with coalition special operations force... More
An Afghan National Police instructor leads Afghan Local
An Afghan National Police instructor leads Afghan Local Police recruits to receive their ALP Academy graduation certificates in Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, March 31. The academy is a three-w... More
An Afghan citizen walks through the village to take
An Afghan citizen walks through the village to take part in a shura during a humanitarian aid supply operation conducted by the 9th Commando Kandak and coalition special operation forces in Nizam-e Shahid distr... More
A soldier from the 8th Commando Kandak speaks with
A soldier from the 8th Commando Kandak speaks with a villager during an operation in Doan-e Ulya Village, Shahid-e Hasas district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 6. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with co... More
Afghan National Army commandos carry a commando with
Afghan National Army commandos carry a commando with simulated injuries to a waiting UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during medical evacuation training in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, March 3. By training with ... More
Nawbahar district's assistant chief of police speaks
Nawbahar district's assistant chief of police speaks with villagers after distributing food and cold-weather clothing in Molla Owrang Village, Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 7. The items a... More
An Afghan National Army commando defends his position
An Afghan National Army commando defends his position from insurgent small arms fire during a firefight in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16. Coming under fire is an ever-present risk for commandos, advised... More
Villagers listen as coalition special operations forces
Villagers listen as coalition special operations forces members discuss the opening of a new school in Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, April 10. Afghanistan National Security Forces and coalitio... More
Afghan National Army commandos distribute food during
Afghan National Army commandos distribute food during a mid-mission resupply in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 4. Meals-Ready-To-Eat, or MREs, and water dropped by helicopter, enable soldiers to conduct mu... More
A member of the Afghan Local Police patrols a village
A member of the Afghan Local Police patrols a village during a joint Afghan and coalition security patrol in the Maiwand district of southern Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, March 14. The ALP is a defensive, c... More
Using plastic figures on a sand table model, Afghan
Using plastic figures on a sand table model, Afghan National Army Commando leaders explain an upcoming mission to their platoons during a pre-mission brief in Kabul province, Afghanistan, Jan. 11. The Commando-... More
The Nawbahar district chief of police and assistant
The Nawbahar district chief of police and assistant district chief of police distribute bottles of cooking oil to villagers in Molla Owrang Vllage, Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 7. During... More
A member of coalition special operations forces and
A member of coalition special operations forces and soldiers from the 8th Commando Kandak conduct a patrol in Sayagaz village, Arghandab district, Afghanistan, March 10. The 8th Commando Kandak partners with co... More
Afghan Local Police members patrol a small Afghan village
Afghan Local Police members patrol a small Afghan village during a joint ALP and coalition special operations forces security patrol in the Maiwand district of southern Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, March 15... More