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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
A company commander from the 1st Commando Kandak conducts
A company commander from the 1st Commando Kandak conducts a premission brief using a sand table in Jalalabad province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations forc... More
Afghan National Army commandos wait for a UH-60 Black
Afghan National Army commandos wait for a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to drop a hoist-hook during medical evacuation training with Coalition Special Operations Forces in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, March 3... More
Afghan National Army commandos gaze out the window
Afghan National Army commandos gaze out the window of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on their way to a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissance for a fut... More
Afghan National Army commandos share their breakfast
Afghan National Army commandos share their breakfast with village children during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. The commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first ANA or SOF... More
An AH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter approaches
An AH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter approaches a landing zone in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. Afghan National Army commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first to visi... More
Narang district Sub-governor, Dr. Waliullah, meets
Narang district Sub-governor, Dr. Waliullah, meets a village elder in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. Afghan National Police and district officials held a shura with village elders to discuss the Afghan ... More
An Afghan National Army commando breaches a locked
An Afghan National Army commando breaches a locked door after receiving no response during a mission in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 4. Coalition special operations forces advised the commandos as they s... More
Afghan National Army commandos search a compound during
Afghan National Army commandos search a compound during a mission in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 4. Coalition special operations forces advised the commandos as they searched an Afghan village for weapo... More
An Afghan National Army commando company commander
An Afghan National Army commando company commander speaks to village elders during a shura while on a commando-led mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. These missions enhance national security by... 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
A coalition special operations forces service member
A coalition special operations forces service member helps an Afghan truck driver connect a tow-cable to a jackknifed truck in Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16. Afghan National Army Commandos and coalitio... More
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
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter lands to medically evacuate
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter lands to medically evacuate an Afghan National Army commando injured by insurgent small arms fire in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 7. A force of more than 100 commandos, advis... More
Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, awards the combat infantry badge to a coalition special operations orce soldier at Camp Morehead, Afghanistan, April 23. Gen. Dempsey visited Camp Mo... More
Coalition special operations forces members sprint
Coalition special operations forces members sprint to board a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissance for a future... More
Body armor, Coalition special operations forces soldiers defend
Coalition special operations forces soldiers defend their position from insurgent small-arms fire during a daylong firefight in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. Afghan National Army commandos and coali... More
Afghan National Army Commandos breach a door during
Afghan National Army Commandos breach a door 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 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 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
An Afghan National Army commando squad leader critiques
An Afghan National Army commando squad leader critiques his commandos after practicing entering and clearing a compound at Camp Dyer, Nangahar province, Afghanistan, March 10. Coalition special operations forc... More
Afghan National Army commandos study a battery used
Afghan National Army commandos study a battery used in improvised explosive devices while training at Camp McCloskey, Afghanistan, April 1. By practicing basic tactics, commandos maintain mission readiness and... More
An Afghan National Army commando medic dresses a simulated
An Afghan National Army commando medic dresses a simulated head wound during medical evacuation training in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, March 3. By training with coalition SOF, ANA commandos maintain miss... More
General Martin Dempsey (Left), chairman of the Joint
General Martin Dempsey (Left), chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congratulates Maj. Kent Solheim, Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Company commander, on his team's recent mission at... More
A coalition special operations forces service member
A coalition special operations forces service member ducks under a departing UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissan... 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 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
Afghan National Army Commandos sprint to board a UH-60
Afghan National Army Commandos sprint to board 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 Stab... More
An A-10 Warthog fires a 30 mm cannon during a fire
An A-10 Warthog fires a 30 mm cannon during a fire fight in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 7. Coalition special operations forces called in airstrikes to suppress insurgent fire. A force of more than 100 A... More
A Sensitive Site Exploitation team question villagers
A Sensitive Site Exploitation team question villagers during a mission in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 4. Once entered into a database, bio-metrics help identify known insurgents and catalog new anti-Afg... More
The Afghan National Army 1st Commando Kandak executive
The Afghan National Army 1st Commando Kandak executive officer explains mission policy during an operation order at Jalalabad Airfield, Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 7. The company's leaders explained the... More
Gen. Paul Funk, 1st Infantry Division assistant division
Gen. Paul Funk, 1st Infantry Division assistant division commander, presents impact awards to coalition special operations forces at Camp Dyer, Afghanistan, May 11. Gen. Funk visited Camp Dyer for an awards cer... More
A coalition special operations forces service member
A coalition special operations forces service member fingerprints a detainee during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16. Once entered into a database, biometrics help identify known insurgents and... More
Body armor kits sit ready while Afghan National Army
Body armor kits sit ready while Afghan National Army commandos prepare for an operation at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, April 7. The company's leaders planned the operation using information provided by coa... 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
An Afghan National Army commando mans a security position
An Afghan National Army commando mans a security position in a mountain village in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 10. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations forces, aimed to provid... More
An Afghan National Army Commando inspects a cell phone
An Afghan National Army Commando inspects a cell phone during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 17. Coalition special operations forces advised the more than 100 Commandos as they searched an Afgha... More
A village security force commander and coalition special
A village security force commander and coalition special operations forces identify insurgent fighting positions during a daylong firefight in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. Afghan National Army com... More
Afghan National Army commandos and a village security
Afghan National Army commandos and a village security force commander discuss insurgent activity during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 14. Commandos and coalition special operations forces, ... More
A U.S. Army sniper team set up a rifle during a mission
A U.S. Army sniper team set up a rifle during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 15. Afghan National Army commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first to visit that area in more... 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, March 6. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations forces, aimed to provide security ... More
A coalition Special Operations Forces service member
A coalition Special Operations Forces service member helps an Afghan truck driver connect a tow-cable to a jackknifed truck in Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16. Afghan National Army Commandos and coalitio... More
Maj. Kent Solheim (Right), Charlie Company, 4th Battalion,
Maj. Kent Solheim (Right), Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Company commander, describes his team's recent mission to General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Ca... More
Coalition special operations forces advise the movements
Coalition special operations forces advise the movements of Afghan National Army Coalition special operations forces advise the movements of Afghan National Army Commandos during a mission in Wardak province, A... 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
Afghan National Army commandos trudge through knee-deep
Afghan National Army commandos trudge through knee-deep snow as they leave a helicopter landing zone in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations for... More
An AH-64 Apache helicopter fires a high-explosive rocket
An AH-64 Apache helicopter fires a high-explosive rocket during a fire fight in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 7. Coalition special operations forces called in airstrikes to suppress insurgent fire. A force... More
A coalition special operations forces commander, district
A coalition special operations forces commander, district subgovernor and village elders draw a map during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 13. Afghan National Army commandos and coalition spe... More
An Afghan National Army commando company executive
An Afghan National Army commando company executive officer discusses insurgent activity with a village security force commander during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 15. Commandos and coalit... 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
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-readiness... More
An Afghan National Army commando company commander
An Afghan National Army commando company commander conducts a pre-mission brief in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, March 6. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations forces, aimed to pr... More
An Afghan National Army commando company commander
An Afghan National Army commando company commander coordinates the recovery of a jackknifed truck in Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16. ANA Commandos and coalition special operations forces cleared Afghani... More
An Afghan National Army's commando company commander
An Afghan National Army's commando company commander issues an operation order at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, April 7. The company's leaders explained the upcoming mission to their platoon leaders using in... More
An Afghan National Army commando platoon sergeant teaches
An Afghan National Army commando platoon sergeant teaches his commandos how to clear an intersection at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 18. Training and practicing tactics daily maintains the commandos' r... More
An Afghan National Army commando mans a security position
An Afghan National Army commando mans a security position in a mountain village in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16. Commandos protected the flanks of their platoon as they searched an Afghan village for we... More
An Afghan National Army commando digs a trench for
An Afghan National Army commando digs a trench for a kitchen sewer at Jalalabad Airfield Intermediate Staging Base, Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 7. The ISB is a second home to the 1st Commando Kandak whi... More
Afghan National Army commandos enter a compound during
Afghan National Army commandos enter a compound during a mission in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 4. Coalition special operations forces advised the commandos as they searched an Afghan village for weapon... 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
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter lands outside a village
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter lands outside a village during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 7. Afghan National Army commandos, advised by coalition special operations forces, waited to board the ... More