An Afghan national civil order police checkpoint commander
An Afghan national civil order police checkpoint commander from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Afghan National Civil Order Police Brigade, shares a laugh with a team of U.S. Special Forces soldiers with Special Operations ... More
Afghanistan National Army Special Forces and United
Afghanistan National Army Special Forces and United States Special Forces soldiers scans the local desert for any persons of suspicion while conducting their Key Leader Engagement in Hyderbad, Helmand province,... More
Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers, U.S.
Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers, U.S. service members from Special Operations Task Force-West, and coalition partnered forces conduct a patrol in Mirmandab, Afghanistan, April 3.
Master Sgt. Lita Fraley, Cultural Support Team, Liaison
Master Sgt. Lita Fraley, Cultural Support Team, Liaison Officer, CJSOTF-A, receives a t-shirt after completing the 21st Force Support Squadron 5K run, May 14. Thirty-seven people from the Combined Joint Special... More
Afghan National Army Commando candidates receive rocket
Afghan National Army Commando candidates receive rocket propelled grenade training at the Commando School of Excellence, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Oct. 26. The training taught Commando candidates proper fund... More
Special Operations Task Force South East aircrew team
Special Operations Task Force South East aircrew team members prepare a humvee for a sling-load operation in Tarin Kowt district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, March 26. Sling-loading is a method used to trans... 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
Special operations forces members attached to Special
Special operations forces members attached to Special Operations Task Force Southeast observe an AT-4 rocket explode at the heavy weapons firing range in Tarin Kowt district, Aug. 22.
Brig. Gen. Wali Mohammed, an ANA operations officer,
Brig. Gen. Wali Mohammed, an ANA operations officer, implores the village elders to help increase the success of the district by continuing to support the ANSF during the Zarghun Shar transition ceremony, Aug. ... More
An Afghan Local Police recruit takes cover behind a
An Afghan Local Police recruit takes cover behind a building after taking notional fire during a patrolling exercise in Farah province, Dec. 6. The ALP complement counterinsurgency efforts by assisting and supp... More
Helmand provincial Gov. Naeem Baluch (center) speaks
Helmand provincial Gov. Naeem Baluch (center) speaks to more than 2,000 local villagers May 19, 2013, in Nad-e Ali district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, during a shura with district leaders and residents. Ba... More
An Afghan National Army commando platoon leader with
An Afghan National Army commando platoon leader with 2nd Company, 3rd Special Operations Kandak, briefs his commandos prior to conducting close quarter battle drills in Dand district, Kandahar province, Afghani... More
An Afghan Local Police graduate waits to receive his
An Afghan Local Police graduate waits to receive his diploma Aug. 15, 2013, at the Musahi District Center in Kabul province. Musahi District Governor Qazi Suliman and Lt. Col. Abdul Sabor, Musahi District polic... More
An Afghan Local Police instructor and recruits stand
An Afghan Local Police instructor and recruits stand in preparation of a graduation ceremony Oct. 5, 2013, in Kajaki district, Helmand province, Afghanistan. ALP recruits gain competency in weapons skills, cri... More
1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade
1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division soldiers conduct M240 marksmanship training at Camp Commando, Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 15, 2017. The "Summit" soldiers are... More
Afghan soldiers conduct a foot march during the 22nd
Afghan soldiers conduct a foot march during the 22nd Commando Qualification Course at the ANA Special Operations Command School of Excellence, Camp Commando, Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 20, 2017. Class 22 is part ... More
Provincial Special Unit captures local Taliban commander in Bagram
Provincial Special Unit officers search a Taliban compound during a night raid in Qaleh-Ye- Nasro village, Bagram district, Parwan province, Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2018. The PSU arrested a Taliban commander and ... More
Members of Provincial Special Unit Kapisa prepare for
Members of Provincial Special Unit Kapisa prepare for upcoming missions by conducting shooting and building clearing drills at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 5, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Douglas Ellis)
BALKH, Afghanistan (July 7, 2018) -- An Afghan Special
BALKH, Afghanistan (July 7, 2018) -- An Afghan Special Security Forces member pulls security watch during offensive operations against Taliban irreconcilables in Chimtal district, Balkh province, Afghanistan, J... More
“Now this is your second home” Commando Force 333 celebrates opening o...
LOGAR, Afghanistan -- General Command of Police Special Unit’s Gender Advisor, Lt. Col. Nafisa, delivers remarks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the rededication of a women’s facility for Commando Force 33... More
A contracted air plane drops humanitarian aide supplies
A contracted air plane drops humanitarian aide supplies for Aka Sadiq to Afghan National Army Soldiers and Marine Special Operation Command Marines at a drop site during a three-day combat reconnaissance patrol... More
Mirwais Rabeh, health director for Balkh province,
Mirwais Rabeh, health director for Balkh province, introduces himself to Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle Fournier and Afghan doctor Aisha Daley, two instructors of the first-ever regional medical seminar in Mazar-e ... More
The Afghan National Army Commando Honor Guard move
The Afghan National Army Commando Honor Guard move into position, signaling the beginning of a Commando graduation ceremony, March 30, 2011 at Camp, Morehead. During the ceremony, more than 200 Afghan National... More
A U.S. special operations medic treats a trauma patient
A U.S. special operations medic treats a trauma patient at Gizab in the Uruzgan province of Afghanistan, April 24, 2011. The Afghan citizen came to Village Stability Platform Gizab seeking medical attention aft... More
An Afghan commando with the Afghan National Army's
An Afghan commando with the Afghan National Army's 3rd Commando Kandak scans the surrounding area for enemy activity during a clearing operation in Maiwand District, May 1, Kandahar province, Afghanistan. The c... More
Afghan commandos with the Afghan National Army's 3rd
Afghan commandos with the Afghan National Army's 3rd Commando Kandak, assisted by U.S. Army Special Forces and U.S. Navy SEALs with Special Operations Task Force-South, conduct the search of a compound during t... More
Afghan commandos question elders near Kebay village
Afghan commandos question elders near Kebay village in the Deh Chopan District of Zabul province during an operation June 23. Afghan commandos, partnered with coalition Special Operations advisors, conducted a ... More
Commandos and U.S. special operation forces restrain
Commandos and U.S. special operation forces restrain a suspected insurgent, Sept. 6. The commandos conducted a clearing operation in Baghlan E Jahid district, resulting in the detention of three suspected insurgents.
Afghan National Army commandos search a compound during
Afghan National Army commandos search a compound during a clearing operation in Ghorak district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 5. Afghan and coalition Special Operations Forces partnered to conduct clear... More
Afghan Local Police candidates practice shooting AK-47
Afghan Local Police candidates practice shooting AK-47 assault rifles during a marksmanship training course in Panjwai district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Aug 1. The ALP program is a three-week training ... More
Afghan Local Police recruits prepare to step off in
Afghan Local Police recruits prepare to step off in a file formation after receiving a class about patrolling from coalition forces Dec. 4, in Farah province. The ALP recruits participated in patrolling class a... More
A Farah province district governor (center) speaks
A Farah province district governor (center) speaks with Afghan National Security Force members, villagers, and coalition force members in Farah province, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2013. Coalition forces were assist... More
Afghan National Army commandos with the 6th Special
Afghan National Army commandos with the 6th Special Operations Kandak question local villagers about suspicious activity during a blocking operation in Sarobi district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 7, 201... More
Afghan commandos with 2nd Special Operations Brigade
Afghan commandos with 2nd Special Operations Brigade fire their weapons at targets during a weapons range in Shindand district, Herat province, Afghanistan, June 18, 2013. The commandos, with their coalition fo... More
An Afghan Local Police instructor corrects ALP recruits
An Afghan Local Police instructor corrects ALP recruits on posture during weapons training Sept. 3, 2013, in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Afghan Local Police instructors have traine... More
Afghan National Army commandos, 6th Special Operations
Afghan National Army commandos, 6th Special Operations Kandak, alongside their U.S. Special Forces counterparts, travel through mountainous terrain during an operation in Sarobi district, Kabul province, June 7... More
An Afghan boy reads from a comic book given to him
An Afghan boy reads from a comic book given to him by Afghan soldiers with 3rd Commando Kandak, at the Sayeed Shied Bacha School, Dec. 9, 2010, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. The commandos, supported by U.S... More
Local elders gather outside the Sha Wali Kot District
Local elders gather outside the Sha Wali Kot District Center during a tri-district shura in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, May 24. Elders discussed future plans for stabilization of the area north of... More
A U.S. Air Force load master, watches as three pallets
A U.S. Air Force load master, watches as three pallets exit the rear door of an aircraft during a supply drop to a remote site in the Herat province of Afghanistan, Aug. 7. The supply drop is taking place in or... 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
Students from Petlah village are learning how to measure
Students from Petlah village are learning how to measure and level two steaks planted in the ground during the skilled labor seminar, April 18. By teaching basic construction skills, basic masonry, carpentry an... More
A Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan
A Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan soldier works to hit the targets during range training in Bagram district, Parwan province Afghanistan, Aug. 14. Members of CJSOTF-A worked on their ma... More
Elders in Qarah Bagh Village, Ghazni province, listen
Elders in Qarah Bagh Village, Ghazni province, listen to the speaker at the validation shura held on Oct. 14. The validation shura is the formal acknowledgement by the Afghan government that the village’s polic... More
Commandos with 9th Special Operations Kandak, Afghan
Commandos with 9th Special Operations Kandak, Afghan National Army, follow instruction given by coalition force members during counter improvised explosive device training in Herat province, Afghanistan, Nov. 1... More
A coalition force member waits to fire the Mark 44
A coalition force member waits to fire the Mark 44 minigun during live fire training on a base in Farah province, Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2012. The coalition forces conducting the training are deployed to train a... More
Afghan woman practices delivery techniques using training
Afghan woman practices delivery techniques using training aids during emergency birth assistant training in Dem Rassi village, Panjwai district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 28 - Mar. 1. The training is... More
Afghan National Army soldiers practice the kneeling
Afghan National Army soldiers practice the kneeling shooting position during a class given by coalition force members on the fundamentals of marksmanship in Farah province, Feb. 14, 2013. The Afghan National Se... More
Afghan commandos from 3rd Company, 7th Special Operations
Afghan commandos from 3rd Company, 7th Special Operations Kandak maintain security during full mission rehearsals in Washer district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 27, 2013. Commandos complete rehearsals ... More
An Afghan National Army commando Company Commander
An Afghan National Army commando Company Commander for 2nd Company, 1st Special Operations Kandak, conducts a sand table brief in Behsud district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, March 18, 2013. Afghan leaders... More
An Afghan National Army Commando with 2nd Company,
An Afghan National Army Commando with 2nd Company, 1st Special Operations Kandak, simulates pulling security during rehearsal drills in Behsud district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, March 26, 2013. Afghan c... More
Afghan National Army commandos with 3rd Company, 1st
Afghan National Army commandos with 3rd Company, 1st Special Operations Kandak, pulls security from a poppy field during a clearing operation in Chapahar district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, May 4, 2013. ... More
An Afghan National Army commando engineer with the
An Afghan National Army commando engineer with the Headquarters Company, 6th Special Operations Kandak, demonstrates counter-improvised explosive device techniques in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan... More
An Afghan linguist teaches Afghan National Army commandos
An Afghan linguist teaches Afghan National Army commandos with 3rd Special Operations Kandak, during an English literacy class in Dand district, Kandahar province, July 8, 2013. The 3rd SOK commander requested ... More
An Afghan Commando of the 6th Special Operations Kandak
An Afghan Commando of the 6th Special Operations Kandak documents a mission readiness exercise, or MRX, near Kabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 5, 2014. The purpose of the MRX was to have key leaders plan an ... More
An Afghan commando leader from 6th Special Operations
An Afghan commando leader from 6th Special Operations Kandak briefs his company on an upcoming operation, near Kabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 23, 2014. The commandos planned and conducted the operation indep... More
Blasting caps and rocket-propelled rounds seized by
Blasting caps and rocket-propelled rounds seized by Afghan National Security Forces are gathered March 20, 2014, during a combined presence patrol with coalition forces in Ade Cote village, Jani Khel district, ... More
Afghan villagers receive blankets, clothes and other
Afghan villagers receive blankets, clothes and other supplies from Afghan Commandos during a humanitarian aid delivery in Pekha Valley, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2017. The Commandos cleared the ... More
A Marine from Special Operations Task Force West, speaks
A Marine from Special Operations Task Force West, speaks with another member of the patrol providing security for key leader engagements in Zanghlav and Rabat-I-Sapcha villages, Guzarah district, Herat province... More
The tools of the farming trade sit ready for use at
The tools of the farming trade sit ready for use at the Arghandab District Agricultural Center, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 15. More than 30 farmers from throughout the district gathered at the center ... More
Children receive coats, blankets and school supplies
Children receive coats, blankets and school supplies from Soldiers of the Afghan National Army, Special Operations Task Force-East and Company C, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4 Brigade Combat Team, ... More
Mirwais Rabeh, health director for Balkh province,
Mirwais Rabeh, health director for Balkh province, introduces himself to Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle Fournier and Afghan doctor Aisha Daley, two instructors of the first-ever regional medical seminar in Mazar-e ... More
A coalition soldier watches as soldiers board an CH-47
A coalition soldier watches as soldiers board an CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Forward Operating Base Bullard, Zabul province, Afghanistan, April 9. Helicopters provide an efficient and reliable means of transpo... More
Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services
Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, visits Village Stability Platform Latif in Latif district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, May 2. VSPs are camps located within villages throughou... More
An Afghan child holds his goat as coalition forces,
An Afghan child holds his goat as coalition forces, assigned to Special Operations Task Force South Preventative Medicine Unit, administer medication during a Village Veterinarian Outreach Program in Chenar Vil... More
Arghistan District Governor, Abdul Ghani (left), presents
Arghistan District Governor, Abdul Ghani (left), presents a completion certificate to AUP member Khan Mohammad at the end of a district emergency birth assistant course, in Arghistan district, Kandahar province... More
A woman holds her child during a shura at the pronvincial
A woman holds her child during a shura at the pronvincial headquarters in Nejrab district, Kapisa province, March 6. Over 500 women attended the shura to discuss various issues and opportunities for women in Ka... More
Afghan National Army commandos with 2nd Company, 1st
Afghan National Army commandos with 2nd Company, 1st Special Operations Kandak, conduct a patrol through a simulated village during urban movement drills in Behsud district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Mar... More
A young Afghan boy and his mother wait to receive school
A young Afghan boy and his mother wait to receive school supplies from Khalilullah Hotak at the Jahan Maleeka all-girls school in Ghazni province, Ghazni district, Afghanistan, April 21, 2013. The Jahan Maleeka... More
A commando from the Afghan National Army Special Forces'
A commando from the Afghan National Army Special Forces' 3rd Company, 3rd Special Operations Kandak enters a compound during the clearing of Karezak village, Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Ju... More
The members of the Afghanistan National Army's 9th
The members of the Afghanistan National Army's 9th Commando Kandaks prepare targets on the firing range for marksmanship training with their M-9 Beretta pistols outside their compound in Herat, Afghanistan, Nov... More
Villagers receive cold weather materials and clothes
Villagers receive cold weather materials and clothes from Afghan Local Police and coalition special operation forces in Nawbahar district, Zabul province, Afghanistan Nov. 6.
An Afghan Local Police recruit loads his AK-47 during
An Afghan Local Police recruit loads his AK-47 during a weapons class in Kajran district, Daykundi province, Afghanistan, Dec. 24. The class is part of a three-week course of instruction in which ALP learn bas... More
A Nasu village child stands by a recently constructed
A Nasu village child stands by a recently constructed well in Kajran district, Daykundi province, Afghanistan, Dec. 31. While coalition special operations forces provided money to complete the well, the village... 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
Abdul Samad, a former insurgent commander, speaks to
Abdul Samad, a former insurgent commander, speaks to village, district and provincial leaders during a security shura in Khas Uruzgan district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, March 29. District and provincial l... More
The provincial chief of police speaks at an Afghan
The provincial chief of police speaks at an Afghan Local Police validation shura in Kuz Kunar district, Kunar province, Aug. 12. “Maintaining security is not the responsibility of coalition forces,” said the PC... More
Paris, a military working dog, clears vehicles for
Paris, a military working dog, clears vehicles for explosives in Khak-E-Safed, Farah province, Afghanistan, Oct. 29, 2012. Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in security operations, with ... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces team member
An Afghan National Army Special Forces team member explains to local farmers that opportunities for district development, such as the agriculture vocational training seminars, are a result of increased security... More
An Afghan Local Policeman carriers sand bags during
An Afghan Local Policeman carriers sand bags during a construction project to build an ALP checkpoint in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 30, 2013. Afghan Local Police complement counterinsurgency efforts b... More
Afghan National Army commandos with 3rd Company, 1st
Afghan National Army commandos with 3rd Company, 1st Special Operations Kandak, search role players during night close quarter battle drills in Behsud district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, April 30, 2013. ... More
Afghan National Army commandos with 3rd Company, 1st
Afghan National Army commandos with 3rd Company, 1st Special Operations Kandak, enter a compound during a clearing operation in Khugyani district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, May 8, 2013. Afghan and coalit... More
An Afghan National Army commando with 1st Company,
An Afghan National Army commando with 1st Company, 3rd Special Operations Kandak, fires his 240B machine gun during a training exercise in Dand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, May 25, 2013. Afghan co... More
Afghan woman sits and listens to a presentation on
Afghan woman sits and listens to a presentation on emergency birth while attending a women's medical seminar at the district center in Qarah Bagh district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 4, 2013. Thirty wom... More
An Afghan National Army commander speaks with Afghan
An Afghan National Army commander speaks with Afghan Local Police commanders prior to a shura in Panjwai district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2013. U.S. and Afghan dignitaries attended the shura i... More
Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Sayed Abdul Karim speaks
Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Sayed Abdul Karim speaks to more than 550 Commando graduates during a graduation ceremony Feb. 13, 2014, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. Commandos are an elite group cap... More
Marines assigned to Special Operations Task Force-West
Marines assigned to Special Operations Task Force-West in Herat province, Afghanistan, return to their camp Aug. 14 following the completion of a presence patrol in the village of Zanghlav, Injil District. The ... More
Afghan citizens near the village of Kalach in the Oruzgan
Afghan citizens near the village of Kalach in the Oruzgan province in southern Afghanistan walk down a mountain to meet for a shura to discuss issues affecting the local populace March 7.
An Afghan commando with the Afghan National Army's
An Afghan commando with the Afghan National Army's 3rd Commando Kandak patrols the village of Payendi during a clearing operation in Zhari District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, July 11, 2011. The commandos ... 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
A member of the Afghan National Police displays the
A member of the Afghan National Police displays the unit patch of the Afghan National Army as part of his uniform at Forward Operating Base Muqer, now under construction in Muqer district, Ghazni province, Afgh... More
A child holds one of her family's sheep for immunizations
A child holds one of her family's sheep for immunizations by veterinarians from the Zabul Agricultural Business Development Team and the Zabul Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock in Shah Joy dis... More
An Afghan National Army commando from 6th Commando
An Afghan National Army commando from 6th Commando Kandak returns fire after being fired upon during a clearing operation to find weapons caches in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, March 22. The AN... More
Afghan Local Police candidates listen to a coalition
Afghan Local Police candidates listen to a coalition special operations forces member explain patrol movements during an ALP class in combat in Latif district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, March 29. The course... More
An Afghan Local Police candidate provides security
An Afghan Local Police candidate provides security during a joint ALP, Afghan National Army special forces, and coalition special operations forces security patrol in Latif district, Ghazni province, Afghanista... More
Local Afghan villagers observe from afar as coalition
Local Afghan villagers observe from afar as coalition special operations forces, partnered with Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police patrol Khakrez district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 27.... More
Afghan Commando from 3rd Company, 7th Special Operations
Afghan Commando from 3rd Company, 7th Special Operations Kandak applies a bandage to a wound on a simulated casualty during combat medic training in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 18, 2013. The Commandos a... More
The sun sets beyond a row of Mine-Resistant Ambush
The sun sets beyond a row of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected all terrain vehicles in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 20, 2013. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. James K. McCann / Released)
Members of the National Interdiction Unit, discuss
Members of the National Interdiction Unit, discuss a possible operation with Afghan National Army commando Officers with the 6th Special Operations Kandak in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, April 4... More