RECENT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PHOTOS

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Misheff flies the American flag from the back of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter over southern Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2014. Pilots and crew chiefs fly American flags that are later presented with certificates to service members as part of aviation tradition. Misheff is a crew chief assigned to the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade.  U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Lewis. 

A landing craft departs the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown for an equipment onload at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan. The Germantown is forward-deployed and assigned to the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.   U.S. Petty Officer 2nd Class Amanda R. Gray.

U.S. Marines and Malaysian soldiers participate in a combined amphibious assault as part of Malaysia-United States Amphibious Exercise 2014 in Lahad Datu, Malaysia, Sept. 2, 2014. The Marines are assigned to Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.  U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Wenger.

U.S. SOLDIERS, AFGHAN ARMY SOLDIERS DURING CLEARING OPERATION IN MAIWAND DISTRICT OF AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

A U.S. Army Special Forces soldier provides security during a clearing operation in Sorbaghal village in the Maiwand district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, April 10, 2014. The soldier is assigned to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Sara Waka.

U.S. soldiers and Afghan army commandos help wounded Afghan soldiers into a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter while conducting a medical evacuation mission in Sorbaghal village in the Maiwand district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, April 10, 2014. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Sara Waka.

RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. soldiers conduct a presence patrol in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 26, 2014. The soldiers are assigned to Forward Support Company, 65th Engineer Battalion. National Guard photo by U.S. Army Cpl. Clay Beyersdorfer.

A U.S. soldier conducts a presence patrol in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 26, 2014. National Guard photo by U.S. Army Cpl. Clay Beyersdorfer.

RECENT U.S. DOD PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

As seen through a night-vision device, a U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter takes off as Afghan commandos and U.S. Special Forces soldiers move toward Kharkrezwal village in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Feb. 14, 2014. The U.S. soldiers, assigned to Special Forces Operational Detachment Afghanistan, assisted the Afghan commandos with clearing operations to disrupt insurgents from using Kharkrezwal village as a safe haven. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bertha A. Flore.

As seen through a night-vision device, Afghan commandos walk toward a compound during a clearing operation in Galenketcha village in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Feb. 16, 2014. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bertha A. Flores.

U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
U.S. Special Forces soldiers fire a recoilless rifle toward an enemy fighting position during a clearing operation with Afghan commandos in Dewai Kalay village in the Maiwand district in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Jan. 14, 2014. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bertha A. Flores.

U.S. soldiers prepare to conduct an air assault in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, Jan. 11, 2014, as part of an exercise to receive validation as the theater reserve force. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division's Company C, 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Alex Flynn.

SPECIAL FORCES HELP CLEAR ENEMY POSITION IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Special Forces soldiers fire a mortar round toward an identified enemy fighting position while helping Afghan counterparts clear Bahlozi village in the Maiwand district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Jan. 1, 2014. Forces conducted the clearance mission to disrupt insurgents who hide in the village. The U.S. Special Forces soldiers are assigned to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bertha A. Flores

An Afghan commando fires a rocket-propelled grenade from the roof of a compound toward an identified enemy fighting position while clearing Bahlozi village with the assistance of U.S. Special Forces soldiers in the Maiwand district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Jan. 1, 2014. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bertha A. Flores

RECENT DOD PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
A U.S. soldier, along with Afghan army commandos, conduct a clearance operation of Perozi village in Panjwai district in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 4, 2013. The soldier is assigned to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan. U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Bertha A. Flores.

An Afghan army commando uses a metal detector to scan an area thought to contain improvised explosive devices during a clearance operation of Perozi village in Panjwai district in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 4, 2013. The Afghan soldier, an engineer, is assigned to 2nd Company, 3rd Special Operations Kandak. U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Bertha A. Flore

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JUNE 12, 2013

 

A U.S. Marine intravenously hydrates Cane, his military working dog, on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan's Helmand province, June 6, 2013, before conducting a clearing operation. The Marine is assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7. Afghan national forces led the clearing operation and the Marines supported it. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kowshon Ye

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Extremists in Wardak Province

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 12, 2013 - An combined Afghan and coalition security force killed four extremists and wounded another during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Sayyidabad district of Afghanistan's Wardak province yesterday, military officials reported.

The senior leader controls about 70 extremist fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also oversees local weapons trafficking and reports on extremist operations to higher-ranking Taliban officials.


In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- Afghan commandos and special forces soldiers and coalition forces killed an enemy fighter and destroyed homemade explosives and improvised explosive devices in Kandahar province's Panjwai district.

-- A senior Taliban leader was killed in Nangarhar province's Khugyani district. He facilitated the movement of enemy fighters and weapons, and he oversaw a group responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- Afghan forces wounded and arrested an insurgent who was part of a group that attacked an Afghan army patrol in Paktika province's Jani Khel district. The district police chief organized and led the counterattack.

-- A combined force in Logar province's Pul-e Alam district killed four extremists during a search for a senior Haqqani network leader who plans attacks and facilitates the movement of enemy weapons and fighters in the area.







　

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JUNE 10, 2013

 

U.S. soldiers conduct a meeting with key village elders in Khowst province, Afghanistan, June 02, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert Porter.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMET OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Kills Extremists During Search for Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed two extremists during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Warduj district of Afghanistan's Badakhshan province yesterday, military officials reported.

The leader is the province's ranking Taliban official, and he coordinates and facilitates large-scale attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, including a March 13 ambush on Combat Outpost Bara Bara, which resulted in the death of 16 Afghan soldiers, officials said.

He also supports kidnapping operations and illegally taxes the civilians of Badakhshan to fund extremist activities.


In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:
-- Afghan special operations soldiers in Baghlan province's Pul-e Khumri district captured a Taliban leader who builds, stores and distributes improvised explosive devices.

-- A combined force in Kandahar province's capital of Kandahar arrested a Taliban leader who builds IEDs and oversees a group that uses them for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the provincial capital. The security force also arrested two other extremists.

-- In Paktia province's Zurmat district, a combined force arrested five extremists during a search for a Taliban leader who coordinates attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces. He also oversees kidnapping operations and directs the execution of kidnapping victims, raids local villages to extend Taliban power, and relays operational guidance from senior Taliban leadership to his fighters. The security force also seized a rifle in the operation.


In June 8 news and operations:
-- Two U.S. International Security Assistance Force service members and one U.S. civilian were shot and killed by an individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform in eastern Afghanistan. ISAF and Afghan officials are continuing to assess the incident and more information will be released as appropriate.

-- A combined force in Sar-e Pul province's Sar-e Pul district killed two enemy fighters who opened fire during a search for a senior extremist leader with ties to the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. The senior leader is responsible for attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces. He facilitates the movement of IED materials, controls several Taliban groups, plans assassinations and kidnappings, and illegally taxes civilians in the area.

-- Afghan commandos killed six enemy fighters in Daykundi province's Gizab district after responding to reports from the district police chief that extremists were attacking local police checkpoints. The commandos recovered two assault rifles.

-- In Paktia province's Sayyid Karam district, a combined force arrested two extremists during a search for a senior Haqqani network leader who coordinates and executes attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and oversees distribution of weapons and equipment. He also interfaces with top Haqqani officials to communicate strategic guidance to front-line fighters. During the operation, the security force found and destroyed a stockpile of weapons and explosives.

-- A combined force in Helmand province's Nad-e Ali district arrested a Taliban leader who oversees a group responsible for attacks and assassinations targeting Afghan and coalition forces. He also facilitates the movement of weapons and supplies, and he builds and plants IEDs. The security force also arrested 11 other extremists.


In June 7 operations:
-- In Balkh province's Sholgarah district, a combined force killed a Taliban facilitator who distributed weapons, equipment and ammunition to several extremist networks, and planned attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and illegally taxed and extorted money from local residents. The security force also arrested another extremist.

-- A combined force in Kunar province's Darah-ye Pech district killed an extremist and wounded another while searching for the Taliban's top military official for the province's Waygal district. He facilitates the movement of al-Qaida members in Waygal district, erecting and enforcing illegal checkpoints, kidnapping Afghan officials and leading attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Kunar province's Watahpur district, a combined force killed three extremists while searching for a senior extremist leader who is responsible for al-Qaida training in the district. Senior al-Qaida leadership sends money, weapons, supplies and new recruits to him for instruction in terrorism operations, and he then leads them in attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces.

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR MAY 29, 2013

U.S. Army Staff Sgts. Matthew J. Bubb, left, and Jeremy N. Butler use the optic lenses on their weapons to scan rows of grapes after the unit received fire during a traffic control point in the Panjwai district in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, May 23, 2013. Bubb and Butler are assigned to 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Arrests Insurgent in Kandahar
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 29, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested an insurgent during a search for a Taliban facilitator in Kandahar province's capital of Kandahar today, military officials reported.

The facilitator builds improvised explosive devices and distributes them to insurgents operating in the Arghandab River Valley and the provincial capital. He also oversees weapons caches and plans attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in Balkh province's Chimtal district arrested a senior Taliban leader who plans and conducts IED attacks against Afghan government officials and Afghan and coalition forces. He also facilitates the transfer, manufacturing and testing of IEDs, coordinates and conducts kidnappings for ransom to fund insurgent operations, and coordinates the movement of insurgent fighters.

-- In Logar province's Muhammad Aghah district, a combined force wounded an insurgent during a search for a Taliban facilitator who transports fighters, weapons and suicide bombers. He also controls a group that attacks Afghan and coalition forces, equips suicide bombers with IEDs and coordinates the locations of their attacks.

-- A combined force in Paktia province's Gardez district arrested a Haqqani network leader who coordinates and directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and facilitates the movement of weapons, equipment and money to local insurgent cells. He also serves as an intelligence operative for senior Haqqani leadership.

ISAF JOINT COMMAND REPORT FOR AFGHANISTAN JUNE 14, 2012

Photo:  U.S. and Afghan Forces Fighting Insurgents.  Credit:  U.S. Army.

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Combined Force Kills Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2012 - An Afghan-led, coalition-supported security force killed the Taliban commander, Fayez Jan, and one additional insurgent during an operation in the Daman district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

As Afghan and coalition troops approached Fayez Jan's location, they were attacked with small-arms fire, officials said. The security force returned fire, killing Fayez Jan and one additional insurgent.

Fayez Jan constructed, distributed and directed the placement of improvised explosive devices throughout Daman and Shah Wali Kot districts, officials said. At the time of his death, Fayez Jan was planning to launch an IED attack against Afghan and coalition convoys in the area.

Two Afghan males injured in the battle were transported to coalition medical facilities for treatment, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and detained two suspects in the Nawah-ye Barakzai district of Helmand province. The captured leader armed and coordinated the movement of Taliban insurgents throughout the region. He also instructed insurgents on the use and placement of IEDs.

-- A combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Kajaki district of Helmand province. The leader commands more than a dozen Taliban insurgents and directs attacks throughout the region.

In June 13 operations:

-- Combined forces killed three insurgents during a firefight in Kunar province's Watahpur district.

-- Combined forces detained four insurgents in the Maidan Shahr district of Warkak province.

-- Combined forces detained one insurgent in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province.

In June 11 operations:

-- Combined forces killed several insurgents, detained several suspects, and seized drugs, weapons and ammunition during a helicopter-enabled operation in the Reg-e Khan Neshin district of Helmand province. Afghan forces stopped a suspicious vehicle and conducted a search, resulting in the detention of several individuals. The search of the vehicle yielded 1,606 pounds of dry opium and 3,500 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. One of the detainees led the security forces to another vehicle that was hidden in the desert. Within the second vehicle the security forces found one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, four RPG anti-tank rounds, four machine guns, five hand grenades, several IED-making components, and 440 pounds of homemade explosives.

RECENT SECURITY OPERATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Afghan, Coalition Forces Capture Insurgent Leaders

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2012 - Afghan and coalition forces captured multiple insurgents in eastern Afghanistan today, including three who were leaders in the Taliban and Haqqani networks, military officials reported.

A combined Afghan and international force detained two of the insurgent leaders in Logar province's Pul-e 'Alam district. One is a Haqqani leader who directed roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces and provided weapons, ammunition, and explosives to insurgents in the area. The other was a Taliban leader who coordinated attacks against Afghan and coalition troops in the Baraki Barak district.

Also today in the Zurmat district of Paktiya province, a combined force captured a Taliban leader who organized suicide bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the district. Serving as a Taliban judge, the man ordered beheadings and other punishments for Afghan civilians living in the area.

The security force detained several additional insurgents in both operations.

In other security operations in Afghanistan today:

-- A combined force detained a Taliban insurgent in Logar province's Baraki Barak district. The man is an explosives expert who coordinated roadside bombings against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district.

-- In the Dand district of Kandahar province, a combined security force detained multiple suspects during an operation to detain a Taliban leader who distributes weapons to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces.

-- A combined force detained multiple insurgents during an operation to detain a Taliban leader in the Sangin district of Helmand province. The leader plans and supervises roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces.

In operations yesterday:

-- In the Shinwar district of Nangarhar province, an Afghan provincial response team advised by coalition forces detained a Taliban leader and improvised explosive device expert who was responsible for transporting and emplacing IEDs throughout the province, as well as attacks against security forces. Several additional insurgents also were detained.

-- An Afghan provincial response team, working with Afghan security forces and coalition advisors, seized an insurgent weapons cache during an operation to disrupt insurgent weapons trafficking and secure transportation routes in Nangarhar province's Achin district. The cache, consisting of five recoilless rifles, eight rocket-propelled grenades, some small-arms ammunition and IED components, was destroyed on site.