RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
An Afghan army commando bounds toward a compound after taking enemy fire during a clearing operation in the Khogyani district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, March 20, 2014. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Connor Mendez.

The sun rises off the tail of an AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter as U.S. soldiers slowly guide it off the ramp of an U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, March 17, 2014. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Andrew Cochran.

RECENT U.S. ARMY PHOTOS

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
U.S. soldiers conduct a dismounted patrol from one of their observation points to an Afghan border police checkpoint in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, Nov. 18, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric Provost.

U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Weston, center, and his soldiers secure the rear element of a dismounted patrol en route to an Afghan border police checkpoint in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, Nov. 18, 2013. Weston, a team leader, is assigned to 10th Mountain Division's Company C, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. The patrol's purpose was to assess the state of the checkpoint and its current capabilities. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric Provost.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JUNE 21, 2013

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgts. Michael Bittner and Gemenie Strehlow talk with Afghan children while providing security in the town of Payan Janqadam near Bagram Airfield, Parwan province, Afghanistan, June 13, 2013. Bittner and Strehlow are assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Group. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ben Bloker

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE


Combined Force Arrests 2 Extremists in Nangarhar Province

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 21, 2013 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested two extremists during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Khugyani district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province today, military officials reported.


The sought-after Taliban leader is a subordinate to one of the highest-ranking Taliban leaders in Nangarhar province, officials said. He is responsible for planning, coordinating and executing multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces using large groups of extremist fighters.

The sought-after insurgent also directs the movement of weapons, ammunition, money and other military equipment to Taliban cells operating in Nangarhar province, officials said. The security force also seized a shotgun and 30 pounds of opium as a result of the operation.


In other Afghanistan operations today:
-- A combined force arrested a Haqqani facilitator and five other extremists in the Pul-e 'Alam district of Wardak province. The facilitator managed the transportation and distribution of weapons, ammunition and other supplies to extremist groups operating in the Pul-e 'Alam district. He also participated in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- Combined forces confirmed the death of a Taliban leader, Jilani, during a June 19 operation in the Sayyidabad district of Wardak province. Jilani controlled a group of fighters responsible for attacks on Highway 1 targeting Afghan civilians and Afghan and coalition forces. He also coordinated the movement of weapons for extremist operations and performed intelligence and reconnaissance duties for senior Taliban leaders.


In June 20 operations:
-- Afghan National Army Special Forces of the 4th Special Operations Kandak, advised by coalition forces, killed five insurgents in the Shindand district of Herat province. The insurgents attacked the joint forces as they conducted a presence patrol in the vicinity of Kushe village in south Zereko Valley. Three Afghan troops were wounded in the engagement.

-- Afghan National Army Special Forces, advised by coalition forces, killed three insurgents in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province, and members of the Afghan National Army killed five insurgents in the Khakrez district of Kandahar province.
　


  

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JUNE 14, 2013

 

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Derek Turner, right, searches a compound during Operation Nightmare in Nowzad in Afghanistan's Helmand province, June 6, 2013. Turner, a squad leader, is assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kowshon Ye

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Makes Arrest During Search for Facilitator

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 14, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested an enemy operative during a search for an al-Qaida facilitator in the Behsud district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province today, military officials reported.

The facilitator coordinates the delivery of weapons, military equipment and money to al-Qaida and operational cells for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said. He also relays messages for senior al-Qaida leaders.

Also today, a combined force in Wardak province's Sayyidabad district arrested an extremist during a search for a Taliban facilitator who acquires and distributes weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices and other equipment for high-profile attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces in three provinces. He also coordinates training for new enemy fighters.

And yesterday, the highest-ranking Taliban leader in Kunduz province's Archi district was killed, along with his top military advisor.

Qari Halim, also known as Zubair, was responsible for command and control, finance and logistical efforts for extremists in the region. He oversaw a group of about 50 fighters who have engaged in ambushes and IED operations against Afghan and coalition forces.

Under his orders, his military advisor directed and executed attacks targeting Afghan government officials and Afghan and coalition forces.

 

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR JUNE 11, 2013

 

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Mays participates in a rifle qualification range on Forward Operating Base Farah in Farah province, Afghanistan, June 8, 2013. Mays, a hospital corpsman, is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Matthew Stroup

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Kills Extremists in Nangarhar Province

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release
KABUL, Afghanistan, June 11, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed five extremists during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Khugyani district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province today, military officials reported.

The sought-after Taliban leader coordinates movement of weapons and fighters through the district and oversees a group responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said.

The security force also destroyed a machine gun and several rocket-propelled grenades in the operation.

In Kandahar province's capital city of Kandahar today, a combined force arrested the ranking Taliban official for the province's Panjwai district. He oversees assassinations, improvised-explosive-device attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces, collects illegal taxes to finance extremist activities, and facilitates the movement of weapons.

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.