Minnesota Viking cheerleader Bailey performs a dance routine during the Viking cheerleaders’ tour at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 19. Bailey and four other cheerleaders visited BAF with a promise to give More
Five Kuchi boys gather and talk about the new shoes they received during a U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Detachment West-sponsored humanitarian mission to his village in Herat province Nov. 18. In addition to receivi More
Italian army Lt. Andrea Gilli, 6th Company platoon commander, utilizes his communication headset to order his soldiers into a defensive posture near Combat Outpost Victor, Badghis province, Afghanistan, Dec. 8. More
A gunner aboard a Spanish army AS532s Cougar keeps a keen eye on his side of the helicopter as they take off from a forward operating base in Regional Command-West, Afghanistan, Dec. 10. Aspuhel 19, a Spanish a More
Italian air force Gen. Vincenzo Camporini, Italy's Chief of Defense, arrives at Camp Arena, Herat province, Afghanistan, Dec. 25, 2010. After meeting with coalition troops at Camp Arena, he flew to a forward op More
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., drops several pallets of cargo over Forward Operating Base Todd, Baghdis province, Afghanistan, Jan. 6, 2011. U.S. soldiers from Fort Cars More
Airmen from the Afghan air force and Aeronautica Militare (Italian air force) work together to erect an antenna at Shindand Air Base, Herat province, March 6, 2011. Coalition forces advise the training. Afghan More
Afghan National Army soldiers pray at their Basic Warrior Course (ANA's basic training) graduation at Camp Zafar, Herat province, Afghanistan, March 9, 2011. The soldiers will now either report to their units o More
The Citadel of Herat, known to locals as Qala Iktyaruddin, is centrally located not far from the ISAF-staffed (mostly Italian) Herat Provincial Reconstruction Team in Herat City, Herat province, Afghanistan. Th More
A U.S. Soldier assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, sets up an OE-254 communications system as part of Decisive Action Rotation 15-10 at the More
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, oversee an area of operation during Decisive Action Rotation 17-07.5 at the National Train More
(Left to right) Sarah and Bailey, two of five Minnesota Viking cheerleaders who toured and performed at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 19, display their Army t-shirts as they share words of encouragement to More
Sgt. 1st Class Louis Tova, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Detachment West, gives two Kuchi children pairs of slippers during a humanitarian mission to their village near Camp Arena, Herat province, Afghanistan, Nov. 1 More
Two Italian soldiers from 6th Company remove a winch from their vehicle near Combat Outpost Victor, Badghis province, Afghanistan, Dec. 8. After one Italian vehicle became disabled, the soldiers had to secure t More
A gunner aboard a Spanish army AS532s Cougar, belonging to the Aspuhel 19 unit, keeps a keen eye on his side of the helicopter as they take off from a forward operating base in Regional Command-West, Afghanista More
U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, International Security Assistance Force commander, and Italian air force Gen. Vincenzo Camporini, Italy's chief of Defense, met with service members in Bakwa District, Farah provi More
Afghan Air Force firefighters Abdull Fatho and Asis Ahmed practice responding to a downed helicopter at Shindand Air Base, March 6, 2011. While being advised by Italian air force, the team moved at high speeds More
More than 1,400 Afghan National Army recruits graduated from Basic Warrior Course (ANA's basic training) at Camp Zafar, Herat province, Afghanistan, March 9, 2011. The soldiers will now either report to their u More
Government representatives from Kabul and from across western Afghanistan meet at Camp Arena, Herat province, Nov. 24, 2011 to discuss issues related to health care and education in the western provinces. The R More
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, oversees his area of operations during Decisive Action Rotation 17-07.5 at the National Trai More
The Citadel of Herat, known to locals as Qala Iktyaruddin, is centrally located not far from the ISAF-staffed Herat Provincial Reconstruction Team in Herat City, Herat province, Afghanistan. The historic citade More
Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Winger, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Billy Grant and Peyton, a Minnesota Viking cheerleader gather on stage during the Viking cheerleaders’ tour at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 19. More
Kuchi children make their way from their mud huts and nomadic tents to the culvert that separated them from the U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Detachment West-sponsored humanitarian convoy to their village in Herat pr More
An Afghan National Army soldier engages insurgents in Bala Murghab, Badghis province, Afghanistan.
A Spanish army AS532s Cougar gunner keeps a keen eye on his side of the helicopter as they take off from a forward operating base in Regional Command-West, Afghanistan, Dec. 10. Aspuhel 19, a Spanish army aviat More
Soldiers retrieve cargo dropped from an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., near Forward Operating Base Todd, Badghis province, Afghanistan, Jan. 6, 2011. U.S. soldiers from For More
An Italian soldier removes loaves of bread from a home-made and wood-burning brick oven at Forward Operating Base Todd, Baghdis province, Afghanistan, Jan. 7, 2011. The mess hall staff serves about 1,050 meals More
An Afghan National Army soldier practices firing near Combat Outpost Delorean, Bala Murghab District, Badghis province, Afghanistan, Jan. 8, 2011. The ANA at COP Delorean often patrol with the 7th Squadron, 10t More
A partially above and partially underground Karez transports water to Shindand Air Base, Herat province, Afghanistan. The karez, which provides water to over a thousand families in a nearby village, collapsed a More
An Afghan National Army soldier receives a certificate from Italian army Brig. Gen. Marcello Belacicco, Regional Command-West commander, during his Basic Warrior Course (ANA's basic training) graduation at Camp More
U.S. Soldiers assigned to Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, unload M107, 155mm projectile ammunition for an M777 Howitzer during calibratio More
Minnesota Viking cheerleaders Jessie, Sarah, Amanda, Peyton and Bailey perform a dance routine during the Viking cheerleaders’ tour at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 19. The ladies visited BAF with a promis More
Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, Regional Command-West Combat Camera photojournalist, poses with a Kuchi child, after giving pairs of slippers during a humanitarian mission to their village near Camp Arena, Herat prov More
Italian and Afghan National army soldiers dug trenches to live in and fight from at Combat Outpost Victor, Badghis province, Afghanistan. Service members at COPs along the north and south border regions of the More
Staff Sgt. Matthew Hass, Senior Airman Shawn Peterman, Staff Sgt. Joseph Perry and Airman 1st Class Neil Langgaard pose near a satellite Dec. 13, 2010, at Camp Arena, Afghanistan. The airmen are part of a team More
Four ISAF helicopters fly multi-ship patrol over Badghis province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19. ISAF air support is vital to troop movement, and ground support.
Sgt. Tyson Husk, a scout with White Platoon, Bulldog Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, calls direction of movement during a recon patrol in Bala Murghab district, Badghis province, Afghanistan, Jan. 9 More
An Afghan worker utilizes a crank to lower a fellow worker into a Karez on Shindand Air Base, Herat province, Afghanistan, March 7, 2010. The karez, which provides water to over a thousand families in a nearby More
Afghan National Army soldiers march at their Basic Warrior Course (ANA's basic training) graduation at Camp Zafar, Herat province, Afghanistan, March 9, 2011. The soldiers will now either report to their units More
Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace (left) and Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class John Pearl prepare to document the Citadel of Herat, known to locals as Qala Iktyaruddin, in Herat City, Herat province, Afghanistan, More
U.S. Soldiers assigned to Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare an M777 Howitzer for live fire calibration during Decisive Action Rotat More
(Right) Col. Jon Sutterfield, 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander, shows his Viking pride during the Viking cheerleaders’ tour at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 19. Sutterfield is a St. Cloud, M More
An Afghan worker pours dirt and rocks near the side of a Karez on Shindand Air Base, Herat province, Afghanistan, March 7, 2010. The karez, which provides water to over a thousand families in a nearby village, More
Scores of Kuchi children make their way from their mud huts and nomadic tents to the culvert that separated them from the U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Detachment West-sponsored humanitarian convoy to their village i More
A convoy of Italian, U.S. and Afghan National army vehicles travels from Forward Operating Base Prius, Badghis province, Afghanistan, to Combat Outpost Victor, the northern-most COP on the perimeter of the secu More
Two ISAF helicopters fly multi-ship patrol over Badghis province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19. ISAF air support is vital to troop movement, and ground support.
Renato Maria Giuseppe Schifani, chief of the Italian Senate, inspects his soldiers at Camp Arena, Herat province, Afghanistan, Dec. 24, 2010. He delivered the message that on Christmas, people normally spend ti More
An Oshkosh Mine Resistant All-Terrain Vehicle, stops near cargo pallets in a field near Forward Operating Base Todd, Badghis province, Afghanistan, Jan. 6. An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air More
Sgt. Timothy Cooper, a scout with White Platoon, Bulldog Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, dives from incoming enemy fire during a recon patrol in Bala Murghab district, Badghis province, Afghanistan, More
Petty Officer 2nd Class Valdo, Navy military working dog, locates improvised explosive device making materials during a training session at Forward Operating Base Todd, Bala Murghab District, Baghdis Province, More
Cpl. Murray Kinnell, New Zealand army, holds up ‘No. 1’ as Minnesota Viking cheerleaders Amanda and Sarah cheer him on. Kinnell competed, and was unanimously voted best, in a ‘touchdown dance’ competition durin More
Afghan National Army soldiers take an over-watch position and help protect an Italian convoy near Combat Outpost Victor, Badghis province, Afghanistan, Dec. 8. After one Italian vehicle became disabled, the Sol More
Italian service members stand at attention as the chief of the Italian Senate, Renato Maria Giuseppe Schifani, enters the courtyard at Camp Arena, Herat province, Afghanistan, Dec. 24, 2010. Schifani visited hi More
Combat Outpost Cougar is one of 16 COPs in the Bala Murghab Valley, Badghis province, Afghanistan. International Security Assistance Force soldiers have had a presence at Forward Operating Base Todd in Bala Mur More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nicholas Lewis, Bulldog Troop, White Platoon, returns fire near Combat Outpost Delorean, Bala Murghab, Baghdis province, Afghanistan, Jan. 9, 2011. Lewis led one of the four fire teams on t More
An Afghan air force airman moves tactfully as a fellow airman watches his sector of fire during security forces training, provided by U.S. Air Force airmen at Shindand Air Base, Herat province, March 6, 2011. C More
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Lee, military working dog handler, gives a silent command to Petty Officer 2nd Class Valdo, his Navy military working dog, during a training session at Forward Operating Base Todd, More
A corridor at the Citadel of Herat, known to locals as Qala Iktyaruddin, in Herat City, Herat province, Afghanistan. Herat City is home to an ISAF-staffed provincial reconstruction team, and is linked to Kandah More
Two Kuchi girls rest in front of their big sister and wait patiently for their turn to receive shoes, candy and toys during a U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Detachment West-sponsored humanitarian mission to their vill More
Two ISAF helicopters fly multi-ship patrol over Badghis Province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19. ISAF air support is vital to troop movement, and ground support.
Renato Maria Giuseppe Schifani, chief of the Italian Senate, tours the flightline and greets soldiers at Camp Arena, Herat province, Afghanistan, Dec. 24, 2010. He delivered the message that Italy and the Itali More
A view of the Bala Murghab Valley, as seen from Combat Outpost Cougar, one of 16 COPs in the Bala Murghab Valley, Badghis Province, Afghanistan. International Security Assistance Force soldiers have had a prese More
White Platoon, Bulldog Troop soldiers patrol a field near Combat Outpost Delorean, Bala Murghab, Baghdis province, Afghanistan, Jan. 9, 2011. Insurgents launched a large-scale attack on COP Delorean Jan. 6 from More
Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, Regional Command-West Combat Camera photojournalist, captures images of an Afghan worker pulling dirt and rocks from a Karez on Shindand Air Base, Herat province, Afghanistan, March 7, More
Herat City can be seen through a corridor at the Citadel of Herat, known to locals as Qala Iktyaruddin, on Dec. 31, 2011 at the citadel in Herat City, Herat province, Afghanistan. Herat City is home to an ISAF- More
A U.S. Soldier assigned to Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, carries tubes of propelling charges for an M777 Howitzer during calibration fo More
A Kuchi girl holds her little brother and waits patiently for their turn to receive shoes, candy and toys during a U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Detachment West-sponsored humanitarian mission to their village in Hera More
A door gunner aboard an ISAF Superpuma helicopter fires his .50-caliber machine gun during a multi-ship patrol over Badghis province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19. ISAF air support is vital to troop movement, and ground support.
Army Pfc. Antonio Hawkins, Bulldog Troop, White Platoon, looks through his rifle scope to scan for insurgents during a reconnaissance patrol near Combat Outpost Delorean, Bala Murghab, Baghdis province, Afghani More
An Afghan worker pulls dirt and rocks from a Karez on Shindand Air Base in Herat province on March 7, 2011. The karez which provides water to over a thousand families in a nearby village collapsed after recent More
1st Lt. Joseph Law, Red Platoon leader from the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment (right), interviews a villager at Kamisari Village, Bala Murghab District, Badghis province, Afghanistan, April 4, 2011, with More
A U.S. Soldier assigned to Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, carries M107, 155mm projectile ammunition for an M777 Howitzer during calibrat More
A Kuchi encampment near Camp Arena, Herat province, Afghanistan. The Kuchi are nomadic people and migrate throughout Afghanistan.)
Italian and Afghan National Army soldiers dug trenches to live in and fight from at Combat Outpost Victor, Badghis province, Afghanistan. Service members at COPs along the north and south border regions of the More
Italian army Cpl. Savi Maurizio, a food service specialist with the 'Alpini' Mountain Regiment, utilizes a hand-made pasta cooker (constructed from a trailer and hitch) to boil pasta at Forward Operating Base T More
Army Sgt. Tyson Husk, a Scout with Bulldog Troop, White Platoon, discusses a bounding movement with his platoon leader, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Nicholas Castello, while on a reconnaissance patrol near Combat Outpost More
Cpl. Maj. (E-4) Mezzullo Filomena, a mountain soldier from the 6th Company, Tolmezzo Battalion, 8 Alpini Regiment, Julia Brigade, prepares for a convoy from Combat Outpost Sigma to Forward Operating Base Todd, More
Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, Regional Command-West Combat Camera photojournalist, passes out na'an bread to Afghan workers, who were repairing a Karez, at Shindand Air Base, Herat province, Afghanistan, March 7, 2 More
Maj. Jonathan Lauer, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, pulls security as 1st Lt. Joseph Law, Red Platoon leader from the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, interviews village elders at Kamisari Village, B More
U.S. Soldier assigned to Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare tubes of propelling charges for an M777 Howitzer during calibration for More
Kuchi children move to receive new shoes during a U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Detachment West-sponsored humanitarian mission to his village in Herat province Nov. 18. In addition to receiving shoes and candy, the c More
Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, Regional Command-West Combat Camera photojournalist, captures photos of Italian soldiers fending off insurgent attacks near Combat Outpost Victor, Badghis province, Afghanistan, Dec. 8 More
A Spanish soldier fires a .50 cal. machine gun from an AS532 Super Puma, which flew a four-ship patrol over the hills of Badghis province in northwestern Afghanistan Dec. 19, 2010. The Spanish patrol departed f More
Air Force Senior Airman Jeremy Knox, Tactical Party deployed with Bulldog Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, secures a sector of fire on a riverbed near Combat Outpost Delorean, Bala Murghab, Baghdis p More
Afghan National Army recruits learn to drive during their Humvee familiarization course at Camp Zafar, Herat province, Afghanistan. The recruits are attending their Basic Military Training at Camp Zafar.
Pfc. Ben Bradley (left), a Bulldog Troop, Red Platoon scout of 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, fires a M249 Squad Automatic Weapon as he receives heavy machine gun fire, as fellow scout Sgt. Jeff Sheppard, More
A U.S. Soldier assigned to Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepares tubes of propelling charges for an M777 Howitzer during calibration f More
Two Kuchi girls sit in front of their encampment, after an ISAF humanitarian mission to their village in Herat province Nov. 18. Historically, most Afghans looked down on the Kuchi because they were traveling p More