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
U.S. Air Force 1st Lt.Shawn Allen, left, International Security Assistance Force physician's assistant, provides medical care to a local villager at Forward Operating Base Bala Murghab, Oct. 4, 2008. ISAF is as More
An Italian army soldier performs security during the inauguration of the new bridge over the Murghab river, Nov. 30.
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
Spc. Oscar Castro, White Platoon, Bulldog Troop medic, deployed from 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo., applies anesthetic to 10-year-old Abdul Hagh's head at Combat Outpost Delorean, Bal More
Sgt. Jonathan Sweetman, a White Platoon scout from Bulldog Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, scans for insurgent activity after receiving accurate small-arms fire during a reconnaissance patrol near C More
An Afghan woman and her son ride a donkey through a U.S. Army scout presence patrol in Nawbor Village, Bala Murghab district, Badghis province, Afghanistan, Jan. 16, 2011. The scouts, who hail from White Platoo More
This is for whom we fight! Dedicated to all the men who bravely served at Bala Murghab. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace/RELEASED)
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
Two-year-old Yovas Aduraman awaits an Afghan National Army transport from Combat Outpost Metro to Forward Operating Base Todd, Bala Murghab District, Badghis Province, Afghanistan, April 2, 2011. Aduraman had s More
Two-year-old Yovas Aduraman, a child from Joy Gange Village, Bala Murghab district, Badghis province, Afghanistan, awaits an Afghan National Army transport from Combat Outpost Metro to Forward Operating Base To More
U.S. Army Sgt. Jeff Sheppard, a Bulldog Troop, Red Platoon scout, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Carson, Colo., scans a village for insurgent activity during a foot patrol in northern Bala Murgh More
Remember to "remember them" on Memorial Day and always is a graphic depicting Sgt. Jeff Sheppard engaging insurgents in Afghanistan. Sheppard was wounded in the engagement and has since separated from active du More
Capt. Tyrek Swaby, commander of the Bulldog Troops of 7th Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Ghost Squadron, gives his departing remarks at the Bulldog Troops change of command ceremony at Forward Operating B 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
(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
A local village girl poses for a photo during an International Security Assistance Force humanitarian mission near Forward Operating Base Bala Murghab, Oct. 3, 2008. ISAF is assisting the Afghan government in e More
Afghan national security forces cross over the river Murghab on a new bridge built with assistance from the International Security Assistance Force in cooperation with the local community, Nov. 30.
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
Air Force Senior Airman Jeremy Knox, Tactical Air Control Party deployed with Bulldog Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, secures a sector of fire on a riverbed near Combat Outpost Delorean, Bala Murgha More
U.S. Army Sgt. Timothy Cooper and other Soldiers from White Platoon, Bulldog Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, take cover as they receive accurate small-arms fire on a riverbed near Combat Outpost Del 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
Petty Officer 2nd Class Valdo, Navy military working dog, locates improvised explosive devicemaking materials during a training session at Forward Operating Base Todd, Bala Murghab District, Baghdis province, A More
U.S. Army Pfc. Ben Bradley, left, a Bulldog Troop, Red Platoon scout from 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo., ducks away from small-arms fire, as fellow scout Sgt. Jeff Sheppard, launches a More
Capt. Tyrek Swaby, commander of the Bulldog Troop of 7th Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Ghost Squadron, climbs the hill up to Combat Outpost Cougar in Bala Murghab on April 19,2011. Swaby visited Cougar t More
Senior Airman Jeremy Knox, Tactical Air Control Party deployed with Bulldog Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, secures a sector of fire on a riverbed in Bala Murghab, Badghis province, Afghanistan. Kno 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 profile of the team of U.S. Army scouts and attachments who fought at Operation Red Sand, Bala Murghab District, Badghis Province, Afghanistan. Five service members were wounded in the mission, including: Tec 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
U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Shawn Allen, International Security Assistance Force physician's assistant, provides medical care to a local villager at Forward Operating Base Bala Murghab, Oct. 4, 2008. ISAF is assisti More
U.S. Army General David McKeirnan, International Security Assistance Force Commander and Afghan national security force leaders meet with village elders at Forward Operating Base Columbus prior to the inaugura 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
U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan Sweetman, Bulldog Troop, White Platoon, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, looks through his rifle scope to scan for insurgents during a reconnaissance patrol near Combat Outpost Delor 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
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
Sgt. Jeff Sheppard, a Bulldog Troop, Red Platoon scout (7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment), scans a village for insurgent activity during a foot patrol in northern Bala Murghab Valley, Baghdis province, Afgha More
An insurgent compound explodes after a U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer drops a GBU-38 bomb on the facility in northern Bala Murghab Valley, Baghdis province, Afghanistan, April 4. The Lancer responded as a close-air More
110419-N-2142H-289 Afghanistan (19 April, 2011) -- Capt. Tyrek Swaby, commander of the Bulldog Troop of 7th Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Ghost Squadron, talks with Soldiers stationed at Combat Outpost C More
Senior Airman Jose Cruz-Richardson, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller deployed with Bulldog Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, calls for close-air support after his platoon came under accurate small-a 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
Elders of Bala Murghab conduct a shrua with International Security Assistance Force and Afghan national security force leaders at Forward Operating Base Columbus prior to the inauguration of the new bridge ove 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
Pfc. Ben Bradley (left), a Bulldog Troop, Red Platoon scout from the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, ducks away from insurgent machine gun fire, as fellow scout Sgt. Jeff Sheppard, launches a M-203 grenade More
First Sgt. Mike Dempsy of Bulldog Troops 7th Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Ghost Squadron along with his soldiers salute the American flag during a change of command ceremony at Forward Operating Base To 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
(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
U.S. Army General David McKeirnan, International Security Assistance Force Commander (right) and Brigadier General Paolo Serra, ISAF Regional Command West Commander meet at Forward Operating Base Columbus for 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
U.S. Army Sgt. Tyson Husk, a Scout with Bulldog Troop, White Platoon, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, discusses a bounding movement with his platoon leader, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Nicholas Castello, while on a 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
Spc. Dwayne Simms-Sparks, a Red Platoon, Bulldog Troop forward observer with the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, scans the horizon as members of his platoon speak with village elders in Kamisari Village, B More
110420-N-2142H-090 Afghanistan (20 April, 2011) -- Capt. Tyrek Swaby, outgoing commander of bulldog Troop 7th Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Ghost Squadron, passes the guidon to Lt. Col. Scott Mitchell, 7 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
An insurgent compound explodes after a Air Force B-1 Lancer drops a 38th GBU bomb on the facility in northern Bala Murghab Valley, Badghis province, Afghanistan, April 4, 2011. The B-1 responded as a close-air More
Capt. Tyrek Swaby, outgoing commander of Bulldog Troop 7th Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Ghost Squadron, and Capt. Brice Roberts, the incoming commander, stand at parade rest in front of their soldiers d More