Small blocks and colored ribbons represent houses, rivers and roads on a sand tabletop model of an Afghan village during an Afghan National Army commando premission brief in Kabul province, Afghanistan, Dec. 31 More
Using plastic figures on a sand table model, Afghan National Army Commando leaders explain an upcoming mission to their platoons during a pre-mission brief in Kabul province, Afghanistan, Jan. 11. The Commando- More
A company commander from the 1st Commando Kandak conducts a premission brief using a sand table in Jalalabad province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations forc More
An Afghan National Army commando searches a pharmacy during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 15. Coalition special operations forces advised the commandos as they searched a village for weapons ca More
Afghan National Army commandos practice patrolling at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 18. Training and practicing tactics daily maintains the commandos' readiness and builds team cohesion. Foreign interna More
A company commander from the Afghan National Army's 1st Commando Kandak conducts a pre-mission brief in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 23. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissance for a future V More
Coalition special operations forces members sprint to board a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissance for a future More
An Afghan National Army commando company commander conducts a pre-mission brief in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, March 6. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations forces, aimed to pr More
Maj. Kent Solheim, Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Company commander, defends his position from insurgent small arms fire during a fire fight in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Mar. 7. So More
An Afghan National Army commando mans an M240 machine gun during close quarters combat training at Camp Dyer, Nangahar province, Afghanistan, March 10. Coalition special operations forces provided advice and tr More
An Afghan National Army commando company commander coordinates the recovery of a jackknifed truck in Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16. ANA Commandos and coalition special operations forces cleared Afghani More
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying Afghan National Army commandos and coalition special operations forces takes off from Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, March 26. Commandos and coalition SOF used the helico More
Afghan National Army commandos board an AC-130 Hercules transport at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, March 30. The commandos from 1st Commando Kandak and coalition special operations forces packed their gear a More
A Joint Expeditionary Team advisor teaches Afghan National Army commandos about improvised explosive devices at Camp McCloskey, Afghanistan, April 1. By practicing basic tactics, commandos maintain mission read More
An Afghan National Army's commando company commander issues an operation order at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, April 7. The company's leaders explained the upcoming mission to their platoon leaders using in More
An Afghan National Army commando and a village elder discuss insurgent activity during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. The commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first to More
Coalition special operations forces line up in formation at Camp Morehead, Afghanistan, April 23. Coalition special operations forces prepared to meet Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, More
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
An Afghan National Army commando company commander conducts a premission brief using a tabletop model in Kabul province, Afghanistan, Dec. 31. The commando-led mission aimed to improve security in an Afghan vil More
Afghan National Army commandos practice a helicopter egress drill in Jalalabad province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. Commandos used two parallel benches to represent the seating of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. Command More
An Afghan National Army commando breaches a door during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16. Coalition special operations forces advised the commandos as they searched a village for weapons cache More
An Afghan National Army commando practices searching a vehicle at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 18. Training and practicing tactics daily maintains the commandos' readiness and builds team cohesion. For More
Afghan National Army commandos gaze out the window of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on their way to a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissance for a fut More
Afghan National Army commandos board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, March 6. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations forces, aimed to provide security More
An Afghan National Army commando squad leader critiques his commandos after practicing entering and clearing a compound at Camp Dyer, Nangahar province, Afghanistan, March 10. Coalition special operations forc More
A coalition Special Operations Forces service member helps an Afghan truck driver connect a tow-cable to a jackknifed truck in Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16. Afghan National Army Commandos and coalitio More
Afghan National Army commandos hike into a valley in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. The commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first ANA or SOF to influence that valley in more than two More
An AC-130 Hercules air crewman communicates with his pilot, mid-flight over Afghanistan, March 30. The plane carried Afghan National Army commandos from the 1st Commando Kandak and coalition special operations More
Afghan National Army commandos study a battery used in improvised explosive devices while training at Camp McCloskey, Afghanistan, April 1. By practicing basic tactics, commandos maintain mission readiness and More
The Afghan National Army 1st Commando Kandak executive officer explains mission policy during an operation order at Jalalabad Airfield, Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 7. The company's leaders explained the More
An Afghan National Army commando and a local security force commander discuss insurgent activity during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. Commandos and coalition special operations forces, More
Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrives at Camp Morehead, Afghanistan, April 23. Gen. Dempsey visited Camp Morehead for an awards ceremony and presentation.
Maj. Kent Solheim (Right), Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Company commander, describes his team's recent mission to General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Ca More
An Afghan National Army commando platoon sergeant conducts pre-mission rehearsals at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, April 27. Commandos and coalition special operations forces practiced basic scenarios as pa More
Afghan National Army commandos find spent 155 mm artillery shells in a Kunar province village in Afghanistan Dec. 31. Coalition special operations forces assisted more than 100 commandos as they searched for w More
Afghan National Army Commandos traverse a slope in Wardak province, Afghanistan, Jan. 12. Coalition special operations forces assisted the more than 70 Commandos as they searched for weapons caches and known an More
A coalition special operations forces team member mentors an Afghan National Army commando in close quarters battle techniques in Jalalabad province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. The training session was part of pre-mi More
An Afghan National Army commando searches a crate during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16. Coalition special operations forces advised the commandos as they searched a village for weapons cach More
Afghan National Army commandos practice entering and clearing a building at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 18. Training and practicing tactics daily maintains the commandos' readiness and builds team coh More
An Afghan National Army commando dismounts a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissance for a future Village Stabilit More
Afghan National Army commandos board a CH-46 Chinook helicopter at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, March 6. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations forces, aimed to provide security More
Afghan National Army commandos practice entering and clearing a compound at Camp Dyer, Nangahar province, Afghanistan, March 10. Coalition special operations forces provided advice and training. The training h More
A coalition special operations forces service member helps an Afghan truck driver connect a tow-cable to a jackknifed truck in Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16. Afghan National Army Commandos and coalitio More
Afghan National Army commandos share their breakfast with village children during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. The commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first ANA or SOF More
A Joint Expeditionary Team advisor describes a booby trap used in improvised explosive devices to Afghan National Army commandos training at Camp McCloskey, Afghanistan, April 1. By practicing basic tactics, c More
An Afghan National Army company commander conducts an operation order in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 2. The commando company's leaders explained the upcoming mission to their platoon leaders using infor More
An Afghan National Army commando company first sergeant takes notes during an operation order at Jalalabad Airfield, Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 7. The company's leaders explained the upcoming mission t More
A coalition special operations forces soldier marks a medical evacuation helicopter landing zone during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. Afghan National Army commandos and coalition specia More
General Martin Dempsey (Left), chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congratulates Maj. Kent Solheim, Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Company commander, on his team's recent mission at More
An Afghan National Army commando officer describes different Afghan military units to Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Camp Morehead, Afghanistan, April 23. Gen. Dempsey visited Ca More
An Afghan National Army commando platoon sergeant issues final guidance before a mission at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, April 27. Commandos and coalition special operations forces practiced basic scenario More
Coalition special operations forces advise the movements of Afghan National Army Coalition special operations forces advise the movements of Afghan National Army Commandos during a mission in Wardak province, A More
Afghan National Army commandos and coalition special operations forces board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. Commandos and SOF used the helicopter for a mission in a Nort More
An Afghan National Army commando treats a villager's cut hands during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16. Coalition special operations forces advised the commandos as they searched a village for More
Afghan National Army commandos practice clearing a building at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 18. Training and practicing tactics daily maintains the commandos' readiness and builds team cohesion. Foreig More
Afghan National Army commandos dismount a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissance for a future Village Stability P More
A coalition special operations forces service member adjusts the fuse of a 60mm mortar during a fire fight in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 7. A force of more than 100 Afghan National Army commandos and c More
Afghan National Army commandos and coalition special operations forces assist in the recovery of a jackknifed truck in Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16. ANA commandos and coalition SOF cleared Afghanistan More
An Afghan National Army commando and a village elder discuss insurgent activity during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. The commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first ANA o More
An Afghan advisor describes a booby trap used in improvised explosive devices to Afghan National Army commandos training at Camp McCloskey, Afghanistan, April 1. By practicing basic tactics, commandos maintain More
Afghan National Army commandos practice assaulting a target at Jalalabad Airfield, Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 7. Commandos and coalition special operations forces practiced different scenarios in prepa More
An AH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter approaches a landing zone in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. Afghan National Army commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first to visi More
Gen. Shir Mohammad Karimi, Afghan National Army general staff chief of operations, explains the ANA commando training process to Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Camp Morehead, Afg More
Afghan National Army commandos board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, April 27. Commandos and coalition special operations forces used the helicopter for a mission in eastern Afgh More
Afghan National Army commandos search a house in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 31. Coalition special operations forces assisted the commando-led mission in their search for weapons caches and known anti-Afg More
A breaching charge unlocks a door during a mission in Wardak province, Afghanistan, Jan. 12. Coalition special operations forces assisted the more than 70 Commandos as they searched for weapons caches and known More
Afghan National Army commandos board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Jalalabad Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. Commandos and coalition special operations forces used the helicopter for a mission in a northern Afg More
A coalition special operations forces service member fingerprints a detainee during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16. Once entered into a database, biometrics help identify known insurgents and More
An Afghan National Army commando platoon sergeant teaches his commandos how to clear an intersection at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 18. Training and practicing tactics daily maintains the commandos' r More
A coalition special operations forces service member ducks under a departing UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissan More
A coalition special operations forces service member defends his position from insurgent small arms fire during a fire fight in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 7. A force of more than 100 Afghan National Arm More
Afghan National Army commandos react to contact from a far ridge line during a mission in a village in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. The commandos and coalition special operations forces, the first AN More
An Afghan National Army commando platoon leader conducts an operation order in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 2. The commando company's leaders explained the upcoming mission to their platoons using inform More
Body armor kits sit ready while Afghan National Army commandos prepare for an operation at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, April 7. The company's leaders planned the operation using information provided by coa More
Coalition special operations forces pararescue jumpers medically evacuate an injured Afghan National Army commando during a mission in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, April 12. Commandos and coalition special o More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol through a poppy field during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, April 28. Coalition special operations forces advised the commandos as they searched an Afghan villag More
Coalition special operations forces apply a breaching charge to a door during a mission in Wardak province, Afghanistan, Jan. 12. Coalition special operations forces assisted the more than 70 Coalition special More
Afghan National Army commandos trudge through knee-deep snow as they leave a helicopter landing zone in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations for More
An Afghan National Army commando mans a security position in a mountain village in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16. Commandos protected the flanks of their platoon as they searched an Afghan village for we More
Afghan National Army commandos pass the "stop" hand signal while practicing patrolling at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 18. Training and practicing tactics daily maintains the commandos' readiness and b More
An Afghan National Army Commando scans the village below during a mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25. The commando-led mission conducted reconnaissance for a future Village Stability Platform, a si More
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter lands to medically evacuate an Afghan National Army commando injured by insurgent small arms fire in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 7. A force of more than 100 commandos, advis More
Narang district Chief of Police Major Walimuhamed meets a village elder in Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 27. Afghan National Police and district officials held a shura with village elders to discuss the Af More
Afghan National Army commandos practice entering and clearing a building at Camp McCloskey, Afghanistan, April 2. Commandos and coalition special operations forces practiced basic scenarios as part of leader-se More
An Afghan National Army commando digs a trench for a kitchen sewer at Jalalabad Airfield Intermediate Staging Base, Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 7. The ISB is a second home to the 1st Commando Kandak whi More
A coalition special operations forces detachment commander describes his team's recent mission and individual team member's accomplishments to Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Camp More
The Chawkai district subgovernor holds a shura in Kunar province, Afghanistan, April 28. Afghan National Police and district officials discussed the Afghan National Army commando mission in the valley and how i More
Afghan National Army commandos set security positions on a mountain side in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. The commando-led mission, advised by coalition special operations forces, aimed to provide securi More
An Afghan National Army commando mans a security position in a mountain village in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16. Coalition special operations forces advised the commandos as they searched a village for More