A U.S Air Force UH-60 Blackhawk pararescue helicopter operated by the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron touches down at Forward Operating Base Wright Nov. 12. Pararescuemen are operatives tasked with recovery More
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Richard McLain of Stockport, Iowa, raps on the advanced combat helmet of U.S. Army Capt. Pat Birgy of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., as Birgy demonstrates the ACH and the improved outer More
First Lt. Nicholas Mercurio led firefighting efforts which ultimately saved Forward Operating Base Wright from destruction Nov. 15, 2010. Mercurio was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal with Valor for his More
U.S. Army Maj. Mary Parmenter of Perry, Iowa, left, speaks with U.S. Army Spc. Shannon Drinken of Rice Lake, Wis., outside veterinary training conducted by the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Developme More
As the sun begins to rise, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. McCarthy Phillip, an infantry squad leader from Decatur, Ga., assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment (Task Force Bulldog), 101st Airborne D More
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Lise Pederson, Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team engineer and native of Lakewood, Colo., uses a multifunction tool to assess the workmanship of a circuit breaker housing during a quality assu More
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Curtis S. Ballance, from Kinmundy, Ill., assigned to Abu Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment (Task Force Bulldog), 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, gives the fina More
Abraham Sutherland, U.S. Department of State rule of law adviser for Kunar province and native of Santa Barbara, Calif., listens to introductions during a key leader engagement at the Nurgol District Center Nov More
U.S. Army Spc. Troy Kleppe of Eagle Grove, Iowa, security forces team member for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, shakes hands with an Afghan girl near Asadabad in Afghanistan's Ku More
U.S. Army Maj. Dwayne Eden of Wesley, Iowa, production agriculture specialist for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, shakes hands with Rahmatullah Himat, subgovernor of the Noor Gal More
U.S. Army Maj. Dwayne Eden of Wesley, Iowa, production agriculture specialist for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, shares a laugh with children in Asadabad, the provincial capital More
Mashuqallah, agriculture extension director for the Chowkay District of Afghanistan's Kunar Province, tills ground outside the greenhouse at the Chowkay Demonstration Farm, Dec. 5. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Scott Shirk More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bennett Groth of Moville, Iowa, production agriculture specialist for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, and U.S. Army Master Sgt. Steve Holding of Janesvil More
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Kimberly Skinner, Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team driver and native of Turtletown, Tenn., talks with children during a dismounted patrol through downtown Asadabad Dec. 15. More
As some of his subordinates look on, Afghan National Army Capt. Rohullah, company commander of 4th Coy, 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 201st Corps, prepares for a media interview on the transfer of authority from the More
Soldiers from the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team establish a security perimeter around the edge of a proposed demonstration farm near the Sarkani District Center in Afghanistan's Kuna More
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brian Goss, Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, of Annapolis, Md., tries on a pakol during a graduation ceremony Dec. 30. The pakol is a soft, round-topped men’s hat made of wool and More
An Afghan girl looks on as members of the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team repair the irrigation system at the Chowkay Demonstration Farm in Afghanistan's Kunar province Jan. 2. Members More
Abdul Wali and Said Obaidullah, Afghan agricultural professionals, tour Forward Operating Base Wright Jan. 2 on their first day as agricultural interns for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Developme More
U.S. Army Spc. Cristine Gallagher of Victorville, Calif., machine-launched grenade gunner for the 64th Military Police Company based at Combat Outpost Fortress, prepares her weapon for a foot patrol through the More
U.S. Army Capt. Steven J. Weber of Winthrop, Minn., commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, shakes hands wit More
An Afghan company worker stands on top of a mountain top, Kunar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 7, 2011.
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brian Goss of Annapolis, Md., Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, speaks with a worker during a quality assurance check at the Zagrando Bando School Jan. 8. The school is one of a bu More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eric Pugh of Winterset, Iowa, forestry manager for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, discusses fruit and nut trees Jan. 13 with private nursery owners of Afghan More
U.S. Army Maj. Loren Adams of New Liberty, Iowa, Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team veterinary officer, encourages Dr. Roshan, a licensed veterinarian who is part of a team directed by th More
U.S. Army Capt. Jonathan J. Springer, fire support officer for 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, tests his new smart phone application in eastern Afghanis More
Hosai Sediqi of San Diego, linguist for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, is greeted by Afghan girls outside their home in Karula, a small town outside of Asadabad, the capital of A More
Afghan women take a break for tea and snacks during veterinary training conducted by the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team at the Noor Gal District Center in Afghanistan's Kunar province More
Gov. Fazlullah Wahidi, Kunar provincial governor, speaks to elders of the Manogai District Community Council during a key leadership engagement Jan. 15. The new democratically-elected council consists of 45 cou More
Kunar Provincial Gov. Fazlullah Wahidi talks with Rahmatullah Himat, Nurgol District subgovernor, after Mazaar Valley Road ribbon-cutting ceremony, Jan. 25. Their discussion focused on using the new road to str More
From a remote observation post high up in the Hindu Kush Mountains on the border of Pakistan, U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew B. Sorrell, an infantry team leader from Smithville, Tenn., assigned to Troop C, 1st Squadron More
From a remote observation post high up in the Hindu Kush Mountains on the border of Pakistan, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Casey T. Coombes, an infantry squad leader from Rancho Cordova, Calif., Sgts. Jeremy A. Wortman More
Spc. Dennis C. Poulin of Pawtucket, R.I., was a gunner with the Massachusetts National Guard's Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 181st Division assigned to the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team. Poulin died Marc More
While standing guard behind sandbags and camouflage netting, U.S. Army Pfc. Luke I. Schlueter, a cavalry scout assigned to Troop C, 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Bandit, peers into the distant More
Haji Hazrat Ali Gull, a prosperous fruit producer, explains the improvements he has already made to a proposed orchard training farm site he owns to U.S. Army Master Sgt. Bill Dunbar of Plymouth, Iowa, value-ad More
U.S. Army Col. Fred Allen of Delavan, Ill., commander of the Illinois National Guard's 1-14th Agribusiness Development Team and U.S. Army Col. Craig Bargfrede of Ankeny, Iowa, commander of the Iowa National Gua More
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Lynn Redman of San Antonio, Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team nurse practitioner, examines a female Afghan patient with Afghan Dr. Ismat Shinwary, Asadabad Hospital general surgeon, Jan. More
U.S. linguist Shafiqa Ansary of Union City, Calif. (right), and U.S. Army Master Sgt. Darla Sheasley of Everly, Iowa, veterinary technician for the Iowa National Guard’s 734th Agribusiness Development Team, ans More
U.S. linguist Shafiqa Ansary (right) of Union City, Calif., and U.S. Army Master Sgt. Darla Sheasley of Everly, Iowa, veterinary technician for the Iowa National Guard’s 734th Agribusiness Development Team, ans More
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Lynn Redman focused on helping women and children during her deployment to Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Cpl. Jerry D. Derrick (foreground), a sling-load inspector from Mesquite, Texas, and U.S. Army Spc. Angelina M. Billings, a truck driver from Lexington Park, Md., both assigned to Troop D, 1st Squadro More
Gul Rang (left), agriculture extension manager for the Khas Konar District, and Zabihulla, a Khas Konar farmer and village elder, share a laugh with members of the Iowa National Guard’s 734th Agribusiness Devel More
Capt. Marisa Catlin (left), 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron pilot, flies back from a recent reposition mission in Kunar province with 1st Lt. Nathan Lowry, 83rd ERQS co-pilot.
Gov. Fazlullah Wahidi, Kunar provincial governor, cuts the ribbon officially opening the Arazi School in Khas Kunar District, Feb. 17. The $240,000 school was funded by the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team. More
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Lynn Redman (left), nurse practitioner with the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team from El Paso, Texas, and U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Jacqueline Riner, Kunar PRT non-commissioned offic More
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, take down the final American Flag to fly over Forward Operating Base Blessing during a transfer of aut More
Fazlullah Wahidi, provincial governor of Kunar Province, signs the Marawara Bridge repair contract awarded by the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team to New Safi Construction Company and Suppliers March 6. New More
Women from the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team and Iowa National Guard’s 734th Agribusiness Development Team gather alongside Afghan women to celebrate International Women’s Day at the Ministry of Culture More
Dr. Mohammed Ghalib, Kunar provincial veterinarian, sits with health professionals at Asadabad Hospital during a rabies prevention and control education session March 9. Members of the Iowa National Guard’s 734 More
Dr. Nadera Hayat Burhani, Afghanistan's deputy minister of health, shakes hands with graduates of a midwife class, Asadabad, Kunar province, Afghanistan, March 13, 2011.
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Benjamin A. Amsler, a platoon leader from Titusville, Pa., assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, uses an interpreter to speak to an Afghan village More
Afghan Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Nadera Hayat Burhani, congratulates graduates of an 18-month course in midwifery March 13. Infant mortality in Afghanistan, a concern for health officials, can be largely More
U.S. Army Pfc. Travis K. Gilliland (left), from Topeka, Kan., and U.S. Army Pfc. Alexander B. Greer (right), from Needmore, Penn., both infantrymen assigned to Bayonet Company, 2nd Battalion, Task Force No Slac More
Minutes before a gunfight, Afghan National Army soldiers from 4th Combat Service Support Kandak and Soldiers assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, push toward a rid More
A soldier assigned to Bayonet Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, pulls security behind a temporary fighting position on a mountaintop in the in the Shigal Valley in eastern Af More
U.S. Army Sgt. Nathaniel S. Gray, an infantry squad leader from Tupelo, Miss., assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, scans the mountain More
As the sun sets behind U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jamie R. Johnson, a platoon sergeant from Park Hills, Mo., assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment,1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne D More
U.S. Army Capt. Pat Birgy of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., finance officer for the Iowa National Guard’s 734th Agribusiness Development Team, talks through an interpreter to a local resident along the canal that runs th More
Rahmad Gul prepares to take his 5-year-old son Basid home to Nawabad, Afghanistan, following Basid's treatment by the 102nd Forward Surgical Team at Forward Operating Base Wright, March 31.
Farmers pack a room at the Agricultural Compound in Asadabad, the provincial capital, March 31 to celebrate Farmer's Day, an event underwritten by the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team.
U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces – Afghanistan commander, speaks to soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10 More
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter lands during Operation Strong Eagle III in Marawara District with Task Force No Slack soldiers, assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Task Force Bastogne, i More
U.S. Army Maj. Mike Kilbourne of Richmond Hill, Ga., surgeon for the 102nd Forward Surgical Team at Forward Operating Base Wright, enters medical information, April 2, about U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Hayes of More
U.S. Army Spc. Brit B. Jacobs, a combat medic from Sarasota, Fla., assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, gives a f More
U.S. Army Maj. Loren Adams of New Liberty, Iowa, the ADT's veterinary officer, educates nearly a hundred students of Asadabad University on rabies prevention and control April 14.
U.S. Army Sgt. George S. Rueda, a weapons squad leader from Norwalk, Calif., assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, More
U.S. Army Sgt. Jessica St. John of Fort Dodge, Iowa, security forces team member with the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, comforts a baby in Isara village of Marwara District, April 1 More
U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, International Security Assistance Forces commander, awards a Silver Star Medal to U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua L. Bostic, an infantry squad leader from Spring City, Tenn., assigned to More
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Scott Shirk of Emmetsburg, Iowa, production agriculture specialist for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, walks with other ADT members alongside a ripening field of More
U.S. Navy Hospitalman James Q. Beheler, a corpsman with the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team, and a Roanoke, Va., puts a bandage on an Afghan boy’s leg at Zagrano Bando School in Kunar Province, Afghanistan More
Workers pause south of Asadabad April 16 during one of 18 simultaneous canal cleaning cash-for-work projects for individual villages underwritten by the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team More
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Neil Stockfleth of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, officer in charge of the Agriculture Section for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, listens as U.S. Army Staff Sgt. E More
Said Obaidullah, a young Afghan agricultural professional who works for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, instructs high school students from the Shegal District at the beginning of More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Martinez of Des Moines, Iowa, senior combat medic for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, treats injured road worker Roz Amin at the Sarkani District Cent More
U.S. Army Cpl. Joseph Bello, a team leader with 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Fear, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Bronco, from Waterville, Ohio, gives money More
A soldier assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Fear, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, TF Bronco, pulls guard while watching storm clouds roll in over Obser More
U.S. Army Sgt. Jordan S. Davis, a cannon crewmember from Jacksonville, Fla., assigned to B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force Steel, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division More
U.S. Army Sgt. Jordan S. Davis, a cannon crewmember from Jacksonville, Fla., assigned to B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force Bronco, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divisio More
(Left to right) U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Hans Klemm, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brian Goss of Annapolis, Md., commander, Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team, and Kunar Gov. Fazlullah Wahidi, walk through the provi More
Afghan students line the pathway to the newly constructed Dam Kalay School to welcome government officials from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan who traveled from Kabul, Afghanistan, May 17, to open the scho More
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dimitri Del Castillo and his wife 1st Lt. Kathleen Pulliam, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, part of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Bronco, pose on Forward O More
Instructor Ameena Niyal explains how to use oil when pickling mangos during a food preservation course at the director of the Department of Women’s Affairs compound in Asadabad District, Afghanistan, May 25. Th More
U.S. Army Spc. Brian Walker, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Cacti, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Bronco, from Johnson City, Tenn., wears a Wounded Warrior bracel More
U.S. Army Capt. Weston D. Amaya, right, an Afghan National Security Forces liaison from Bullard, Texas, talks with another soldier before an air assault mission to begin Operation Stone Steps in eastern Afghani More
U.S. Army Capt. Weston D. Amaya, right, an Afghan National Security Forces liaison from Bullard, Texas, talks with another Soldier before an air assault mission to begin Operation Stone Steps in eastern Afghani More
Afghan government officials from the provincial and district levels of Kunar cut the ribbon officially opening the Shigal-Gadoli Road, May 28. The 12-kilometer stretch of road is part of a $5 million road-proje More
After scoring a goal in a friendly soccer match with Afghan National Army soldiers, U.S. Army Pfc. Ray A. Morales, left, a squad automatic weapons gunner from Houston, and U.S. Army Pfc. Jonathon Jonguitud, rig More
(Seated right to left) U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry, Independent Directorate of Local Governance Director Farid Nomanzai, and Kunar Provincial Gov. Fazlullah Wahidi speak with Kunar and nation More
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Neil Stockfleth of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, officer-in-charge of the agriculture section for the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team, briefs U.S. Ambassador to Afghani More
U.S. Army Spc. Joshua S. Beach (left), an infantry team leader from Phoenix, gets an intravenous injection from U.S. Army Cpl. Joel M. Kuhn, a combat medic, and native of Brazil, both assigned to Company A, 2nd More
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Braden Lemaster, officer-in-charge of the Jalalabad Office of the Afghanistan Engineer District, of Sacremento, Calif., cuts the ribbon officially opening the Khas Kunar II Afghan Border Patr More
Marawara District Gov. Qazi Habibul Rahman speaks at the opening of the Loy Bachi School at the Marawara District Center in the Marawara District of Afghanistan, June 9. The school will house up to 300 students More
Kunar Provincial Gov. Fazlullah Wahidi, cuts the ribbon, officially opening the Bar Narang School in the Narang District June 13. The Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team funded the school at a cost of $220,000 More
A soldier from 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Fear, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Bronco, mourns his fallen comrades during a memorial service held at Combat More
Soldiers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Cacti, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Bronco, prepare their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle before More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ramses Martinez, standing, an infantry squad leader from Bronx, N.Y., fires a .50-caliber machine gun while U.S. Army Pfc. Joshua B. Myrick, seated, an infantryman from Elwood, Ind., prepar More
U.S. Army Spc. Joseph K. Murphy, left, a cannon crewmember from Marshall, Ill., fires a M777A2 howitzer named "Capital Punishment" as another soldier covers his ears at Combat Outpost Honaker-Miracle in eastern More
Kunar Provincial Gov. Fazlullah Wahidi talks with Deputy Ambassador for Rule of Law Brig. Gen. Daniel Fincher after a three-judge panel pronounced a guilty verdict at a public murder trial in Kunar province Jul More
Shahidulla, 14, listens to instructions from U.S. Army Spc. German de la Roche, an infantryman and COP mayor assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Cacti, 3rd Brigade Combat Te More