An Afghan boy smiles as Afghan National Army soldiers

An Afghan boy smiles as Afghan National Army soldiers accompanied by Marine advisors briefly stops in a compound during Operation New Hope, Kajaki, Afghanistan, Jan. 18. During the three-day operation, more than 100 ANA soldiers along with various Afghan National Security Forces elements cleared weapons caches, improvised explosive devices and enemy fighting positions from the area. Accompanying the ANA were 18 Marine advisors providing call for fires and tactical input when needed. Afghan National Security Forces localized their efforts to Kajaki Sofala, part of the southern green zone in Kajaki and a known insurgent hotbed in the district.