Gifts for the Afghan National Army commandos graduating
Gifts for the Afghan National Army commandos graduating from the Afghan Information Dissemination Operation course lay on a table at Camp Hero, Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, March 6. The AIDO program is a fo... More
A U.S. service member with Special Operations Task
A U.S. service member with Special Operations Task Force - South interacts with an Afghan boy during a routine patrol, March 27, Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan. The SOTF-South team in the ar... More
Afghan children watch as service members with Special
Afghan children watch as service members with Special Operations Task Force – South walk by during a presence patrol in Maiwand District, Kandahar province, April 8. SOTF-South service members conduct these pat... More
A U.S. Special Forces communications sergeant assigned
A U.S. Special Forces communications sergeant assigned to Special Operations Task Force-South, watches for suspicious activity while on a night patrol Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 19.... More
Explosives class, Afghanistan
An Afghan National Army Special Forces candidate calculates the necessary information for a delayed time fuse during an explosives class for the Special Forces Engineer course at the Commando School of Excellen... More
An Afghan National Army special forces candidate prepares
An Afghan National Army special forces candidate prepares explosives during an explosives class for the Special Forces Engineer Course at the Commando School of Excellence, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Oct. 27,... More
Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers with School
Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers with School of Excellence prepare for an inspection during a Ministry of Defense demonstration in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16, 2013. The de... More
Afghan National Army commando and Special Forces medics
Afghan National Army commando and Special Forces medics with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, participate in a dental training class in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Aug. 20, 2013. The dental c... More
An Afghan commando with the 7th Special Operations
An Afghan commando with the 7th Special Operations Kandak treats a boy shot by Taliban insurgents Sept. 7, 2013, in Musa Qaleh district, Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Taliban opened fire on the boy's famil... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces team leader
An Afghan National Army Special Forces team leader (right) speaks with 1st Lt. Abdul Nasir Rashiq, an ANA officer with the 3rd Brigade, 215th ANA Corps, Sept.15, 2013, in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with the 6th Special Operations Kandak searches a compound during a clearing operation in Sayed Abad District, Wardak province, Afghanistan, Sept. 18, 2013. (U.S. ... More
Afghan National Army Commando instructors from the
Afghan National Army Commando instructors from the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command's School of Excellence rehearse helicopter drills Oct. 23, 2013, on Camp Commando near Kabul Afghanistan. (U.S.... More
Insurgents burned down a mosque in Azad village, Gelan
Insurgents burned down a mosque in Azad village, Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, during a firefight with Afghan Local Police Oct. 23, 2013. The ALP fought off the insurgents while local villagers ... More
Afghan National Army Command Sgt. Maj. Faiz Mohammad
Afghan National Army Command Sgt. Maj. Faiz Mohammad Wafa, left, and U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice discuss the state of Afghan special forces Nov. 24, 2013, during Rice's visit to Camp Commando near... More
An Afghan National Army commando recruit secures a
An Afghan National Army commando recruit secures a simulated insurgent casualty during the commando selection and assessment course, Jan. 12, 2014, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by ... More
Slovakian soldiers from the 5th Special Forces Regiment
Slovakian soldiers from the 5th Special Forces Regiment render honors during a flag raising ceremony of their national colors, Jan. 13, 2014, on Camp Morehead near Kabul, Afghanistan. The Slovakian soldiers are... More
An Airman assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory
An Airman assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron poses for a photo with Australian coalition forces and Afghan helicopter pilot trainees during an exercise in Afghanistan. Joint expeditionary... More
Afghan Information Dissemination Operation tabs are
Afghan Information Dissemination Operation tabs are ready to be given to the newest graduating class of Afghan National Army commandos upon completion of the AIDO program at Camp Hero, Kandahar Air Field, Afgha... More
A U.S. Air Force Combat Controller, assigned to Special
A U.S. Air Force Combat Controller, assigned to Special Operations Task Force - South, writes down enemy grid coordinates in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 28. After gaining positive i... More
U.S. Army infantry soldiers assigned to Special Operations
U.S. Army infantry soldiers assigned to Special Operations Task Force - South secure an avenue of approach into a village in Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 8. Members of the SOTF - Sout... More
A U.S. Special Forces communications sergeant assigned
A U.S. Special Forces communications sergeant assigned to Special Operations Task Force-South, watches for suspicious activity while on a night patrol Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 19.... More
Afghan National Army Special Forces candidates work
Afghan National Army Special Forces candidates work together to prepare an explosive during a class for the Special Forces Engineer course at the Commando School of Excellence, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Oct.... More
An Afghan National Army special forces officers inspects
An Afghan National Army special forces officers inspects his men before a Ministry of Defense demonstration in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16, 2013. The demonstration highlighted the vari... More
Afghan National Army commando and Special Forces medics
Afghan National Army commando and Special Forces medics with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, practice anesthesia techniques during a dental training class in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Aug.... More
Afghan Security Forces give much-needed school supplies
Afghan Security Forces give much-needed school supplies to children Sept. 7, 2013, in Kajaki district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, during an outreach program led by the district governor. (Photo courtesy of ... More
Sharifullah Jan is treated by an Afghan commando with
Sharifullah Jan is treated by an Afghan commando with the 7th Special Operations Kandak after Taliban insurgents shot the 4-year-old boy Sept. 7, 2013, in Musa Qaleh district, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Jan... More
Afghan security forces overlook the surrounding area
Afghan security forces overlook the surrounding area during a tour of a U.S. base in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Sept.15, 2013. Afghan security foces continue to take the lean in s... More
Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers with the
Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers with the 6th Special Operations Kandak speak with a local villager during a clearing operation in Sayed Abad District, Wardak province, Afghanistan, Sept. 18, 2013. ... More
Afghan National Army Commando instructors from the
Afghan National Army Commando instructors from the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command's School of Excellence wait to board an MI-17 helicopter during a training exercise Oct. 23, 2013, on Camp Comm... More
A mosque in Azad village, Gelan district, Ghazni province,
A mosque in Azad village, Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, was burned down by Taliban fighters during a firefight with Afghan Local Police Oct. 23, 2013. The ALP fought off the insurgents while loc... More
From left to right: U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Rob Weel, Afghan
From left to right: U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Rob Weel, Afghan National Army Command Sgt. Maj. Faiz Mohammad Wafa, U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Fernando Lujan discuss the state of... More
An Afghan National Army commando recruit mans an M249
An Afghan National Army commando recruit mans an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during the commando selection and assessment course, Jan. 12, 2014, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Mas... More
U.S. Army Col. Brian S. Petit welcomes a contingent
U.S. Army Col. Brian S. Petit welcomes a contingent of Slovakian soldiers from the 5th Special Forces Regiment during a flag raising ceremony of Slovakia's national colors, Jan. 13, 2014, on Camp Morehead near ... More
Afghan National Army special forces commandos move
Afghan National Army special forces commandos move towards enemy combatants during a joint training exercise between Afghan air force and SF commandos held outside of Kabul March 5. The exercise was the first j... More
Gifts for the Afghan National Army commandos graduating
Gifts for the Afghan National Army commandos graduating from the Afghan Information Dissemination Operation course lay on a table at Camp Hero, Kandahar Air Field, March 6. The AIDO program is a four-week cours... More
A U.S. Special Forces soldier, assigned to Special
A U.S. Special Forces soldier, assigned to Special Operations Task Force - South in southern Afghanistan, provides security overwatch during an assault on an insurgent position late in the evening in Kandahar p... More
A U.S. Army infantry soldier assigned to Special Operations
A U.S. Army infantry soldier assigned to Special Operations Task Force - South provides security overwatch in Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 8. Members of the SOTF - South team kept an ... More
A member of the Afghan National Army Special Forces
A member of the Afghan National Army Special Forces walks down a path during a night patrol Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 19. With the support of Special Operations Task Force-South So... More
A group of Afghan National Army Special Forces candidates
A group of Afghan National Army Special Forces candidates place an explosive charge to neutralize a simulated improvised explosive device during a class for the Special Forces Engineer course at the Commando Sc... More
Afghan National Army special sorces soldiers with School
Afghan National Army special sorces soldiers with School of Excellence prepare for an inspection during a Ministry of Defense demonstration in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16, 2013. The de... More
Afghan National Army commando and Special Forces medics
Afghan National Army commando and Special Forces medics with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, practice anesthesia techniques during a dental training class in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Aug.... More
An Afghan commando with the 7th Special Operations
An Afghan commando with the 7th Special Operations Kandak treats a boy shot by Taliban insurgents Sept. 7, 2013, in Musa Qaleh district, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Sharifullah Jan, the 4 year-old-boy shot b... More
District Gov. Abdul Raziq hands out school supplies
District Gov. Abdul Raziq hands out school supplies to children Sept. 7, 2013, in Kajaki district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, during an outreach program led by the district governor. (Photo courtesy of Afgh... More
District leaders shake hands with Afghan security forces
District leaders shake hands with Afghan security forces Sept.15, 2013, in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Afghanistan. District leaders and Afghan security forces vow to continue working together towa... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with the 6th Special Operations Kandak searches a compound during a clearing operation in Sayed Abad District, Wardak province, Afghanistan, Sept. 20, 2013. (U.S. ... More
Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Sayed Abdul Karim, commander,
Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Sayed Abdul Karim, commander, Afghan National Army Special Operations Command, speaks to American and Afghan special operations soldiers during a conference Nov. 16, 2013, on Camp... More
U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice, right, greets
U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice, right, greets Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Sayed Abdul Karim during her visit to Camp Commando Nov. 24, 2013, near Kabul, Afghanistan. Karim is the commander of the ... More
Afghan National Army commando recruits secure an overwatch
Afghan National Army commando recruits secure an overwatch position during the commando selection and assessment course, Jan. 12, 2014, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. ... More
Afghan air force Mi-35 helicopters provide close air
Afghan air force Mi-35 helicopters provide close air support for Afghan National Army special forces commandos engaging enemy combatants during a joint training exercise between the AAF and SF commandos held ou... More
Maj. Rahim, cultural advisor, 3rd Commando Kandak,
Maj. Rahim, cultural advisor, 3rd Commando Kandak, shows proper ceremonial procedure before a ceremony which graduated the newest Afghan Information Dissemination Operation soldiers from the kandak at Camp Hero... More
A U.S. service member with Special Operations Task
A U.S. service member with Special Operations Task Force - South provides security overwatch during a routine patrol Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The SOTF-South team conducts regul... More
A U.S. Army infantry soldier assigned to Special Operations
A U.S. Army infantry soldier assigned to Special Operations Task Force – South provides security overwatch in Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 8. Members of the SOTF – South team kept an ... More
U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Special Operations Task
U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Special Operations Task Force-South walk across an open field while on a night patrol Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 19. Members of SOTF-South partner wit... More
MI-17s with the Afghan National Army Special Mission
MI-17s with the Afghan National Army Special Mission Wing prepare for the air assault portion of a Ministry of Defense demonstration in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16, 2013. The demonstra... More
Afghan National Army commando and Special Forces medics
Afghan National Army commando and Special Forces medics with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, practice anesthesia techniques during a dental training class in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Aug.... More
Afghan children of the Sufla School in Kajaki gather
Afghan children of the Sufla School in Kajaki gather Sept. 7, 2013, in Kajaki district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, after receiving school supplies from Afghan Special Forces soldiers. (Photo courtesy of Afg... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with the 6th Special Operations Kandak speaks with a local villager during a clearing operation in Sayed Abad District, Wardak province, Afghanistan, Sept. 20, 201... More
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Bismellah Waziri, chief
Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Bismellah Waziri, chief of staff, Afghan National Army Special Operations Command, takes notes during an Afghan Special Forces conference Nov. 18, 2013, on Camp Commando near Kab... More
U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice discusses
U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice discusses the state of Afghan special forces with Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Sayed Abdul Karim Nov. 24, 2013, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. Karim is the... More
Afghan National Army commando recruits secure an overwatch
Afghan National Army commando recruits secure an overwatch position during the commando selection and assessment course, Jan. 12, 2014, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. ... More
U.S. Air Force Capt. Danielle Caudill, 955th Air
U.S. Air Force Capt. Danielle Caudill, 955th Air Expeditionary Squadron director of operations, poses for a photo with a Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan contracting officer, and an Afghan vendo... More
Afghan National Army special forces commandos look
Afghan National Army special forces commandos look out for enemy combatants during a joint training exercise between the Afghan air force and SF commandos held outside of Kabul March 5. The exercise was the fir... More
Maj. Rahim, cultural advisor, 3rd Commando Kandak,
Maj. Rahim, cultural advisor, 3rd Commando Kandak, speaks to the most recent graduating class of the Afghan Information Dissemination Operations program at Camp Hero, Kandahar Air Field, March 6. The AIDO progr... More
A U.S. service member with Special Operations Task
A U.S. service member with Special Operations Task Force - South provides security overwatch during a routine patrol Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The SOTF-South team conducts reg... More
A U.S. Army infantry soldier assigned to Special Operations
A U.S. Army infantry soldier assigned to Special Operations Task Force - South provides security overwatch in Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 8. Members of the SOTF - South team kept an... More
A member of the Afghan National Army Special Forces
A member of the Afghan National Army Special Forces watches for suspicious activity during a night patrol Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 19. With the support of Special Operations Task ... More
An MI-17 with the Afghan National Army Special Mission
An MI-17 with the Afghan National Army Special Mission Wing prepares for the air assault portion of a Ministry of Defense demonstration in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 16, 2013. The demons... More
Afghan children and Afghan Special Forces soldiers
Afghan children and Afghan Special Forces soldiers listen to District Gov. Abdul Raziq during an outreach event Sept. 7, 2013, at the Sufla School in Kajaki district, Helmand province, Afghanistan. (Photo court... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with the 6th Special Operations Kandak escorts a group of local villagers to another compound during a clearing operation in Sayed Abad District, Wardak province, ... More
Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers listen
Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers listen to Afghan Brig. Gen. Bismellah Waziri during a conference Nov. 18, 2013, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Michael J. Carden)
U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice, center,
U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice, center, and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., right, discuss the state of Afghan special forces with Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Sayed Abdul Karim Nov. ... More
An Afghan National Army commando recruit secures an
An Afghan National Army commando recruit secures an overwatch position during the commando selection and assessment course, Jan. 12, 2014, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sg... More
An Afghan National Army special forces commando posts
An Afghan National Army special forces commando posts security as fellow SF commandos bring forward apprehended enemy combatants during a joint training exercise between the Afghan air force and SF commandos he... More
Maj. Rahim, cultural advisor, 3rd Commando Kandak,
Maj. Rahim, cultural advisor, 3rd Commando Kandak, stands at attention for the playing of the Afghan National Anthem during the Afghan Information Dissemination Operation graduation ceremony, March 6. The AIDO ... More
A member of the Afghan National Police provides security
A member of the Afghan National Police provides security overwatch during a routine security patrol Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. Supported by Special Operations Task Force - South... More
An Afghan girl watches as U.S. service members with
An Afghan girl watches as U.S. service members with Special Operations Task Force - South walk by during a regular presence patrol in Maiwand District, Kandahar province, April 8. SOTF - South service members ... More
U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Special Operations Task
U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Special Operations Task Force-South walk across an open field while on a night patrol Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 19. Members of SOTF-South partner wit... More
A group of various Afghan Parliament and Defense officials
A group of various Afghan Parliament and Defense officials arrive at the Afghan National Army special forces inspection portion of a Ministry of Defense demonstration in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanis... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with the 6th Special Operations Kandak speaks with local villagers during a clearing operation in Sayed Abad District, Wardak province, Afghanistan, Sept. 20, 2013... More
Afghan National Army Commando recruits participate
Afghan National Army Commando recruits participate in a fitness test during the Commando Selection and Assessment Course on Nov. 19, 2013, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sg... More
Afghan National Army commando recruits approach a linear
Afghan National Army commando recruits approach a linear danger area during the commando selection and assessment course, Jan. 12, 2014, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt.... More
An Afghan National Army special forces commando poses
An Afghan National Army special forces commando poses for a photograph as fellow SF commandos bring forward apprehended enemy combatants during a joint training exercise between the Afghan air force and SF comm... More
Brig. Gen. Abdul Hamid, commander, 205th Corps, Afghan
Brig. Gen. Abdul Hamid, commander, 205th Corps, Afghan National Army, speaks at the Afghan Information Dissemination Operation graduation ceremony, March 6, at Camp Hero, Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. The AI... More
A U.S. service member assigned to Special Operations
A U.S. service member assigned to Special Operations Task Force - South looks through his binoculars for suspicious activity while on patrol in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The SOT... More
An Afghan boy watches as U.S. service members with
An Afghan boy watches as U.S. service members with Special Operations Task Force-South walk by during a presence patrol Maiwand District, Kandahar province, April 8. SOTF-South service members conduct these pat... More
A U.S. Army soldier assigned to Special Operations
A U.S. Army soldier assigned to Special Operations Task Force-South, watches for suspicious activity while on a night patrol Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 19. Members of SOTF-South par... More
A group of various Afghan Parliament and Defense officials
A group of various Afghan Parliament and Defense officials arrive at the Afghan National Army special forces inspection portion of a Ministry of Defense demonstration in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanis... More
Afghan National Army Commando recruits participate
Afghan National Army Commando recruits participate in a foot march during the Commando Selection and Assessment Course on Nov. 19, 2013, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt.... More
A reporter from Afghan Millennium News records natural
A reporter from Afghan Millennium News records natural sound during the commando selection and assessment course, Jan. 12, 2014, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Michael... More
An Afghan air force Mi-17 comes in for a landing to
An Afghan air force Mi-17 comes in for a landing to air-lift Afghan National Army special forces commandos as part of a joint training exercise between the AAF and SF commandos held outside of Kabul March 5. Th... More
3rd Kandak Commandos attend the Afghan Information
3rd Kandak Commandos attend the Afghan Information Dissemination Operation graduation held, March 6, at Camp Hero, Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. The AIDO program is a four-week course that teaches commandos ... More
A U.S. service member assigned to Special Operations
A U.S. service member assigned to Special Operations Task Force - South provides security overwatch during a routine patrol in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The SOTF-South team cond... More
A member of the Afghan National Police walks along
A member of the Afghan National Police walks along a road during a presence patrol in Maiwand District, Kandahar province, April 8. The ANP, supported by U.S. service members with Special Operation Task Force-S... More
A U.S. Army soldier assigned to Special Operations
A U.S. Army soldier assigned to Special Operations Task Force-South walks across an open field while on a night patrol Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 19. Members of SOTF-South partner w... More
A group of various Afghan Parliament and Defense officials
A group of various Afghan Parliament and Defense officials arrive at the Afghan National Army special forces inspection portion of a Ministry of Defense demonstration in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanis... More
Afghan National Army commando recruits participate
Afghan National Army commando recruits participate in a foot march during the Commando Selection and Assessment Course on Nov. 19, 2013, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt.... More
Afghan National Army commando recruits participate
Afghan National Army commando recruits participate in close-quarter battle drills during the commando selection and assessment course, Jan. 12, 2014, on Camp Commando near Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo b... More
Lt. Col. Mohammad Akbar, commander, 3rd Commando Kandak,
Lt. Col. Mohammad Akbar, commander, 3rd Commando Kandak, gives a speech during the Afghan Information Dissemination Operation graduation ceremony, March 6, at Camp Hero, Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. . The A... More
A group of Afghan children watch as U.S. service members
A group of Afghan children watch as U.S. service members with Special Operations Task Force - South visit local elders during a routine security patrol Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1... More
U.S. Army infantry soldiers assigned to Special Operations
U.S. Army infantry soldiers assigned to Special Operations Task Force-South provide security overwatch during a presence patrol Maiwand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 8. SOTF-South service memb... More