Clearing operations, Afghanistan
A U.S. Soldier, right, with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, thanks an Afghan man for his assistance during clearing operations in Monga Z... More
Pablo, a military working dog, sits to signal he found
Pablo, a military working dog, sits to signal he found an improvised explosive device under supervision of his handler, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Pond, attached to Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/8... More
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines attached to Company
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines attached to Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 8, conduct a controlled detonation to clear an... More
An Afghan commando with the Afghan National Army's
An Afghan commando with the Afghan National Army's 1st Commando Kandak, pulls security on the side of a mountain as he over looks a village in Nangarhar province, Oct. 14. The Commandos partnered with coalition... More
Afghan National Army commandos partnered with coalition
Afghan National Army commandos partnered with coalition special operations forces prepare to load an inbound CH-47 Chinook helicopter after a clearing operation in Jaji district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, ... More
Afghan National Army commandos pull security and direct
Afghan National Army commandos pull security and direct traffic during a clearing operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2011. Afghan commandos, partnered with coalition Special Op... More
An Afghan National Army commando is silhouetted by
An Afghan National Army commando is silhouetted by a thermite grenade after conducting a sensitive site survey during a clearing operation in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Dec. 27. The clearing ... More
Afghan National Army special operations forces and
Afghan National Army special operations forces and commandos await exfiltration by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to conduct clearing operations in Khakrez district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 6. Comman... More
An Afghan National Army commando provides security
An Afghan National Army commando provides security in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 30. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operatio... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 8. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the dis... More
A coalition forces member uses a Secure Electronic
A coalition forces member uses a Secure Electronic Enrollment Kit to collect biometrics on a villager during a village clearing operation in Chimtal district, July 31. Coalition forces provided advice and suppo... More
MSgt. Remi Rodriguez loads amunitions into his tactical
MSgt. Remi Rodriguez loads amunitions into his tactical vehicle in preparation for a movement to Combat Outpost Passerlay Feb. 8. Rodriquez and members of the 1st Brigade, 215 Corps advisor team are traveling t... More
Pablo, a military working dog, sits to signal he found
Pablo, a military working dog, sits to signal he found an improvised explosive device under supervision of his handler, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Pond, attached to Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/8... More
U.S. Marine Capt. Brian Donlon (right), company commander
U.S. Marine Capt. Brian Donlon (right), company commander of Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 8, speaks with an elder of Kakar ... More
A coalition special operations forces soldier provides
A coalition special operations forces soldier provides as Afghanistan National Army commandos search an house in Nangarhar province, Oct. 14. The coalition special operations forces partnered with Afghan Natio... More
An Afghan National Army commando pulls security during
An Afghan National Army commando pulls security during a clearing operation in Jaji district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Oct 30. Coalition special operations forces partnered with the ANA commandos to condu... More
Afghan National Army commandos pull security during
Afghan National Army commandos pull security during a clearing operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2011. Afghan commandos, partnered with coalition Special Operations Forces, co... More
A coalition Special Operation Forces soldier engages
A coalition Special Operation Forces soldier engages anti-Afghan forces during a fire fight in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Dec. 27. The coalition SOF were advisors to the Afghan commandos duri... More
An Afghan National Army commando assumes a defensive
An Afghan National Army commando assumes a defensive posture during a patrol in Khakrez district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 6. Commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conduct... More
An Afghan National Army commando provides security
An Afghan National Army commando provides security in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 30. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operati... More
Afghan National Army commandos search for explosives
Afghan National Army commandos search for explosives and bomb-making components in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, ... More
Afghan National Army commandos search for explosives
Afghan National Army commandos search for explosives and bombmaking materials in Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 6. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations force... More
Afghan National Army commandos from 5th Special Operations
Afghan National Army commandos from 5th Special Operations Kandak approach an objective during a village clearing operation in Chimtal district, July 31. Commandos, advised by coalition forces, conducted cleari... More
GySgt. Jeremiah Johnson monitors radio transmissions
GySgt. Jeremiah Johnson monitors radio transmissions and receives updates from the mobile combat operations center about the progress of the Afghan National Army's clearing operation in Trek Nawa, Afghanistan, ... More
Sgt. Matthew Tower takes aim at a target during one
Sgt. Matthew Tower takes aim at a target during one of the exercises conducted during the 251st Engineer Company, Maine Army National Guard’s annual training. The unit took part in collective exercises to inclu... More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Brandi Perez, a Female Engagement
U.S. Marine Sgt. Brandi Perez, a Female Engagement Team member attached Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 8, gives candy to chil... More
An Afghan commando with the Afghan National Army's
An Afghan commando with the Afghan National Army's 1st Commando Kandak, searches the brush that makes up the roof of a barn in Nangarhar province, Oct. 14. The Commandos partnered with coalition special operati... More
Members of the Afghan National Army commandos speak
Members of the Afghan National Army commandos speak with local villagers following a clearing operation, which took place in Jaji district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Oct. 30. Coalition special operations f... More
Afghan National Army commandos drive their vehicle
Afghan National Army commandos drive their vehicle into a blocking position during a clearing operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2011. Afghan commandos, partnered with coalitio... More
A coalition Special Operation Forces soldier engages
A coalition Special Operation Forces soldier engages anti-Afghan forces during a fire fight in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Dec. 27. The coalition SOF were advisors to the Afghan commandos duri... More
An Afghan National Army commando commander has chai
An Afghan National Army commando commander has chai tea with villagers in an effort to open up lines of communication during a patrol in Khakrez district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 6. Commandos, par... More
Afghan National Army commandos carve a fighting position
Afghan National Army commandos carve a fighting position in a wall in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 30. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted c... More
Afghan National Army commandos search for explosives
Afghan National Army commandos search for explosives and bomb-making components in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, ... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 6. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the dis... More
A coalition forces member conceals his position during
A coalition forces member conceals his position during a clearing operation in Chak district, Wardak province, Afghanistan, July 31. Afghan National Army Commandos from the 6th Special Operations Kandak and coa... More
An Afghan National Army commando from 5th Special Operations
An Afghan National Army commando from 5th Special Operations Kandak searches through blankets for illegal material during a village clearing operation in Chimtal district, July 31. Commandos, advised by coaliti... More
Marines sleep under the stars at Combat Outpost Passerlay
Marines sleep under the stars at Combat Outpost Passerlay in southern Helmand Province Feb. 9. The Marines are part of the Brigade Advisor Team for 1st Brigade, 215 Corps. The Marines were mentoring the Afghan ... More
A Maine Army National Guard soldier with the 251st
A Maine Army National Guard soldier with the 251st Engineer Company launches the Raven during an exercise at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. The Raven is an unmanned aerial vehicle that soldiers can use to collect inf... More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Brandi Perez, a Female Engagement
U.S. Marine Sgt. Brandi Perez, a Female Engagement Team member attached Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 8, gives candy to a ch... More
An Afghan commando with the Afghan National Army's
An Afghan commando with the Afghan National Army's 1st Commando Kandak, searches the brush on the roof of a barn in Nangarhar province, Oct. 14. The commandos partnered with coalition special operations forces ... More
An Afghan National Army commando pulls security during
An Afghan National Army commando pulls security during a clearing operation in Jaji district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Oct. 30. Coalition special operations forces partnered with the ANA commandos to cond... More
Afghan National Army commandos pull security during
Afghan National Army commandos pull security during a clearing operation in Gardez district, Paktya province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2011. Afghan commandos, partnered with coalition Special Operations Forces, con... More
As a coalition aircraft provide close air support,
As a coalition aircraft provide close air support, an Afghan National Army commando provides security outside of a compound during a clearing operation in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Dec. 27. ... More
An Afghan National Army commando searches for bombmaking
An Afghan National Army commando searches for bombmaking materials during a patrol to conduct clearing operations in Khakrez district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 6. Commandos, partnered with coaliti... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 30. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the distri... More
Afghan National Army commandos search for explosives
Afghan National Army commandos search for explosives and bomb-making components in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, ... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 6. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the dis... More
Afghan National Army commandos from 5th Special Operations
Afghan National Army commandos from 5th Special Operations Kandak question a villager about Taliban activity in the area during a village clearing operation in Chimtal district, July 31. Commandos, advised by c... More
Members of the 1st Brigade, 215 Corps' Explosive Ordinace
Members of the 1st Brigade, 215 Corps' Explosive Ordinace Disposal Team prepare to respond to a possible improvised explosive device in Trek Nawa Feb. 9. The team's job is to clear routes so the Afghan National... More
Pablo, a military working dog, sits to signal he found
Pablo, a military working dog, sits to signal he found an improvised explosive device under supervision of his handler, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Pond, attached to Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/8... More
Afghan National Army commandos pull security during
Afghan National Army commandos pull security during a clearing operation in Jaji district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Oct. 30. Coalition special operations forces partnered with the ANA commandos to conduct... More
Afghan National Army commandos and coalition Special
Afghan National Army commandos and coalition Special Operations Forces pull security during a clearing operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2011. Afghan commandos, partnered with... More
A coalition Special Operation Forces soldier engages
A coalition Special Operation Forces soldier engages anti-Afghan forces during a fire fight in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan Dec. 27. The coalition SOF were advisors to the Afghan commandos duri... More
An Afghan National Army commando provides medical assistance
An Afghan National Army commando provides medical assistance to a villager during a patrol to conduct clearing operations in Khakrez district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 6. Commandos, partnered with ... More
An Afghan National Army commando provides security
An Afghan National Army commando provides security in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 30. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operatio... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 6. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the dis... More
An Afghan National Army commando from 5th Special Operations
An Afghan National Army commando from 5th Special Operations Kandak questions villagers about Taliban activity in the area during a village clearing operation in Chimtal district, July 31. Commandos, advised by... More
Members of the 1st Brigade, 215 Corps' Explosive Ordinace
Members of the 1st Brigade, 215 Corps' Explosive Ordinace Disposal Team unload a damaged Humvee at Combat Outpost Passerlay Feb. 10. The team had been conducting a route clearing mission in Trek Nawa when they ... More
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Brad Rickabaugh, Explosive
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Brad Rickabaugh, Explosive Ordnance Disposal team leader attached to Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat... More
An Afghan National Army commando moves through a market
An Afghan National Army commando moves through a market during a clearing operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2011. Afghan commandos, partnered with coalition Special Operations... More
Afghan National Army commandos and coalition Special
Afghan National Army commandos and coalition Special Operations Forces break contact from sniper fire using a smoke grenade as cover during a clearing operation in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, ... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan 26. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district to disrupt... More
An Afghan National Army commando provides medical assistance
An Afghan National Army commando provides medical assistance to a villager during a patrol to conduct clearing operations in Khakrez district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 6. Commandos, partnered with ... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 30. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the distri... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district... More
Afghan National Army commandos breach a locked door
Afghan National Army commandos breach a locked door in Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 6. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing ope... More
An Afghan National Army commando from 5th Special Operations
An Afghan National Army commando from 5th Special Operations Kandak scales a wall to gain access to a compound during a village clearing operation in Chimtal district, July 31. Commandos, advised by coalition f... More
An Afghan National Army soldier stands on the berm
An Afghan National Army soldier stands on the berm of Combat Outpost Passerlay looking out towards the city of Trek Nawa Feb. 10. The soldier just returned from conducting a road clearing operation through the ... More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. David Pond, a military working
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. David Pond, a military working dog handler attached Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 8, searches civilia... More
An Afghan National Army commando pulls security and
An Afghan National Army commando pulls security and directs traffic during a clearing operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2011. Afghan commandos, partnered with coalition Specia... More
An Afghan National Army commando runs through trenches
An Afghan National Army commando runs through trenches in a grape field during a firefight with insurgent forces in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Dec. 27. The firefight broke out during a cleari... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan 26. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district to disrupt... More
Afghan National Army commando provides security during
Afghan National Army commando provides security during a patrol in Khakrez district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 6. Commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing op... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 30. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the distric... More
Afghan National Army commandos play with a child in
Afghan National Army commandos play with a child in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The commandos, partnered with coalition Special Operations Forces, conducted clearing operations i... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 6. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the di... More
Afghan National Army commandos from 5th Special Operations
Afghan National Army commandos from 5th Special Operations Kandak prepare to search a compound during a village clearing operation in Chimtal district, July 30. Commandos, advised by coalition forces, conducted... More
Petty Officer Third Class Paul Ketcher, a hospitalman
Petty Officer Third Class Paul Ketcher, a hospitalman with the 1st Brigade advisor team, returns from a convoy to Trek Nawa Feb 10. The advisor team's personal security detachment went to Trek Nawa to rescue a ... More
Afghan National Army commandos search a building during
Afghan National Army commandos search a building during a clearing operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2011. Afghan commandos, partnered with coalition Special Operations Forces... More
Coalition forces close air support dropped 500 pound
Coalition forces close air support dropped 500 pound bombs on enemy fighting positions during a fire fight in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Dec. 27. The fire fight occurred during a clearing ope... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan 26. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district to disrupt... More
Afghan National Army commandos gather around a fire
Afghan National Army commandos gather around a fire for a post-mission brief after a patrol to conduct clearing operations in Khakrez district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 6. Commandos, partnered with... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 30. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the distri... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district... More
An Afghan National Army commando eats lunch during
An Afghan National Army commando eats lunch during a short break from patrols in Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 6. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forc... More
Afghan National Army commandos from 5th Special Operations
Afghan National Army commandos from 5th Special Operations Kandak ride aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter en route to a village clearing operation in Chimtal district, July 30. Commandos, advised by coalition fo... More
Members of the Afghan National Army and Aghan Local
Members of the Afghan National Army and Aghan Local Police patrol through Trek Nawa during a two-day clearing operation Feb. 11. The ANA and ALP forces cleared Trek Nawa from north to south, successfully disrup... More
Afghan National Army commandos search a building for
Afghan National Army commandos search a building for caches during a clearing operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2011. Afghan commandos, partnered with coalition Special Operat... More
Coalition close air support dropped 500lb bombs on
Coalition close air support dropped 500lb bombs on enemy fighting positions during a fire fight in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Dec. 27. The fire fight occurred during a clearing operation aime... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan 26. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district to disrupt... More
Afghan National Army commandos gather around a fire
Afghan National Army commandos gather around a fire for a post-mission brief after a patrol to conduct clearing operations in Khakrez district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 6. Commandos, partnered with... More
Afghan National Army commandos speak with a villager
Afghan National Army commandos speak with a villager in Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 30. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operat... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Panjwa'i district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 1. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, April 6. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the di... More
An Afghan National Army soldier fires the 2A18 122-mm
An Afghan National Army soldier fires the 2A18 122-mm Soviet howitzer during the night at Combat Outpost Passerlay Feb. 11. Members of the 4th Kandak fired luminary rounds to provide support to the ground eleme... More
An Afghan National Army commando searches through debris
An Afghan National Army commando searches through debris during a clearing operation in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Nov. 3, 2011. Afghan commandos, partnered with coalition Special Operation... More
Coalition close air support dropped 500lb bombs on
Coalition close air support dropped 500lb bombs on enemy fighting positions during a fire fight in Gelan district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Dec. 27. The fire fight occurred during a clearing operation aime... More
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district,
Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan 26. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district to disrupt... More