An Afghan National Army Special Forces solider watches
An Afghan National Army Special Forces solider watches a fellow soldier fire his M-4 Carbine before weapons training with ANA soldiers in Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 7, 2013. Afghan National security forc... More
An Afghan National Army special forces soldier prepares
An Afghan National Army special forces soldier prepares his gear before a unilateral mission in Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 8, 2013. Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in security o... More
An Afghan National Army special forces soldier conducts
An Afghan National Army special forces soldier conducts a brief for a unilateral mission in Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 8, 2013. Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in security opera... More
Afghan National Army commandos with the 6th Special
Afghan National Army commandos with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, receive a briefing on an upcoming mission in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9, 2013. The briefing was conducted in order... More
Afghan National Army Commandos with the 6th Special
Afghan National Army Commandos with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, receive a briefing on an upcoming mission in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9, 2013. The briefing was conducted in order... More
Afghan National Army commandos with the 6th Special
Afghan National Army commandos with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, pose for a photo with some local children in Tagab district, Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Feb. 11, 2013. The commandos participated in cou... More
An Afghan National Army commando with the 6th Special
An Afghan National Army commando with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, greets a child in Tagab district, Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Feb. 11, 2013. The commandos participated in counter-insurgency operation... More
Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers attend
Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers attend a map reading class in Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 13, 2013. Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in security operations to bring s... More
A coalition force member gives a little girl cough
A coalition force member gives a little girl cough suppressant in Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14, 2013. Coalition forces have been holding bi-weekly women's clinic for the villages surrounding their villa... More
A coalition force member maintains security during
A coalition force member maintains security during a movement to establish a temporary patrol base with Afghan National Army Special Forces in Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 17, 2013. Coalition force members... More
An Afghan National Army commando with the 6th Special
An Afghan National Army commando with the 6th Special Operations Kandak fires at a paper target during a zero range in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 18, 2013. The commandos are zeroing their... More
A coalition force member looks out into the local villages
A coalition force member looks out into the local villages one last time after a transition shura in Khak-E-Safed district, Farah province, Afghanistan, Feb. 23, 2013. Farah Provincial Governor Dr. Mohammed Akr... More
Coalition force tactical vehicles move across the desert
Coalition force tactical vehicles move across the desert departing Khak-E-Safed district, Farah province, Afghanistan, Feb. 25, 2013. Coalition force members were located at Village Stability Platform Khak-E-Sa... More
A coalition force member surveys the surrounding landscape
A coalition force member surveys the surrounding landscape during an Afghan National Army commando blocking operation in Sarobi district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 7, 2013. The commandos protected the ... More
Operation AllMass 38, Afghanistan
An Afghan National Army commando with the 6th Special Operations Kandak speaks with several local Afghan children during a blocking operation in Sarobi district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Mar. 7, 2013. The c... More
An Afghan National Policeman checks understanding with
An Afghan National Policeman checks understanding with an Afghan Local Police recruit during training in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 12, 2013. Afghan Local Police complement counterinsurgency efforts b... More
Afghan National Police talk to Afghan Local Police
Afghan National Police talk to Afghan Local Police recruits before weapons training in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 13, 2013. Afghan Local Police complement counterinsurgency efforts by assisting and su... More
Afghan National Army commandos with the 6th Special
Afghan National Army commandos with the 6th Special Operations Kandak (SOK), fly in a Special Mission Wing MI-17 while conducting air assault operations training in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, ... 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
An Afghan National Army Special Forces member speaks
An Afghan National Army Special Forces member speaks with an Afghan Local Police candidate during an ALP validation process in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 16, 2013. Afghan Local Police complement count... More
A coalition force member maintains security during
A coalition force member maintains security during a presence patrol with Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army Special Forces to escort a district governor in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 17,... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces (ANASF) soldier
An Afghan National Army Special Forces (ANASF) soldier guards an Afghan flag at a weapons range in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 18, 2013. The ANASF train often at nearby ranges to ensure t... More
An Afghan National Army commando with the 6th Special
An Afghan National Army commando with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, simulates a patient during medical training in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 18, 2013. Commandos at every level rece... More
An Afghan National Army commando Platoon Sergeant with
An Afghan National Army commando Platoon Sergeant with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, prepares his platoon at a weapons range in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 18, 2013. The commandos t... More
An Afghan National Army commando with the 6th Special
An Afghan National Army commando with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, fires a crew served weapon during a weapons range in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 19, 2013. The commandos train oft... More
A rainbow appears after a hailstorm in Kabul district,
A rainbow appears after a hailstorm in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 20, 2013. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. James K. McCann / Released)
Villagers prepare meat for a lunch meeting involving
Villagers prepare meat for a lunch meeting involving Afghan National Security Forces, coalition forces, and the district governor, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 22, 2013. Afghan National Security Forc... More
A coalition service member aims an infrared laser during
A coalition service member aims an infrared laser during a night range in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 24, 2013. The range was conducted to ensure each laser was zeroed. (U.S. Army Photo b... More
An Afghan National Army (ANA) commando with the 6th
An Afghan National Army (ANA) commando with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, prepares to board a CH-47 Chinook in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 25, 2013. The commandos conducted a clearin... More
An Afghan Local Policeman fires a machine gun during
An Afghan Local Policeman fires a machine gun during live fire training conducted by Afghan National Police in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 26, 2013. Afghan Local Police complement counterinsurgency eff... More
An Afghan Local Policeman holds his graduation certificate
An Afghan Local Policeman holds his graduation certificate from the local district governor high during a graduation ceremony for the ALP in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 27, 2013. Afghan Local Police co... More
A Marine Special Operations Team member fires an AK-47
A Marine Special Operations Team member fires an AK-47 during night fire sustainment training in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 28, 2013. Marine Special Operations Team members are deployed in Helmand pro... More
Wilbur, a Marine Special Operations Team member, takes
Wilbur, a Marine Special Operations Team member, takes a break with his handler after successfully sweeping a build site for an Afghan Local Police checkpoint in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 30, 2013. A... More
A Marine Special Operations Team member watches a fellow
A Marine Special Operations Team member watches a fellow MSOT member fill barriers for an Afghan Local Police checkpoint in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 30, 2013. Afghan Local Police complement counteri... More
Villagers pass by an over watch position for Afghan
Villagers pass by an over watch position for Afghan National Army Special Forces helping Afghan Local Police build a checkpoint in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 3, 2013. Afghan Local Police complement co... More
Afghan National Army commando officers with the 6th
Afghan National Army commando officers with the 6th Special Operations Kandak, look at the window of a contractor helicopter enroute to a meeting with the National Interdiction Unit in Kabul district, Kabul pro... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces Soldier maintains
An Afghan National Army Special Forces Soldier maintains security while Marine Special Operations Team members talk with possible Afghan Local Police candidates in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 4, 2013. ... More
An Afghan mother and her children wait to see a coalition
An Afghan mother and her children wait to see a coalition forces medic during a local medical clinic in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, April 7, 2013. U.S. coalition service members reopened a clos... More
A Marine Special Operations Team speaks with an Afghan
A Marine Special Operations Team speaks with an Afghan Local Police Commander before MSOT members assist with the payment of ALP in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 9, 2013. Afghan Local Police complement c... More
An Afghan National Policeman with a Ministry of Interior
An Afghan National Policeman with a Ministry of Interior in processing team (IPT) goes over Afghan Local Police paperwork in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 12, 2013. The IPT was in the district to registe... More
A coalition force member maintains security during
A coalition force member maintains security during a patrol with Afghan National Army Special Forces to escort a district governor in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 14, 2013. Afghan National Security Forc... More
Wilbur, a U.S. Marine Special Operations Team member,
Wilbur, a U.S. Marine Special Operations Team member, encounters a cow during a patrol with Afghan National Army special forces to escort a district governor to a school in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April... More
Children pose for a photo while their teachers give
Children pose for a photo while their teachers give coalition force members, Afghan National Army special forces soldiers and a district governor a tour of their school in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 1... More
Local Afghan children wait as Afghan National Army
Local Afghan children wait as Afghan National Army commandos with the 1st Company, 6th Special Operations Kandak, question adults from the area during a clearing operation in Sarobi district, Kabul province, Af... More
Afghan National Army commandos with 1st Company, 6th
Afghan National Army commandos with 1st Company, 6th Special Operations Kandak, secure a field during an operation in Baraki Barak district, Logar province, Afghanistan, May 1, 2013. The commandos conducted the... More
An Afghan National Army commando engineer with the
An Afghan National Army commando engineer with the Headquarters Company, 6th Special Operations Kandak, demonstrates counter-improvised explosive device techniques in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan... More
Afghan National Army Commandos with the 6th Special
Afghan National Army Commandos with the 6th Special Operations Kandak assist each other packing supplies during mission preparation in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, June 23, 2013. (U.S. Army Phot... More
An Afghan National Army commando with 3rd Company,
An Afghan National Army commando with 3rd Company, 6th Special Operations Kandak, passes out supplies to members of his platoon during mission preparation in Kabul district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, June 23... More
Sarobi district Clearing Operation
Afghan National Army commandos scan for insurgent movement in Sarobi district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, June 24, 2013. Commandos are an elite group of soldiers highly trained in counter-insurgency and speci... More
An Afghan National Army commando with 6th Special Operations
An Afghan National Army commando with 6th Special Operations Kandak questions several local villagers during an operation in Qara Bagh district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 28, 2013. The commandos conduc... More
Afghan National Army commandos with 1st Company, 6th
Afghan National Army commandos with 1st Company, 6th Special Operations Kandak, search a vehicle during a clearing operation in Sayadabad district, Wardak province, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2013. The operation was... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier with the 6th Special Operations Kandak searches a local villager during a clearing operation in Nerkh district, Wardak province, Afghanistan, Aug. 30, 2013. The op... More
An Afghan commando with 1st Company, 6th Special Operations
An Afghan commando with 1st Company, 6th Special Operations Kandak, speaks with a local villager during clearing operations in Sarobi district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Sept. 5, 2013. The operation was cond... More
Afghan National Army commandos with 6th Special Operations
Afghan National Army commandos with 6th Special Operations Kandak speak with a local villager during a clearing operation in Sarobi district, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Sept. 9, 2013. The operation was conduc... 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
Support by fire, Afghanistan
Afghan commandos with 3rd Company, 6th Special Operations Kandak, practice providing support by fire for their platoon as they conduct react to contact drills in Kabul province, Nov. 4, 2013. The commandos prac... More
Commandos of the 1st Special Operations Kandak (SOK)
Commandos of the 1st Special Operations Kandak (SOK) receives tactical briefings from their commander in Jalalabad district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan on Nov. 8, 2013. SOK's have briefings before every mi... More
First Special Operations Kandak commandos prepare to
First Special Operations Kandak commandos prepare to load a CH-47 Chinook for a mission in Jalalabad district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Nov. 18, 2013. First SOK commandos secured compounds in Boti Kot d... More
Afghan Civilian Mine Removal Group (CMRG) members take
Afghan Civilian Mine Removal Group (CMRG) members take part in an improvised explosive device (IED) detection training simulation in Panjwai district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Nov. 19, 2013. The CMRG is ... More
An Afghan National Army medic prepares to give an IV
An Afghan National Army medic prepares to give an IV to an elderly civilian at the ANA aid center in Panjwai district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Nov. 22, 2013. The ANA aid center is open every Friday to a... More
US forces train and mentor commandos
A U.S. service member assigned to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan demonstrates room clearing techniques to Afghan commandos of the 6th Special Operation Kandak in Camp Commando, K... More
US forces train and mentor commandos
A U.S. service member assigned to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A) demonstrates room clearing techniques to Afghan Commandos of the 6th Special Operations Kandak in Camp C... More
Afghan National Army special forces, with the Mobile
Afghan National Army special forces, with the Mobile Strike Force, first graduating class of the MSF in Kabul province, Afghanistan, Nov. 27, 2013. (U.S. Army photo by SFC Brehl Garza / Released)
Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. Special Forces
Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. Special Forces conduct a pre-mission brief prior to a clearance operation in Gaza Valley, Arghandab district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Dec. 11, 2013. The clearing op... More
Afghan commandos of 1st Company, 6th Special Operations
Afghan commandos of 1st Company, 6th Special Operations Kandak exit an MI17 helicopter and set up a security perimeter during a training excercise with the Special Missions Wing unit in Kubul province, Afghanis... More
Two Afghan commando medics, assigned to 6th Special
Two Afghan commando medics, assigned to 6th Special Operations Kandak, lay down on two different types of litters, used for medical evacuations, to see the difference in stability between the two, during a trai... More
Afghan National Security Forces unload bags of wheat
Afghan National Security Forces unload bags of wheat allegedly being used to smuggle opium Jan. 6, 2014, at the Baghlan province police headquarters in Pul-e Khumri district. Afghan local and uniformed police s... More
An Afghan commando of 1st Company, 6th Special Operations
An Afghan commando of 1st Company, 6th Special Operations Kandak (SOK), provides security during an operation in Bati Kot district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 10, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Conno... More
Afghan National Army Special Forces with the 8th Special
Afghan National Army Special Forces with the 8th Special Operations Kandak along with members from the Civil Mine Reduction Group gather around an instructor to hear details of their final practical test for th... More
Afghan National Army special forces and commandos of
Afghan National Army special forces and commandos of the 6th Special Operations Kandak (SOK), load a CH-47 Chinook at the start of an operation to take place in Ghorband district, Parwan province, Afghanistan, ... More
Afghan Local Police and Civil Mine Reduction Group
Afghan Local Police and Civil Mine Reduction Group members pose with certificates after graduating from an Explosive Hazard Response Course in Baghlan province, Jan. 23, 2014. The two-week course was designed t... More
U.S. Special Forces soldiers, attached to Combined
U.S. Special Forces soldiers, attached to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, practice close-quarters battle drills, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Jan. 23, 2014. USSF use these drills to ma... More
Washington Redskins cheerleaders greet soldiers attached
Washington Redskins cheerleaders greet soldiers attached to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan on a range near Kabul province, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2014. The cheerleaders visited soldiers... More
An Afghan commando assigned to the Mobile Strike Force
An Afghan commando assigned to the Mobile Strike Force Vehicle Company enters his vehicle in preparation for convoy training, Kabul province, Afghanistan, Jan. 26, 2014. The MSFV Company trains regularly to mai... More
Afghan leaders from the 6th Special Operations Kandak,
Afghan leaders from the 6th Special Operations Kandak, plan an operation during a mission readiness exercise, or MRX, near Kabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 5, 2014. The purpose of the MRX was to have key lead... More
Afghan National Army commandos of the 2nd Special Operations
Afghan National Army commandos of the 2nd Special Operations Kandak patrol to a compound during a clearing operation in Zurmat district, Paktiya province, Afghanistan, Feb. 17, 2014. The commandos killed two in... More
An U.S. Air Force pararescue jumper, attached to the
An U.S. Air Force pararescue jumper, attached to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, demonstrates how to set up a harness for rappelling to soldiers in Kabul province, Afghanistan, Feb... More
An Afghan commando leader from 6th Special Operations
An Afghan commando leader from 6th Special Operations Kandak observes an operation sand table brief given to the rest of the company near Kabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 23, 2014. The commandos planned and co... More
Afghan National Army commandos from the 6th Special
Afghan National Army commandos from the 6th Special Operations Kandak, prepare their military armored vehicles to conduct an operation near Kabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 24, 2014. Commandos are an elite gro... More
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier climbs
An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier climbs toward an over watch position to look for insurgent movements inside a village in the An Afghan National Army Special Forces soldier climbs toward an over w... More
Members of Afghan Local Police fill sand bags during
Members of Afghan Local Police fill sand bags during the building of a traffic checkpoint in Jegdalay district, Kabul province, Afghanistan. March 5, 2014. ALP assisted by U.S. Special Forces soldiers assigned ... More
An Afghan MI-17 helicopter of the Special Mission Wing
An Afghan MI-17 helicopter of the Special Mission Wing prepares to land during tactical and operational training with the Afghan National Army special forces and commandos, near Kabul province, Afghanistan, Mar... More
A U.S. Special Forces soldier, attached to Combined
A U.S. Special Forces soldier, attached to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, watches as CH-47 Chinooks touch down before an operation near Kabul province, Afghanistan, March 19, 2014. Af... More
A team of Afghan National Army special forces, 6th
A team of Afghan National Army special forces, 6th Special Operations Kandak, practice clearing compounds at a training area near Kabul province, Afghanistan, May 4, 2014. ANASF were mentored by U.S. special fo... More
Afghan National Army special forces, 6th Special Operations
Afghan National Army special forces, 6th Special Operations Kandak, prepare to breach a doorway at a training compound near Kabul, Afghanistan, May 10, 2014. ANASF were mentored by U.S. special forces soldiers ... More
Afghan National Army commandos receive certificates
Afghan National Army commandos receive certificates of appreciation at their graduation ceremony from the Mobile Strike Force Vehicle course near Kabul province, Afghanistan, May 15, 2014. The MSFV class is rec... More
An Afghan Mi17 Helicopter from Special Mission Wing
An Afghan Mi17 Helicopter from Special Mission Wing prepares to take off with Afghan National Army commandos, 6th Special Operations Kandak, inside during mission training near Kabul province, Afghanistan, May ... More
A Mi-17 Afghan helicopter from Special Mission Wing
A Mi-17 Afghan helicopter from Special Mission Wing touches down at a landing zone near Kabul province, Afghanistan, May 6, 2014. SMW trained with Afghan National Army Commandos assigned to the 6th Special Oper... More
Afghan National Army commandos, 6th Special Operations
Afghan National Army commandos, 6th Special Operations Kandak, alongside with their U.S. Special Forces counterparts, reconsolidate their element during an operation in Sarobi district, Kabul province, June 7, ... More
A military all-terrain vehicle, carrying U.S. Special
A military all-terrain vehicle, carrying U.S. Special Forces, drives through a mountain pass with a convoy of Afghan National Army Special Forces and commandos, Sarobi district, Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Ju... More
An Afghan National Army commando, 6th Special Operations
An Afghan National Army commando, 6th Special Operations Kandak, provides security from a watch tower during an operation in the Baraki Barak district, Logar province, Afghanistan, June 22, 2014. U.S. Special F... More
Policeman Shah Slahuden, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Afghan
Policeman Shah Slahuden, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Afghan National Civil Order Police Brigade, talks to village children during a joint patrol Aug. 26 with members of Special Operations Task Force-South at a bazaar in... More
A young girl receives a cold bottle of water from a
A young girl receives a cold bottle of water from a Special Operations Task Force-South team member while her brother looks on anxiously Aug. 28 in a village in the Arghandab River Valley, Kandahar province, Af... More
A U.S. Air Force radio operator from Shaw Air Force
A U.S. Air Force radio operator from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, sets up a satellite communications system during a mission with Special Operations Task Force - South Oct. 1 in the Maruf District of Ka... More
Rows of container delivery system bundles stand ready
Rows of container delivery system bundles stand ready to be loaded on aircraft and delivered via aerial resupply to Special Operations Forces teams in remote locations throughout Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 14.
A U.S. Special Forces engineering sergeant checks an
A U.S. Special Forces engineering sergeant checks an abandoned compound for explosives during a two-day operation Dec. 19 and 20, in Zhari District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
Soldiers from Special Operations Task Force-East clear
Soldiers from Special Operations Task Force-East clear a homemade explosives lab in Mohammad Ali, Paktika province Jan. 15.
Afghan National Policemen, advised by service members
Afghan National Policemen, advised by service members from Special Operations Task Force - South, fire their AK47 assault rifles during weapons familiarization Jan. 23, 2011, in Khakrez District, Kandahar provi... More
A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter with the 101st
A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) approaches a remote location in northern Khakrez District en route to dropping off mail and various other sundries to service ... More
A shipment of palettes await to be transported to CJSOTF
A shipment of palettes await to be transported to CJSOTF soldiers in need of supplies on Feb. 13, 2011 on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. (Photo by: Pfc. Andrew Vidakovich)