Task Force Gridley Cmdr. Lt. Col. Kevin Dial interacts
Task Force Gridley Cmdr. Lt. Col. Kevin Dial interacts with children of the Sharana Orphanage in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Jan. 31, 2011. The children received toys, clothes and school supplies, which were... More
Master Sgt. Shane Bonney, a member of HHC, 1249th Engineer
Master Sgt. Shane Bonney, a member of HHC, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, Task Force Gridley, pulls security on a busy thoroughfare in Sharana City, Paktika province, Afghanistan. Soldie... More
Afghan National Army soldiers assist villagers with
Afghan National Army soldiers assist villagers with carrying humanitarian assistance in Paktika province, Afghanistan on March 9. The humanitarian assistance was dropped via Chinook helicopters into the village... More
Spc. Conklin of the 623rd Engineer Company, Task Force
Spc. Conklin of the 623rd Engineer Company, Task Force Gridley, Nebraska National Guard, writes his essay during the last event of the day for the Task Force Gridley Soldier of the Quarter Competition on March ... More
Sgt. Jerod Condit of Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer
Sgt. Jerod Condit of Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon National Guard, pulls security on unexploded ordnance during a mission on April 22 in Paktika province, Afghanistan.
Oregon Army National Guard, Task Force Gridley, 1249
Oregon Army National Guard, Task Force Gridley, 1249 Engineer Battalion commander Lt. Col. Kevin Dial distributes a backpack to a Paktika orphan during the opening ceremony of the Sharana City Orphanage in Pakt... More
Task Force Gridley Civil Military Operations soldier,
Task Force Gridley Civil Military Operations soldier, 2nd Lt. Ray Jones, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, describes progress at a project site to Brig. Gen. Casey Blake, Deputy Commander, ... More
Capt. Jonathan Vanhorn, 1249th Engineer Battalion,
Capt. Jonathan Vanhorn, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley physician assistant, along with 18th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Task Force Sword brigade surgeon Lt. Col. Ken Leckie speak with an Afghan me... More
Capt. Po Tsui of the 18th Engineer Brigade, Task Force
Capt. Po Tsui of the 18th Engineer Brigade, Task Force Sword, runs to the finish line of a 7.11 mile leg on the second day of the Hood to Coast Satellite Run held on Forward Operating Base Sharana in Paktika pr... More
Spc. Alexander Polley runs alongside his father, Command
Spc. Alexander Polley runs alongside his father, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Polley of the 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard, during the last night of the Hood to Coast Sat... More
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon, 1249th Engineer Battalion,
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley Civil Military Operations Team, cuts the ribbon for the opening ceremony of the Sharana Book Depository. The book depository will pr... More
Paktika assistant provincial governor, members of Afghan
Paktika assistant provincial governor, members of Afghan Parliament, line directors and coalition forces tour a new grain storage facility after its grand opening in Sharana City, Paktika province, Afghanistan.... More
U.S. Army Pfc. Kirk Allen, a dismount Sapper with Route
U.S. Army Pfc. Kirk Allen, a dismount Sapper with Route Clearance Package 39, 370th Sapper Company, Task Force Gridley, Task Force Sword, pulls security during dismounted route clearance operations, Oct. 22. A... More
(Left to Right) U.S. Army Lt. Col. Richard Rabe of
(Left to Right) U.S. Army Lt. Col. Richard Rabe of Sacramento, Calif., commander of 578th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Mad Dog, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Baker, the command sergeant major of TF ... More
Task Force Gridley, 1249 Engineer Battalion Cmdr. Lt.
Task Force Gridley, 1249 Engineer Battalion Cmdr. Lt. Col. Kevin Dial and 1092 Engineer Battalion, Task Force Red Dragon Civil Military Officer Capt. Rocky Hodges discuss critical infrastructure needs with Shar... More
Spec. Joshua Martin, FSC, 1249th Engineer Battalion,
Spec. Joshua Martin, FSC, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard, talks with locals and students from Ali Baba School in Sharana City, Paktika province, Afghanistan. Engineers... More
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon of 623rd Engineer Company,
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon of 623rd Engineer Company, Task Force Gridley, Nebraska Army National Guard, hands out wooden toys to village children in Paktika province, Afghanistan on March 9.
Spc. Conklin of the 623 Engineer Company, Task Force
Spc. Conklin of the 623 Engineer Company, Task Force Gridley, Nebraska National Guard, shuffles past the halfway point during the 5-mile road march portion of the Task Force Gridley soldier of the Quarter Compe... More
Task Force Gridley Commander Lt. Col. Kevin Dial, 1249th
Task Force Gridley Commander Lt. Col. Kevin Dial, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, listens to an interpreter translate comments from the Paktika director of education April 18 in Paktika p... More
Gov. Mohibullah Samim of Paktika province, Afghanistan,
Gov. Mohibullah Samim of Paktika province, Afghanistan, together with a Task Force Gridley interpreter, takes the podium to speak to a crowded tent of Paktika government officials and a mixture of coalition for... More
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, PSD
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, PSD Platoon Leader Sgt. 1st Class Pete Fritsch helps local nationals build a mud wall in a Sharana village in Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 5.
Cpl. Jamel Mercado, Forward Support Company, 1249th
Cpl. Jamel Mercado, Forward Support Company, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard, pulls security atop a hillside overlooking a village in the Sar Howza District of Paktika ... More
Soldiers from Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion,
Soldiers from Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, and Task Force Sword, 18th Engineer Brigade, based out of Germany, line up to begin the first leg of the Hood to Coast Sa... More
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, Capt. Robert Earhart of Keizer, Ore., tags Team Oregon team captain, Capt. Daniel Faust of Portland, Ore., during the second day of the... More
Sgt. Timothy Tompkins of the 1249th Engineer Battalion,
Sgt. Timothy Tompkins of the 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard, folds a flag during a mass flag-flying on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 on Forward Operating Base Sharana, ... More
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Scott A. Smith, the platoon
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Scott A. Smith, the platoon sergeant for Route Clearance Package 39, 370th Sapper Company, Task Force Gridley, Task Force Sword, pulls security during dismounted route clearance operati... More
U.S. Army Col. Paul Paolozzi of Utica, N.Y., commander
U.S. Army Col. Paul Paolozzi of Utica, N.Y., commander of Task Force Sword and 18th Engineer Brigade, oversees the transfer of authority ceremony on Forward Operating Base Sharana, Nov. 23. Command was shifted ... More
Task Force Gridley Civil Military Officer Capt. Ryan
Task Force Gridley Civil Military Officer Capt. Ryan Babcock signs his first contract with local Sharana contractors in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Jan. 31, 2011. The contract establishes a business manageme... More
Sfc. James Goleman, FSC 1249th Engineer Battalion,
Sfc. James Goleman, FSC 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard, pulls security near a doorway of the Center for Engineering Excellence in Sharana City, Paktika province, Afghanistan.
Task Force Gridley soldier, 2nd Lt. Ray Jones draws
Task Force Gridley soldier, 2nd Lt. Ray Jones draws a diagram of the dam project planned for a village in Paktika province, Afghanistan on March 9. The dam is one of many projects projected to address the villa... More
Sfc. Scott Nyquist marches with his soldier, Spc. Jason
Sfc. Scott Nyquist marches with his soldier, Spc. Jason Schneider of Forward Support Company, 1249 Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon National Guard during a soldier of the Quarter Competition held ... More
Sgt. 1st Class Pete Fritsch, Task Force Gridley, 1249th
Sgt. 1st Class Pete Fritsch, Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion hands out National Guard notebooks and pens in Paktika province, Afghanistan, April 22. Afghan children were excited to receive pens, p... More
Former Paktika province social labor and orphanage
Former Paktika province social labor and orphanage director Shadhi Khan speaks to Paktika government officials and coalition forces during the grand opening ceremony of the Sharana City Orphanage April 25 in Pa... More
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, PSD
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, PSD Platoon member Sgt. Timothy Tompkins stands security in a wheat field during a village assessment mission June 5 in Paktika province, Afghanistan.
Capt. Ryan Babcock, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task
Capt. Ryan Babcock, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley Civil Military Operations Team chief and 2nd Lt. Ray Jones, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley Civil Military Operations Team leader ... More
Sgt. Billy Nieto, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force
Sgt. Billy Nieto, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard, is followed by his trail vehicle on the first night of the Hood to Coast Satellite Run held on Forward Operating Base... More
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard soldier and Team Warrior team captain, 2nd Lt. Ray Jones of Dallas, Ore., sprints to the finish line of his second leg during the Hood t... More
Task Force Gridley soldiers fold a flag during a mass
Task Force Gridley soldiers fold a flag during a mass flag-flying on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 on Forward Operating Base Sharana, Paktika province, Afghanistan. More than 200 flags were flown by the task for... More
U.S. Army Spc. Paul McPhetres, a team leader with Route
U.S. Army Spc. Paul McPhetres, a team leader with Route Clearance Package 39, 370th Sapper Company, Task Force Gridley, Task Force Sword, pulls security during dismounted route clearance operations, Oct. 22. M... More
(Left to Right) U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Dial of Salem,
(Left to Right) U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Dial of Salem, Ore., commander of 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, U.S. Army Col. Paul Paolozzi of Utica, N.Y., commander of 18th Engineer Battalion, TF Sw... More
An Afghan boy from a village in the Sar Hawza District,
An Afghan boy from a village in the Sar Hawza District, Paktika province, Afghanistan, stands and watches village elders interact with soldiers from the 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley and the 101... More
Soldiers of 1-506th Infantry, Task Force Red Currahee
Soldiers of 1-506th Infantry, Task Force Red Currahee and 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley enjoy an Afghan meal in a small village in Paktika province, Afghanistan on March 9.
Spc. Edward Chitwood of HHC 1249 Engineer Battalion,
Spc. Edward Chitwood of HHC 1249 Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon National Guard makes adjustments to the sights on his M4 rifle during the Stress Shoot portion of the Task Force Gridley soldier o... More
Sgt. 1st Class Pete Fritsch, Task Force Gridley, 1249th
Sgt. 1st Class Pete Fritsch, Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, hands out National Guard notebooks and pens in Paktika province, Afghanistan, April 22. Afghan children were excited to receive pens, ... More
Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials
Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials and Lt. Col. Kevin Dial, commander of Task Force Gridley, 1249 Engineer Battalion, Oregon National Guard distribute backpacks to orphans in Paktika pr... More
Spc. Josh Martin and Sgt. 1st Class Pete Fritsch, Task
Spc. Josh Martin and Sgt. 1st Class Pete Fritsch, Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, speak with local children in a Sharana village, Paktika province, Afghanistan, during... More
Afghan children from a village in the Yusef Khel District
Afghan children from a village in the Yusef Khel District of Paktika province, Afghanistan smile for the camera during a Task Force Gridley Civil Military Operations mission.
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard soldier Sgt. Thomas Starr of Vancouver, Wash., sports a shirt for a nonprofit foundation organized in memory of a young boy who died of ... More
Sgt. Billy Nieto, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force
Sgt. Billy Nieto, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard, finishes a leg on the second day of the Hood to Coast Satellite Run held on Forward Operating Base Sharana, Paktika p... More
Soldiers of the 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army
Soldiers of the 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, Task Force Gridley and 101st Airborne Division, Task Force Red Currahee, along with interpreters and a representative of the U.S. Deptartme... More
Afghan children in a small village in Paktika province,
Afghan children in a small village in Paktika province, Afghanistan, enjoy small wooden toys delivered by Task Force Gridley soldiers.
Soldiers of Task Force Gridley line up to prepare for
Soldiers of Task Force Gridley line up to prepare for the M9 Stress Shoot portion of the soldier of the Quarter Competition on March 21 in Paktika province, Afghanistan. The Stress Shoot portion of the competit... More
Afghan children unwrap and look at their new National
Afghan children unwrap and look at their new National Guard notebooks April 22 in Paktika province, Afghanistan. The notebooks were distributed by Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion soldiers.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Polley of Task Force Gridley,
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Polley of Task Force Gridley, 1249 Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard and Task Force Hammer Chief of Staff, 176 Engineer Brigade, Texas Army National Guard, sit down for th... More
Youngest soldiers, Spc. Jesse Caldwell, Forward Support
Youngest soldiers, Spc. Jesse Caldwell, Forward Support Company, and Spc. Thomas Smith, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard cut into a cake during the 40... More
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon, 1249th Engineer Battalion,
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley Civil Military Operations, Nebraska National Guard, discusses education projects with the Paktika Provincial Assistant Education dir... More
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard soldier Master Sgt. Debbie O’Donnell tags Task Force Sword, 18th Engineer Brigade Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Kathryn Werback after fi... More
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon, 1249th Engineer Battalion,
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Nebraska Army National Guard, sprints to the finish line for Team Warrior after running the 17th leg of the Hood to Coast Satellite... More
Sfc. Jose Rodriguez, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task
Sfc. Jose Rodriguez, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard, renders first aid to an Afghan villager’s leg during a visit to a small village in Paktika province, Afghanistan o... More
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from 101st Airborne Division,
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from 101st Airborne Division, Task Force Currahee, approaches a cargo net loaded with concrete and humanitarian aid to deliver to a village in Paktika province, Afghanistan on March 2... More
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon of Task Force Gridley,
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon of Task Force Gridley, 623rd Engineer Company, Nebraska National Guard stuffs backpacks with wooden toys courtesy of the Woodworkers’ Club in Lakeland, Fla., school supplies court... More
Lt. Col. James Cline of Task Force Hammer, 176 Engineer
Lt. Col. James Cline of Task Force Hammer, 176 Engineer Brigade, Texas Army National Guard, and commander of Task Force Gridley, 1249 Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, Lt. Col. Kevin Dial sit down... More
Spc. Preston Eberth, Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer
Spc. Preston Eberth, Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, Battalion Guideon Bearer, stands at parade rest during the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the battalion in Paktik... More
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard soldier Maj. Russell Gibson of Salem, Ore., finishes his second leg of the Hood to Coast Satellite Run held on Forward Operating Base Sh... More
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon, 1249th Engineer Battalion,
Staff Sgt. Christopher Herndon, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Nebraska Army National Guard, sprints to the finish line for Team Warrior after running the 17th leg of the Hood to Coast Satellite... More
Spc. Amy Feltzin, Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
Spc. Amy Feltzin, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard runs with the company guideon during the Army Ten-Miler held on Forward Operati... More
Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard soldier,
Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard soldier, 1st Sgt. Matthew McHugh hands out pens to Afghan children in a village in Paktika province, Afghanistan on March 9. The children in this village and many ... More
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from 101st Airborne Division,
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from 101st Airborne Division, Task Force Currahee, hovers above a sling load to allow a rigger to attach it to the helicopter on March 21 in Paktika province, Afghanistan. The sling l... More
Staff Sgt. Chris Herndon of Task Force Gridley, 623
Staff Sgt. Chris Herndon of Task Force Gridley, 623 Engineer Company, Nebraska Army National Guard poses with school supply recipients at the opening of the Sharana City orphanage in Paktika province, Afghanist... More
Brig. Gen. Casey Blake, deputy commander, Joint Theater
Brig. Gen. Casey Blake, deputy commander, Joint Theater Support Contracting Command, U.S. Central Command, Afghanistan speaks with Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion Civil Military Operations soldier... More
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard soldier 1st Lt. Maribel Ortega leads supporters on bicycles during her second leg of the Hood to Coast Satellite Run held on Forward Ope... More
Coalition soldiers from the Nebraska Agricultural
Coalition soldiers from the Nebraska Agricultural Development Team and soldiers from 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard listen intently to the Assistant Provincial Governo... More
Paktika province Assistant Gov. Juma Mohammad makes
Paktika province Assistant Gov. Juma Mohammad makes remarks prior to cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of the new grain storage facility in the agricultural center of Sharana City, Paktika province, Afgha... More
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from 101st Airborne Division,
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from 101st Airborne Division, Task Force Currahee, takes off with a sling load on March 21 in Paktika province, Afghanistan. The sling load contained concrete and humanitarian aid, co... More
Afghan children watch as Task Force Gridley, 1249 Engineer
Afghan children watch as Task Force Gridley, 1249 Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard soldier 1st Lt. Aaron Altabef pulls security in Paktika province, Afghanistan, April 25.
Spc. Josh Martin, Task Force Gridley PSD, 1249th Engineer
Spc. Josh Martin, Task Force Gridley PSD, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, pulls security outside a building during Brig. Gen. Casey Blake’s, deputy commander, Joint Theater Support Contra... More
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Nebraska
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Nebraska Army National Guard soldier Staff Sgt. Jermiah Houlden is followed by a trail vehicle during the last night of the Hood to Coast Satellite Run held on For... More
The Paktika Provincial Education director speaks during
The Paktika Provincial Education director speaks during the opening ceremony of the Sharana Center for Educational Excellence in Sharana City, Paktika province, Afghanistan. The center will serve as a vocationa... More
Spc. Burke of the 1430th Vertical Construction Company,
Spc. Burke of the 1430th Vertical Construction Company, Task Force Gridley, Michigan National Guard, plots points on a map during the Land Navigation portion of the Task Force Gridley soldier of the Quarter Com... More
Brig. Gen. Casey Blake, deputy commander, Joint Theater
Brig. Gen. Casey Blake, deputy commander, Joint Theater Support Contracting Command, U.S. Central Command, Afghanistan, stops to pet some puppies during a project site visit in Sharana City, Paktika province, A... More
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon
Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard soldiers Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Polley and son Spc. Alexander Polley pose for a quick photo during the last night of the Hood to Coas... More
Sgt. Caleb Gay, PSD Platoon, 1249th Engineer Battalion,
Sgt. Caleb Gay, PSD Platoon, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon Army National Guard, is amused by an Afghan child drawing on his hand with a pen, while on mission in Sharana City, Paktika pro... More
Staff Sgt. Jones from the 231st Survey and Design Company,
Staff Sgt. Jones from the 231st Survey and Design Company, Task Force Gridley validates and confirms points on a map for Sgt. Thomas Starr of HHC 1249 Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gridley, Oregon National Gua... More
Task Force Gridley Command Sgt. Major Michael Polley
Task Force Gridley Command Sgt. Major Michael Polley transmits to another cadre member on the land navigation course of the Task Force Gridley soldier of the Quarter Competition on March 21 in Paktika province,... More
Oregon Army National Guard, Task Force Gridley, 1249th
Oregon Army National Guard, Task Force Gridley, 1249th Engineer Battalion, PSD platoon leader 1st Lt. Jay O’Connor checks his radio while pulling security on a mission in Sharana City, Paktika province, Afghani... More