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May 17, 2009
Photo Visit of Our Troops
Paths of blue head lamps can be seen as a team of Artillerymen from 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery work swiftly to expend artillery rounds into a known enemy location in northeasten Afghanistan. The Artillerymen are ready to fire 24 hours a day, providing fire support to Forward Operating Base’s and Combat Outposts within their sector of fire.
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Afghan citizens await further instructions from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment Soldiers at a traffic control point in southern Afghanistan. The purpose of the TCP is to reduce Improvised Explosive Device emplacements and restrict Taliban movement in the area.
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All-female Marine team conducts first mission in southern Afghanistan
FARAH PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, now have a special group of individuals to help them complete their mission in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
The Marines employ a select group of all-female Marines from within SPMAGTF-A who are trained to interact with the Afghan female population – a task considered culturally unacceptable for their male Marine brethren operating in the Islamic republic.
A similar program has been used in combat operations in Iraq, but this is the first time Marine forces in Afghanistan have employed the concept.
“If the women know we are here to help them, they will likely pass that on to their children,” she said. “If the children have a positive perspective of alliance forces, they will be less likely to join insurgent groups or participate in insurgent activities.”
The 3rd Battalion, 8th Regiment has begun to use the unit as it deploys into villages in hopes of winning hearts and minds. Cultural taboos would largely keep male Marines from speaking to Afghan women and girls.
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1-26 Infantrymen patrol rocky cliffs of Waygal Valley
Army Pfc. William Drikell, scans the valley walls for suspicious activity during a combat patrol near the village of Walo Tangi, in Kunar province, Afghanistan. Driskell is a member of 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.
The soldiers move forward, almost shoulder to shoulder, with live ammunition while practicing team movement drills at an advanced marksmanship course on Camp Beuhring, Kuwait, May 13, 2009. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division's Company F, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Travis Zielinski
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U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael Oates fields a question from an Iraqi reporter at a ceremony marking the transfer of the Ziggurat of Ur, a stepped pyramid in Iraq, from U.S. to Iraqi control as Maj. Chad Carroll monitors the interview, May 14, 2009. The Ziggurat, closed to the public since 2003, was constructed in 2100 B.C. Oates is the commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division's Multinational Division South and Carroll is assigned to the1st Cavalry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Myles Caggins
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Wild Thing's comment........
Fantastic top photo, the colors in it are awesome and it was captured at the exact moment.
Posted by Wild Thing at May 17, 2009 05:40 AM
Comments
Wish I could be be with them sometimes, but I'm too old and decrepit to do much more than pull a trigger. I do admire their tenacity and fierce loyalty to our country, their respective branches and all they do for us. Great photos WT. Thank you and our military.
Posted by: Jack at May 17, 2009 03:48 PM
Notice in that last photo that the Americans are not wearing body armor. Since the surge Iraq has become safer than Obama's home town Chicago.
Posted by: TomR at May 17, 2009 04:03 PM
