Stories

An Afghan National Army soldier re-attaches the barrel of 240G machine gun during a weapons handling class for novice ANA soldiers, at Camp Dwyer, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 6. Instructors from Camp Dwyer’s first ANA instructor course now lead the majority of the practical application exercises at the ANA compound here. The first wave of ANA instructors from Camp Dwyer graduated from their instructor course here last month. - An Afghan National Army soldier re-attaches the barrel of 240G machine gun during a weapons handling class for novice ANA soldiers, at Camp Dwyer, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 6. Instructors from Camp Dwyer’s first ANA instructor course now lead the majority of the practical application exercises at the ANA compound here. The first wave of ANA instructors from Camp Dwyer graduated from their instructor course here last month.

Local Afghans clap and cheer after listening to Al Haj Haji Merdel, an Islamic religious scholar and respected holy man, during shura at Marine Corps Forward Operating Base Camp Hansen, Marjah, Afghanistan, Nov. 13, denouncing the Taliban’s use of Jihad as a justification for years of war and fighting in Afghanistan. Helmand Province government officials, along with local holy men, said the Taliban was using Jihad as a false pretext to fight foreign nations in Afghanistan. - Local Afghans clap and cheer after listening to Al Haj Haji Merdel, an Islamic religious scholar and respected holy man, during shura at Marine Corps Forward Operating Base Camp Hansen, Marjah, Afghanistan, Nov. 13, denouncing the Taliban’s use of Jihad as a justification for years of war and fighting in Afghanistan. Helmand Province government officials, along with local holy men, said the Taliban was using Jihad as a false pretext to fight foreign nations in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Cody T. Romriell, a combat engineer with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, high-fives a local after helping him unclog a backed-up canal during the construction of Typhoon 3 in Marja, Afghanistan, Sep, 9. Marine engineers with 2/9 have been constructing new patrol bases in their area of operation in order to increase force protection. Typhoon 3 is one of the many being built. - Sgt. Cody T. Romriell, a combat engineer with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, high-fives a local after helping him unclog a backed-up canal during the construction of Typhoon 3 in Marja, Afghanistan, Sep, 9. Marine engineers with 2/9 have been constructing new patrol bases in their area of operation in order to increase force protection. Typhoon 3 is one of the many being built.