Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 2010
A photograph of a man holding an AK-47 found in a house in Marjah's District Center, where insurgents were heavily engaged in fighting with US Marines.
Combat Outpost Nolan, Arghandab Valley, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. 2010
A soldier from 1-320 Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne, US Army looked out over the battlefield from his fortified position in one of Arghandab's most violent quarters during the summer of 2010 when the US surge was at it's peak.
Tieranon, Pashmul District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. 2013.
A map of Afghanistan was pockmarked by shell holes from US ordinance after a battle with anti-Afghan Government insurgents in Kandahar’s Pashmul district. Pashmul was on of the most heavily fought over areas the province during the US's surge there.
Sangsar, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. 2012.
Lt. Col. Guy Jones, commander of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiments Second Battalion, spoke to a village elder, placing his hand on his knee, during a shura with locals in Sangsar, Kandahar Province. By 2012, Sangsar, the birthplace of the Taliban movement, despite being a focal point for the US military’s surge, had no representation in the district shura, because they had not agreed on who would represent them there—in turn prohibiting them from receiving funds for projects. Elders said that they were afraid of reprisals for cooperation.
Operation Moshtarek. Marja, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 2010
Cpl. Andrew Ryan, 26, of C. Co, 1-6 USMC rested between combat patrols as his unit assaulted the Taliban stronghold of Marja, in Helmand Province, during Operation Moshtarek.
Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 2010
A large sand model was set up for a rehearsal of concept drill for Operation Moshtarek, the US Marine Corps offensive on the district of Marja—the centerpiece of the Marines' deployment to southern Afghanistan.
Operation Moshtarek. Marja, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 2010
Lance Crpl. Chase Welch, Charlie Company 1-6 Marines, yelled to other members of his fireteam between burst from an M-249 SAW during a firefight with suspected Taliban in Marja.
Kakeran, Zhari District, Kahdahar Province, Afghanistan. 2013
Smoke from the detonation of an improvised explosive device could be seen through tall grass in the hamlet of Kakeran, where US and Afghan forces conducted a joint clearing operation, in Zhari district, Kandahar Province.
Marja, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 2010
Flight Medic SGT Ian Bugh of Charlie Co. 6-101st attended to Private Ivan Sears, 20, 2-16 USMC who lost both of his legs after stepping on an improvised explosive device while on a combat patrol in southern Marja, Helmand Province.
Almar District, Faryab Province, Afghanistan. 2012
A massive dust devil spun it's way across the landscape in Almar district of Faryab province, where by 2012, security had begun to deteriorate rapidly as the Taliban and criminal organizations expanded their reach throughout Afghanistan’s restive North West.
Layadira, Pashmul District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. 2013
A poppy farmer in the small hamlet of Layadira in Pashmul, Kandahar Province, through up his hands in frustration as Lt. Melin of 3rd Bat. 1st Armored Div. left, and an Afghan interpreter, spoke to him about his illicit crop.
Garmsir District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 2011
Crpl Brock Bean of Ainsworth IA, holds a "Holly Stick" used for searching for IED's while on patrol in southern Garmsir, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Members of 1st Platoon, Echo Co. 2/1 found 5 different IED's within aprox 1 km while on this patrol.
Washir Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 2009
A US Marine of 3rd Recon Battalion stand watch over two flindfolded and bound suspected Taliban insurgents who were detained after they were stopped fleeing a village. Liquid based tests of their hands tested positive for explosive residue.
Combat Outpost Nolen, Arghandab District, Kanahar Province, Afghanistan. 2010
Sgt Zavala (L) of 1-320 FAR, 101st Airborne reflected on the days events on the roof of Strong Point Lugo as his comrades ate dinner nearby, following a heavy firefight that began when Taliban militants attacked their position with automatic rifle fire and rocket propelled grenades.