Commandos with the 3rd Afghan National Army Commando Kandak stand with their backs to incoming aircraft prior to loading for a two-day operation Dec. 19 and 20, 2010, in Zhari District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. The Commandos are partnered with...

A U.S. Special Forces engineering sergeant checks an abandoned compound for explosives during a two-day operation Dec. 19 and 20, 2010, in Zhari District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ben Watson / Special Operations Task F...

Sgt. Ibrahim, a 23-year-old native of Afghanistan's Baghlan Province and a squad leader with the 3rd Afghan National Army Commando Kandak, provides security overwatch during a two-day operation Dec. 19 and 20, 2010, in Zhari District, Kandahar Provin...

Sgt. Ibrahim, a 23-year-old native of Afghanistan's Baghlan Province and a squad leader with the 3rd Afghan National Army Commando Kandak, secures a compound during a two-day operation Dec. 19 and 20, 2010, in Zhari District, Kandahar Province, Afgha...

Commandos with the 3rd Afghan National Army Commando Kandak provide overwatch security in the morning light as Commandos and Afghan Border Police secure explosives-making facilities during a two-day operation Dec. 19 and 20, 2010, in Zhari District, ...

Sgt. Diatullah, a 39-year-old native of Afghanistan's Parwan Province and squad leader with the 3rd Afghan National Army Commando Kandak, helps his commandos climb through rutted grape fields during a two-day clearing operation, Dec. 19 and 20, 2010,...

Commandos with the 3rd Afghan National Army Commando Kandak check abandoned compounds for explosives during a two-day operation, Dec. 19 and 20, 2010, in Zhari District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. The Commandos are partnered with members of Spec...

Sgt. Diatullah, a 39-year-old native of Afghanistan's Parwan Province and squad leader with the 3rd Afghan National Army Commando Kandak, keeps his squad's fire going throughout the night during a two-day operation to secure explosives facilities, De...

Commandos with the 3rd Afghan National Army Commando Kandak meet with a member of the Afghan Border Police during a two-day operation to secure explosives-making facilities, Dec. 19 and 20, 2010, in Zhari District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Bot...

Sgt. Diatullah, a 39-year-old native of Afghanistan's Parwan Province and squad leader with the 3rd Afghan National Army Commando Kandak, helped secure explosives-making facilities during a two-day operation, Dec. 19 and 20, 2010, in Zhari District, ...

A Soldier from Special Operations Task Force - South awaits his element's aircraft following a two-day operation to secure explosives-making facilities, Dec. 19 and 20, 2010, in Zhari District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt....

A Commando with the 3rd Afghan National Army Commando Kandak keeps his eye on his Kandak's incoming aircraft at the end of a two-day operation to secure explosives-making facilities, Dec. 19 and 20, 2010, in Zhari District, Kandahar Province, Afghani...