Afghanistan"s Kunar province, Feb. 6, 2010. International Security Assistance Force troops regularly meet with village elders to improve communications between residents and government officials. Fernandez is an assistant team leader assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte
U.S. soldiers and one Afghan soldier exchange fire with insurgents during a patrol in the Badula Qulp area, West of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. In the fight, one soldier was wounded and at least one insurgent was killed. The soldiers are operating in support of a U.S. Marine offensive against the Taliban in Marjah area.
A U.S. soldier returns fire as others run for cover during a firefight with insurgents in the Badula Qulp area, West of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. The area is near Marjah, where U.S. Marines are conducting an offensive against the Taliban.
A U.S. soldier of the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, wears a skull mask at an outpost in the Badula Qulp area, West of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.
A U.S. soldier of the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, wears a skull mask at an outpost in the Badula Qulp area, West of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.