Photos from the Front Lines

Sergeant’s Saunter

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Nelson participates in a training exercise on Forward Operating Base Farah in Afghanistan's Farah province, Sept. 2, 2012. Nelson is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah.

Night Patrol

U.S. Marines exit a compound in Agha Ahmad in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Aug. 27, 2012. The Marines are assigned to Scout Sniper Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6.

Security Stroll

U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Armstrong, left, provides security during a key leader engagement in Farah City in Afghanistan's Farah province, Aug. 29, 2012. Armstrong is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah.

Photos from the Front Lines

Al Masaak Artillery

U.S. Army soldiers load a 155 mm artillery shell into an M777 howitzer on Forward Operating Base Al Masaak in southern Afghanistan, Aug. 21, 2012. The soldiers are assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division's Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Reconstruction Team Arrival

U.S. service members assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah arrive for a key leader engagement in Farah City in Afghanistan's Farah province, Aug. 29, 2012. Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah is a unit of U.S. soldiers, sailors and airmen working with various government and non-government agencies to promote the Afghan government and their ability to resolve local issues and provide security to the people.

Mission Buddies

U.S. Army Spc. Nicholas Cerreto, right, helps a fellow soldier prepare on Forward Operating Base Farah before departing for a mission in Farah City in Afghanistan's Farah province, Aug. 29, 2012. Cerreto is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah.

Photos from the Front Lines

Rocket Launcher

A special operations forces soldier fires an AT-4 shoulder-fired rocket launcher at the heavy weapons firing range on a base in the Tarin Kowt district in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province, Aug. 22, 2012. The soldier is assigned to Special Operations Task Force Southeast.

Farah Security

U.S. Army Sgt. Tommy Phillip provides security during a meeting for leaders at the provincial governor's compound in Farah City in Afghanistan's Farah province, Aug. 28, 2012. Phillip is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah.

Combat Operations

U.S. Army Pfc. Sean Serritelli provides security during a combat operation outside Combat Outpost Charkh in Afghanistan's Logar province, Aug. 23, 2012. Serritelli is assigned to Company L, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment.

Pictures from the Front Lines

Day’s End

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Timothy Mcguire walks with his military working dog after completing a detection exercise on Forward Operating Base Geronimo in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Aug. 16, 2012. Mcguire, a military working dog handler, is assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6. The handlers conducted the training to sharpen the skills of their dogs in locating improvised explosive devices on the battlefield.

Repair Work

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Donal S. Brown maintains a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle on Forward Operating Base Geronimo in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Aug. 23, 2012. Brown, a motor transportation mechanic, is assigned to Motor Transportation Platoon, Headquarters & Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6.

Farah City Security

U.S. Army Cpl. Jacob Bath, left, provides security as leaders gather for a meeting in Farah City in Afghanistan's Farah province, Aug. 27, 2012. Bath is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Anthony Ulrich, center, attended the meeting.

Marine and Navy Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two service members who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died Aug. 17 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. They were assigned to 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Gregory T. Copes, 36, of Lynch Station, Va., and

Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 1st Class Darrel L. Enos, 36, of Colorado Springs, Colo.

This incident is under investigation.

For additional information, news media representatives may contact U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command public affairs office at 910-440-0770 or 910-440-0771.

ISAF Commander Condemns Farah Rocket Attack

From an International Security Assistance Force News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan – International Security Assistance Force Commander Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen condemned today’s terrorist attack against the governor’s compound in Afghanistan’s Farah province.

The attack killed an Afghan civilian and injured several people including women and children in the western province. Among the injured was a six-month-old infant who suffered shrapnel wounds when a rocket struck a playground behind the governor’s office.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those killed or hurt by this senseless act of terror,” Allen said. “In recent months, we have seen insurgent attacks increasingly focus on targeting Afghan civilians and government officials working to secure a more prosperous future for Afghanistan.”

Such attacks have caused nearly 1,500 Afghan civilian casualties so far this year, Allen said. “Once again I call upon Mullah Omar to end these brutal attacks,” he said. “If he really is in control of these elements of the Taliban, this should be possible.”

Such attacks are causing Afghans to turn against the Taliban, Allen said. “The growing frustration of the Afghan people with this senseless violence is manifesting itself in various locations across Afghanistan as Afghans are rising up against the violence and oppression of the Talban,” he said.