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

Field Patrol

U.S. Army Pfc. Erick Montoya patrols through an alfalfa field on a partnered patrol in southern Afghanistan's Ghazni province, June 14, 2012. Montoya is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

Village Meeting

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Frederick Reier meets with villagers of Hutake in northern Afghanistan's Nawah province, June 14, 2012. Reier, a platoon leader, is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

Combat Reload

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Bates demonstrates a combat reload with his M4 assault rifle during a small-arms training session on Forward Operating Base Farah in Afghanistan's Farah province, June 26. During the training, soldiers learned proper techniques for performing reloads and close quarters shooting. Bates is a security force squad leader for the team.

AFGHANISTAN: Guard Soldiers provide security for Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah visiting prison

By Navy Lt. Benjamin Addison

Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah

FARAH CITY, Afghanistan (4/25/12) – Guard Soldiers provided security for members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah meeting at the Farah City prison warden here Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Abdul Qayoum Azami, the prison warden, led advisers on a tour of the city prison. The visit is part of the Correctional Sector Support Program which provides mentoring and training to prison officials throughout Afghanistan.

U.S. Navy Lt. David Berlin participated in the tour as a medical adviser.

“My main purpose was to join the team that went to the prison primarily to evaluate any prison abuse, neglect, and any of the medical assets that were being utilized at the prison,” Berlin said.

Army National Guard 1st Lt. Brandon Bowden, platoon leader for the security force element of Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah, spoke to the importance of their piece of the trip..

“We were tasked with transportation to the prison, security on the ground, and transportation back to Forward Operating Base Farah,” said Bowden. “It was a great mission and I’m proud to be a part of it.”