Afpak Photo War
Archive 16

http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/1209_afghanbuildup/

An Army carry team lifts a transfer case containing the remains of Army Sgt. Brandon T. Islip Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Islip, of Richmond, Va. , died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. AP

Joan Baxer of Ramsey, New Jersey holds a photograph of her son Sergeant Brian Baxer, 22, who has done two tours in Iraq and is awaiting deployment to Afghanistan, attends a rally against the plan to try those accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks at New York's Federal Court, in New York December 5, 2009. Reuters

[Above and below] United States Marines from the 2nd MEB, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion escort new Afghanistan National Police officers to their base in Khan Neshin in the volatile province of Helmand, southern Afghanistan, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. The police officers will be part of a mentoring program and work alongside the Marines. AP

United States Marines from the 2nd MEB, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion gather during a patrol where a gun battle with insurgents occurred earlier, near Shabu in the volatile province of Helmand, southern Afghanistan, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. AP

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment parade through Nottingham, England, Saturday Dec. 5, 2009. Christmas shoppers turned out along the metaled road, to welcome the British soldiers back to their home town, who have returned from a six-month tour in Helmand province, Afghanistan. AP

Conservative Party leader Davd Cameron tours the Kabul Military Training Centre in Afghanistan where he saw British soldiers training new Afghan National Army recruits, on December 5, 2009 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Cameron is on a three day visit to the region to meet with British troops and military chiefs in Kandahar, Laskar Gah and Kabul. Getty

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Garrett Coxwell breaches a door to set up an overwatch position during a local security patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 9, 2009. Coxwell is assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. The Marines are conducting security patrols to prevent enemy freedom of movement. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Pete Thibodeau

Semi-trucks haul goods to eastern Afghanistan along the narrow and dangerous “K-G Pass” that winds through steep mountains and connects Khowst and Paktia provinces, Feb. 25, 2009. A $100 million, 100-kilometer improved road, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, is slated to start construction through the pass this summer. Coalition forces will build and improve numerous other roads in Afghanistan in the next few years. DoD photo by Fred W. Baker III