Sgt. Stryker here. I’ve been thinking about the creature comforts I’ve grown used to – air conditioning, safety, etc. For the troops in the field (especially in Afghanistan), they may not have any of these luxuries and yet they still do everything they can to help the rest of the world. Amidst this hellish heat, there’s progress being made. U.S. Marines and the Afghan national army recently occupied (by force) the Khan Nechion castle in south Helmand province. An Afghan national flag was raised for the first time.

Afghan and coalition forces searched two compounds last week in Khowst province in an effort to disrupt the flow of weapons, suicide bombers and foreign fighters into the region. The combined military force detained six suspected militants, including two suspected Haqqani commanders. The force also confiscated two AKM rifles, two shotguns, a rifle with optic device, a pistol, multiple chest racks, a camera, multimedia devices, blasting caps and fragmentation material.

Elsewhere, Afghan and coalition forces conducted an operation in Ghazni province’s Giro district to disrupt the Taliban network’s operational and logistical support lines of ambush units in the region. The force encountered hostile fire from one of the compounds and engaged the militants, resulting in several killed and one wounded. Forces also pursued and killed several armed militants who fled the compound. The force detained four suspected militants during the operation.

The force also confiscated 21 grenades, nine rocket-propelled grenades, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, a loaded automatic weapon, seven chest racks, more than a thousand rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and a roadside bomb with command wire, five blasting caps, multimeter and circuit boards.

As you can see, things are heating up in Afghanistan in more way than one. If you pay attention to what’s going on instead of listening to talk about Michael Jackson on the cable news networks, you would know this. Or you could keep reading my blog.

Sgt. Stryker out.

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Living in Afghanistan

At Firebase Fiddler’s Green, Marines live in tents without air conditioning with temperatures well above 100 degrees. The Marines at Fiddler’s Green are a part of 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment and serve as the artillery batallion for Regimental Combat Team 3 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Marines Continue to Train Despite Harsh Afghan Weather

U.S. Marines stationed in southern Afghanistan practice their hand to hand combat skills in the hot Afghan sun. The combat training took place after a three mile run in body armor with their weapons in hand. Temperatures in the southern region average well above 100 degrees during the summer months. International forces are serving here to bring security and stability to Afghanistan. Photo by 1st Lt. Dave Hecht

Logar Improvised Explosive Device Blast

A large crater is all that remains in the road after an improvised explosive device attack in the Mohammad Agha district of Logar province in eastern Afghanistan, July 9. The blast resulted in the deaths of 24 Afghans, including four Afghan national policemen and 12 children. The attack also injured an unknown number of people, demolished a nearby building and damaged nearby vehicles.

Afghan Flag Raises Above Khan Neshin

The Afghan national flag was raised above Khan Neshin castle in the Rig District Center, July 8, for the first time, signaling the arrival of Afghan governance in the southern reaches of Helmand province. Photo by Cpl. Aaron Rooks

2/8 Marines, Afghan Soldiers Continue Operation Khanjar

U.S. Marines with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and Afghani soldiers maintain security during an operation in the Helmand province of Afghanistan, July 5. The 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment’s presence restricts enemy groups? freedom of movement and helps to restore peace and prosperity to the local populace. The 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment is part of the ground combat element of Regiment Combat Team 3, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

U.S. Marines Secure Southernmost Point of Operations in Afghanistan

Within minutes of unloading heavy equipment earthmovers, the U.S. Marine Corps begins construction on Combat Outpost Payne. The COB is being built by Combat Logistics Battalion-8 with support from Engineering Support Battallion-8. The officer in charge of the construction project said COB Payne will be completed within 96 hours of their arrival at what is now the southernmost point of operations for the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan. The mission also calls for a bridge to be built across the Helmand River and the rebuilding of the district governor’s compound that until the Marine’s arrival, was taken over by insurgent forces. Photo by 1st Lt. Dave Hecht

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