Oregon soldiers return home from Afghanistan (+HD video)

The 2nd Chalk of 1249th Engineer Battalion returns to Oregon from their year long deployment to Afghanistan. The group is landing in Salem Municipal Airport in Salem, Ore. The unit's primary role during their 400-day deployment to Afghanistan was command and control, while providing support for Task Force Gridley Oregon Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Cory Larivee,...

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R.I.P. - Pvt. Jalfred D. Vaquerano

Bliss private wounded in Logar dies in Germany Staff report Posted : Wednesday Dec 14, 2011 12:00:50 ESTA Texas-based soldier died earlier this week after he was wounded in Afghanistan, the Defense Department said. Pvt. Jalfred D. Vaquerano, 20, of Apopka, Fla., died Tuesday in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries suffered from enemy small-arms fire while deployed in Logar province. Vaquerano was assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, out of Fort Bliss. Further details were not immediately...

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Dec. 14., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Evening Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Combined Afghan and coalition security forces discovered two weapons caches while conducting routine patrols in Kandahar district, Kandahar province, today. The first cache consisted of one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, six RPG rounds, three hand grenades, 1,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and three bundles of detonation cord. All of the...

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Servicemen receive Military Cross at Buckingham Palace

Private Bryan Johnson with Sergeant Glen Gardiner  A number of brave Servicemen have received military honours at Buckingham Palace today. The Military Cross is granted “in recognition of an act of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy.” Three of the Servicemen receiving their awards today all served with The Royal Regiment of Scotland...

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Senior Taliban commander killed in Kandahar province

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – Local authorities in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday announced the death of a senior Taliban commander in Kandahar province. A press release issued by the media department of provincial governor for Kandahar province confirmed the death of senior Taliban commander. The press release further added, senior Taliban commander also known...

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Last combat unit in Baghdad before one of final patrols

Photo from nickschifrin nickschifrin tweeted: Last combat unit in Baghdad before one of final patrols.B Troop, 1st squad, 73rd Cav, 2nd Brigade, 82nd ...

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District Governor Killed in Helmand Blast

The district governor of Khan Shin, Massoud Balouch, was killed in a blast in southern Helmand province on Wednesday, a local official said. The incident took place in Khan Shin district in the early afternoon when the truck Mr Balouch was travelling in struck a roadside bomb, provincial spokesman Dawood...

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New Armed Stealth Drone Heads to Afghanistan (And Maybe Iran, Too)

Image via WikipediaThe U.S. Air Force is sending a single copy of a brand-new stealth drone to Afghanistan. Only maybe not just Afghanistan. Officially, the General Atomics-made Avenger — a sleek, jet-powered upgrade of the iconic armed Predator and Reaper — is heading to Afghanistan as a combat-capable “test asset.” The Air Force said in a statement that it loves how the...

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R.I.P. - Sapper Elijah Bond

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Sapper Elijah Bond from 35 Engineer Regiment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham on Thursday 8 December 2011 as a result of wounds sustained in Afghanistan. Serving with the Task Force Helmand Engineer Group, he was a member of a team that was conducting an engineer reconnaissance task...

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Two local nationals killed, seven injured by IEDs in Uruzgan

URUZGAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Two local nationals were killed while seven local nationals and an Afghan Security Guard were injured by insurgent emplaced improvised explosive devices in Uruzgan province, Dec. 6-7. Afghan National Security Forces led the response to both incidents and evacuated the injured for medical treatment. On Dec. 6, in Khod village, Shahide district,...

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R.I.P. - Sergeant Christopher L. Muniz

US Army 25th Infantry Sergeant Christopher L. Muniz was killed in action in Kunar province on 11th December 2011 when an insurgent bomb exploded while he was on patrol with his unit. 24-year-old Sgt. Muniz, from New Cuyama, California, served with the Hawaii-based 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He joined the Army in November 2008 as a...

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R.I.P. - Specialist Ronald H. Wildrick Jr.

US Army 25th Infantry Specialist Ronald H. Wildrick Jr. was killed in action in Kunar province on 11th December 2011 when an insurgent bomb exploded while he was on patrol with his unit. 30-year-old Spc. Wildrick, from Blairstown, New Jersey, served with the Hawaii-based 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He joined the Army in June 2008 as...

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Several criminal suspects detained in Baghlan province

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – Gen. Syed Zamanuddin Hussaini, provincial security chief for northern Baghlan province following a press conference on Wednesday said, at least 11 criminal suspects in charges of murder, kidnap and armed robberies in this province. Gen. Hussaini further added, among the 11 detained criminals at least 5 of them are charged for murder cases,...

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Afghan police launch military operation in Badakhshan

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 –  According to Afghan security officials in north-eastern Badakhshan province, Afghan security forces have launched a search and rescue operation to free at least 11 Afghan police forces who were kidnapped by Taliban militants. Provincial security chief Abdul Nasrati said, at least 21 Taliban militants have been detained by Afghan...

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2 Local Taliban commanders killed in Nimroz province

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – According to local authorities in western Afghanistan, at least two local Taliban commanders were killed in western Nimroz province on Tuesday. A spokesman for Maiwand 215 Afghan National Army commandment in south-western regions Gen. Mohammad Rasool Zazai said, the two local Taliban commanders were killed following a joint military operation...

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Dec. 14., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition ground forces observed multiple insurgents placing an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, yesterday. After assessing an imminent threat, the ground forces requested close air support to engage the insurgent position. Coalition aircraft engaged the insurgents as they were burying the IED,...

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Dec. 13., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Evening Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Combined Afghan and coalition security forces discovered two weapons caches in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Dec. 13. The first cache consisted of one 107 mm rocket, 100 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition, two rocket-propelled grenades, seven RPG boosters, one communication scanner and approximately 14 pounds (6.5 kilograms) of explosive...

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