Lance Cpl. Mark Trent, a scout sniper with 3rd Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provides security inside a compound in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 16, 2010. The Marines took shelter inside the compound after clearing it for insurgents and improvised explosive devices. The 3/6 Marines and soldiers from the Afghan national army have been conducting counter-insurgency operations in Helmand province since January. Photo by Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde

Canada

B-roll of Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan conducting an air assault mission in support of Operation Moshtarak. Scenes include Canadian forces boarding a helicopter, views from inside the helicopter while it is in the air, Canadian forces exiting off the back on the helicopter and Canadian forces being briefed on the mission. Produced by Lance Cpl. A.J. Lugo.

DVIDS

B-roll of French Soldiers being trained on how to mentor the Afghan National Army at Hohenfels Training Area in Southern Germany. Scenes include the soldiers receiving directives, a French armored vehicle entering the area, the commander calling in air support, various soldiers standing guard, a French soldier in a guard tower on the lookout, role playing as a civilian approaches their checkpoint and a simulated attack on the base.

DVIDS

B-roll of Estonian and Afghan soldiers preparing for and launching Operation Moshtarak. Scenes include the training and preparation for a helicopter landing and nighttime launch and joint patrols in Nadi Ali, Helmand province, Afghanistan.

DVIDS

Package made from the B-Roll “Training the Trainers” about Polish soldiers being trained on how to mentor the Afghan Army at a special training area in southern Germany. Produced by David Heathfield.

DVIDS

Local Afghans from the Tagab valley watch the volleyball competition at the new sports stadium in the valley, Feb. 4. The new stadium was funded by Task Force La Fayette and the Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction team, and employed more than 50 workers throughout the province to complete the project. (Photo by French Army Master Sgt. Sylvain Petremand, Task Force La Fayette – Public Affairs Joint Staff)

Brig. Gen. Marcel Druart, Task Force La Fayette commander, visited the Tagab valley with members of the Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction Team to open the new sports stadium in the valley, Feb. 4.

The project was jointly financed by the PRT and the French brigade and was constructed by more than fifty construction workers from the region.

For the inauguration, a volleyball competition was organized and made up of different teams throughout the province.

“People from Tagab are delighted to have this new sports grounds; young people will be able to practice their sports in better conditions, but this project also enabled to employ local craftsman,” said Mr. Najibullah, the head of the event. “It was really a good opportunity and we wish to take on a similar project.”

After the match and the handing out of awards, Druart gave the closing remarks.

“I am happy to be here today with all of you in order to assist to this sportive competition. It’s a happy and peaceful day. This stadium, it’s yours, it’s you who built it and it’s your athletes who will make it living. Today a big step is passing through because it’s clear that Tagab population wish to take charge of their future. Thanks again for inviting me. This day will stay in my mind.”

Task Force La Fayette ensures the security of the PRT and gives them the necessary Intel to conduct their operations. Task Force La Fayette Civilian-military actions shops ensure good coordination with all development projects in the area.

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Task Force La Fayette PAO

from what we have been given to witness, the American soldier is a beautiful and worthy heir to those who liberated France and Europe

Please go read the entire post.

Serendipitous altruism

via John Donovan who also has a nice NSFW cartoon at the top of his site this morning.