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.

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France

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.

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Estonia

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.

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Poland

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.

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She’s a wisp of a girl, barely tall enough to reach to Prince Charles’s shoulder. He had to bend a bit to pin her medal for bravery on, making her the second woman in British history to be awarded the Military Cross. Her heroism while serving with 3 Commando in Afghanistan earned her the medal.

Private Michelle Norris was awarded the first, for her bravery in Iraq.

The Military Cross is the British equivalent of our Silver Star.

She dressed L/Cpl John List’s neck wound and kept him from losing blood while bullets and rockets flew overhead in Marjah district in Helmand.

Earlier this month, L/Cpl List said no words could describe what Ms Nesbitt had done, but without her action he would not have lived.

Her citation said: “Under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death.

“She performed in the highest traditions of her service.”

BBC

Able Seaman Nesbitt, who spent 30 minutes administering medical aid to a soldier while under fire, said: “I can’t believe I am worthy of anything like this and I can’t believe anyone would go out of their way to thank you in a more formal way.

“It was so overwhelming just to have a pat on the back really so this is just completely out of this world.

“I wouldn’t ever have expected it.”

BBC

Afghan national security forces and International Security Assistance Forces have reported intense fighting in the Marjah area of Helmand province; over the last few days.

Marjah is known to be an insurgent stronghold, and recent events suggest there is an ongoing and concerted effort to build up the number of militants in the region. These militants include foreign fighters particularly from Balochistan, Pakistan. It is expected that this build up will result in a rise in violence.

Violence in this region is often associated with the illegal narcotics industry.

Across Afghanistan the narcotics industry has a negative influence on all aspects of society and hinders ISAF’s work in providing a secure environment for all Afghans.

This is particularly true in the Marjah area where there is a clear link between the narcotics trade, corruption and the financing of the insurgency. Funds gathered from the narcotics trade pay for the weapons, explosives and suicide bombers that insurgents use to kill innocent civilians, ANSF, ISAF and coalition forces.

Recent ISAF operations against the insurgents in the Marjah area have been successful, which may have provoked this increase in militant activity. Afghan security forces, supported by ISAF, have recently seized a significant quantity of narcotics in the Marjah region. Importantly, the influx of foreign insurgents and the end of the poppy harvest always contributes to an annual increase in the number of incidents in this region.

ANSF and ISAF troops operate throughout the year and are fully prepared for any rise in seasonal violence, especially given the increase in US forces moving into the area. In order to prevent civilian casualties, it is vital that innocent civilians separate themselves from the militant population. In doing so they will not be mistaken for insurgents or caught up amongst insurgents whose cowardly tactics see them hiding in the civilian population, thereby causing the loss of innocent lives.

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