Hunters

The weather this past week has been pretty bad as far as dust goes. A dust storm rolled in and just stuck around. Visibility was limited to the COP, with the occasional break in the wall of dirt to show the outline of the ridges nearby. The visibility (or lack thereof) provided a decent amount of concealment for the Taliban to do their dirty work planting improvised explosive devices in the area.

So, doing what our boys do best, along with the ANA and ANP, we set out to ensure the area is secure and safe for the residents living in the area. Indirect warfare is such a difficult idea for me to get my head around. It is such a cowardly way to fight.

This mission we became IED hunters.

I'm sure you guys are getting sick of these landscape shots, but I just love them!

COMBAT OUTPOST MIZAN, Afghanistan -- Soldiers assigned to 3rd Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and Afghan National Security Forces walk beside a village during a dismounted patrol near Combat Outpost Mizan, Mizan District, Zabul Province, Aug. 26, 2010. Members of 3rd Platoon, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul and Afghan National Security Forces patrolled the area to meet with local elders and ensure security in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

COMBAT OUTPOST MIZAN, Afghanistan -- A member of the Afghan National Police takes a break while his team meets with local villagers during a dismounted patrol near Combat Outpost Mizan, Mizan District, Zabul Province, Aug. 26, 2010. Members of 3rd Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul and Afghan National Security Forces patrolled the area to meet with local elders and ensure security in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

COMBAT OUTPOST MIZAN, Afghanistan -- Afghan children play in the streets as a combined dismounted patrol passes their village near y while his team meets with local villagers during a dismounted patrol near Combat Outpost Mizan, Mizan District, Zabul Province, Aug. 26, 2010. Members of 3rd Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul and Afghan National Security Forces patrolled the area to meet with local elders and ensure security in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

COMBAT OUTPOST MIZAN, Afghanistan -- Soldiers assigned to 3rd Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and Afghan National Police take a quick break during a dismounted patrol near Combat Outpost Mizan, Mizan District, Zabul Province, Aug. 26, 2010. Members of 3rd Platoon, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul and Afghan National Security Forces patrolled the area to meet with local elders and ensure security in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

COMBAT OUTPOST MIZAN, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army Pfc. Robert Brattin, a medic assigned to 3rd Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and native of Jacksonville, Fla., climbs a ravine during a dismounted patrol near Combat Outpost Mizan, Mizan District, Zabul Province, Aug. 26, 2010. Members of 3rd Platoon, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul and Afghan National Security Forces patrolled the area to meet with local elders and ensure security in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

COMBAT OUTPOST MIZAN, Afghanistan -- Soldiers and a member of the Afghan National Police share a laugh after a dismounted patrol near Combat Outpost Mizan, Mizan District, Zabul Province, Aug. 26, 2010. Members of 3rd Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul and Afghan National Security Forces patrolled the area to meet with local elders and ensure security in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

I like this last photo a lot. We work with the ANA and ANP every mission. To see our guys and theirs sharing that kind of camaraderie is very encouraging in my eyes.