Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 8 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Air operations in Afghanistan: Asadabad Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flew armed overwatch and area reconnaissance for a friendly forces patrol. When insurgents were seen approaching the friendly patrol, a pre-emptive strike with precision-guided munitions was authorized.

An Afghan-international security force killed seven militants and detained four others in Laghman province early today while pursuing a Taliban IED facilitator responsible for several suicide attacks in the region. "We are aware of civilian casualty allegations, however there are no operational reports to substantiate those claims of harming civilians, including women and children during this operation," said Navy Capt.

A team of U.S. Navy divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Company 2-3, assisted in the recovery operations of the body of a U.S. Army sergeant from the Murghab River in northern Afghanistan Nov. 29. The MDSU 2 divers, who are attached to Commander Task Force (CTF) 56, deployed from Bahrain to support Operation Hero Recovery. After four days of searching the Murghab River in waters flowing as fast as 12 knots and as low as 42 degrees, Army Sgt.

An international security force conducted an air strike today and destroyed a known Taliban stronghold consisting of bunkers and prepared defensive positions in Konar province. The security force targeted the stronghold near the village of Tsangar Darah in the mountainous Watapur District after intelligence sources indicated militant activity at the location. In other operations today, an Afghan-international security force in Khowst province detained a Haqqani IED cell leader and several other militants after searching a compound.

An Afghan-international security force detained several suspected militants in Kandahar province today after searching a compound known to be used by a Taliban facilitator. The joint security force targeted the compound near the village of Nurayo Kariz, approximately 10 miles northeast of Kandahar City in Arghandab district. The force searched the compound without incident and detained the militants, including the Taliban facilitator.

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 returned to the North Arabian Sea today, to resume combat missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) following a port visit in the Arabian Gulf. Aircrews provide close air support and reconnaissance to coalition forces in Afghanistan, launching from the deck of Nimitz hundreds of miles away. "After nearly 3 months on station, this air wing continues to hone our skills to deliver effective support to our coalition partners on the ground," said Capt.

Indiana National Guard soldiers from the 38th Infantry Division's Task Force Cyclone ensure Forward Operating Base Salerno is maintained properly. Located in eastern Afghanistan, Salerno is near the Pakistan border and is home to four different elements of the Indiana National Guard. The 1-19th Indiana Agribusiness Development Team; B Company, 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment; the 177th Finance Company; and the 38th Infantry Division's Task Force Cyclone, who run base operations, reside at Salerno during their deployment. The commander for Salerno base operations, Army Lt. Col.

An Afghan-international security force detained several suspected militants in Wardak province while pursuing a Taliban sub-commander today. The joint security force targeted a compound near the village of Jamad Kheyl in the Sayed Abad district after intelligence sources indicated militant activity.

As U.S.