The detector blared as the soldier swept over the disturbed patch of dirt with the Compact Metal Detector. He carefully marked a square around the suspected improvised explosive device by using the edge of the CMD.

TIKRIT, Iraq (AFNS) -- The first Iraqi air force instructor pilot to be certified since American forces ousted Saddam Hussein took a major step forward for the Iraqi air force March 19 here.

Lt. Col. Hussein Hamid, Iraqi air force Squadron 203 commander, flew a training mission with an Iraqi student pilot in a T-6 Texan, further developing the Iraqi air force as a self-sustaining airpower partner.

Colonel Hamid volunteered for the air force in 1980 at the age of 15 and graduated pilot training as a 2nd lieutenant in 1986.

Afghan National Army Commandos, with soldiers from Special Operations Task Force – East, detained two persons of interest, including a suspected Taliban senior leader, March 26.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The Air National Guard is contributing to Operation Odyssey Dawn with Airmen from 11 air refueling wings supporting the international coalition enforcement of a United Nations authorized no-fly zone, National Guard officials said March 22 here.

Video by 2nd Marine Logistics Group Public Affairs

An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader in a Kandahar province raid today.

The leader was actively involved in vehicle-borne improvised explosive device planning, attacks and assassinations against Afghan civilians, Afghan government officials and Afghan and coalition forces in Kandahar City. He was coordinating the acquisition of uniforms and ID cards to gain access to coalition bases.

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Coalition forces continue to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya, striking air defense capabilities and regime forces that threaten Libyan civilians, Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney said here March 24.

The director of the Joint Staff said during a Pentagon news conference that the coalition enforcing the United Nations resolution continues to grow in size and capabilities.

U.S. soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, brought Iraqi soldiers up to speed on how to use newly issued M-16 rifles at Iraqi Forward Operating Base Texan, March 22.

“Golden Dragon” soldiers of 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment used skills acquired in basic combat training, refined through years of experience, to mentor and train Commando Company, 15th Brigade, 12th Iraqi Army Division, building muscle memory for Iraqi soldiers learning to use the M-16 rifle.

As 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit AV-8B Harriers conducted air strikes on Libya as part of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, the new Lofted Communications System was operationally deployed for the first time aboard ship, March 20.

The helium-balloon transmission system was used to bridge the gap in communications from ship to Harriers conducting air strikes against the Libyan Leader Muammar al-Qadhafi's ground forces and air defenses, as part of an international effort to halt an offensive against the Libyan populace.