Afghan and coalition forces captured a Taliban leader during a security operation in Wardak province Dec. 16.

The captured leader was involved in the manufacturing of improvised explosive devices and conducting attacks against coalition forces operating in Sayyidabad and Jaghatu districts. Recent reporting indicates that he reported to an unidentified associate that his associates shot several Americans in the Jaghatu district.

Staff Sgt. Alexander Yessayan said he's not a hero, and you might just believe him unless you talk to anyone who knows him, or he begrudgingly tells you about what happened more than a year ago in Afghanistan.

Those who know him use words like humble, straight shooter and, yes, hero to describe Sergeant Yessayan after his actions Nov. 29, 2009, while conducting route reconnaissance to find a better way to access a remote village.

A joint Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Force patrol detained a kidnapper during an operation in Paghman district, Kabul province, yesterday.

Multiple intelligence sources and tips from local citizens led the joint patrol to a series of compounds associated with the targeted individual. The force surrounded the compound and then Afghan security forces conducted a call-out, allowing all occupants to exit peacefully. The force separated and protected the women and children.

The Afghan people are the most important factor in the fight against the Taliban. A fact well known by the Marines of 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, who are battling the Taliban and protecting the people of Karimanda.

“We’ve been hunting the enemy through the people. Right now we’ve established a great relationship with the people and it’s only continuing to grow,” said Sgt. David Ketron, a squad leader with Company A.

Thanks to improving technology, the Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company E, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, have made improvements in route clearance in Basra, Iraq.

The Soldiers in 1st Platoon are taking advantage of relatively new technology, such as the RQ-16A Tarantula Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

Video by American Forces Network Afghanistan

The International Security Assistance Force confirmed Afghan and coalition forces detained a Haqqani leader in Khost province during a security operation Dec. 13.

The targeted individual facilitated the movement and emplacement of improvised explosive device and direct fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Intelligence tips led the security force to a compound in Terayzai district to search for the leader. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the targeted compound peacefully before the joint force cleared and secured the buildings.

The International Security Assistance Force confirmed Afghan and coalition forces killed Hakimullah, a Taliban leader in Zabul province during a security operation Dec. 13.

The Taliban leader was responsible for improvised explosive device and small arms attacks against coalition forces on Highway 1.

In addition to the Dec. 13 operation, security forces have captured or killed several Taliban leaders in the province since Nov. 1 during security operations aimed at making the heavily travelled Highway 1 safer for local Afghans and coalition forces.

Sand and smoke filled the air as explosives specialists from the 8th Iraqi Army conducted a joint demolition with Soldiers from the 75th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Company to dispose of a stockpile of munitions.

The cache was discovered by the 31st Iraqi Army Brigade in Babil, Iraq, Dec. 4, and included four large barrels containing two dozen 115-millimeter projectiles and 1,100 pounds of Dinitrotoluene, a common precursor in the manufacturing of TNT.