"It kind of felt like Chuck Norris kicked me in the side," is how Pfc. Phillip Mexcur describes what it feels like to get shot. But that is the extent of the theatrics Mexcur will offer in his narration of the day he was hit by two rounds of sniper fire; a story he tells in such a subtle tone his voice barely reaches above a whisper, as if he were telling a bedtime story rather than a near-death experience.

Video by 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

Afghan forces, with assistance from coalition forces, killed a senior Taliban leader during an engagement in Helmand province, Oct. 14.

The Afghan-led force approached a village in the Sangin district when they were engaged by insurgent small arms fire. Both forces returned fire on each other, during which time insurgents began moving through the village in an effort to maneuver around the combined force.

Assessing that there was no chance of civilian casualties or damage to buildings, coalition air support was requested to engage the insurgent force during their movement.

An Afghan and coalition security force targeting a Haqqani Network facilitator responsible for handling logistical requirements in Ziruk district of Paktika province, killed more than 10 armed insurgents during an overnight operation in the province.

Based on intelligence tips, the security force targeted a series of compounds near the village of Srah Meydan Kalay in Ziruk district to search for the targeted individual. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully, and then the joint security force cleared and secured the compounds.

An Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Force patrol killed numerous insurgents in Shah Wali Kot, northern Kandahar province, Monday.

The joint patrol force was conducting a dismounted patrol after receiving intelligence reports indicating a large number of insurgents, including many high-ranking leaders, would be present in the area.

More than a dozen Airmen stood on the edge of the flightline, anticipating with a watchful eye as the last C-17 Globemaster III lifted off the ground and soared away. A celebration and applause broke out. They threw water on each other and filled water balloons while high-fiving the patriots next to them. Some cried.

"I'm just so proud, that's all," said Master Sgt. Michele Gaul, the interim first sergeant, while wiping away the joyful tears. "That's why I'm crying!"

An Afghan and coalition force conducting a dismounted patrol discovered an insurgent weapon factory in Sangin District, Helmand province, Monday.

The combined force discovered a building that contained six 55-pound barrels of homemade explosives, scales, a boiler room and a drying room. After cataloguing and taking pictures of the weapons materials, the force determined the best way to destroy the materials was to conduct a precision artillery strike.

Coalition forces conducted precision air strikes in Baghlan province Sunday targeting the senior Taliban military leader for Dahanah-ye Ghori and Pul-e Khumri districts.

The leader plants improvised explosive devices, and supplies financing, weapons and ammunition to Taliban leadership operating in the area. He also plans attacks on checkpoints between Baghlan-e Jadid and Pul-e Khumri districts.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) arrived in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Oct. 17.

Abraham Lincoln, with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, brings more than 60 additional aircraft to the theater in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates approved the presence of a second carrier in the 5th Fleet AOR to provide surge support for coalition forces in Afghanistan, and to support existing maritime security operations.