INSURGENT SAFEHOUSE - U.S. and Afghan forces demolish the so-called Taliban Hotel, a safehouse insurgents used to infiltrate Khost, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2009. An explosive ordnance disposal team assigned to the 707th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, soldiers assigned to the 25th Infantry Division's1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, and Afghan forces partnered to level the safehouse. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stephen J. OteroPerilous Patrol Through Heart Of Taliban Territory -- Washington Times
Troops try for rapport with locals.
HUTAL, Afghanistan | Villagers stared at the Americans as they made their way into a small bazaar where goat meat hung from hooks amid stands of used clothing, pots, pans and various trinkets.
For the Afghans, the big Americans in full battle gear looked like beings from another planet. At each turn of the road, soldiers on the point knelt on the ground, automatic weapons ready. The men and women on the security walk were staggered in zigzag formation to keep casualties low in case Taliban sharpshooters were in the area and taking aim. Capt. Casey Thoreen, 30, the commander of the unit, monitored his radio for intelligence.
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