Lt. Col. David Larson, stationed in Afghanistan in 2008
The ongoing war in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, when the US military's Operation Enduring Freedom was launched with help from the British military, in response to the 9-11 attacks. Thus began the quest to find Osama bin Laden and other Al-qaeda members. US and UK forces led the aerial bombing, in support of ground forces supplied primarily by the Afghan Northern Alliance. The initial attack removed the Taliban from power, but Taliban forces have since regained some strength. Since 2006, Afghanistan has seen threats to its stability from increased Taliban-let insurgent activity. In July, 2009, there were 64,500 troops from 42 countries fighting the war, with 29,950 troops being from the US.
Thanks to Lt. Col. David Larson, for allowing us to post these photos, which he took while deployed to Afghanistan in 2008.
