Clear, Hold, Build. The People are the Prize. The Best Weapons in a COIN Fight Do Not Shoot. These are the ideas that were supposed to win Afghanistan.

But the war wasn’t fought in Power Point. It was won or lost every day in the dusty lanes and spare villages a world away from Washington, or Geneva, or even Kabul-

in the thousands of village raids, IED blasts, and tea summits between the US military and the Afghan people. 

Here Lt. Matt Stuhler has a heart to heart with Haji Najibullah, Marjah, Helmand Province.

Mission to the Onkhai Valley.

A dog lunges at a soldier during a house search in Lachikhel, Tangi Valley.

A boy watches Spc. Don Ezra Plemmons buy supplies, Sayedabad.

An elderly man argues with Sgt. Timothy Stokes during a patrol in Marjah.

An evening swim in one of the US built canals, Marjah.

Baptism of Cpl. Wayne Murray, Marjah.

A pair of brothers cry as US soldiers take their father away for interrogation.

Biometric screening, Musa Khel district, Khost.

Cpt. Zepeda makes things clear for Haji Bozgul during a shura at COP Turbett, Marjah.

Deployment reading and wubby, Arghandab valley.

Sleeping MP’s, Kandahar.

MRAP and cows, Sabari district, Khost. 

Have a plan.

A letter from Marine Lnc. Cpl. Kaleb Lacy's fiance, Chor-Cherey.

Sgt. Stokes conducts a pre-mission brief before a patrol, COP Turbett.

Sgt. Thomas Burke conducts a search during an air assault in the Tangi Valley.

Mother and children, Marjah.

An Afghan Army soldier attacks a civilian after a firefight, Marjah.

Lnc. Cpl. Mullins fires a LAW rocket at insurgents during a fight in Marjah.

ANA soldiers assault Mulik, who they suspect of insurgent ties in Sabari district, Khost province.

Soldiers carry a dog they shot, Chapahar, Nangarhar Province.

Pfc. Lonnie Carter searches a father, Wardak.

Heading out to man an all night checkpoint, COP Babur, Kandahar.

A pull string, attached to a live IED left after a firefight, Chor-Cherey, Marjah.

Cpl. Eric Hopp rushes to save Cpl. Manuel Jimenez after he is hit with an IED on patrol in Marjah.

Cpl. Jimenez is carried across the canal. He lost his left arm in the blast.

End of a ceremony for Sgt. Sonny Zimmerman, COP Chamkani.

Soldiers salute at the ramp ceremony for Sgt. Patrick K. Durham and Spc. Andrew J. Castro killed in Babur. Kandahar Air Field.