SAR HOWZA, Afghanistan – Afghan National Policemen and U.S. Army soldiers take a break on top of a mountain after conducting self aid buddy care and movement formation training here Dec. 24. The goal of the training was to prepare the policemen to care for wounded. (ISAF Joint Command photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nathan Gallahan)

The mountains around Wardak province, Afghanistan, are covered with snow after a two day snow storm, Nov. 25, 2009.

Although only a relatively short distance from Tarin Kowt, the Garmab Valley is flanked by barren mountain sides. Here, members of Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and local Afghan police access the area on foot. Patrolling among the isolated village communities in the mountains of Uruzgan Australia’s Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) is continuing to establish new and important bonds with the people. (Photo courtesy Australian Government Department of Defence)

BAMYAN, Afghanistan -- Scenic photo of the mountains surrounding Foward Operating Base, Bamyan in the Hazarajat region of Afghanistan. ISAF photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Terry Matlock. (RELEASED)

BAMYAN, Afghanistan -- Scenic photo of the mountains surrounding Foward Operating Base, Bamyan in the Hazarajat region of Afghanistan. ISAF photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Terry Matlock. (RELEASED)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Troop A, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, watch as explosives detonate inside an insurgent weapon cache during a joint air-assault mission with Afghan National Security Forces in the mountains of Khowst Province Oct. 8. The successful operation resulted in the location and destruction of two insurgent weapons caches containing recoilless rifle rounds, rocket-propelled grenades, small-arms ammunition and a machine gun. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brent C. Powell, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division)

100516-F-1020B-003

FEYZABAD, Afghanistan - A scene of the mountains and village, during a security patrol by Provincial Reconstruction Team Feyzabad's Mobile Observation and Liaison Team. Official photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Tabios, ISAF HQ Public Affairs

HERAT, Afghanistan--The view from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)mission, Nov. 30. ISAF is assisting the Afghan government in extending and exercising its authority and influence across the country, creating the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction. (ISAF Photo by TSgt Laura K. Smith)(released)

HERAT, Afghanistan--The view from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)mission, Nov. 30. ISAF is assisting the Afghan government in extending and exercising its authority and influence across the country, creating the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction. (ISAF Photo by TSgt Laura K. Smith)(released)

An Afghan Soldier with 3rd Commando Kandak, advised by Soldiers with Special Operations Task Force - South, provides security overwatch during an operation to remove insurgents from Lam village, Khakrez District, Nov. 14, 2010, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daniel P. Shook/Special Operations Task Force - South)(Released)

HERAT, Afghanistan--The view of a western Afghanistan village from a Spanish Army CH-47 Chinook Helicopter during an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, Sept. 27, 2008. ISAF is assisting the Afghan government in extending and exercising its authority and influence across the country, creating the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction. (ISAF photo by U.S. Air Force TSgt Laura K. Smith)(released)

PANJSHER, Afghanistan - Afghanistan's first wind farm officially began operation during a ceremony here Nov. 13, 2008. The wind farm will serve as an eco-friendly source of power for the Panjsher Government Compound and the surrounding areas. (ISAF photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aramis Ramirez)

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afganistan - German Army Pvt. 1st Class Michael conducts a surveillance of a neighboring village, during a daily security patrol in the region. The patrols ensure safety and security for NATO forces and fosters good relations with Afghan locals.

Policemen with the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Afghan National Civil Order Police Brigade, stationed in the Arghandab River Valley, conduct a presence patrol with their partnered U.S. Special Forces team from Special Operations Task Force-South, Aug. 28, near the Arghandab District Center, Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

Farah - Afghanistan (Feb. 16, 2010) -The Farah Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) convoys away from the Tojg Village medical clinic following a provincial health inspection, Feb. 6, 2010, Tojg, Afghanistan. Two provincial health officers were transported by the PRT to the clinic to conduct the assessment. Without the protection of the PRT, the health officers would not be able to gather the data they need to complete their reports, which they forward to Kabul for review by the Ministry of Public Health. Built by the PRT in 2007, the Tojg Village medical clinic sees and treats patients from 14 nearby villages and has been run by the Afghan medical professionals since it opened. (Photo by: U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Tracy DeMarco)

100822-F-1020B-085

100516-F-1020B-032

US Soldiers from 4th BCT (ABN), 25th ID, comb a wheat field during a search in the Sabari District of the Khost Province. (Photo by Andrya Hill)

The Bagram Valley looking North for Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Photo by David Elmore of the United States of America.

Kajakan Valley in the Shinwari District of Afghanistan. Photo by David Elmore of the United States of America.

A girl looks South into the mountains surrounding Lower Kajakan Village in the Shinwari District of Afghanistan. Photo by David Elmore of the United States of America.