Afghan national army soldiers wait for instruction on house-to-house searches. (Photo by G. A. Volb)
An Afghan national army instructor tells his troops how to prepare to enter a house. Select this photo for a high-resolution version. (Photo by G. A. Volb)
As part of the "entry team," this Afghan soldier secures the team's backside. Select this photo for a high- resolution version. (Photo by G. A. Volb)
The ANA instructor shows a soldier how to position himself prior to entry into a home. Select this photo for a high-resolution version. (Photo by G. A. Volb)
It's been nearly a year since I set foot on Afghanistan soil back in May of 2008. It's been both a rewarding and frustrating 12 months, but one thing I'm sure of, the Afghans are slowly taking the lead both in the field during combat operations and on Kabul Military Training Center as instructors.
This is no small feat, as it's a major step toward Afghans being able to provide for their nation's security.
First security, then economic development (which the coalition is aggressively "attacking" now), and then personal empowerment. The latter, in my opinion, the final step in creating a free Afghanistan in which its citizens have the opportunity to better their lives -- without the fear of oppression or violence from either internal or external forces.
And a free, productive Afghanistan is -- like that of Pakistan -- a must if we're to ensure peace prevails globally.
