NPR's Graham Smith is in the Helmand River valley of south-central Afghanistan. It's now day three of the U.S.-led offensive there. Smith accompanied the 2/8 Marine Battalion (that's 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines) as it moved into the village of Sorhodoz. He filed a report for today's show, and he also sent along these pictures of Fox Company.

elders and soldiers

Captain John Sun meets with elders in the village of Sorhodez, Helmand Province. On the right is the village's religious leader, Mullah Zae Nudin. Graham Smith/NPR

 



soldiers in field

Members of Fox Company take positions in a field as they move towards Sorhodoz.Graham Smith/NPR


 

More photos after the jump.





piles of poppy

Inside the compound, the marines found what appears to be the owner's seed stock for next year's poppy crop.Graham Smith/NPR

 :
welcoming party

A child in the village of Sorhodez holds a bag of candy given to him by the marines.Graham Smith/NPR

 

9:07 - July 4, 2009

What is this?

Share