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
Graham Smith/NPR

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.

soldiers in field
Graham Smith/NPR

Members of Fox Company take positions in a field as they move towards Sorhodoz. More photos after the jump.

 
piles of poppy
Graham Smith/NPR

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

welcoming party
Graham Smith/NPR

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