Combined American and Afghan National Army forces conduct Operation Rock Avalanche to flush out insurgents from the Korengal Valley. The valley is considered to be the epicenter of American fighting in Afghanistan and one of the deadliest zones of conflict in the region. Located near the Pakistan border, it was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel, used to bring men and arms into the country. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

American soldiers from Battle Company return fire in a skirmish with insurgents during Operation Rock Avalanche. The Korengal Valley is one of the deadliest zones of conflict in the region. Located near the Pakistan border, it was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

Combined American and Afghan National Army forces conduct Operation Rock Avalanche to flush out insurgents in northeastern Afghanistan. Korengal Valley is one of the deadliest zones of conflict in the region. Located near the Pakistan border, it was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

Men are made to stand at a distance from each other as US soldiers search their village during Operation Rock Avalanche. Korengal Valley is one of the deadliest zones of conflict in the region. Located near the Pakistan border, it was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

Afghan National Army soldiers search a house suspected of being an insurgent base after it had been partially destroyed during a US rocket attack. Combined US and Afghan forces conducted Operation Rock Avalanche to flush out insurgents from the Korengal Valley, near the Pakistan border. The valley was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

An Afghan National Army soldier watches as a bomb dropped by a fighter jet explodes during Operation Rock Avalanche. Combined US and Afghan forces conducted the operation to flush out insurgents from the Korengal Valley, near the Pakistan border. The valley was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

Wounded by shrapnel, women and children sit in a house suspected of being an insurgent base that was partially destroyed during a US rocket attack. Combined US and Afghan forces conducted Operation Rock Avalanche to flush out insurgents from the Korengal Valley, near the Pakistan border. The valley was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

US soldiers stand in a state of shock after their position was overrun by insurgents during Operation Rock Avalanche. The Korengal Valley is one of the deadliest zones of conflict in the region. Located near the Pakistan border, it was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

An American soldier carries the body of a fallen comrade, killed when insurgents overran their position during Operation Rock Avalanche. The Korengal Valley is one of the deadliest zones of conflict in the region. Located near the Pakistan border, it was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

A man stands with wounded children at a house partially destroyed during a US rocket attack. The house was suspected of being an insurgent base. Combined US and Afghan forces conducted Operation Rock Avalanche to flush out insurgents from the Korengal Valley, near the Pakistan border. The valley was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

An American soldier from Battle Company, which covers the Korengal Valley as part of the Second Battalion of the 503rd Infantry Regiment (airborne), collapses in exhaustion during Operation Rock Avalanche. The valley is one of the deadliest zones of conflict in the region. Located near the Pakistan border, it was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

A family walks on the only man-made road, deep in the Korengal Valley. The valley is one of the deadliest zones of conflict in the region. Located near the Pakistan border, it was the first part of a former mujahideen arms-smuggling channel. American military strategists believed that al-Qaeda was trying to revive the route.

Daily Life,2nd prize