For this weeks post I choose to show a photo and tell the story behind it. In Afghanistan today American soldiers were involved in a firefight. The men had been occupying a strategic mountaintop in the Korengal Valley when they were attacked by Talban forces. Men raced to take cover and keep safe from the sudden onrush and, as one soldier, Kyle Stephenson put it, “We are very lucky we escaped without any wounded” (1). As the battle ensued many were taken off guard and forced to think and act quickly and intelligently. In a firefight one misstep can be the downfall.
The American forces were unscathed in the fight of firearms although the Taliban casualties remain unknown. This fight is an example of the American Forces ability to adapt and act quickly under pressure. General Max Sinkart commented, “Our Army is incredibly skilled, we can be ready for combat in a moments notice as we have seen today” (1).
As previously mentioned this fight went down in the Korengal Valley, one of the most war devastated areas in all of Afghanistan. The Valley is located in Eastern Afghanistan in the Kunar Province, the site of the heaviest fighting in the Afghan war. The firefight ended (for a reason not mentioned) and the daily life went back to normal. The picture shown is the scene after the fight. As the smoke left from the rifles rises up in the sky, the soldiers ironically take a smoking break.

Moore, John. "Pictures of the Day Oct. 28." 28 Oct. 2008 28 Oct 2008 .