An Afghan National Army soldier with the 1st Kandak, 1st Coy, prepares his mortar position before Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. Soldiers with Company D, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conduct a joint mission in rural portions of Zormat District, Afghanistan on Dec. 10, 2012. ANSF conducted all clearing and questioning operations, while the Rakkasans of Company D, 1-187, assisted in facilitating aerial support while supplying additional ground forces. During the mission, the ANSF detained several suspected insurgents and destroyed more than 80 lbs of homemade explosive material. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Abram Pinnington, Task Force 3/101 Public Affairs)