Soldiers Train for Afghanistan Deployment on Fort Irwin, Calif.

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • A U.S. soldier playing the role of an Afghan soldier provides overwatch for two U.S. soldiers during a mock battle at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 9, 2011. The soldier playing the Afghan role is assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the other soldiers are assigned to 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, New York Army National Guard. The unit is part of the the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, training for mobilization and deployment to Afghanistan in early 2012. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg
  • Soldiers in Humvees prepare to enter a mock village at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 9, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg
  • Soldiers maneuver through a mock village at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 9, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg
  • Soldiers man machine guns in the turrets of two Humvees while providing overwatch for fellow troopers entering a mock village at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 9, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg
  • Soldiers react to a simulated detonation of a car bomb after entering a mock battle at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 9, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg
  • Soldiers enter a mock village at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 9, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg
  • Soldiers enter a mock village at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 9, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Richard Goldenberg
  • Soldiers secure a firing position during a mock battle at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 8, 2011. U.S. Army photo by Spc. James Roa
  • Army Staff Sgt. Fayed Mohammed, right, directs his squad to a good firing position during a simulated assault training mission at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 8, 2011. Mohammed is assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Spc. James Roa