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September 8th, 2009
06:23 PM ET

Gallery: Photos from the front line in Afghanistan

August was the deadliest month for U.S. forces in Afghanistan since the beginning of the war in 2001. Roadside bombs are now the biggest threat to U.S. forces in the region. Anderson reports from the front lines of the war against the Taliban and goes out on patrol with Marines in Helmand Province.

Take a look at this photo gallery.
Filed under: 360° Radar • Afghanistan • Anderson Cooper
soundoff (65 Responses)
  1. Sgt. Ski's Wife

    Thanks AC...
    My husband is in 1/5 H&S Co. He does manage to call a little and said it was good having you there and that it will tell the true story of what they are doing there. He has already hit 2 IEDs and it's crazy to see all of that live. This is his 4th tour and it is hard to think about him in harms way. I hope all of you are safe and let the guys know their families are always with them.
    Thanks again...

    September 9, 2009 at 10:44 am |
  2. tammy

    I am a mother to one of the boys over there in 1/5. Im so very proud of all them,and all they do. I agree there needs to be more coverage over there than what there is.Be careful while reporting to us and thank you

    September 9, 2009 at 9:16 am |
  3. 1/5 Marine Mom

    Anderson,

    Thank you for brining these images of the war in Afghanistan to the public. It appears from the comments that many, many Marine and Military families are watching your coverage carefully. My son is with the 1/5 but not in your location. Still, I watch the background, the faces, and listen closely for encouraging words that our Marines are doing their job and doing it well. They sacrifice so much so we may live in comfort. Whether you believe in the war or not, urge our viewers to be proud and support our troops in harms way. We can't thank them enough but we can support them with letters, packages, and reports on programs like yours.

    September 9, 2009 at 8:43 am |
  4. Mary Katherine

    Thank you so much for covering 1/5 in Afghanistan this week. My fiance is with 1/5 and I can't wait for them to come home so me and him can get married on his post-deployment leave. It's such a relief to see our boys. I look online quite often for pictures just to see if I can find a glimpse of him somewhere in there, and in your broadcast tonight me and my mom were able to see 5 seconds of him that brought me to (happy) tears. I cannot tell you how much this has meant to me, again thank you so much.

    September 9, 2009 at 4:18 am |
  5. Jon Zatkin

    I've been watching your coverage of the war in Afghanistan with particular interest in reports and commentary by Peter Bergen and Michael Ware (for both of whom I have the greatest admiartion and respect). I keep waiting -in vain – for at least one of them to make at least some mention of the most critical factor in our success there: Pashtun tribalism!! There can be no understanding of the conflict in Afghanistan without understanding the relationship between the Pashtuns and the Taliban (most all of whom are Pashtuns) and between the Pashtuns and the Kabul government. This can be compared to the relationship between the Sunnis in Iraq and the Iraqi government which is largely Shia. Although Karzai is Pashtun, he is seen as a traitor or worse by much of the Pashtun community!! All our "clean, hold and build" efforts will be in vain until we can begin making some inroads into the Pashtun conviction that we're just another in a long line of invaders to be driven out!! And Karzai is NOT the man to do that!!

    September 9, 2009 at 3:57 am |
  6. Emma

    Ok, your are all handsome. What else ?

    September 9, 2009 at 3:22 am |
  7. concerned aunt of a 1/5 Marine

    Ac,great job over there.Can you please put up more stills of the 1/5,especially pictures where you can see the marines faces,that's my nephew's unit.(Josh M. Boston,Ma)

    September 9, 2009 at 1:37 am |
  8. shelly

    Anderson,I want to thank you for broadcasting from Afghanistan,and keeping us updated on what is happening over there.You are actually traveling with my nephew's (Joshua Mahoney,Mass.) unit, the 1/5.If you could try to do more interviews with the troops or atleast get more of their faces on camera,I know I would love to just get a glimpse him as I'm sure other families that are watching your program is looking for,just to see our loved ones puts us at ease a little bit. I want to thank you again for not forgetting our brave,young men and women over there. -Shelly Nee.

    September 9, 2009 at 1:29 am |
  9. michelle bratt

    Anderson and Co.
    Heartfelt thanks for your Afghanistan coverage. Your broadcast is helpful to me as to understand the landscape and challenges our military face. My son is a Navy Seabee, he just got to Afghan- 3 weeks ago. Your show is my link to what is going on. I will be watching all week and I hope you will have reporters on ground with continuing coverage in the weeks year to come.
    Peace, love and happiness,
    Michelle

    September 9, 2009 at 1:19 am |
  10. carol kesling

    thank you anderson,micahel ware, sanjay and all our troops fighting for our freedom over here.... god speed and take care of yourselves until you are all home again !!!!!!!!!! thank you, carol

    September 9, 2009 at 12:33 am |
  11. Tom Runyon

    my son is in 1/5 i am hoping to get to see my son but i respect all the troops that are searving and i hope and pray for the safety of them all i also think you for your reporting this week me and my wife are glued to your show on what our troops are going through if you run into a young man named LCPL chapman tell him we are vary proud of him and if you can put a picture of him on the air during this special this week you will have a fan for life but the most important thing is our boys coming home safe and america spreads freedom and acomp. there mission to protect our country A.C. thankyou and god bless you and CNN for this special THANK YOU TINA AND TOM

    September 9, 2009 at 12:10 am |
  12. Arceli Saddi Salanguit

    Hi Anderson its me again my son Rowell Salanguit US Navy corpsman on 1st battalion 5 th marines if u see him say hello for me & its b day sept 25 we all miss him so much esp his 15 month old son Gabriel thx so much Anderson appreciates

    September 9, 2009 at 12:02 am |
  13. Marco,NJ

    HEY AC: I just enjoy any of your reports. Also theres something going on tomorrow that there will bw a speach to a few fallen Marines. Well my brother will be giving that speach. His name Lance Coporal Alberto Couto. Hes out of California. Well, we'll be watching. THANKS Marco.......................

    September 8, 2009 at 11:57 pm |
  14. Nancy

    Thank you for your coverage of the 1/5. My son is over there also but with Bravo Co. I do know a few of the Marines at Jaker and would love to see some pictures of them. Stay safe over there, stand behind a Marine, thats the safest place there is.

    September 8, 2009 at 11:57 pm |
  15. Sara

    I look at the photo of you riding along side an American soldier in the chopper, and am drawn to your facial expression. It is very hard
    to imagine what thoughts must be going through your mind at
    that time. What you are doing is brave, maybe a little stupid, and
    sadly – very necessary. Thank you for commitment.

    September 8, 2009 at 11:55 pm |
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