French Legionnaires….
An afghan man pushes a wheel barrel past French Foreign Legion soldiers during operation Avallon in the Tagab Valley, some 50 kilometers east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday Nov. 15, 2009. Hundreds of French and Afghan troops pushed into the volatile valley in an attempt to gain control of an area that has long been a haven for militants who launch quick attacks then fade back into hillside villages.
French Foreign Legion soldier identifies the target during a rocket propelled grenade attack fired by insurgents during operation Avallon in the Tagab Valley, some 50 kilometers east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday Nov. 15, 2009. Hundreds of French and Afghan troops pushed into the volatile valley in an attempt to gain control of an area that has long been a haven for militants who launch quick attacks then fade back into hillside villages.
French Foreign Legion artillery soldiers observe possible Taliban movement around the remote village of Saeb Zada in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009. The French Foreign Legion forces in charge of this volatile district of the Kapisa region are vying for influence with insurgents in the area.
Afghan children observe French Foreign Legion troops patrolling the remote village of Saeb Zada in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009. The French NATO forces in charge of this volatile district of the Kapisa region are vying for influence with insurgents in the area.
A French Foreign Legion soldier talks to children in the remote village of Saeb Zada in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009. The French NATO forces in charge of this volatile district of the Kapisa region are vying for influence with insurgents in the area.
French Foreign Legion troops at Tora Forward Operating Base, in Afghanistan, pay tribute during a ceremony on Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, to an Afghan soldier killed on Thursday, Dec. 10, by an IED, Improvised Explosive Device, during a joint NATO/Afghan patrol nearby.
French Foreign Legion troops at Tora Forward Operating Base, in Afghanistan, pay tribute during a ceremony on Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, to an Afghan soldier killed on Thursday, Dec. 10, by an IED, Improvised Explosive Device, during a joint NATO/Afghan patrol nearby.
French Foreign Legion Captain Guillaume, left, flanked by Afghan National Army soldiers, scan the Uzbeen near the Rocco combat outpost in the Surobi district, some 50 kms North-East of Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday Nov. 4, 2009.
French Foreign Legion soldiers man at a NATO-Afghan National Army checkpoint outside the Rocco combat outpost in the Surobi district, 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday Nov. 5, 2009.
French Foreign Legion soldier patrolling near the Afghan village of Ganda Khazaray near Surobi, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Kabul, Afghanistan.
French Foreign Legion soldiers deploy for operation Avallon in the Tagab Valley, some 50 kilometers east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday Nov. 15, 2009. Hundreds of French and Afghan troops pushed into the volatile valley in an attempt to gain control of an area that has long been a haven for militants who launch quick attacks then fade back into hillside villages.
Afghan boys look at French foreign legion soldiers during the meeting between French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and village elders at the remote village of Gandha Kazarai, Afghanistan, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009. Kouchner, on an overnight visit to the area, met with village elders for a traditional shura, or consultation
