Fayetteville Observer military embed reporter says soldiers' duties shifting

 Much has changed in Afghanistan since thousands of Fort Bragg soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division were first deployed to the area for Operation Enduring Freedom a decade ago.

Since, missions have shifted from active combat to mainly providing protection, said senior military reporter Drew Brooks of The Fayetteville Observer.

"You had a lot of soldiers going on dismounted patrols. They were going out looking for IEDs, looking for a fight," he said. "You just don't see that now."

The Observer embedded Brooks to cover the 1st Brigade Combat Team in 2012. He recently returned to Afghanistan and said via Skype interview Monday that morale among soldiers is high, especially after mostly peaceful elections were held April 5 for the first time in 13 years.

"There were a lot of police officers and soldiers proud to be involved with the election process, proud of how things went, and people proud they voted," he said.

Brooks said soldiers are now focused on breaking down bases and preparing the Afghan national army and police to take over patrol after the majority of troops leave at the end of the year.