Military Mission to Afghanistan

Thanksgiving in Afghanistan

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:38:45 -0500

The troops with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade had quite a Thanksgiving spread.

A Fallen Hero

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:43:36 -0400

We came to Afghanistan to tell the stories of our Fort Bragg soldiers and the work they'll be doing in this country. I didn't know we'd be grieving the loss of one of those soldiers no more than two months into a one-year deployment.

Fort Bragg soldier remembered

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:11:45 -0400

His body is returned to the U.S., but the soldiers who served alongside Staff Sgt. Robert Cowdrey held a memorial in his honor Monday in Afghanistan.

82nd takes over

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:51:05 -0400

Saturday's Transfer of Authority Ceremony at Forward Operating Base Shank marked the transition from the 10th Mountain Division to 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, Task Force Corsair.

Soldiers connect with family

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:09:11 -0400

Soldiers with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade are using the Internet to stay connected with family members back home.

Afghanistan: A Combat Zone

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:09:10 -0400

Since we arrived here in Bagram, it's been relatively quiet. It looked and felt like a safe place with everyone going about their daily lives.

Afghanistan's Grand Canyon

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:35:43 -0400

Just when I think I’ve exhausted the Wow! Factor when it comes to Afghanistan’s mountainous regions, I’m again pleasantly surprised.

Troops battle stress of combat

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:00:57 -0400

Fort Bragg troops who are stationed in Afghanistan find various ways to deal with the stress of combat. WRAL reporter Ken Smith interviewed several troops about living life in a war zone. Read more here.

Bragg troops focus on shooting skills

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:38:04 -0400

The closer Fort Bragg's 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade is to the Pakistan border, the higher the threat of encounters with insurgents.

To the Pakistan border

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:03:57 -0400

This was our first opportunity to visit 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers stationed outside Bagram Airfield. Forward Operating Base Salerno is located south/southwest of Bagram near the Pakistani border.

Ken Smith spends time with Medivac unit

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:05:27 -0400

Surviving in a combat zone takes a lot of practice. For members of Fort Bragg's 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, that practice has become a reality during their one-year deployment in Afghanistan.

Army 10 Miler in Afghanistan

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:57:03 -0400

Fort Bragg soldiers serving in Afghanistan got in an early morning run Sunday.

Afghanistan: A Scenic View

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:28:12 -0400

I've heard about the mountainous regions of Afghanistan but reading about them or seeing video on television doesn't do these mountain ranges justice.

Suspicious package causes scare for WRAL crew

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:55:57 -0400

A suspicious package caused a brief scare for U.S. soldiers and a WRAL News crew stationed in at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan on Friday.

Fort Bragg soldiers photo montage

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:57:19 -0400

WRAL photographer Chad Flowers created this picture montage of Fort Bragg troops in Afghanistan, and senior promotions producer Jay Yovanovich added music.

Soldiers from 82nd zero in weapons

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:50:02 -0400

Soldiers from the 82nd airborne division get their weapons ready before going on mission.

Living quarters in Afghanistan

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:39:22 -0400

WRAL photographer Chad Flowers gives a tour of where he, Ken Smith and Tony Gupton are staying while on assignment in Afghanistan.

Soldiers, Marines value technology for keeping in touch

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:51:06 -0400

Facebook, Skype and other Internet technologies have eased some of the pain of long deployments for those serving in Afghanistan.

Bagram: First impressions

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:56:34 -0400

We were taken to the place where we'll be staying for the next week or two, called Hotel California. If the tune made famous by the Eagles come to mind, I'd completely understand.

The handoff at Bagram

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:32:02 -0400

Soldiers from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade out of Fort Bragg were settling in Wednesday for their one-year deployment at Bagram Airfield. They will take over some duties from the departing 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, N.Y.

Arrival in Afghanistan

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:28:21 -0400

The WRAL News crew has arrived in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne, and we will have the first live report for you on WRAL News at 6. Here's a sneak peek.

Troops stop, train in Kyrgyzstan

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:33:44 -0400

Members of Fort Bragg's 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade spent time at the Transit Center at Manas training center in Kyrgyzstan Tuesday learning how to escape from a rolled-over vehicle.

Preparations for Afghanistan come in various forms

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:23:13 -0400

Members of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade are in their final tune-up for their deployment to Afghanistan.

Travel Time

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:22:33 -0400

I'm traveling with photographer Chad Flowers and Engineer Tony Gupton. We are litterally on the other side of the world in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a country that borders Afghanistan.

A Long Good-bye

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:03:10 -0400

It's hard to say good-bye. No where is that more poignant than at a send off for military personnel. There we were, among families and friends of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, as they said their final good-byes to their military loved ones.

Exhausted arrival

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:44:16 -0400

We are kinda exhausted and need to crash, but we have some video to send to you later today and we will have our first story on the WRAL News at 6.

Bragg family sends off father to third tour in five years

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 23:04:45 -0400

Chief Warrant Officer Kyle Campbell has spent the last three months soaking up time with his wife and three children. He left for Afghanistan with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade Saturday.

82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, WRAL leave for Afghanistan

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:28:02 -0400

Families say goodbye to their deploying soldiers as the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade and a WRAL News crew prepare to leave for Afghanistan.

Ken Smith prepares for Afghanistan trip

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:15:41 -0400

WRAL's Ken Smith talks about going to Afghanistan with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade and why this trip is different from previous trips to Iraq.