Once a pocket of stability, in recent years, Northern Afghanistan has become one of the most contested regions of the country. Afghan and US forces are in a constant battle to prevent the Taliban and other insurgent and terrorist groups from attacking major towns and cities. One of the most destructive weapons in the insurgents’ arsenal are Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs.

An Afghan security forces vehicle after being struck by an IED. All the occupants of the vehicle were killed as a result of the attack.

When a US Army Special Forces unit deployed to Afghanistan, they quickly learned that their partner force, Afghan Commandos, did not have functioning metal detectors. US soldiers then reached out to Spirit of America and explained that without metal detectors, their partner forces were at a great risk of being killed or maimed on every mission. They explained further that the routes the Afghans were clearing were also used by US forces and that providing metal detectors would keep them safe as well. With your support, Spirit of America will be able to provide the metal detectors that are required to keep US soldiers and their partner forces safe in Afghanistan.