I am currently a military advisor to the Afghan National Army in the Korengal valley. This valley sits nestled in the Hindu Kush mountains of North Eastern Afghanistan. The valley is surrounded by high mountains and breath taking views. Beautiful sunsets and terraced fields make up the valley itself but this gorgeous scenery proves the theory that appearences can be deceiving. Behind the beautiful exterior the valley hides its true self. Its nickname by the US army, ANA, and US Marines who live, fight, and die here is the valley of death. The valley hates all things foreign and will give all it has to repel what it decides are invaders. We live by its code of survival because even the Taliban only sends its best to this valley. We live in old crumbling buildings or in bunkers carved out of the valley itself. I live with 24 ANA soilders and one other Marine. We lasted her winter and now with the spring she will do all she can to rid herself of us. We will not let her because we are stronger. Our bombs and bullets will push the mountains away and when enough men have died we will be the ones enjoying her landscape.
