Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan

Photo by Lance Cpl. Monty Burton

Sgt. Nick Bender conducts an iris scan of an Afghan village elder’s eye during a cordon and search mission Feb. 9, in Farah province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Marines use the Biometric Automated Toolset to identify Afghans by using fingerprints and iris scans. Bender is the Company-Level Intelligence Cell chief with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. The SPMAGTF-A mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations, with a focus on training and mentoring the Afghan national police.