Afghanistan military forces fighting in mountainous border still face aggressive fight

NARI DISTRICT, Afghanistan – The former American military base called Forward Operating Base Bostick in northeastern Afghanistan was once a critical launching pad during the troop surge to fight Taliban militants along the Pakistan border.

Now it's under the control of the Afghan National Army, whose troops in this far-flung remote base in northern Kunar province are still facing an entrenched enemy, as well as difficult mountainous terrain.

Advisers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division are helping guide the Afghan military and police forces as they face their first summer fighting without American ground or air support in one of the country's most difficult regions.

The insurgents struck a deadly first blow when they overran an outpost near the base this spring, killing 13 Afghan soldiers.