Dying War
The signs of a dying war are everywhere in Afghanistan. An officer serving there reports on the layoffs and yard sales that mark the strange last days of America’s longest war.
Desert Winds
The recent Afghan elections should have been the big news, but even troops deployed to Afghanistan are distracted by the spiraling chaos in Iraq.
War
A military officer in Afghanistan reports on how troops there have reacted to the news of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s release.
Afghanistan
An officer in Afghanistan volunteers to help teach English to Afghan students and ends up making art with them.
Bombs Bursting
Rockets are raining down on bases in Afghanistan as the Taliban’s fighting season begins, and one military officer is taking extra precautions while he dodges the incoming fire.
KIA
Nick Willard watches as the caskets of soldiers killed in Afghanistan are loaded onto an airplane to be flown home. The assembled troops pay their respects. There are no photos allowed.
Dying War
A military officer chronicles his first week back in Afghanistan readjusting to the strange rhythm of life on an overseas military base.
Take Off
On his way to Afghanistan, an officer is surprised by a strange sight at a layover in the middle of the night.
Afghanistan
Before he leaves on another deployment to Afghanistan, a military officer has to break the news to his family.
Afghanistan
An American military officer leaving on one of the last deployments to Afghanistan before the war ends, writes about his experiences in a new feature for The Daily Beast.