U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Balhuizen uses an M-14 rifle to scan the hills surrounding the Nurgaram District Center while Afghan and Alliance military and police forces meet with key provincial election officials to discuss security for the nation's second national election, scheduled for late August in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, on Aug. 4, 2009. Balhuizen is a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, which have been increasing operations in their area in order to disrupt anti-Afghan forces.