heuntering them are u.s. and afghan troops. charlie d'agata recently embedded with american soldiers fighting in this country's longest war, in the deadliest province for americans in 2017. >> reporter: in black hawk helicopters, we left kabul as night fell. to eastern afghanistan, nangarhar. of the 11 u.s. troops killed here in afghanistan last year, more than half died in nangarhar. ant only taliban territory, but also an isis stronghold. the terror group has launched at least 17 attacks already this year, killing hundreds of people. soldiers who were fifth graders when this war began in 2001, now directing afghan forces in an operation to clear isis-held villages under the command of lieutenant colonel brian ducote. are you kicking the hornet's nest here? a f you expecting a fight back? >> we want a fight back. d d so do our partners, because