Dan Rather heading back to Afghanistan

DALLAS, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Veteran U.S. broadcast journalist Dan Rather is returning to Afghanistan to cover the conflict from the frontlines, HDNet announced Wednesday.

Rather is expected to report on U.S. forces in eastern Afghanistan, where some of the heaviest casualties have been reported, the network said, adding this will be Rather's third trip to Afghanistan for HDNet.

"Rather first traveled over the Khyber Pass 30 years ago to report on the Afghan's war against an invading Soviet army," the network said in a news release. "At the time there was no such thing as the Internet or cell phones, however, this time he'll be 'tweeting' from the front lines. ... He will be spending a week touring the region and speaking with local U.S. military commanders about their views on having more troops sent to the region. President Obama could make a decision this week regarding sending more soldiers to Afghanistan."

Footage from the trip is to air on an upcoming episode of the HDNet program "Dan Rather Reports."