KHYBER PASS, Afghanistan - U.S., Afghan and Pakistani are opening the first of six joint military intelligence centers along the rocky Afghan-Pakistan border.

The centers represent the next step in American efforts to get the two countries to work together to combat Taliban and al-Qaida fighters who take refuge in the region.

Afghan and Pakistani military officers will be able to watch live video feeds from U.S. spy planes in the intelligence centers, and then relay that information back to their militaries.

Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, the commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, told about 100 military personnel from the three countries they are taking "a giant step forward in cooperation, communication and coordination."