Dear Interested Reader,
The 20th FAR says goodbye to orphans. USACE strengthens relationship with new provincial leader. "Celebration of Sovereignty" day in Diyala prov.
In Afghanistan, a most interesting story of TN Guardsmen establishing agribusiness development in Paktia and Paktika provs. Bomb making facility destroyed in Helman prov, while forces are establishing bases. Breathtaking pics of 10th Mtn soldiers patroling Kunar prov.
Joanna
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July 6, 2009
Special to American Forces Press Service
Soldiers Say Goodbye to Iraqi Orphans With Party, Gifts
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
Nisreen Raoof plays with an orphan at the Deep Strike farewell party to the children of the Kut orphanage at the Rehanah al-Haydaryah Family Park, June 26, 2009.
FOB DELTA – The 20th FAR, 41st Fires Bde, 2nd Bn, couldn’t leave without a special goodbye to some local children they likely will never forget.
The bn is winding down its time here in Wasit province, and as one of its last services to the community, the soldiers treated the children from the Kut orphanage to an evening of games, gifts and entertainment.
“It was an idea to have an event before the American forces left, that they could say goodbye to the Iraqi children, and it should be in an open area like the park,” said Nisreen Raoof, the orphanage director.
Lt. Col. Timothy Bush, 2nd Bn cmdr, and the Deep Strike soldiers have been working with the communities and ISF throughout Wasit province. The orphans enjoyed an evening of performances by the 34th ID band, and games including musical chairs, water balloon toss, 3-legged race and soccer. Deep Strike Soldiers also supplied snacks, drinks and gifts for the event.
“Before we met with Lt Col Bush, we had a bad picture of American forces because of the media,” Raoof said. “Before, they used to say the Americans were invaders and occupation forces. But after we met with them and talked with them, we found out that they have big hearts and are very human, especially Lt Col Bush. He has a big heart and he's helped us a lot. He gave us backpacks and soccer balls for the school.”
The evening’s events were wonderful for the children and soldiers, Raoof said, but the biggest gift the soldiers gave was the gift of democracy. “I'd like to send my regards to all American citizens and the American army, because they sacrificed a lot of soldiers in Iraq to bring Iraq its democracy,” she said. “We have free speech. We can say whatever we want. We have political freedoms and can say our opinion. “Right now, we have stability and we have good security in this province with the help of the IA and the IP. Right now, thanks to God, we are living free, and living in a democracy. We'll always remember the Americans for helping us to set up the country like this.”
Two boys from the Kut orphanage inspect the new soccer ball they received from a soldier.
Children circle around during a game of musical chairs.
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Multi-National Division - North PAO
New provincial leader works to strengthen relationship with U.S. engrs
Ahmed al-Jabar writes down info concerning civil reconstruction projects during a meeting with CF and civil engrs at the USACE regional HQ, June 29. (Army photo by Spc. Jazz Burney)
COB SPEICHER, TIKRIT - Seated around a conference table in the USACE regional headquarters, June 29, Ahmed al-Jabar, the Salah ad-Din Prov. Dep. Gov. met with U.S. Forces and USACE engrs to strengthen their working relationship, and discuss upcoming projects to improve the lives of the people.
"This meeting was an opportunity to open a channel of communication for the benefit of Salah ad-Din," said Ahmed al-Jabar. He expressed his happiness at the meeting, where he received a briefing on past, ongoing and future projects for the prov.
"We'll have better results at the start of our projects due to the additional insight the Iraqi personnel bring to the table," said Glenn Myrick, resident engr, USACE. "I know that having Iraqi leaders' input is essential, because they know the terrain of Iraq and have adapted to the environment," said Capt. Justin King, the cmdr's ERP mgr, 3rd IBCT, 25th ID.
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Multi-National Division - North PAO
'Celebration of Sovereignty' Day in Diyala Province
Thousands of IP marched through the streets of Baqubah during the "Celebration of Sovereignty" in Diyala Province, June 29, to commemorate the dedication and sacrifice of Coalition and ISF.
(AF photos by Staff Sergeant Ali Flisek)
TIKRIT - The event was held to honor both groups who worked together to defeat the insurgency and quell previous violence in the prov., and to celebrate the progress ISF have made towards providing stability and security in the region.
The parade included more than 2,000 marching IP Officers, as well as police vehicles, S.W.A.T. trucks, and fire engines. After the parade, several IPs provided demonstrations, one that featured police personnel controlling a rioting crowd, as well as a robot that can diffuse bombs.
"You saw the chaos our country went through after the fall of the former regime, but in spite of Al-Qaeda being in the country, our sons believed the victory was coming. You lived under those difficult circumstances and won against the enemies of freedom with security forces, and the elections were proof for that," said Talib Hassan, the Provincial Council Chief.
Diyala gov. al-Mahdawi shakes hands with the Diyala Dir. of Police.
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DoD Imagery
Army 1st Sgt. Jamie Crankfield, Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Johnson, an interpreter (left) and a member of the INP share a joke while on a break during a briefing about an air assault mission at COP Cashe South, Baghdad, June 5, 2009. The mission, which will take place at the outpost, will provide Iraqi forces with a different view of how to enter a scene.
(DoD photo by Sgt. Ferdinand Thomas)
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DoD Imagery
A U.S. Army soldier with 1st Sqdrn, 150th Cav Regt, 30th HBCT, 1st Cav Div wears a mask to protect himself from a dust storm in Baghdad, June 27, 2009. (DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Edwin Wriston, U.S. Navy)
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
TN NG establishes agribusiness development in Paktia, Paktika provs
By Army Sgt. 1st Class George Winters
The TN NG ADT, which recently deployed to FOB Gardez, is the first unit of its kind in the Paktia and Paktika provinces.
JALALABAD AIR FIELD - The TN ADT is comprised of Soldiers from across the state, all of which volunteered to serve the State of Tennessee, their country, and the people of Afghanistan. The team is broken down into security force members, an HQ element, and approx. 15 technical experts with a vast knowledge and experience in agriculture and livestock.
Army Staff Sgt. Roger Broach is one of these agricultural experts. An alumnus of the U of T where he obtained a B.S. in Agriculture, he has numerous years of experience in vegetable production, having grown up on a small farm. Broach is currently employed with the TN Dept of Labor & Workforce Development, where he serves in the financial department. His civilian experience of initiating contracts and working with various types of computer software has proven beneficial to the team's work. Contract origination and negotiations with Afghanistan businessmen and contractors are a critical part of each project's implementation.
"If we can show the people the potential of their own capabilities to provide food and income for themselves, they will accomplish it. ADTs have the potential of assisting the Afghan people to improve their overall quality of life through more modern agricultural technology and time proven techniques of successful farming," he said. "Another key aspect will be to merge the minds of the Afghan people with western water mgt such as irrigation, flood control and water retention."
One of the TN ADT's responsibilities is to include the various levels of the Afghan govt in every activity. This starts at the national level, and goes down through the provincial, district and village levels. The ADT primarily deals with the provincial Dir. of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock. The DAIL provides the ADT with the province's priority list and coordinates with other provincial
directors. He incorporates the use of his extension workers and a training facility recently built by a PRT.
As the TN ADT cmdr, Army Col. Jim Moore is responsible for everything that the unit does and does not accomplish, as well as the health and welfare of the TN Guardsmen. "I believe that the overall mission of the TN ADT is to assist in renovating the agricultural economy, by providing U.S. agricultural and engr specialists to work with their Afghan counterparts in Paktia Prov," Moore said.
Moore is also an alumnus of the U of T where he graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in agriculture, majoring in agriculture education. On agricultural projects, Moore contributes guidance and direction on livestock projects, and serves as the lead on all agricultural finance projects, using his knowledge of banking, in building the financial aspects of every project.
"Successful business owners, and agriculture as a business, spend as much time on marketing and gross sales opportunities as maximizing production yields," he explained. "Also, a growing business must have access to loans and/or banking institutions."
The farmers in eastern Afghanistan are located near more than 3 million potential customers of their agricultural products. Understanding and production of the central Asian buyers' desires, needs and wants, is required to make the Afghan farmers successful.
The ADT has been on the ground for approx. 90 days, but has already accomplished a great deal. The team has made at least 2 visits to the 14 districts within its province and conducted assessments of the current agricultural situation in conjunction with the local leaders. As a result, nearly a dozen projects for funding through the military's Cmdr's Emergency Response Program, or CERP, have been created and submitted.
Several of these projects are in conjunction with the Paktia University's School of Agriculture. At one time, Afghan universities were competitive with institutions across the globe. Unfortunately, they were almost completely destroyed during the Soviet occupation and the subsequent Taliban regime.
The local university is dependent on national funding, but lacks the necessary resources to teach the current influx of students. The TN ADT has agreed to assist the School of Agriculture in meeting its critical needs. The team intends to implement up to 50 projects before the duty tour ends, and they are relieved by another ADT from Oklahoma.
Thirty years ago Afghanistan was known as a leading agricultural exporter. Agriculture accounted for nearly 80% of their economy, but the Russian invasion and the Taliban's fight for control have taken their toll on the country's farming capabilities.
Although much technology and knowledge has been lost, through the efforts of the these various ADTs in coordination with other dedicated national and int'l officials, these losses can be overcome and allow the Afghanistan economy to once again thrive.
Army Col. Jim Moore, cmdr of the TN ADT, visits with village elders in the Paktia Province, during a mission to evaluate a proposed project site, June 1. (Army courtesy photo by Spc. Todd Steffen)
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Blackanthem Military News
ANP, CF destroy bomb-making facility in Helmand province
By US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs Office
KABUL - ANP, assisted by CF, discovered a roadside bomb-making compound during a security patrol in Nad Ali district, Helmand prov.
ANP and CF were conducting a security patrol when they discovered multiple roadside bombs outside of a village. The team conducted a search of the immediate area, and the bombs were safely detonated in place.
As the combined force continued their search, they discovered a bomb-making facility, 16 additional roadside bombs and more than 100 pounds of explosive material.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
10th Mountain Soldiers Patrol Kunar Province
Photos by Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller
Spc. Rufino Persaud scans for suspicious activity from an Afghan Border Police outpost, while fellow members of HHC, 1st Bn, 32nd Inf Regt, 10th Mtn Div, speak with members of Afghan Border Police, June 30. 1st Bn. Soldiers work closely with their Afghan counterparts, in Kunar Province, in order to help stop illegal activity along the border with Pakistan.
(Photos by Army Sgt. Matthew Moeller)
Soldiers with HHC patrol outside FOB Joyce, in Kunar Province. During the Patrol, the Soldiers met with Afghan Border Police officers to discuss continued security.
Soldiers patrol the rocky cliffs near FOB Joyce.
Army Officers set up a defensive position with a M-240B Machine Gun on a road outside FOB Joyce.
Capt. Christian Lightsey looks out over the village of Sarhani during a patrol. Lightsey, and fellow Soldiers have been patrolling Afghanistan's volatile Kunar Province since arriving in early January.
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American Forces Press Service
Marines, Afghans Establish Bases in Helmand
By Jim Garamone
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2009 – U.S. Marines and ASF are continuing Op Khanjar in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, NATO officials said today.
Marines and Afghan personnel are clearing the region of Taliban and establishing bases among the people. They'll stay to ensure the Taliban or other terrorist groups do not move back in. The strategy calls for experts to move into the region and work with local residents to build the economy and governance.
The forces are operating in the districts of Nawa and Garmsir in central Helmand prov. The Marines are operating as far south as the vicinity of Khan Neshin, the capital of Rig district in the region of the Helmand River valley known as “The Fishhook.” The effort is part of a larger strategy in Regional Command South. British and Afghan forces also are operating in Helmand and Kandahar provs.
Few coalition or Afghan govt forces have been in Helmand province. It's a center for the poppy trade, and has been a safe haven for the Taliban who used violence and other methods to intimidate the people.
“The Marines and Afghan forces are continuing to patrol and have begun engaging with key leaders in the districts to better understand the concerns and needs of Afghans in the area,” said Marine Corps Capt. Bill Pelletier, a spokesman for the command. “Once security is established, civil affairs personnel and other nongovernmental orgs and agencies will begin establishing programs aimed at building long-term governance and development throughout the Helmand River valley.”
One Marine has been killed in action, and several others have been injured or wounded since the op began. Officials in Kabul said the Taliban have not directly confronted the massive op, but rather are melting into the populace.
Also, an Afghan man was wounded when he failed to heed warnings to halt as he approached a Marine position south of Garmsir. No need has arisen for close-air support, officials said.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Finishing Combat Outpost Penich
Photo by Army Sgt. Matthew Moeller
Army Pfc. Jason Wiley works on constructing a new building at COP Penich in Kunar province, June 2. The 6-month-old outpost is one of many being developed throughout Afghanistan in order to provide increased security and humanitarian missions in the country's eastern and southern regions. Wiley is an Indiana National Guardsman with 2nd Plt, 1613th Engr Co.
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