Dear Interested Reader,
Spc. Salvatore Galgano received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his outstanding meritorious service while under fire in Afghanistan. His story is one of such formidable courage, that it will be the first one you read! U.S. and Iraqi troops have been busy capturing suspected terrorists, criminals and munitions caches. Sadr City shows recovery from violent past. Quality of life improves as Iraq's National Power Grid climbs. In Afghanistan U.S. Soldiers team up with Afghan and New Zealand forces to combat crimes.
Joanna
__________________________________
Dec. 22, 2008
Blackanthem Military News
Soldier Earns Valor Medal for Afghan Combat Actions
By US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs
Col. Brian K. Balfe, a member of the New York Army National Guard and cmdr. of CJTF-Phoenix, pins Spc. Salvatore Galgano with the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, at Camp Phoenix, in Kabul on 13 December 2008.
(Army Photo by Major Kathy Oliver)
CAMP PHOENIX, KABUL - Army Specialist Salvatore Galgano, 23, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor today for exceptionally meritorious service while under fire.
On 20 August, Spc. Galgano was a member of a combat patrol of about 20 U.S. troops in Bala Murghab, Badghis Province in western Afghanistan. The patrol came under fire from entrenched enemy forces surrounding a corn field, which forced the patrol to take cover in ditches and behind rock walls adjacent to a small farming village. The estimated strength of the enemy force was approx. 70 fighters. Galgano moved to the site of enemy contact, and then rushed to a position on top of a hill in order to establish a base of fire with his M240B machinegun, and provide cover for the other members of his team. According to the combat report, he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy fire, delivered effective suppressive fire against enemy positions, and served as a forward observer, as other members of his team used grenade launchers as artillery to engage the enemy who were occupying covered positions in close proximity to the patrol. From his over watch position, he drew considerable small arms, sniper, machinegun and RPG fire. More than 50 rounds landed within inches of him. He occupied this position for nearly 3 hours. Later, when he had evacuated his position under concealment from smoke grenades, he joined in the ground assault and clearing op, which swept most of the enemy from their positions.
The engagement lasted almost 6 hours, with most of the fighting taking place at close quarters. Galgano once again took an exposed position on top of the roof of a building in the village in order to engage the enemy. He is also credited with taking out several enemy fighters who were attempting to attack the patrol's flank, and for eliminating an RPG gunner who was targeting a team mate. At the end of the battle, approx. 30 enemy fighters had been killed or wounded.
Galgano joined the Army 3 years ago as an infantry soldier and is assigned to the 11th Armored Cav Regt based at Fort Irwin, CA. He was deployed to Afghanistan about a year ago and assigned to Afghan Regional Security Integration Command-West (ARSIC-W) as one of a 44-member training team to support the Afghan NA.
ARSIC-W is a command of Combined Joint TF Phoenix, a part of Combined Security Transition command-Afghanistan with the mission to train, mentor and develop the Afghan NA and Afghan NP.
At the time of the incident Combined Joint TF Phoenix was being led by the 27th IBCT of the N.Y. Army National Guard.
-30-
Just for Laughs
Army Sgt. 1st Class Greg Seamon, right, shares a laugh with a local Iraqi teenager while presenting him with a sweatshirt during a leader's engagement in Muhallah 726, 9 Nissan, eastern Baghdad, Dec. 10, 2008.
Army photo by Staff Sgt. James Selesnick.
-30-
Blackanthem Military News
U.S. Soldiers Team Up With Afghan, New Zealand Forces
By Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens
Dec 19, 2008 - 6:48:26 PM
Army Sgt. Kevin Swackhamer of the TF Warrior SF, examines the ankle of an injured Afghan man during a mission in Afghanistan's Bamyan province, Dec. 10, 2008.
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - A unit of the 10th Mtn Div's 1st BCT had a new mission in Afghanistan recently, when it teamed up with Afghan and New Zealand forces, to combat crimes in the eastern part of the country. After an increase in robberies and other insurgent activities in parts of Bamyan province, a team from TF Warrior SF joined forces with the New Zealand PRT, and Afghan NP to conduct combat patrols and searches in several areas of the province.
The SF normally provides transportation for key personnel throughout the area of ops. But for the last couple of weeks, they conducted offensive ops, in conjunction with other elements of the brigade, as well as the PRT and ANP, Army Lt. Col. Stephen Jeselink, the TF's dep. cmdr., said.
"There had been a couple of recent robberies along the Shibar Pass, which runs along the boundary of Bamyan and Parwan provinces," said Army 1st Lt. Brian Capra, officer in charge of the force, who implemented vehicle checkpoints and static observation posts throughout Shibar Valley. The force also conducted patrols along the Gandak Highway, which runs along the territory where Hungarians conduct ops in Baghlan province.
"The op targeted insurgents known to traffic weapons and explosives used to conduct attacks," said Jeselink, who reported the op as successful and without incident. CF established more of a presence to dissuade criminal activity and deny the enemy freedom of movement, officials said. In addition, they established relationships with local villagers.
"Afghan people were very generous," Capra said, noting that village elders allowed troops to stay overnight in village schoolhouses as they traveled throughout the territory. The force also distributed radios and handed out other humanitarian aid as they conducted patrols.
An interpreter for TF Warrior speaks with 2 villagers from Afghanistan's Bamyan province.
-30-
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Sadr City shows recovery from violent past
BAGHDAD - Along a road a man sells hot, fresh rotisserie chicken under a string of lights. Nearby, 2 men stand in warm coats and knitted caps casually sipping a hot drink at a store front, where another man in a blue "USA" sweatshirt moves quickly back and forth behind a glass counter tossing fresh ingredients in warm pitas for a growing line of patrons.
It's just a typical evening, Dec. 18 along the street market near the Jamilla and Al Quds Road in Baghdad's Sadr City district.
"It's really bustling isn't it," said Lt. Col. Michael Pemrick, dep. comm. officer for the 3rd BCT, 4th ID. Pemrick is excited when he walks this street now, because only seven months ago his Soldiers along with their partners in the Iraqi Army, fought a pitched battle on this street, and others like it to take control of this once volatile district. "Before, when you heard the word Sadr City, you pictured an urban war zone," he said. "Now, the people are relaxed, they are comfortable around Americans, and the IA have a good relationship with the people."
Today, store fronts once littered with broken glass, and doorways that once covered U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers from sniper fire and RPGs are home to barber shops, clothing stores and restaurants.
"Looking back on it, it just doesn't seem like the same street," said Staff Sgt. Jason Condreay, a MP for 3rd BCT, and patrol leader for Pemrick's command security detachment. He believes the change in Sadr City is largely in part to the rise in confidence and professionalism displayed by the IA who patrol the streets there. "The IA have become very productive. They have a real sense of pride in what they're doing," Condreay said.
Pemrick spoke with IA Soldiers before touring the street and talking to citizens. "We're glad you're here," he tells an Iraqi co. cmdr. "You're doing a great job."
Many of Sadr City's markets operate and thrive thanks to the reconstruction efforts of 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "The cooperation between the U.S. and the IA has turned this place around," Condreay said.
Lt. Col. Michael Pemrick greets two Iraqi men warming themselves with a hot drink in front of a sandwich shop.
(Army photo by Maj. Mike Humphreys)
-30-
MND-B Soldiers, ISF discover weapons cache, detain suspected criminals
BAGHDAD - Iraqi NP conducting a combined patrol with Soldiers from Troop C, 7th Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, found a RPG round at approx. 5 p.m., Dec. 18 in an Abu T'shir neighborhood.
IP working with Soldiers from Co B, 2nd Bn, 4th Inf. Regt., attached to the 1st BCT, discovered an emplaced roadside bomb consisting of one anti-tank mine and a propane tank at approx. 7 p.m., Dec. 18 in the Masafee community. An Iraqi EOD team dismantled the bomb.
At approx. 8:30 p.m. Dec. 18, IP working with Soldiers from Co. A, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, responded to a tip and detained a suspected criminal in the Aamel community.
IP patrolling with Soldiers from Troop C, 7th Sqdn., responded to a tip and detained a suspected criminal at approx. 2:15 a.m., Dec. 19 in the Abu T'shir community.
"Both the ISF and the 1st BCT Soldiers consistently find weapons and capture outlaws during combined ops in the Rashid district," said Maj. Dave Olson, 1st BCT Spokesman. "The ISF are doing a tremendous job, as Soldiers from the 1st Bde continue to teach, coach and mentor them during combined patrols."
-30-
IA, NP, MND-B Soldiers seized weapons in Baghdad
BAGHDAD - Soldiers serving with Co B, 1st Bn, 35th AR, 2nd BCT, 1st Armor Div, discovered a cache containing 8 propane tanks wrapped in detonation cord at approx. noon.
At approx. 1:30 p.m., Soldiers serving with Co B, 1st Bn, 21st Inf Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID, discovered a large cache north of Baghdad, which included 28 82 mm mortars, 7 grenades of various sizes, a 60 mm mortar, a 82 mm mortar tube and stand, 14 high-explosive rockets of various sizes, 2 57 mm projectiles, 19 39.5 mm mortar fuses, 2,640 rounds of 12.7 mm ammo, 20 sticks of TNT, 20 pounds of PE-4 explosive material, and various bomb making materials.
IA soldiers and IP from Ameriya found a weapons cache at approx. 6:15 p.m, which included a 155 mm projectile, 3 RPGs, 20 blasting caps, 6 sticks of C-4 explosive, an RPG motor, 100 meters of detonation cord, and a V25 rocket fuse.
At approx. 1:30 a.m., Dec. 19 IA soldiers found four 82 mm mortar rounds in an empty house.
-30-
MND-B Soldiers seize weapons throughout Baghdad
BAGHDAD - Dec. 19, Soldiers serving with 5th Sqdrn, 4th Cav Regt, 2nd Heavy BCT, 1st ID, seized 6 AK-47s, a pistol, a box containing an undetermined amount of ammo at approx. 4:15 a.m. in Baghdad's Ghazaliyah neighborhood.
At approx. 9:15 a.m. Soldiers serving with Co B, 1st Bn, 35th AR, 2nd Bde, 1st Armor Div, found 8 57 mm projectiles south of Baghdad.
Acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, Soldiers serving with Co C, 2nd Sqdrn, 14th Cav Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID, discovered a cache north of Baghdad containing 8 125 mm mortars, 2 42 mm mortars and 5 40 mm high explosive anti-tank rounds, at approx. 10:30 a.m.
At approx. 11:30 a.m., Soldiers serving with 1st Bn, 35th AR, uncovered a buried cache south of Baghdad, which included 2 100 pound propane tanks, an 80 pound propane tank, a 100 kilogram bomb, a 2.75 in. Flechette rocket, 2 125 mm rounds, 2 mortars and 150 pounds of home-made explosives.
At approx. noon, Soldiers serving with 1st Bn., 35th AR, uncovered another buried cache, containing 400 pounds of explosives, 4 propane tanks, 14 60 mm mortars and a 57 mm mortar south of Baghdad.
Soldiers serving with 2nd Sqdn, 14th Cav. Regt., 2nd SBCT, 25th ID, found a cache containing a base plate and an anti-aircraft barrel, 570 rounds linked and 1,500 rounds unlinked of 50 caliber ammo at approx. 1 p.m. north of Baghdad.
-30-
Quality of life improves as Iraq's national power grid climbs
BAGHDAD - The GoI, backed by CF, has come a long way since 2007 in providing the citizens of northwest Baghdad the power they need to run home appliances and businesses.
Many govt projects, to include power plants, solar panels and micro generation have been completed and more will be set in place to meet the needs of the people's growing demand for power, said Mahdi Jonny, bilingual, bicultural electrical engr, joint project mgt. office, 2nd HBCT, 1st ID. "Iraq has scattered electrical generation plants comprised of thermal, hydro, gas turbine and diesel," said Jonny. He also said that compared to last year, citizens of northwest Baghdad are getting a better supply of power, but still don't have the grid power to run equipment to run 24-hour ops. "That being said, there are also a lot of areas already initiated, such as the construction of more power plants, and this is ultimately translated into an increased power supply."
"There is a major power plant under construction in Hurriyah that is probably going to come on line within the next 12 months, and this will add a substantial amount of power to the grid," said Col. Gerald Gibbons, ePRT representative, 2nd HBCT, 1st ID. Gibbons explained how the process of energy circulation works in Iraq. "In the 3 major components to the power circulation, which are generation, transmission and distribution, the GoI is doing a good job of transmitting and distributing power among the population," he said. "The bottom line is the generation has not kept up with the demand; they simply need to generate more power."
Another way the GoI, local leaders and CF have alleviated the grid's electricity has been through micro generation, or the disbursement of fuel-powered generators throughout Baghdad. "What we have done is provide power with micro generators, and with them, they get fuel enough to run 8 hours a day," said Gibbons. He also said these projects have greatly improved the quality of life for the citizens, and they will allow them to keep their businesses open and their household appliances turned on.
"It's a matter of time before the ultimate goal to supply power to the population 24 hours per day happens. Many companies have been contracted, and I'm sure the Ministry of Electricity and the Fusion Cell are in continuous engagement to close in on the supply and demand difference within the next 2 years," said Jonny. "Within five years, I think the electricity situation will be very different."
-30-
Multi-National Force – Iraq Press Desk
Iranian Intelligence Agent Detained
BAGHDAD — CF apprehended a suspected Iranian intel agent and an alleged associate during an op Dec. 19 in Qastin, approx. 30 km north of Baghdad.
Acting on intel info, CF targeted an alleged cmdr. of Iranian special ops in Iraq, who is also believed to be involved in facilitating training of Iraqi militants at Islamic Republican Guard Corps-Quds Force training camps.
In Qastin, CF approached the residence of the wanted man, where he identified himself to forces and was apprehended without incident. The suspected criminal then led forces to the location of an associate at a nearby residence. The associate was apprehended without incident.
The IRGC-QF is assessed to provide direct support to multiple extremist groups in Iraq, and is responsible for weapons being smuggled into Iraq from Iran.
-30-
ISWAT, IA ops in northern Iraq results in 2 detainees, 1 enemy KIA
BAGHDAD - In an op Dec. 17 in Farhatiyah, IA soldiers captured an alleged terrorist. During the op, the team was assaulted by small arms fire and returned fire. Following the attack, a team evaluated the combatants to find one enemy was killed during the return of fire and the other assailant sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. The detainee will face prosecution for the use of lethal force against Iraqi SF according to GoI law.
In a separate op Dec. 15, Muqdadiyah SWAT captured a suspected terrorist in Al Asry Village. The detainee had an outstanding warrant for numerous cases of sectarian violence against local nationals including murder. The capture of this detainee may help disrupt ops of a terrorist org. in the greater Muqdadiyah area.
-30-
Baghdad terrorist leader apprehended in Diyala
TIKRIT - A suspected terrorist was apprehended and detained by Soldiers from 1st Bn, 24th Inf Regt, 1st Stryker BCT, 25th ID, in Khan Bani Sab, Dec. 18. The successful capture and detainment of the alleged terrorist involved coordination with multiple Iraqi SF elements. He is suspected to be involved in weapons trafficking, indirect fire attacks, and other acts of terrorism.
-30-
ISF arrest two suspected criminals
BAGHDAD - Dec. 19, in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, at approx. 8 p.m. in the Jihad community, IA soldiers arrested a suspected criminal in accordance with an outstanding warrant.
IP served a warrant for the arrest of a suspected criminal at approx. 11 p.m. in the Furat community.
-30-