Dear Interested Reader,
A little aside - Be awed by a training video of drill teams of all the Armed Services. Iraqi Navy trains on new Ridged Hull Inflatable boats. SWAT officers participate in competition. EOD member Navy Lt. Jonathan Kehoe, breaks the Guinness World record. Soldiers of the 590th Quartermaster Co. performs needed support. Iraqi NP completes Advanced Unit Training course. In Afghanistan, the Minister of Defense and CF cmdr. McKiernan agree on force multiplier. Afghan NSF and CF meet with village leaders in Oruzgan Province.
Joanna
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Feb. 14, 2009
Blackanthem Military News
Drill Teams of all the Armed Services
(Joanna: This remarkable video shows the training and selection process in making it to the top.)
http://www.blackanthem.com/News/Video_24/Drill-Teams-RECON19215.shtml
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
EOD Member Drops Bomb on Guinness World Record
Story by Sgt. Rodney Foliente
Navy Lt. Jonathan Kehoe, cmdr., Plt 602, 63rd Bn, EOD Mobilization Unit 6, based out of Little Creek, Va., and attached to 2nd BCT, 4th ID, crosses the finish line in 10 minutes and 13 seconds for the Guinness World Record for the fastest mile in a bomb suit at Camp Echo, Feb. 2.
CAMP ECHO – Service members and most runners probably would not be very impressed with a mile run in just over 10 minutes. But, add to the equation a 75-pound bomb suit made of stiff material, factor in the added heat from wearing it, and add a pair of rubber over-boots and it becomes a different story.
The heavy-plated bomb suit is designed to protect its wearer from an explosion. Its stiffness allows for enough dexterity and agility to accomplish their missions, but was never designed for fast, sustained movement. The average person would not even think of running in one. Then again, the average person runs away from bombs; while EOD team members are willing to put themselves in harm’s way for the welfare and safety of others. They can hardly be called average.
Navy Lt. Jonathan Kehoe, decided to run for a Guinness World Record for the fastest mile in a bomb suit at Camp Echo, Feb. 2. With a crowd of their Iraqi EOD counterparts, service members and U.S. contractors cheering him on, Kehoe completed the mile in 10 minutes and 13 seconds, beating his target time by almost 3 minutes. “We did some brainstorming and came up with the idea of setting the new Guinness World Record for the fastest one-mile bomb suit run. It’s just a matter of whether the Guinness World Records will accept it or not,” said Kehoe. He already holds one record for the fastest mile while carrying an egg on a spoon. But the true purpose of the event was to draw a crowd for a fundraiser benefitting the EOD Memorial and Scholarship Foundation and to commemorate fallen EOD members.
“We as a team decided we wanted to do something special for the EOD memorial,” added Kehoe. “The EOD memorial celebrates the lives of those EOD members who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice to bring the freedom that many take for granted every single day. It’s a tribute to them and our way to give back to their families and show them that we’re thinking of them.” The memorial, located at Eglin AF Base, Fla., was constructed in 1999 and features the names of the fallen EOD members since the declaration of World War II.
Members of the 8th IA Div EOD were invited to the event as the guests of honor. They cheered him on with the rest of the crowd. One served as an official timer, and some even ran part of the mile to show their support and encouragement. The joint EOD teams have a great relationship, both working and professional, said Kehoe.
Together they’ve detonated a dozen or more explosive devices since the unit arrived in Iraq 3 months ago.
Kehoe said he loves his job and is excited to be able to work with the Iraqi SF and teach them the techniques to do their jobs better for their own safety as well as that of their co-workers and civilians. His unit has primarily been working with the 8th IA Div. EOD team, and he really wanted to share the event with them. “I’ve been very impressed with them and their ability to do EOD. They’re professionals and the 8th IA Div. EOD team is the team that all other Army units are looking to as an example of where they need to be.”
Many of the IA EOD said they were honored to be a part of the event. “It was awesome to get the IA EOD out here. We’re building a great deal of trust and developing good relationships,” said EOD 2 William Young, Plt. 602.
Kehoe trained for the event for 2 months, with EOD members from both nationalities encouraging and helping him during that time. “People don’t realize how much physical training we go through as EOD. He made us all proud. With the crowd cheering and all, it gave him a big boost. He surpassed what I expected,” said Young.
“I just wanted to tell the family members of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice that we pray for you every day and we can never do enough to thank you,” finished Kehoe.
Navy Lt. Kehoe signs autographs.
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Iraqi Navy trains on new boats
An Iraqi Navy boat team gathers near a new Ridged Hull Inflatable Boat to listen to instructions on how to conduct preventative maintenance checks from a U.S. training team.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Aaron Thacker)
BASRA - The Iraqi Navy is more capable of securing its waterways and oil platforms now that it started familiarization training on many new boats at the Port of Umm Qasr, Feb. 11.
The sailors will learn engineering, preventative maintenance and basic seamanship for their new Ridged Hull Inflatable Boats during a 2-week course. "These new boats are helpful for us in our territorial ops with their modern features," said Lt. Karem, an officer with the Diving Sqdrn. "They are very fast, which is good for maneuvering on the sea. We have never had training like this before."
The boats are capable of carrying .50 cal, Mark 19 or M60 machine guns and travel at high speeds. They carry 3 crew and up to 5 passengers. They will be used for patrols on both the river and local gulf area, as well as diving.
Timothy Wood, a retired U.S. Navy boatman, travels all over the world helping countries like Iraq outfit their waterway security teams. He said that of all the skills they teach, maintenance is the most critical, because they are not as accustomed to it.
During his pre-check demo, he explained how saltwater can break down the bearing lubricants and cause them to seize. To drive home the point to his students, he told a story about a team he visited in Panama that didn't perform all of its maintenance properly. He said that one of their crew didn't bother inspecting the trailer parts before they left for a mission. As the boat was pulled down the road, the trailer seized on them, causing the boat to flip and kill a civilian. "It is your responsibility to plan for the mission," Wood said. "One step missed is equal to one person dead."
Once the Iraqis familiarization training is complete, the British Royal Navy will take over and train them on tactics and other advanced operating methods. Umm Qasr is the only deepwater port in the country and acts as a gateway for commerce, distribution of oil and other goods in and out of the country. The port city sits at the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab River and opens into the Persian Gulf, boardering both Kuwait and Iran.
An Iraqi sailor inspects a sample of fuel for water and particles during pre-launch inspections.
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Iraqi SWAT officers participate in competition
RAWAH - SWAT units from Al Qaim, Anah, Hadithah and Rawah met their counterparts Feb. 5, during the Tactical Conditioning Competition near Rawah.
This competition reinforced skills learned in the individual SWAT training program, and used in the execution of their duties, as they fulfill their commitment to protect and defend the safety and security of Iraqi people in Al Anbar province.
This team-building event brought units from different cities within Anbar and focused on teamwork, cooperation and recreating the physical stress of a combat by, adding multiple aspects like the idea of a moving fight. "We came out here to win but we won for everyone. I think this competition brought us together," said a 1st lt with the Hadithah SWAT unit. "It was fun and we had the opportunity to make friends with the other teams and meet new people."
The competition course began with teams clearing buildings, using close-quarters-combat techniques and demonstrating arrest procedures. These exercises simulated an actual raid and arrest for the SWAT units. An obstacle course that required SWAT team members to low crawl under barbed wire, flip a large tire, and maintain enough composure to accurately fire at targets with their rifles, before flipping the tire again and low crawling under the barbed wire back to the start point. They were followed by their SWAT team members who had to first complete a series of pushups followed again by the obstacle course.
The last exercise simulated an enemy attack on the units. They first had to carry one another, simulating a casualty, through smoke and the noise of loud flash bang grenades. They moved to their vehicles and pushed their respective vehicles, one per team, in a race to the final finish line. Each member of every team was required to quickly complete these tasks and combat drills against the pressures of time and external stress factors, such as yelling and smoke.
The competition served as a demo of the ability of these elite units to protect and provide security for the people of the Anbar Province. "We are one team, one family. We have power and are fighting the terrorists all the time. We are not scared," said the 1st lt.
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Blackanthem Military News
An Important mission in JSS Hunter
By 1st Lt. Man Fung Wong
Shower, Laundry, and Clothing Repair, or SLCR, soldiers hard at work receiving, sorting, and issuing clean laundry. Soldiers of the 590th Quartermaster Co, 398th CSSB, 10th Sust Bde are deployed in support of MND – Baghdad.
CAMP LIBERTY - In the harshest parts of Iraq where civilian contractors are rare, you will find the field service companies that provide some of the most basic luxuries to our battle-ridden Soldiers.
One of the co's most remote sites is JSS Hunter. While it is not the prettiest location in the world, it provides a base of op for over 800 Soldiers. There are few luxuries offered here. There is only a small Post Exchange, or PX trailer that sells snacks and drinks, and a small Morale, Welfare, and Recreations, or MWR, facility that provides entertainment to the Soldiers located on JSS Hunter.
The 590th provides a service that makes these soldiers lives just a little bit better. SSgt. Victor Pinell, the NCO in Charge, or NCOIC, of the SLCR team located at JSS Hunter says, "We give Soldiers the luxuries of life which we take for granted. A hot shower and clean clothes after spending days outside the wire should be provided to every warrior in a modern fighting force."
In addition, the Soldiers of the SLCR team have found other ways to make the living conditions at JSS Hunter better for everyone. SSgt. Jason Duggins reports, "We built rooms in our tents to give each other a little bit of privacy. After the compliments and accolades we received from other Soldiers, we began teaching and guiding others on the fundamentals of planning and erecting structures within their tents to make life more tolerable for everyone."
Most service members in the U.S. Armed Forces fail to realize that the Army still provides shower and laundry services. "I always thought that we contracted out the shower and laundry jobs to civilians," says Capt. James Lucas, co cmdr. of Delta Troop, 1- 9th Cav, 4th BCT, 1st Cav Div. "In remote locations such as these, where even contractors won't provide services, I can see the need for this Military Occupation Specialty, or MOS, in the Army."
Although it is not the most glamorous of jobs, the Soldiers from the SLCR team are still highly motivated and complete the mission to the best of their ability. "Everyone has a role in this war, and I guess this is ours" says Spc. Jesus Rodriguez. This motivation attributes to the vast accolades and compliments from all the Soldiers who operate at JSS Hunter. Not many people are aware of these dedicated Soldiers and the great service they provide. However, the few that are aware truly appreciate and acknowledge the importance of their mission.
The SLCR site at JSS Hunter. The shower tent is the smaller green tent located to the left. The Laundry Advanced System, or LADS, washes and dries the laundry; it is the green fixture located on the right.
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Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq Release
Police Unit Completes Advanced Training
BAGHDAD — The Iraqi NP held a graduation ceremony Feb. 12 at Camp Dublin to commemorate the completion of Advanced Unit Training for 533 members. The ceremony was the culmination of 9 weeks of specialized police training conducted by Italian Carabinieri under the auspices of NATO Training Mission – Iraq.
The course covered operational planning, police procedures, police intel, counter-insurgency skills, weapons, combat skills, first aid and basic logistics. In addition, the course places special emphasis on police ethics and human rights. This was the seventh class to complete the training.
The specialized training the NP receive is a key element in the implementation of the Security Agreement that will allow the Iraqi SF to continue to be self-sufficient in exercising security ops throughout Iraq.
The next unit of Iraqi NP to undergo Carabinieri training at Camp Dublin will be nearly double in size. Col. Paolo Coletta, Italian Carabinieri cmdr., said, “The next class will start in one week and will have 900 trainees.”
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U.S. Forces - Afghanistan
Afghan defense minister and coalition commander agree on force multiplier
Kabul - Afghan Minister of Defense, General Wardak, and CF Cmdr., Gen. David McKiernan, after conducting a series of consultations over tactics and procedures of joint ops, have agreed to the following measures that will further improve Afghan and Coalition military cooperation in counter-terrorism ops.
In an ongoing endeavor to increase partnered ops and develop Afghan capability to defeat terrorists and adversaries, the officials have agreed to include more Afghan reps in the planning and execution of counter-terrorism missions, with more attention to night ops, actions in populated areas and searches.
This step will strengthen the ability of the combined forces to shape and clear areas of terrorist and militant concentration, and enable opportunities to assist the ANP to protect the people and key infrastructure. There will be better coordination to minimize risk of civilian casualties and ensure Afghans search Afghans and conduct arrest ops. Maintaining the support of the Afghan people is essential to defeating the terrorists.
We will work together as a team to defeat a common enemy. It is in the collective national security interests of the Afghans and coalition to secure Afghanistan, with more and more of that security being accomplished by ANSF over time.
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U.S. Forces - Afghanistan
ANSF, Coalition forces meet with village leaders in Oruzgan Province
KABUL - Afghan National SF (ANSF) and CF conducted meetings Feb. 11 with village leaders about a recent civilian casualty in the Shaheed Hasas district of Oruzgan Province.
The combined forces met with local leaders in the village of Sekzi to speak with them about a little girl who was brought to a Coalition base with fatal wounds. According to initial reports she was wounded in the crossfire when insurgents attacked an ANSF and CF convoy on Feb. 10. She was brought to the Coalition base for treatment, but died of her wounds before she could be medically evacuated.
ANSF and CF were welcomed by the villagers, according to CF team Sgt on the scene. The elders of the village acknowledged that had it not been for the insurgent attack on the combined force convoy the little girl would still be alive today.
The village elders also expressed an interest in working with ANSF to increase security in the area. ANSF and CF said they will continue to provide security and hold meetings with local leaders throughout the area.
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