Dear Interested Reader,
Maj. Mark Slusher, Marine advisor, awarded the Bronze star for battlefield heroics. FOBs save big $$$ by tapping into Iraqi power grid. The Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq launches "School of the Advisor" - a most informative story. Large cache seized near Samarra. In Afghanistan, combined forces disrupt terrorist network in the Eastern part of the country, while fixed Wing Aviators get prepared for Afghan deployment.
Joanna
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March 4, 2009
Blackanthem Military News
Marine advisor awarded Bronze Star for battlefield recovery efforts
By Cpl. Aaron Rooks
Maj. Mark Slusher, the dep. ops officer for the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, is awarded a Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device, Jan. 12.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The Marine Corps is moving toward a different mission in Iraq as it progresses further into the early months of 2009. Forces are currently centering their efforts to transitioning control of terrain and ops to Iraq's military forces with the goal of serving as advisors instead of primary combatants.
The outcome of the Corps' mission lies partly in the hands of Marine advisors serving both past and present in Iraq. These advisors serve among fellow Marines and sailors amidst bs, bdes and divs of the Iraqi military - training, living, eating with them, and becoming brothers-in-arms with them.
Maj. Mark Slusher, is one of the many advisors that have served among Iraqi forces. Slusher and the 3-week Basra Campaign showed just one example of how Marine advisors can influence the growing Iraqi military. He was awarded a Bronze Star with a combat distinguishing device, for heroic achievement in connection with combat ops against insurgency in the city of Basra, that contributed to the success of Iraqi forces in the region.
Slusher served as team leader for MiTT 111 of 1st Bn, 1st Bde, 1st IA Div from Aug. 22, 2007 to Aug. 17, 2008. During this time, he simultaneously advised the IA bn cmdr and led his 15-man MiTT through combat ops that cleared multiple insurgent strongholds and weapons cache sites throughout the city, according to Slusher's award citation.
"It's fire in the belly courage and leadership," said Brig. Gen. Juan G. Ayala, comm. gen. of 2nd MLG. "It's because of American advisors putting their lives on the line that the IA is on its feet."
Ayala, having served as senior advisor to the 1st IA Div the year prior to Slusher's tour, said the efforts of American military members make this a very significant time in U.S. and Iraqi history. Ayala went on to say Slusher's efforts epitomize military advisors, and show how much of an impact they can have.
Lt. Col. Chuck Western, who served with Slusher as the brigade MiTT leader, said Basra was a dangerous place at the time they were there. Slusher's team and the Iraqi bn were bombarded by continuous mortar and small arms fire in the early days of the campaign. According to his award, Slusher repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to direct his team's defensive actions, and advise the Iraqi bn cmdr in combat. "Mark was able to convince the Iraqi bn cmdr to stay in the area where he was at," Western said. "He stayed there shoulder-to-shoulder with the bn cmdr. He gave him time to get over his concerns, and become a combat cmdr."
This same quick action and presence of mind was displayed while elements of the MiTT were exiting the Basra city limits, April 24, after conducting a combat patrol. One of the transition team's vehicles was attacked by an EFP, which is an IED commonly used to penetrate armor at stand-off distances. The device destroyed the vehicles and wounded all 5 members inside. Slusher immediately retrieved the injured personnel from the burning vehicle while under steady small arms fire, and moved them to a covered position to administer first aid. His citation said his actions resulted in a successful air and ground casualty evacuation of the injured Marines.
"We operate there alone and unafraid," Slusher said, speaking of how a MiTT functions. "Everyone knew their roles, and I was truly blessed with the men I had on my team. It's great to know we were able to positively influence what happened in Basra and the rest of the country."
The year 2009 has began with a positive outlook on the future for the country of Iraq, as more Iraqi units take charge of military ops in their country. Western said Slusher and the Basra campaign shows just that. The Basra campaign featured "a Shia govt and a Shia force clearing a Shia city," Western said. "The efforts of advisors for the last 5 years have done this."
Maj. Mark Slusher stands among fellow Marines who he served in Iraq with after being awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device.
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U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team
FOBs tap into Iraqi power with help of Airmen
By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
SSgt. Todd Livingston talks to Ali, an Iraqi contractor, about what has to happen for the switch from generators to commercial power, Baghdad Feb. 14. The switch-over took place Feb. 20.
(AF photo by Senior Airman Jacqueline Romero)
BAGHDAD -- An initiative that will save the U.S. govt thousands of dollars, took place Feb. 20 in the Int'l Zone, as members of the Joint Expeditionary Team did their part in converting power from generators to commercial power. By tapping into the Iraqi power grid, many areas within FOB union III will now have reliable grid power and can now use generators as backup power sources.
"The generators currently supply power to 12 different transformers throughout the FOB area," said SSgt. Todd Livingston, Joint Area Support Group - Central electrician. "They (FOBs) will have continued ops and won't have to rely on generator power anymore. They can go strictly over to commercial power with the Iraqis."
The govt will not only save money on resources used to maintain the generators, but also on the time it takes contractors to perform maintenance. "Maintenance will be decreased a lot, mainly because with the new equipment installed we won't have to rely on generator power as much, so there will be a decrease and demand for items that the generator uses such as, fuel, oil, coolant and filters, not to mention the man hours itself it takes to maintain these generators," said Sgt Livingston, who is deployed from the 28th CES at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. "With that in itself we are saving thousands upon thousands of dollars just with this new piece of equipment being installed."
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Combined Joint TF 101
MNSTC-I launches new 'School of the Advisor'
By Capt. Amie Lambert
Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, Comm. Gen., Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq (MNSTC-I), briefs incoming advisors during the inaugural School of the Advisor held in Dec. 2008.
The mission of MNSTC-I is to develop Iraqi institutional capability in the security ministries, and to generate and sustain Iraqi SF. One of the tools required to achieve success in this mission is the placement of knowledgeable, dedicated, adaptable, tactful and diplomatic individuals known as ministerial-level advisors.
One of the critical challenges we have faced with ministerial-level advisors is identifying and placing the right advisors with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time. At present, there are more than 250 MNSTC-I advisors working with key GoI leaders throughout the MoD, Interior, and the Counter-Terrorism Bureau, in support of the MNSTC-I mission.
New MNSTC-I advisors interact with linguists during a translator exercise at the inaugural School of the Advisor held in Dec. 2008.
Beginning in the fall of 2008, MNSTC-I intensified its efforts to identify, recruit and place experienced individuals with critically-needed skills from the U.S., U.K., Australia and other Coalition countries as ministerial-level advisors. As a response to the requirement for getting these advisors quickly up-to-speed for their critical role, the School of the Advisor was created. The curriculum at the school helps newly-assigned advisors adjust to their role as the Coalition’s public face at the highest levels of the GoI by training them on the tremendous challenges associated with relating to Iraqi senior staff, being respectful of host-nation culture and customs, and strategies for influencing those they advise.
The School of the Advisor is critical for the collective reputation and effectiveness of MNSTC-I. We have observed immediate benefits, as evidenced in the development of an Iraqi counterpart ‘Partner School’ designed to assist in the development of the Iraqi officials’ understanding of coalition customs and culture. A separate Iraqi cooperative training venture is underway allowing Coalition and Iraq female officials to work together to gain a broader understanding of women’s issues in the workplace. At the end of the day, MNSTC-I views advisor education as being just as important as the military hardware purchased, and will have a long-lasting impact on the security of Iraq. The training and mentoring of our Iraqi counterparts represents a vital step towards ensuring Iraq’s self-sufficiency during the critical transition from Coalition to Iraqi-led ops. The School of the Advisor is a critical part of that effort and should be institutionalized and used as a model for future training.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Sons of Iraq turn cache over to combined patrol near Samarra
TIKRIT - A local national led a combined IP and U.S. Army patrol to a large weapons cache west of Samarra, Feb. 28. The cache consisted of more than 200 mortar rounds and approx. 1,500 pounds of explosive materiel, which were safely disposed of by EODs.
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Joint Patrol
U.S. Army SSgt. Ryan Dabel, 2nd BCT, 4th ID, and an Iraqi Police officer watch over a road during a joint patrol in Tunis. Feb. 28. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class James Wagner)
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U.S. Forces - Afghanistan
Afghan, Coalition Forces disrupt terrorist network in Eastern Afghanistan
KABUL – Feb. 25, In Kot District, Nangarhar Province, approx. 30 km southeast of Jalalabad, Afghan SOF backed by a small contingent of CF, conducted an op to disrupt a foreign fighter facilitation network and suicide IED op. The individual targeted during this op was directly involved in the IED attack Feb. 7 that killed the Goshta sub-gov., and was known to have planned several attacks against Afghan and CF in Nangarhar Province. After arriving at the targeted compound, an armed individual maneuvered on the force with hostile intent, and was killed. Three other suspected militants were detained without incident. During this op, 3 women and 17 children were protected.
In Mandozi District, Khowst Province, approx. 10 km SW of Khowst, CF and Afghan NP conducted an op targeting a Haqqani network operator known to have carried out hostile actions against CF in Khowst, including IED strikes and suicide bomber facilitation. The combined force arrived at the targeted location and searched several buildings on multiple compounds. One armed militant engaged the assault force and suffered a superficial injury from a gunshot wound. CF provided medical treatment to the individual and detained him and 6 other militants. During this op, 19 women and 28 children were protected.
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Blackanthem Military News
New York's Fixed Wing Aviators Gear Up for Afghanistan Deployment
By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone
Sgt 1st Class Mike Judge (left) and Spc. Brad Provost, crew members for Det 20, C-12 Operational Support Airlift HQ in Latham, N.Y. react to a quick decompression exercise inside the high-altitude oxygen chamber, Feb. 25, by connecting their breathing apparatus to an emergency air tank. The 2 Soldiers are among 10 N.Y. Army National Guard Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan as part of TF ODIN. Every aviation Soldier must pass the high-altitude training before deploying as part of the TF.
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, MD. - The Afghan-bound members of Det 20, went through high-altitude training at the U.S. AF oxygen chamber here. The Soldiers must be able to recognize the symptoms of hypoxia, or oxygen starvation, in themselves and others in order to undertake the mission, said Chief Warrant Officer Kent Wagner, cmdr. of the deploying detachment.
Sgt. 1st Class Mike Judge, Sgt 1st Class Tarek Warner, Staff Sgt. Scot Leslie, and Spec. Brad Provost, made it through the training with flying colors. Ten members of the Virginia Army National Guard, who are also slated for an Afghan deployment, also took part in the training. The Active Duty AF trainers first let the soldiers experience the feel of flying without an oxygen mask at 8,000 feet, by lowering the pressure in the oxygen chamber. Then they "flew" to 25,000 feet and repeated the exercise again. The Soldiers were instructed to take off their oxygen mask at each altitude and perform basic tasks, so they could recognize the symptoms of oxygen deprivation. In Afghanistan, they'll fly C-12s designed to detect IEDs from the air. The C-12 aircraft are specifically fitted with high-tech instruments for TF ODIN.
The acronym ODIN derives from "observe, detect, identify and neutralize." ODIN began with a small, sensor-carrying civilian aircraft, the Beech C-12, and a network of unmanned surveillance vehicles equipped with night-vision, infrared and full-motion video. This entire network of surveillance equipment was linked to infantry units and Apache attack helicopters armed with missiles and machine guns.
The current ODIN units involve as many as 400 personnel. The C-12 aircraft carry analysts with monitors and other equipment that allows them to supply real-time video and data to troops on the ground, and Apache helicopters in the air. One system can provide data that show changes over time in the roadways over which the aircraft fly, which could indicate the presence of buried explosives.
Currently, the U.S. Corps of Engrs, according to a Pentagon source, is putting out construction bids for work contracts to design and build a secure area at the Kandahar, Afghanistan Airport for the C-12 aircraft and crews. As many as 26 hangars will be built.
Det 20 will join a co-sized C-12 aviation unit at Fort Benning. Ga. for their initial training cycle and then to Hagerstown, Pa. in order to get proficiency training on a modernized combat version of the C-12.
Active duty Senior Airman Rachel Cole makes a last minute breathing apparatus check on N.Y. and Virginia National Guardsmen, before sealing the oxygen chamber during high-altitude training at Andrews AF Base, Md.
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