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Dear Interested Reader,
Face of Defense: Childhood chums serve together at Camp Taji. The 225th Engr. Bde keeps its word with local school. Warhorse Univ. brings education opportunities at Camp Echo. Cpt. Jackie Manton honored with candy bars and soft drink.
In Afghanistan, violence threatens aid in remote mtn. region. Medics turn aid station into Afghan emergency room. The Nangarhar PRT opens 6 new schools. Charlie Co., 25th Inf. Regt. patrols Waygul Valley.
Joanna
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April 15, 2009

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs RSS

Face of Defense: Childhood Chums Serve Together in Iraq

Story by Staff Sgt. Dilia Ayala

AF SSgt. Jeremy Moersch and Army Spc. Brandon Kosky, who grew up as childhood friends in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, are deployed together in support of the Iraqi justice system at Camp Taji.
(AF photo by Tech. Sgt. Lionel Castellano)

CAMP TAJI - As boys growing up together in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, AF SSgt. Jeremy Moersch and Army Spc. Brandon Kosky played cops and robbers, fighting "bad guys" and putting them behind bars in an imaginary world. Now, more than 15 years later, they're deployed here and doing something similar, but it's not a game now, and their actions are helping the Iraqi judiciary system.
Moersch, a member of the 732nd Expeditionary Intel Sqdrn (EIS), is a document media exploitation analyst assigned to an Army unit, the Pa. National Guard's 56th Stryker BCT, in a joint expeditionary tasking assignment. Kosky is an inf soldier and driver with the 56th Stryker BCT. "I work primarily on the cell phones. I get all the info off them and give them to whoever needs the info," Moersch said. "In general, it's the whole capturing bad guys, putting them behind bars and keeping them there." The info from the cell phones can provide soldiers with forewarning of attacks, he explained.
AF Capt. Eric Allen, 56th Stryker BCT's document and media exploitation officer in charge, also a 732nd EIS member on a joint expeditionary tasking assignment, explained it further. "What they do is go out and conduct missions trying to find the bad guys, and they will bring back any equipment that they find with the bad guy, on their person, or the place they may be living in. They bring that stuff back, which may include documents, media, or any type of communication equipment, and we exploit all of that for further intel value. Then, we give it back to them so they can use it for evidence to convict insurgents, or use it for additional warrants and to go out and conduct additional raids."
The so-called DOMEX process of using cellular phones and other items as a means of gathering info is a fairly new procedure in Iraq. "What we're doing right now, since Jan. 1, has really changed from the U.S. forces going out and doing any mission," Allen said. "Now, we are really working with the Iraqis through a rule-of-law process, a judiciary process, and so we are providing the evidence to support all that." The goal, he said, is to provide the Iraqis with a process they can use, when the time comes for them to be on their own, the captain said.
Kosky said he also is able to gather info from local residents to help the Iraqi judiciary process in convicting criminals. "If local people know that someone is planting IEDs, they can get hurt with the aftermath just as much as we can," Kosky said.
Moersch, deployed from Elmendorf AF Base, Alaska, said he hopes he can find something that may potentially save Kosky's life outside the wire. "If I could do that, it would be incredibly wonderful," Moersch said. "I just want to help him out as much as I can. I'm doing intel, and he's out doing the infantry thing. It's the classic case of I got his back, he's off fighting the war, and I'm going to help him do that. "It's just coincidence we're here together," he continued. "It's been incredible for morale. I couldn't ask for more. I hope we can catch some bad guys together and make some great stories for later."

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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

Coalition Forces' Word Builds Solid Foundation at Local School

Story by Staff Sgt. Peter Ford

Sgt. Kasandra Deutsch who is a computer tech for the 225th Engr Bde, assists other Soldiers with unloading a 5-Ton truck of supplies that will be given to students of the Michal al-Hurria School, April 5.

BAGHDAD – CF, school officials and students took part in a ceremony to honor the hard work of CF who were instrumental in renovating the school. "The building was constructed in 1970 and has not received any repairs or upgrades since its opening," said a local spokesman for the school principal. According to the school spokesman, the pipes were leaky and the wires were frayed. "Teachers have tried for many years to get the school repaired, and many have made promises, but none have kept their word but the CF," said the spokesman.
Standing in front of the school, the spokesman for the principal thanked the CF and said they demonstrated dedication, and put it into action. He said the needs of the school were tremendous; the CF made a promise and they delivered.
"The school was in pretty bad shape," said Capt. Jackie Manton, officer in charge of TF Iron Paxton, of the 225th. "Some of the things replaced were sewer pipes, broken windows, water pumps, water coolers, electrical sockets and switches. Generators and window-type air conditioners were also added," he said.
The spokesman said the school had never witnessed a renovation program. The renovation has made the staff and students very happy and they owe their deepest gratitude to all those involved in the process. "The renovation of the school has motivated us and given us the confidence to keep it up," added another Iraqi school teacher.
While making some final inspections on the building, Manton claims that although a majority of the renovations have been completed, there are still a few things that need to be done, such as a playground for the kids. "When the 225th Eng. Bde's name is put on something, we want to make sure it is done right," he said.
Remaining true to their word, the CF built a foundation of trust with a small community in Abu Ghraib, where renovation programs are not just promises. Now children can safely go to school and get an education.

A little girl at the Michal al-Hurria School is elated when she receives her backpack full of school supplies.

Sgt. Natasha Offord-Green, who is a budget NCO, with the 225th, hands out school supplies.

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Blackanthem Military News

Warhorse University brings education, opportunity to deployed Soldiers

Sgt. Maj. Dale Veneklasen, NCO-in-charge of ops for 2nd CAB, 8th Inf. Regt., 2nd BCT, 4th ID, teaches Warhorse Soldiers during a GT Score Improvement Course at the Education Center on Camp Echo recently. (Army photo by Command Sgt. Maj. Wade Myers)

CAMP ECHO - Since its inception in January, the Camp Echo Education Center, also called ‘Warhorse University," has helped develop and mentor deployed Soldiers in their career progression. "It's a perfect opportunity to help Soldiers work towards their futures," said Col. Butch Kievenaar, 2nd BCT, cmdr. "The Soldiers of the Warhorse Bde work extremely hard maintaining their equipment, focusing on the cmdr's intent and supporting the mission. I want the Soldiers of Warhorse to understand that continued education is an extremely important part of our Army's way of life."
One recent achievement for Warhorse University was the administration of a General Technical Score Improvement Course to Soldiers who wished to qualify for other military occupational specialties. "It was a privilege supporting the outstanding Soldiers who volunteered to better themselves for their futures, and the opportunities this great Army has for them," said Veneklasen. "Developing stronger Soldiers to become tomorrow's solid leaders is the goal of all leaders in the Warhorse org."
The training focused on arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge and paragraph comprehension. Fifty-six Soldiers attended the 60-hour session, and participated in voluntary study halls. The GT scores of these Soldiers improved by an average of 12 points as a result of this training. "I raised my score 20 points from 100 to 120," said Sgt. Kai Waters, supply NCO with HHC, 2nd CAB, 8th Inf. Regt., who took her test on March 17. "The course helped me to get to a point I needed to be at in my personal and professional development. By increasing my GT score, it opened up more doors of opportunity for me, both in the Army and for when I get out." She plans to take the Alternate Flight Aptitude Selection Test next. She hopes to qualify for selection as a warrant officer helicopter pilot, something she has wanted to be for a while.
In addition to the GT Score Improvement Course, Warhorse Soldiers also enrolled in and completed 480 semester hours of undergraduate courses, 114 hours of graduate-level courses, and enrolled and completed over 1,000 credits of correspondence courses. Iraqi volunteers also taught 3 basic Arabic language classes to 24 Soldiers and leaders, while an additional 8 Soldiers also took a basic French language class. Other military education classes such as the Combat Lifesaver Course were also offered.
"We've processed over 100 Soldiers for tuition assistance," said Sgt. 1st Class Nevada Smith, retention NCO for STB. "We give Soldiers the opportunity to do something constructive with their downtime. The education opportunities are an authentic way to show that we take care of our Soldiers."
With the Bde's upcoming move to Basra, the intent is to establish a similar facility there, focusing on maintaining the same educational opportunities that are available on Camp Echo.

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225th Engineer Brigade RSS

Soldier Honored With 'treat' in Iraq

Story by Maj. Pat Simon

Winner of the Brig. Gen. Edmund Giering III outstanding co. cmdr. award, Cpt. Jackie Manton (right) receives the candy bars and soft drink Giering was known for consuming while deployed. Brig. Gen. Owen Monconduit (left), cmdr. of the 225th Engr Bde presented the stand-in award, April 7.

BAGHDAD – A soft drink and candy bar are quite the treat for Soldiers in a combat environment. But for one officer, that junk food combination turned out to be a symbol of a top achievement. Capt. Jackie Manton received a soda and candy bars as this year's recipient of the prestigious Brig. Gen. Edmund J. Giering III Award.
The award is in honor of retired Brig. Gen. Giering who served as group cmdr of 225th Engr Group from January 1987 to June 1992. The award is presented to the 225th most outstanding co. cmdr. who exemplifies the Army values, and displays exceptional leadership and soldiering skills.
So, why the soda and candy as part of the official award? Fellow engrs will tell you that Giering would show up on drill weekends loaded with the sweet treats. "Many times he would stay up the entire weekend," said Lt. Col. Jerry Crooks, 225th dep. bde cmdr. That's apparently where Giering got all of his energy. Crooks said the joke back then was to try to keep the candy away from him.
Manton joined the Louisiana National Guard in 1995, just 4 years before Giering retired. He never met the man whose name is attached to the high honor, but he appreciates Giering's legacy. "I just heard that he was a great man, a great leader and he had a lot of energy," Manton said.
Manton is currently serving in Baghdad as the 225th officer in charge for TF Iron Paxton. He oversees numerous engr projects in Abu Ghraib. It is a critical mission that Manton is pulling off with major success, according to 225th Cmdr, Brig. Gen. Owen Monconduit. "Capt. Manton's doing exceptional work supporting the 2-1 ID executing their projects," he said. "Abu Ghraib is a significant area as far as establishing stability for Iraq." That is one reason why Monconduit is not at all surprised about Manton's selection for the Giering Award. "It's outstanding to have him as the recipient," Monconduit said.
As for the "treat" he received in lieu of his authentic Giering Award that he will receive when he returns home from Iraq, Manton, unlike Giering, plans to hold off the urge to rip the wrapper and pop the top. "I'm going to keep it as long as I can," he said laughing. "Hopefully I don't miss a meal here where I break down and eat it, because it's a great reminder until I get back home."

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American Forces Press Service

U.S., Iraqi Forces Detain Three, Find Weapons

WASHINGTON – In Baghdad’s Mansour district April 8, U.S. and Iraqi soldiers discovered a cache of homemade bombs after a tip from a local resident. The cache was moved to a nearby coalition base for further examination by explosive experts.
About 100 miles SE of Baghdad, near the town of Kut in Wasit province, Iraq forces captured 3 people, April 7 for their suspected involvement in a rocket attack earlier that day on FOB Delta – a facility operated by IP, army and special tactics units. Iraqi response forces also recovered 2 rockets at the suspected launch site where the suspects were detained. No injuries were reported from the attack or follow-on op.

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CJTF-101 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center

Violence threatens aid in remote Afghan mountains

By Charlotte Mcdonald-Gibson Wed Apr 8, 12:24 am ET

BARIKOWT – Barikowt bridge in isolated northeastern Afghanistan is only a few miles from a coalition military base, but it takes a convoy of army vehicles more than an hour to reach it. New armored vehicles brought in by the US military to deal with roadside bombs and ambushes in this area of Kunar province, crawl along the mud-and-rock track, jolting violently over potholes. The huge trucks barely fit the narrow road traversing mountains near the Pakistan border; the body work almost scrapes the rock face, and the tyres grind perilously close to the cliff plunging down to the Kunar river.
This is the level of security needed to travel in this volatile district to check on the construction of the bridge, one of the development projects funded by the NATO-led Int'l Security Assistance Force (ISAF). "We're not only fighting the bad guys who don't want to have development," said SSergeant Jean-Francois Frenette, who works with the US army's Civil Affairs Team based in ISAF's Camp Bostick in Kunar. "We're fighting also the terrain -- the terrain is a very hard terrain to work with -- and the weather."
As world leaders discuss how to help Afghanistan, Taliban attacks and harsh conditions keep civilian aid groups away from remote provinces like Kunar, leaving development work to foreign militaries, dominated by the U.S.
Frenette's unit covers 2 districts in Kunar and 2 in Nuristan province to the north -- areas which have been traditionally isolated physically and culturally from Afghanistan's central govt. Nuristan was the last part of Afghanistan to convert to Islam at the end of the 19th century. It was until then known as Kafiristan -- land of the infidels -- and still battles a reputation for insecurity and backwardness. "We're talking about hundreds and hundreds of years, they are used to doing their own thing," said Frenette. Years of isolation mean the basics are not there. There are no roads to reach many villages. There are not enough experienced contractors; materials and building equipment are scarce. At the same time, security remains tenuous, with attacks by militants and criminals on foreign and local troops increasing in the area by 120% in February and March compared with the previous year.
Hajji Gul Zamon, gov. of Kunar's Naray district, said the proximity of Pakistan was fueling unrest and holding back reconstruction, as insurgents cross the porous border and stage attacks. "For security... I really request that my govt send more Afghan forces so we can put them at the border and stop the bad guys coming over from Pakistan," he said.
The PRTs and Civil Affairs Teams focus on building roads and developing infrastructure, hoping economic progression will steer people away from religious extremism.

At Barikowt, down a slope of winter wheat, armed soldiers stand guard as Frenette checks on the bridge, but the villagers seem happy, despite the military presence it brings. "Before we were in big trouble, carrying stuff on our backs all the way to Naray (village), and crossing that bridge and coming back here. This will help us a lot," said Sib Zarin, a 40-year-old labourer. As he speaks, a man struggles over the bridge with a bleary-looking boy collapsed on his back. Zarin says the bridge has cut the journey time to get medical help, but now the villagers need their own clinic and school.

For the moment, most aid agencies are staying away, Frenette says, meaning the nuts and bolts must be addressed first. "Let's cook the cake and once we have the cake, we can put the icing on it. Let's build the infrastructure and once we have the infrastructure, now we can put nice little finishing touches," he tells AFP.

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Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs RSS

Medics Turn Aid Station Into Afghan Emergency Room

Story by Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller

Army Spc. Danielle Lafoille, a combat medic, places a bandage on an Afghan boy at FOB Blessing, April 7. The boy is one of the more than 4,000 Afghans treated by 1st Bn, 26th Inf Regt, 1st ID Soldiers since July of last year.

KONAR PROVINCE - Outside FOB Blessing, combat medics serving with 1st Bn, spend every morning combing through a crowd of sick or injured Afghans desperate for medical attention. "This is their emergency room," Army Spc. Danielle Lafoille, said. "If something happens, this is where they're going to come."
Although they've mostly handled minor ailments such as cuts and runny noses, the aid station soldiers have seen their fair share of major injuries, with some walking as long as 2 days for treatment. "We see burns, lacerations; we do get gunshot wounds, major bone breaks - just a huge variety of things like you see in the local U.S. trauma room," said Army Spc. Timothy Lickiss, a combat medic.
They also see ailments that are unusual in the U.S. "Right now we're treating 2 patients who had hot tar spilled on them during an industrial accident," said Army Spc. Jeremy Shepler, combat medic. "He was only wearing sandals," one of the station's 2 physicians said of one of the patients. "If this was the U.S., he would have been required to wear rubber boots and gloves. Now he's just lucky he's going to keep his feet. If they had a higher standard of hygiene or health care, a lot of these illnesses would be removed," he said.
Although U.S. service members have been working with Afghan physicians since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, many clinics in Konar province still do not have the knowledge to properly treat these types of injuries, causing many villagers to turn to the Americans for help. "The local clinics are great at some things, but then they'll miss some simple things," Shepler said. "They may have the technology to do X-rays, but they end up applying bandages like tourniquets."
With only one surgeon and one physician's assistant, the aid station is not always able to provide higher levels of care. If necessary, the soldiers will evacuate the injured Afghans to other bases with better facilities. As the end of their deployment nears, the Soldiers know they have made a difference among the Afghan people. "They come to us knowing that we have the knowledge and experience to make sure that they get better," Shepler said.

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Combined Joint Task Force 101 RSS

PRT Opens Six New Schools for Nangarhar Children

Story by Capt. Dustin Hart

The Nangarhar minister of education cuts a ribbon with Samer Khil village elders to celebrate the opening of the Samer Khil Boys and Girls School in the village, April 7. The school project included 2 school buildings, 2 bathrooms and 2 water wells.

NANGARHAR PROVINCE -- A stream of elders waited their turn to thank the Nangarhar PRT and its govt partners for bringing the boys and girls of Samer Khil village the 2 bright yellow school buildings that stood behind them.
"In order to become a prosperous county once again, we must have education and schools to achieve our goals," said Mohammed Khan, a village elder for Samer Khil. "Because of the PRT's help, this dream is moving quickly."
In addition to the recent completion of the 6 schools, the PRT is currently working to bring 18 new schools to 7 districts in Nangarhar. The team has also proposed approx. 40 new school buildings to be built in the next year.
While the new schools bring a direct benefit to the students, who will now be able to receive their education out of the sometimes harsh weather elements of Nangarhar province, village elders at the ceremony said the new facilities help the entire village.
"The people of Samer Khil have waited for this day for a long time," said Nazar Nazari, the school's headmaster. "This will allow the students to come indoors to learn. We are proud of this day, and it's a great day for all the people of Samer Khil." Khan agreed the school will help the entire village. "We all have to be proud and take responsibility for this building," he said. "Teachers have to be responsible for bringing up their students, and we all have to work hard to protect this school."
Having Afghans recognize and take responsibility for the security of new buildings is a sign of the progress being made here, said Ron Ashley, an ACE engr who works with the PRT. It also provides a safe setting to educate Afghanistan's future. "Our goal is to help the children of Afghanistan learn as much as possible by giving them the best schools possible," Ashley said. "We hope these new schools will help educate the children of Afghanistan for years to come and help them make the big leap forward they deserve."

Village elders, govt officials and students join the Nangarhar PRT to celebrate the opening of the school.

Students at Samer Khil Boys and Girls School attend class outdoors. The recently completed 2 new school buildings will allow these students to receive their education indoors.

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U.S. Forces Afghanistan RSS

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 27 Insurgents in Southern Afghanistan

KABUL – April 11, in the Shahid E-Hassas District, Oruzgan (Uruzgan) Province, the Afghan and CF were conducting a combat recon patrol when they were engaged by insurgents using small-arms and RPG fire from fighting positions located on a ridgeline and from a dry riverbed.
The combined force responded with small-arms, RPG and close-air support fire, killing 12 insurgents. At one point in the engagement, insurgents fled into a nearby bazaar, endangering innocent Afghan civilians in the area. The combined forces took careful measures to mitigate any possible loss of innocent life, by not pursuing the insurgents into the bazaar. The insurgents then regrouped outside the bazaar and were killed by the Afghan and CF.
In a separate engagement in the Lashkar Gah District, Helmand Province, Afghan national SF and CF killed 15 insurgents. The combined elements were conducting a combat recon patrol when they were engaged by insurgents using small-arms and RPG fire. The friendly forces responded with small-arms fire, heavy weapons and close air support, resulting in the deaths of 15 enemies of Afghanistan.

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CJTF-101 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center

Soldiers patrol Waygul Valley

(photos by Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller

Sgt. Bradley Vaughn, an inf team leader, looks out across the Waygul Valley during a patrol near the village of Walo Tangi, in Konar province, April 6. Vaughn is a member of 2nd Plt, Charlie Co, 1st Bn, 26th Inf Regt, 1st ID.