Dear Interested Reader,
The 532nd Airmen embrace combat mission.  Engrs. tutor counterparts in heavy equipment.  U.S. engrs. defeat tunnel terrorists.  Camp Bucca leaders host dinner and base tour for top Iraqi leaders.  Regional Contracting Center Training paves way for Iraqi businesswomen.  High level Mosul terrorist arrested.
In Afghanistan, women find support at Wardak Woman's Center.  Paratroopers use "shuras" to build relationships in Zormat.  2nd anti-aircraft gun destroyed in Helmand, while Taliban-linked rebels are killed in Uruzgan and Kandahar.
Joanna
___________________________

April 25, 2009

U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs RSS

Security Forces Airmen Embrace Combat Mission

Story by SSgt. Zachary Wilson

Conducting a weapons cache

AF MSgt. Anthony Fleming, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Sqdrn (ESFS), Joint Base Balad (JBB), conducts an interview with an Iraqi villager from Bakr, April 9.

TIGRIS RIVER – A white Nissan pickup truck approaches a squad of American service members on a patrol near Iraq's Tigris River outside of the village of Bakr, about 5 miles north of JBB.  MSgt. Anthony Fleming, the team's squad leader, sounds the alert, but Senior Airman Daniel Cooper already sees the truck.  As Airman Cooper holds his hand in a fist for the driver to see, the truck cautiously slows to a stop as several other members of the squad surround the vehicle, preparing to inspect the inside of the truck and its occupants.
While the stop – referred to as a "snap traffic control point" – is not out of the ordinary for a patrol in Iraq, the people performing it are – they are U.S. AF Airmen assigned to the 532nd, one of the only security forces units in the theater performing combat patrols outside the base to which they are assigned.  As members of the base's quick reaction force, or QRF, the Airmen have a number of responsibilities that were previously being handled by U.S. Army units based at JBB.
"Our role as members of the QRF has 3 parts," said Senior Airman Brian Hafner. "We patrol outside the confines of the base to ensure the area is clear from threats; we investigate holes in the perimeter, and we are on-call to respond to downed aircraft in the area."  The majority of the unit's mission focuses on the first part, the patrols outside of the base's perimeter and within the communities that neighbor the base. For many members of the sqdrn, the mission's a dream come true.  "This is as good a deployment as there is in security forces," said Airman Hafner, who entered the AF after previously serving with the U.S. Marine Corps and took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. "I really enjoy what I do."
For the Airmen patrolling the Tigris, sometimes the day starts early, with members of the squad arriving at their sqdrn in the dark and early hours of the morning to ensure their vehicles and equipment were ready for the patrol later that day. The squads could be out for as many as 10 hours before coming back to Balad to prepare to do it again the next day.
The 532nd, part of the 332nd is the AF's largest deployment of security forces since the Vietnam War, according to Capt. Steve Ohlmeyer, the 532nd SFS' officer-in-charge of the QRF.  "The group stood up in October 2008 and has more than 800 defenders made up of not only AF, but also other Coalition partners," he said. The other sqdrn within the SF group is the 332nd, which provides more traditional security forces for the expansive base.
Captain Ohlmeyer's QRF is made up of several squads, or approx. 130 individual Airmen who perform the outside-the-wire mission in the area, and typically conduct patrols several days a week, followed by 2 days of QRF stand-by at the sqdrn. During the 2 stand-by days, they remain ready to respond to situations at a moment's notice. They also get one training day, where SF Airmen can either perform maintenance on gear and vehicles, or get training on techniques such as air assault ops or underwater training.
For the 532nd, their unique mission takes them outside of the confines of the base into the surrounding areas that include the local villages, waterways such as the Tigris River, and the many orchards and fields that surround the base where insurgents can hide weapons, fire mortars at the base or conduct attacks. "Our presence pushes the enemy back from our perimeter," Capt. Ohlmeyer said. "It makes it much harder for them to attack the base."
"Our mission is terrain denial," Sgt. Fleming said. "We set up snap TCPs, check on vehicles, ask for IDs and hope we get lucky, kind of like finding a needle in a haystack."  However, reflecting the spirit of cooperation with the Iraqi citizens who are neighbors to Balad, Sgt Fleming and his team go above traditional search and clear tactics to find what they need.  "As part of a[counter-insurgency mission, we make sure we are kind with the citizens and we build rapport with them," he said. "We don't want to come out point-blank and say 'Hey, where are the insurgents?' – the scope of our mission has gone beyond that."  Sgt. Fleming and Capt. Ohlmeyer demonstrate this as they strike up a conversation with the driver of the Nissan while the other squad members search the vehicle.  "How're you doing today?" Sgt. Fleming asks the driver with the help of the squad's translator.  The driver responds politely and the 2 engage in a dialogue on local farming conditions, and the msgt. furthers the conversation by asking the driver about the performance of the local govt and whether his needs were being met.  The conversation continues for nearly 15 minutes, long after the SFS Airmen have cleared the truck and returned to their defensive positions.  Once the driver determines he is ready to leave, he waves to the Airmen as he drives away, and tells them all to have a nice day. While no items of intel value were uncovered, Sgt. Fleming believes that encounters like this are critical to the work his team is doing in the area. "This approach has worked very well," he said. "They're more friendly with us than maybe they were in the past, and if you work with them, they work with you."
Moving on from the stop, the team continues to encounter a variety of locals, ranging from Iraqi children and their watchful mothers, to local farmers and merchants who all regard the Airmen with robust welcomes on the children's part, or at least nods of acknowledgement from the adults.
Airman Hafner, working with other Airmen to load up their vehicles as they prepare to embark on the next portion of the patrol before returning to base, appreciates the opportunity to make a difference here.  "I really feel privileged to be in a position to do this," he said.

AF Capt. Steve Ohlmeyer walks down a street in the village of Albu Hishma, April 9.

AF members of the 532nd conduct a weapons cache sweep along the the Tigris River, April 9.

 

Humvee's from the 532nd conduct security during a patrol in the village of Abo Atei, April 9.

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Special to American Forces Press Service

Engineers Tutor Iraqi Soldiers in Heavy Equipment, Work-site Skills

Photos and story by Army Spc. Howard Alperin

Army Pfc. Eric Salinas, left, explains controls and maneuvers in the cab of a bulldozer to his IA counterpart through an interpreter on Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, April 16, 2009.

BAGHDAD, April 21, 2009 – Clearing rubble at the northern end of the Baghdad Int'l Airport runway, soldiers of the 277th Engr Co leveled the ground to expand the safety distance zone.  In addition to working on the project, the soldiers also imparted their skills and knowledge as heavy-equipment operators to their 6th IA engr counterparts.
“Our job is to incorporate the IA into the engr efforts here so they can get a better idea of how to operate and maintain a general construction work site,” said Army 2nd Lt. Stuart Redus of the 277th and attached to the 46th Engr Bn, 225th Engr Bde. “We are here to familiarize the Iraqis with the equipment and build their organizational skills, so they can do all the construction efforts themselves.”
For the soldiers of the 277th, the partnership toward building a better Iraq starts with preventive maintenance checks and services of the giant bulldozers, excavators and front-end loaders.  “We’ve noticed their skills as operators are not too bad, but they need to improve on their techniques for taking care of the equipment,” Redus, the project mgr, said. “Every day, we go through procedures together to show them which fluids go where, to see if there are any leaks and what needs fixing.”
With a lesson on preventive maintenance behind them, the process of grading, digging and engineering began. The 277th engrs dug up challenges linked to good verbal and physical communication.  “We’ve had briefings with the interpreter so he can translate all our signals,” asst project mgr Army SSgt. Ismael Gaona said.  But on this day, some of the hand signals had an effect opposite their intended meaning. “I’m trying to tell him to back up, and he’s going forward,” Gaona said.
Using an interpreter, they came up with a solution and implemented an old standby of the U.S. Army: train the trainer.  As one Iraqi soldier learned the proper guiding technique, then that soldier trained the others.  “We want them to learn safety and capabilities, so they’ll be more comfortable at the controls,” Gaona said. “We’re teaching them how to let the machines do the work for them.”
The 277th soldiers are trying to instill a work ethic where the Iraqi engrs can see constant examples of dedication to a goal. “We're teaching them punctuality, and we are incorporating discipline, time lines and project management,” Redus said. “There is a lunch schedule to be followed as well.”  So far, the soldiers said, they generally are impressed by the attitudes of the Iraqi engineers.  “They've been ready to go at 8 in the morning every day,” Army Spc. Moises Briseno, a heavy equipment operator, said. “They're showing initiative throughout the day and acknowledging what we are advising them. They're already doing skills they weren’t doing before.”
The U.S. soldiers try to pick up on a few Arabic phrases to help them communicate better, and have embraced training the IA engrs in all facets of their field of expertise. “It’s an honor,” Army Pfc. Eric Salinas, a heavy equipment operator, said. “Not many soldiers get the opportunity to teach the Iraqis how to operate equipment. “They listen well, and with more practice, they’ll be up to speed.”

Army Spc. Ryan Walden looks on to make sure Iraqi soldiers are using the right procedures for maneuvering heavy equipment.

Army Pfc. Santos Camacho practices Arabic phrases with an Iraqi soldier, while waiting to take turns using heavy equipment.

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Special to American Forces Press Service

U.S. Engineers Defeat Tunnel Terrorists       

By 1st Lt. Stephen Clements and 1st Lt. Janeene Yarber

Army SSgt. Xavier Bowie descends into a tunnel beneath a heavily traveled road in western Baghdad to shut off access to terrorists trying to emplace bombs.
(U.S. Army photos by 1st Lt. Stephen Clements)

BAGHDAD — When terrorists who discovered tunnels underneath a heavily traveled road in western Baghdad used an IED to blow a huge hole in the street to disrupt traffic, U.S. engineers were called in to repair the road and seal access to the underground tunnels.
“The crater was pretty dangerous, and we ended up repairing 2 holes in that road,” Army SSgt. Xavier Bowie, mission NCO-in-charge, said. “There’s an IA checkpoint nearby, and the IA said it caused a lot of traffic when people would stop to avoid the holes.  It was even worse when the drivers didn’t see the holes and would just drive into them and damage their cars.”
Moving by night, the engr teams arrived at the damaged overpass. Once the 1st ID’s explosives teams cleared the area of any possible threats, the engrs descended into the darkness to cut off terrorist access to the tunnels.
Army Spc. Stephen Green and Army Spc. Eduardo Bonilla welded steel plates over all the points that led into the tunnel while other Soldiers prepared the holes for repair.  The Soldiers repaired the craters by chipping away the damaged asphalt and cleaning up the site.
After 3 hours in the tunnels and an additional 2 hours fixing the holes, Army Spc. Christopher Sallas used a forklift to place a steel plate into the large crater in the overpass. Next, the crater team, led by Army SSgt. Wesley Roach, placed a quick-drying asphalt alternative over the plate. After smoothing out the mixture, the team placed road cones around the asphalt to allow it to dry without interruption by traffic.
A follow-up visit to the site a few days later revealed a situation that was not all that surprising, given what brought them out there in the first place: the asphalt and steel plate had been removed. The engrs then returned to the site with another solution.  “An attempt was made to reopen access to the tunnel,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Francis Thibodeau. “This is a busy road, and someone was going to get hurt if we didn’t put a stop to this, so we sent the welders back in to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
This time, the engrs took measures one step further and placed several heavy plates of over-sized steel deep into the hole. The welders then sealed the plates into place to end access to the tunnels once and for all.  With repairs made to the holes, several massive steel plates welded firmly in place and all the tunnels sealed, the engrs not only defeated terrorists, but also improved the lives of the Iraqi people living in the area.
“This is great that this hole is fixed,” said Hasan, an Iraqi Soldier who helped to guard the site. “People have so many problems on this road.  Sewage trucks can’t get by, and families driving get stuck if they don’t see it. Thank you!”

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MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
JTF 134 PAO
BAGHDAD, Iraq

Camp Bucca leaders host dinner, base tour for top Iraqi leaders

CAMP BUCCA — A joint U.S military leadership team representing FOB Bucca and TF Bucca hosted a “Friendship Dinner” and Theater Internment Facility (TIF) tour for Iraqi SF and local Basra province community leaders, April 18.
The event was a continuation of prior relationship-building meetings and events Camp Bucca started in late 2008, and provided many of the guests with their first opportunity to see the op and detainee care provided in the Camp Bucca TIF.
“Our objective was for the Iraqi officials … in the towns of Safwan and Umm Qasr to leave with a true impression of Bucca versus what their perceptions were before they came here,” said Col. David Glaser, cmdr, TF Bucca and 42nd MP Bde.  “I think they did exactly that, with the U.S. showing the Iraqis the U.S. guard force, the Iraqi guard force, and the treatment of the detainees being first class.”
“The major outcome we hoped to achieve here was for individuals to meet each other, interact and generate a working friendship and a bond, where they will reach out to each other in their common goal of securing and stabilizing Iraq,” said FOB Bucca Cmdr Col. Lindy Burkhart, U.S. Marine Corps.  “We met new friends and allies in our effort to stabilize Iraq and its security and prosperity in the future.”
“We’ve developed a great friendship with the local political leaders and the local ISF,” said Lt. Col. Mark  Piterski, cmdr, FOB Bucca Base Defense and 2-113th Inf Bn, 50th IBCT, N.J. Army National Guard.  “One goal of the event was to bring that to the next level, which is at the div. level and the provincial level; to continue the friendship past the local level.”
The TIF tour was highlighted by visiting the detainee education center, the Iraqi Correctional Officer (ICO) Training Academy, and a maximum security detainee compound run by ICOs and assisted by U.S. service members.
Both Iraqi civilian and military officials were thoroughly impressed with detention ops inside the TIF.
"Outsiders explained Bucca is something horrible, but we see it’s almost a school for learning and experience, and detainees get better and advance from here,” said Iraqi Gen. Belal Shakir, cmdr, speaking through an interpreter.  “The relationship built between the Iraqi Correctional Officers and the American Soldiers looks great.  We saw and experienced how Americans treat the detainees, and how the detainees become a better people to learn and educate themselves, and also command different jobs when they go outside the detention facility.  Even though these people may have once been trying to kill you, you treat them with dignity and respect.  God willing, we will send this message; we’ll be the messengers to everybody having the wrong idea about Bucca.  They need to come and check it out,” General Shakir continued.
“This visit changed my opinion about Bucca 100% … because before we thought all detainees here were put in Bucca and then no one took care of them,” said Safwan Town Council Pres. Hajji Minahi.
"But now we came here and visited; we saw the great things you are doing for the detainees.  We thank you for this, and all the good things you are doing for them.”
As the “Friendship Dinner” drew to a close and salutations were exchanged, a comment by Munadhil demonstrated the event was well named and imparted a priceless, intangible benefit for all – friendship.
“Our Iraqi benefit is … we're good friends with the Americans, and trust the Americans, and the Americans trust us; this will increase the friendship,” he said.
Camp Bucca is a FOB along the Kuwaiti border near the port city of Umm Qasr, Iraq’s southernmost city.

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332nd Air Expeditionary Wing RSS

Regional Contracting Center Training Paves Way for Iraqi Businesswomen

Story by Senior MSgt. Joseph Davis

JOINT BASE BALAD – Twelve Iraqi businesswomen may have successful business ventures on the horizon thanks to the training they received, April 11, from the Regional Contracting Center.
The RCC hosted a day-long training session to educate host-nation business owners on contracting procedures with the U.S. govt, providing the aspiring female entrepreneurs with the tools they need to lead the way in commerce for other women to follow.
This is the first time the tenant unit conducted training that is especially dedicated to women-owned businesses, said Maj. Jason Conde, RCC dep. cmdr under the Joint Contracting Command – Iraq/Afghanistan.  "Women do not get the opportunities they deserve in the current environment. This program is helping to better their future as they move forward.  An integral part of RCC's mission is to assist Iraqis in strengthening their economy," continued the major. "The training provides the necessary tools and knowledge so Iraqi businesses can successfully compete for U.S. govt contracts."
Luma Hashem, an established host-nation business owner, attended the training because she said she wanted to expand her business.  "I started my company in 2003 with only $200," Ms. Hashem said.  "I'm  very fortunate because it has grown into a large business with 5 branches that has earned several large construction and supply contracts."  Ms. Hashem also said the training was useful because it helped her stay current on new policies and facilitated face-to-face interaction. "It's nice to finally be able to put a face with a name," she added.
Haidar Hadi, RCC's business development consultant, said the training is in line with MNF-I's "Iraqi First Program" – which emphasizes the importance of stimulating the economy by creating jobs for the local community and developing business experience for working with the GoI.  As an Iraqi-British citizen, Mr. Hadi has a vested interest in the success of the program.  "I left Iraq in 1991 to train and work in the UK," he said. "I wanted to come back and share my experience to help with the development of my country. The Iraqi people deserve better lives."

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

Mosul terrorist under arrest for facilitating numerous murders

BAGHDAD - Iraqi SOF planned, led and facilitated an op April 12 in Ninewa Province, which resulted in the arrest of a suspected facilitator of lethal attacks on Iraqi SF and CF.
According to Iraqi intel, the suspect is a terrorist responsible for coordinating VBIED strikes and small arms fire attacks.  In the past 2 months, 3 of his facilitated attacks resulted in three Iraqi deaths and 20 wounded.
In addition, the detained individual provided safe houses, materials, weapons and operational guidance to terrorist members in Mosul, said a Coalition advisor. "Through questioning, this individual could provide info on planned car bomb attacks and give insight for the future targeting of key terrorist personalities within Mosul."

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CJTF-101 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center

Afghan women find support at Wardak Women's Center

By Army Pfc. Christopher Baker

WARDAK PROVINCE  -- Recently the Afghan NP worked with 4th Bn, 25th FA, TF Spartan, to provide 25 women from Wardak province and their families with humanitarian aid packages. The ANP distributed the packages, containing food and stuffed animals, at the Wardak Women's Center, April 8.
Mahtab Jafari, the Wardak province dir. of women's affairs, said they are glad to help women in need, but adds their goal is something more. "The first main goal is to have a safe place for women to go due to any reason," said Jafari. "The second goal is to have an education center to teach women English, computers, or anything they need.  But, the overall goal is for the women to be self-sufficient, so they can leave the center and provide for themselves or their families."
Army Capt. Tammy Lanning, 4th Bn., 25th FA intel officer and Wardak Women's Center liaison, said helping the women of the province is beneficial in several ways, "I think it's very important, while at the same time pretty frustrating. There's a lot of benefit from it. To increase women's rights and make them capable will not only help their family, but also decrease the poverty rate in the area."
Lanning says the main challenge lies in changing the way society views women and instilling confidence in women so they aren't afraid to go outside the home to seek help or education. CF hope to help the center accomplish this through a variety of ways.  "We're going to talk to U.S. Agency for Int'l Development and see if we can fix up the building, because it's already in poor shape," said Lanning.
In the short-term, fixing a windmill would be a quick, cheap way to provide power to the center and facilitating the building and use of a women's vocational school for the long-term, Lanning said.
Jafari got the idea for a vocational school from areas already using similar programs. "In other provinces, there are vocational schools for women," she said. "Any type of educational classes for women will help, and since other provinces had them already, we wanted to get ideas from them."
The Women's Center plans to teach classes, but they also want to show women how to provide for themselves, so they don't have to rely on the center.  "The goal is to make women self-sufficient," said Jafari. "We don't plan on using the center as a means to sell items, rather to teach women how to make something they can sell on their own."
According to Jafari, the Wardak Women's Center has had some success.  "There's been some progress so far, especially for those in need. The word is getting out that there is a women's society and women are becoming more active in the community."
Lanning said the focus is on helping women in and around Mayden Shar, because the women's center does not have access to other villages or districts which are farther away. "We hope to be able to assist women in the outer lying districts get help, whether it's a local link to the women's center in Mayden Shar or maybe even getting a few centers built in other areas," she added.
Jafari is working to let the women of Wardak know there is a safe place they can get help. She is working with Lanning to get a column in the local paper, and eventually a quarterly magazine produced by the women's center.
"Basically, it's based on society, on advertising, on promoting women's rights, to let everyone know that the woman is important. That she can work outside of the house and provide for the family," said Jafari.

Afghan NP and service members from 4th Bn, helped to distribute humanitarian aid.

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CJTF-101 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center

Paratroopers use shuras to build relationships in Zormat

By Army Pfc. Andrya Hill

Elders from the village of Kalagu discuss concerns they have with the establishment of COP Kalagu.
(Army photos by Pfc. Andrya Hill)

BAGRAM AIR FIELD - Afghanistan NA and U.S. service members conducted 2 local shuras in the Zormat District, Paktya province, April 13 - 15 to discuss the recent establishment of COP Kalagu and to address concerns of the village elders.
The shuras, a gathering of local elders and villagers, were hosted by ANA cmdrs along with Paratroopers from 1st Sqdrn, 40th Cav Regt, 4th BCT, 25th ID.  "What we're trying to do is to get to the villages and population centers immediately surrounding this COP, to let them know what we're doing here; let them know that security is coming; find out what their issues are, and listen to what they've got to say," said Army Lt. Col. Robert Campbell, 1st Sqn., 40th Cav. Regt. cmdr.
The COP was established by the ANA and 1st Sqn., 40th Cav. Regt., bringing force assets to the area, which carried the potential to alarm the locals. "We came in with an air assault asset, helicopters, and trucks, and we want to get to the population quickly, so we can connect with the people right away," said Campbell.  A positive and developing relationship with village elders in the area is essential to the success of the ANA.  Despite some original hesitation, the cmdrs said they feel their efforts will assist in bringing peace.
At first, they were nervous because the enemy has been in and out of the area.  Anytime there've been talks with int'l forces or Afghan NSF, there has been a threat of retaliation from the Taliban, said Campbell.  Several elders at the Shuras expressed concern regarding this issue, among others, and spent several hours relaying those concerns to the cmdrs, who listened carefully and offered remedies for each issue.
"I think we gained their trust very quickly and I give that credit to the 1st Co., 1st Kandak cmdr, because he knows how to connect with the people.  They realized that we weren't there to hurt them or search them.  We were there just to communicate with them and show them that we care, and we want to make a better life for them," said Campbell.
Lt. Col. Attauallah, cmdr assured the elders he would maintain an open line of communication with them, and respect their culture, traditions, and desires for their community. He promised not only an unending fight to maintain security, but also a determination to build up Kalagu through various projects. "We're working with the forces to start projects of schools, clinics, paving roads, and wells," he said to the elders. "We're here to bring peace and stability, to drive out the enemy, and are thinking of good projects and a peaceful area of Afghanistan."

Afghan NA Lt. Col. Attauallah hands out radios to elders of the Kalagu area.

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U.S. Forces Afghanistan RSS

Second Anti-aircraft Gun Destroyed by Coalition Forces in Helmand

KABUL – For a second time in less than 12 hours, CF used a precision strike to successfully destroy an anti-aircraft weapon system in the Nadi Ali District of Helmand province April 21.
CF learned through villagers' reports that militants in Nadi Ali had obtained a ZPU-1 anti-aircraft gun and were staging it on the back of a pick-up truck for use against friendly forces' aircraft. The militants were seen firing the weapon in the vicinity of the local bazaar, endangering the lives of those nearby.
CF located and positively identified the ZPU-1, loaded and ready for use. After ensuring there were no non-combatants in the area, CF used a precision strike to destroy the weapons system.
In recent months, militants in the area have unsuccessfully attempted to use surface-to-air fire against coalition aircraft.

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Afghan forces kill eight Taliban-linked rebels

KABUL (AFP) – April 21, 7 rebels were killed in a sweep in the province of Uruzgan, an infamous Taliban hotbed near the Pakistani border, the interior ministry said.

Another militant was killed and a suspect detained during an op in neighbouring Kandahar, the US military said. 

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