Dear Interested Reader,
Kidnapped boy comes home safely to family. Maternity hospital renovation restores full capacity. Tropic Lightning Soldiers patrol with Iraqi Border Enforcement.
In Afghanistan, attempt on provincial gov's life is foiled. Kandahar troops and civilian first responders train together. Army Sgt. Brenna McAllister trains ANP medics. Robert Gates says Afghan success depends on Pakistan.
Joanna
____________________________
May 20, 2009
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Iraqi Special Operations Forces bring kidnapped boy home to family
An Iraqi man holds his 8-year-old son after the boy was rescued.
(Army photo by Spc. Jeffrey Ledesma)
BAGHDAD - Under the cover of night an element of the Iraqi SOF recovered a young kidnap victim being held for ransom in the Iraqi capital during an early-morning, Iraqi-led operation, May 13.
Operating under the authority of a warrant issued by the Counter Terrorism Bureau, the Iraqi Soldiers recovered the boy and arrested his captors in hopes of disrupting the kidnap-for-ransom cell operating in the Baghdad area.
During the Iraqi and U.S. intel-driven mission, according to military reports, the ground troops secured the hostage taker's house and questioned the residents suspected of working for the kidnap-for-ransom cell. The report also stated that as a result of questioning the suspects, the Soldiers then moved to the alleged criminal's place of work, where they subsequently apprehended him.
The Iraqi cmdr who oversaw the op said that the Soldiers who carried out the hostage rescue mission were determined to bring the child home to his family. The boy was taken from his family for personal monetary gains, May 11. It was 2 days of waiting for the family members and 2 days of threats for the kidnapped child in an unfamiliar place.
After commanding his troops on the ground for hours, the bn cmdr recalled being overwhelmed with a sense of relief and happiness when his men took possession of the child, because it was in that moment he knew the 8-year-old was finally safe.
"I felt extremely happy and at the same time I felt like crying," said the father describing how he felt when he was reunited with his son. "I gave thanks to God and thanks to the Soldiers for bringing my son home."
According to the Coalition advisor, the ISOF element's experience and training was evident in the successful completion of this hostage rescue op. "Hundreds of hours are spent on fire discrimination drills, honing the ability to make the correct decisions at the crisis point," added a U.S. advisor to the mission. "Tonight, the ICTF proved once again, that they are excellent tacticians and completely capable of accomplishing the task required in their charter."
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Special to American Forces Press Service
Baghdad Maternity Hospital Renovation Restores Full Capacity
By Kendal Smith
An Iraqi grandmother proudly shows off her new grandchild, May 9, 2009, at the newly renovated Alwaiya Maternity Hospital in Baghdad.
BAGHDAD – For engr Wathiq Jabbar, the May 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony that capped a renovation of the Alwaiya Maternity hospital was especially meaningful. “I feel like I helped rebuild my home,” he said. “I was born and raised just 4 km from this hospital, so it is a special place for me.”
In 2004, the hospital had a capacity of only 37 beds. Equipment failures and structural damage caused rooms and buildings to remain unused for many years. But that has all changed. The extensive makeover, which Abdul Jabbar described as a “skin off, skin on” renovation, brought the hospital’s capability back to 344 beds.
Abdul Jabbar, chairman of The Muhandis Inbbar Group, directed the project and spoke at the ceremony to officially open the hospital. “I want to thank the American taxpayer for the help and assistance in making this renovation possible,” he said. In his remarks, Abdul Jabbar acknowledged the expertise and support of the USACE Gulf Region Div in the difficult construction process of a turbulent Baghdad city center. With better security, he said, more projects and improvements in his home area are possible.
Dr. Intisar al-Tuijari, hospital dir., and Dr. Muhammad, a Rusafa-area city councilman, were among the key people who attended the event. Others included Karoly Okolicsanyi, the PRT rep for the U.S. Agency for Int'l Development, hospital staff, Iraqi govt officials, reps from the USACE Gulf Region Central district, and Army Col. Tim McGuire, maneuver area cmdr of the 82nd Abn Div’s 3rd BCT.
During his remarks, McGuire echoed Abdul Jabbar’s comments. “I congratulate the people of Iraq on the refurbished hospital,” he said. “We're honored to be here and celebrate with you. This is a sign of the friendship of the American people with the Iraqi people, and we look forward to a long-term partnership, ensuring a bright future for the children of Iraq.”
Army Capt. Sean Heenan of Gulf Region Central acknowledged the team that was part of the hospital renovation. “I was fortunate to be here and see this great project across the finish line,” he said. “So many people contributed to the success, but ultimately, the only thing worth remembering is the help this hospital provides the mothers of the Rusafa area of Baghdad.”
Abdul Jabbar credited hospital director Tuijari with keeping the hospital going in spite of the challenges. “She was available day and night,” Abdul Jabbar said. “I often had to call her at odd hours, even late at night, and she was very helpful every time.”
The officer in charge of GRC’s Int'l Zone Resident Office, Army Capt. Chad Wendolek, put the ceremony in perspective. “A ribbon cutting is just a small expression of the dedication and hard work all the team members from the IZ Resident Office and central district put into this project,” he said. “I hope the Iraqi mothers and the children born here, cared for here, are told of the personal sacrifice many U.S. citizens made to help their nation and provide a future for generations to come.”
As Iraq strives to build a secure, stable and self-governing nation, the USACE Gulf Region Div has completed hundreds of projects in the building, health and education sector. GRD projects have increased Iraq’s annual capacity to treat patients to about 6.6 million patients in hospitals and 4.6 million outpatients at the primary health care centers. Since 2004, USACE has completed 44 hospital renovation projects throughout Iraq, and currently has 8 ongoing.
Alwaiya Maternity Hospital director Dr. Intisar al-Tuijari and Rusafa area city councilman Dr. Muhammad cut the ribbon to open the renovated hospital.
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DoD Imagery
Army Sgt. Craig Wayman puts eye drops into an Iraqi girl's eye during a combined medical evaluation in a village in Kirkuk, May 7, 2009. Wayman is a combat medic attached to Charlie Troop, 4th Sqdrn, 9th Cav Regt, 2nd Heavy BCT, 1st Cav Div. DoD
(photo by Sgt. Gustavo Olgiati, U.S. Army)
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Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq RSS
Tropic Lightning Soldiers Patrol With Iraqi Border Enforcement
Photos by Staff Sgt. Ali E. Flisek
FOB CALDWELL
U.S. Soldiers from the 3rd Bn, 66th Armor, 172nd BCT, 25th ID, and Iraqis from the Dept of Border Enforcement, patrol through villages in Tursaq, May 11.
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Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs RSS
Forces in Afghanistan Foil Attempt on Provincial Governor's Life
WASHINGTON - Afghan and U.S. forces killed 8 insurgents, and repelled a complex suicide attack May 11, by multiple groups on govt buildings in Khost, the capital of the eastern Afghanistan province of the same name.
During the engagement, the forces foiled an attempt on the provincial gov's life. Shortly before noon, a suicide bomber dressed as an Afghan SECFOR member attacked the gov's compound, while 2 others wearing suicide vests were killed by Afghan and U.S. forces. An additional suicide vest was found at the scene. Moments later, a group of suicide bombers stormed the Khost municipal building and took several civilian hostages. One militant was killed before entering the building. Two explosions heard inside the building during the siege were later determined to be from a pair of suicide bombers who detonated themselves. Afghan and U.S. forces entered the municipal building and immediately began taking fire. They returned fire, killing 2 insurgents. Four hostages were freed after the combined force cleared the building and eliminated the threat.
The combined forces overcame and disabled the attackers in less than 5 hours. U.S. military leaders and analysts said they believe the attacks were conducted for propaganda effects. "The actions of the Afghan national SECFOR should be commended," Army Col. Greg Julian, a U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesman, said. "Their responsiveness and courage limited the extent of the civilian casualties. Their response made this terrorist attack militarily insignificant. The terrorists achieved nothing against the govt of Afghanistan, and only further demonstrated their disregard for innocent civilians."
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Special to American Forces Press Service
Kandahar Troops, Civilian First Responders Train Together
By Elisebet Freeburg
AF Tech Sgt. Rick Dickey, the morning shift leader of the U.S. provost marshall’s office at Kandahar Airfield, evaluates the simulated wounds of a role-player during a combined military and civilian mass-casualty exercise, April 30, 2009.
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD – As the gray smoke dissipates, men and women lie scattered on the gravel. Some moan, some call for help and some are silent. These U.S. servicemembers are role players, taking part in a force-protection exercise simulating a mass-casualty event here. The U.S. MP ops for Joint Sust Command Afghanistan's TF Anzio held the exercise in response to the Joint FOB Force Protection Handbook directive, requiring a force-protection exercise to be held and evaluated annually. Force protection describes actions used to prevent and combat hostile actions against military personnel and facilities. TF Anzio Force Protection 90-01 involved both the U.S. MP and NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency contracted civilians. "The exercise was to test inter-operational ability between U.S. first responders and first responders of other agencies," said Army Master Sgt. Reed Witherite, NCO-in-charge of TF Anzio U.S. MP ops.
Besides the U.S. MP, the first responders of the exercise included the NATO agency’s fire dept and paramedics. Mark Barabe, the project mgr of the NATO-contracted medical crash crew services, explained that medics sometimes ignore loud patients, and attend those less conscious. "Yelling and screaming take a lot of energy," he said. "When you stop, we have to evaluate the situation."
Besides the paramedics, the fire dept responded to the exercise scene. "The fire dept was tasked with incident command, fire extinguishment, search and rescue, and victim removal," said Desi Wade, chief fire inspector of the NATO-contracted fire rescue crash services.
"The medical personnel had extra stress put on them," said Army Spc. Hollyann Greenwood, an administrative specialist in the 143d Expeditionary Sust Command's HHC. "In a real-life situation, if this were to occur, not everyone who was injured would remain calm." Greenwood played the role of a disgruntled and burned explosion victim who badgered medical personnel, while they were treating the more severely wounded.
Another training scenario was how the first-responders would handle treating someone they could not understand. "I was lying on the ground asking for help in English and Spanish," said Army Staff Sgt. Carmen E. Ayala-Cruz, a Joint Sust Command Afghanistan support ops NCOr. "I was having a lot of pain in my left foot." Cruz played a victim who couldn’t walk and needed a left foot amputation, whose predominant spoken language was Spanish. The medics had to diagnose the severity of her wounds, without being able to ask her questions.
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CJTF-101 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
MPs train ANP medics
Story and Photos by U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Sgt. Brenna McAllister explains how to check a pulse to ANP combat medics.
NANGARHAR PROVINCE -- "Your buddy is shot in the arm. What are you going to do?" Army Sgt. Brenna McAllister asks a young ANA officer, while he examines a fellow officer. The man reaches for a clean bandage, while looking up at McAllister for approval. She replies to his gaze with, "Show me how it's done."
Tucked away in a back room of the Nazyan Police Station in Nangarhar Province, May 10, a small group of Afghans are training for a big responsibility-saving the lives of their fellow police officers injured in the line of duty.
"Basically these guys are supposed to be the medics attached to their unit," said McAllister, class instructor and combat medic with the 527th MP Co. According to McAllister, the U.S. military trains regular ANP officials to conduct basic first aid, but it is important to have a dedicated medic, because more severe injuries require a greater amount of advanced medical training. "Having somebody there who can take action, who can stop the bleeding" greatly increases the chances of survival, she said.
Although the 2-hour class doesn't compare to the months American military medics spend in training, the Afghans participating still leave with much greater understanding. "Whenever I see a casualty I can help him. Here in Afghanistan things like this happen, so now I know I can do everything," ANP 1st Sgt. Dost Mohammad said, through an interpreter.
Combat Medic Sgt. McAllister watches as a member of the ANP checks the breathing of Spc. Nathan Kozak.
An ANP member treats a simulated gunshot wound to the chest of Spc. Alan Bunting. U.S.
Soldiers have been training selected ANP personnel on advanced medical treatments as part of an ongoing combat medic training program.
An ANP member treats a simulated gunshot wound on the arm of Spc. Alan Bunting.
Sgt. Brenna McAllister explains positioning a patients head before checking for breathing.
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American Forces Press Service
Afghanistan Success Depends on Pakistan, Gates Says
By Samantha L. Quigley
WASHINGTON, May 14, 2009 – Without success on the Pakistan side of the border, efforts to rid both it and Afghanistan of the Taliban will be significantly harder, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee today, while testifying on the fiscal 2010 defense budget request.
That success will be more difficult if the Pakistani govt refuses to take the fight to the militants within its country’s borders, Gates said. But traditional thought may prove hard to overcome.
“For all of Pakistan’s history, India has been the existential threat,” he said. “I think actually it was only with the Taliban’s going too far and moving their ops into Buner, just 60 miles or so from Islamabad, that for the first time they really got the attention of the Pakistani govt.”
Recent actions of the Pakistani govt and its army have indicated the govt now understands the nature of the threat to it, and is prepared to take action to deal with the threat, Gates said.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also spoke before the committee. He acknowledged increasing support from the Pakistani people to deter the militants’ threat to their country and the govt’s stepped-up counterinsurgency ops, but he expressed reservations about sustainability. “My biggest question about these ops is the govt’s ability to sustain them over time,” he said. “Right now I’m encouraged by what’s happened, but I certainly withhold any judgment about where it goes, because of the lack … of historic sustainment.”
In addition to the counterinsurgency effort on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Gates said, success in Afghanistan also relies on turning the country’s agriculture away from the poppy crop that supplies drug traffickers and finances criminal and terrorist activities.
“Before 30 years of war, Afghanistan … had a strong agricultural sector, and in fact exported … a variety of food,” he said. “So the notion of getting them to adopt alternative crops is not fanciful, but we have to figure out a strategy where they get the money and the seeds, and the ability to sustain their families, before they get rid of their poppy crop.”
The secretary acknowledged Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s concerns about precision coalition airstrikes and their effect on Afghan civilians, but added that the use of airpower can’t be eliminated. Forgoing that capability, he said, would be like trying to fight the war “with one hand tied behind our back.”
“That said,” he continued, “one of the charges, I think, for the new cmdrs, will be to look at how we can do this in a way that further limits innocent civilian casualties in Afghanistan, but also gets the truth out to the Afghan people about what’s really going on.”
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CJTF-101 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
U.S. hosts weapons range for ASG
Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Staff Sgt. Joshua Garrick, 527th MP Co, explains how to operate an AK-47 assault rifle to Afghan Security Guards assigned to FOB Torkham, in Nangarhar Province, May 11, the night before conducting a weapons range at the FOB.
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