Dear Interested Reader,
Spartans build community relations in Abu Ghraib district. Knowing attack warning and response procedures saves lives. Primary Leadership Development Course graduates on target. On patrol, searching for explosives in Abu Ghraib.
In Afghanistan, AF Maj Matthew Conlan fulfills career milestone against all odds. Successful op kills or detains many militants, while destroying nearly 33,000 lbs. of various high-grade narcotics. Militants also killed or detained in Ghazni province.
Joanna
______________________________
May 29, 2009
Multi-National Division Baghdad RSS
Spartans Build Community Relations in Abu Ghraib District
Story by Staff Sgt. Peter Ford
Cpl. David Medlin, an MP assigned to the 591st MP Co, 93rd MP Bn, 8th MP Bde, arm wrestles with a little boy after giving some of the neighborhood children shoes, May 20. "I love playing with the kids," said Medlin.
BAGHDAD — As conditions improve day by day, Soldiers of the 591st "Spartans," are building better relations within small communities by donating shoes, clothes and school supplies to children in the Abu Ghraib district while on patrol.
"Back in 2003, when I was first here, kids were not allowed to wave or even be around us. Now they are much more receptive," said Sgt. George Talkington. "I think they're more receptive because of the things we do in the community." According to Talkington, the Spartans play soccer with children at local schools, and pass out candy, pens and pencils when on dismounted patrols. The Spartans show they genuinely care for the community by helping them as much as they can.
"Just last week, a family of chicken farmers came to us saying all their chickens died and they had no money and couldn't pay their bills," Talkington said. "So we gave them our rations, so they would at least have something to eat. It wasn't much, but it was all we could do at the time." Sometimes little things can mean a whole lot, Talkington added. Little acts of kindness can develop a lasting rapport with the community.
"Building strong relationships is exactly what we're trying to teach the IP," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Romero. "Strong relationships can be instrumental in preventing criminal activities and terrorist attacks in the community."
The Spartans try to set examples of building friendships for the IP to follow, by the community services that they provide. They try to show the IP how responsive the people in the community can be when connections built on trust are made by sharing with the people, said Talkington. "We sometimes give cookies, candy and sodas to the IPs to disseminate to the community so they can see the effects kindness can have on the community," said Talkington, as he shook hands with a local child.
Sgt. George Talkington takes a box of muffins to a chicken farmer who asked for assistance in the Abu Ghraib district.
-30-
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing RSS
Knowing Attack Warning and Response Procedures Saves Lives
Story by Staff Sgt. John Gordinier
Robertson (right), trains Tech. Sgt. Derek Stancle and Staff Sgt. Stephen Mirza, both assigned to the 732nd AEG, on how to perform post-attack recon sweeps. PAR training prepares Airmen to recognize and report unexploded ordnance, survey damage, and report casualties and contamination after an attack.
JOINT BASE BALAD (JBB) — When an Airman first arrives here for their deployment, the first thing they see is a video, 'what to do during an attack.' "They watch the video because the threat here is real and understanding what to do may save your life or someone else's," said Staff Sgt. Renaissance Henry, 332nd plans and ops NCO-in-charge.
Most have been engaged in emergency exercises at home stations, but there are different procedures when deployed here. Alarm signals such as "alarm red" and "alarm yellow" are localized to the affected areas, in order to minimize the impact on base ops. So, if the north side of base is receiving an attack, that area can be put into "alarm red" to protect personnel, without hindering ops elsewhere on JBB.
Known as the "Giant Voice," the Klaxon is the tower system that plays all wing audible alarms and messages here. "If anyone here hears the Klaxon alarm or hears 'incoming, incoming, incoming,' they should immediately lay face-down on the ground protecting their eyes and ears," Sgt Henry said. "If in a vehicle, safely pull over, exit the vehicle, and lay face-down on the ground protecting your eyes and ears. If you're indoors, maintain a low-profile and don your individual body armor."
"After 10 minutes or when you hear 'all clear,' you may continue with normal activities, but keep in mind that the 'all-clear' message only means the attack is over," Sgt Henry said. "You must still remain vigilant for UXOs and additional hazards."
Overall, Henry said, there are more than 130 Klaxon towers here. The Klaxon system detects inbound mortars and rockets, and predicts the projected point of impact. When this happens, the system delivers the audible alarm and voice message to all Klaxon towers within a 500-meter radius. "Once you hear this alarm, you'll have roughly 4-to-7 seconds before impact in that area," she said. "This is why it's so important that everyone immediately lay face-down protecting their eyes and ears."
Henry said many people ask: "Wouldn't it be better to run to a bunker or inside a building?" The answer is "No." The reason to immediately lay face-down is simple, she said. Mortars and rockets typically explode upon impacting the ground. When this happens, they project shrapnel in upward and outward directions. "By standing, walking, or running, you expose your body and create a bigger target," the sergeant said. "Immediately lying face-down minimizes your profile and reduces the risk of becoming a casualty. By the time you recognize the Klaxon alarm is sounding and go through the mental process of 'what action do I take,' you've already used up 2-to-3 seconds of your very short 4-to-7 second warning time," continued Henry.
Robertson shows "What to do During an Attack" video.
-30-
Multi-National Division Baghdad RSS
Iraqi Primary Leadership Development Course Graduates on Target
Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell
Cpl. Brian Stock, a team leader assigned to the 300th MP Co, 91st MP Bn, 8th MP Bde, looks on as IP run a firing range at JSS Shuleik, May 21. The weapons range was the final event during a 5-day Iraqi primary leadership development course (LDC). "They're getting better," said Stock. "Some who really care are focused on the job, and are putting all they got into this course."
BAGHDAD – "Usually I'd be proud of my Soldiers, but today I'm proud of them [Iraqis]," said police transition team chief, Sgt. Brandon Roque, assigned to the 300th MP Co.
Eighty IPs have graduated this course since November, 2008. This was the 4th rotation of IPLDC and the 1st one run by the IP with minimal CF guidance, added Roque.
The 300th MP Co. Soldiers and IP leadership indentified key critical tasks, came up with classes together, rehearsed the classes together, and put out instruction on the classes, continued Roque.
The 5-day course included classes on Iraqi law, personnel searches, leadership, discipline and the firing range. "We've had this instruction from our brothers, the MPs, and we have to keep up this training and become more proficient in it," said IP Capt. Hussein Salume, the training officer for Adamiyah IP Station. "The training lectures such as raids, patrols, searches, investigations and detainee ops were very good."
Though the MPs were in an advisory role, they noticed a significant difference from the beginning of the course to the end. "They can definitely hit the targets," said Cpl. Brian Stock, a team leader. "When we first started doing this, the IPs were nervous and shooting the ground. Now they're on target and have really shown improvements...it shows they're really paying attention."
According to Hussein, the skills the IP commissioners and officers acquired during the IPLDC will be passed on to their fellow policemen at their IP station.
"We're here to ensure IP leaders know how to lead IPs," said Roque. "We want to try to influence IPs down to the lowest levels."
"Before, some of the IPs didn't know basic tactics and goals," said Hussein. "Now they'll be motivated and ready to do their jobs like professionals. I think it was very successful. All the success belongs to our friendship with CF...they have a big heart."
After the graduation certificates were handed out, and the 300th MP Co. Soldiers congratulated the new graduates. "We're not just friends, we're family," said 1st Lt. Chris Parker, a plt leader. "I have faith that the IP can police Adamiyah successfully."
First Lt. Chris Parker congratulates an IP officer after they received an Iraqi primary leadership development course graduation certificate.
Sgt. Brandon Roque, a police transition team chief, watches as the IP he trained administer a firing range.
-30-
56th Stryker BCT, 28th ID RSS
Guardsmen, Iraqi Army Soldiers on the Hunt in Abu Ghraib
(Photo by Sgt. Doug Roles)
Sgt. Sergio Carmona, with Co B, 2nd Bn, 112th Inf Regt, 56th Stryker BCT, pulls security at the corner of a building, May 19, during a search for explosives in Abu Ghraib.
Lt. Michael Keckler, a plt cmdr with Co B, 2nd Bn, 112th Inf Regt, 56th Stryker BCT, photographs a room of a building formerly used as a school, in a search for explosives.
A U.S. military working dog and handler move through a courtyard in Abu Ghraib with Pa. National Guard Soldiers from Co B.
Spc. John Hill (front) and Spc. Matthew Strittmater, both with Co B, move along a building in Abu Ghraib during a search for VBIED-making materials.
Lt. Michael Keckler (left) and 1st Sgt. Harry Buchanan, both with Co B, discuss an ongoing search for explosives.
Using an interpreter (left), 1st Lt. Joshua Shearn (center) with Co B talks with an IA bn cmdr.
-30-
225th Engineer Brigade RSS
Iraqi Army Engineer Recognized for Training
Photo by Maj. Pat Simon
Maj. Willus Hall (right) and Sgt. Maj. Timothy Adam (left), present an IA engr with a certificate of completion for attending intel and ops training with the 225th Engr Bde, May 20. As the deadline for the June 30th Security Agreement approaches, many IA soldiers continue to receive this kind of specialized training as they take more of an independent role on missions such as route clearance, which relies heavily on accurate intel gathering techniques.
-30-
Special to American Forces Press Service
Wounded Warrior Diaries: AF Major Fulfills Career Milestone
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
AF Maj. Matthew Conlan, who is retiring after 20 years of service, finished his career after battling back from serious wounds suffered in a 2005 mine explosion in Afghanistan.
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2009 – “I decided pretty early on what I wanted to do,” Maj. Matthew Conlan said. “I was going to get back on the job and continue serving. I wanted to finish what I started.” Conlan, assigned to the AF’s civil engineering directorate at the Pentagon, will retire from the AF this month.
Part of Conlan’s drive to complete his active-duty service, despite the extensive wounds he suffered, came from the support he received from his family and the AF during his recovery, he said, but also had roots in his family’s long history of military service.
“My family has a long association with the military in the U.S. well back into the early 1800s,” Conlan said. “It’s something that we do. We serve, so I knew at a young age … that the military was going to be my path.”
Referring to himself as a “leader from the front,” Conlan said he wanted to participate in one of his unit’s missions to collect unexploded ordnance near an old Soviet artillery base. Conlan and his team -- 4 EOD technicians, 2 heavy-equipment operators and 30 to 40 Army combat engrs and MP -- left to complete the mission for that day. In retrospect, Conlan said, he realizes how fortunate he was that an Army combat medic accompanied the team that sunny day in June.
“As I was walking down the hill with AF Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ramakka, I saw at the corner of one of the revetments something buried, and what looked like artillery round,” the major said. As Ramakka and Conlan were inspecting the area, they didn’t know they were standing near a landmine. Conlan said the area was also used by the Afghan army, and was supposed to have been cleared of mines. The mine they were standing near detonated after Ramakka stepped on it.
“While it was an old Soviet artillery, the enemy had purposefully planted it there. We, unfortunately, found it the hard way,” Conlan said. “The blast was nothing like you see in war movies. I’m here to tell you - that's not how it works.”
When the mine detonated, Conlan said, he didn’t hear it. Though momentarily in shock, he assessed both his and Ramakka’s wounds. The explosion removed the bulk of Ramakka’s lower leg, and shrapnel from the explosion resulted in wounds in his right leg and his hands. The blast also wounded Conlan’s legs, creating a massive hole in his left leg, and inflicted other, more serious, damage to his right.
While assessing his wounds, Conlan said, he saw the gigantic hole in his left leg. “I stuck my hand in that hole to see if any blood was spraying out,” he said. “I looked down and I saw a smoking hole. I knew that things had just turned bad. At that point, a thought went into my head: ‘You have to check yourself out.’”
Fortunately for Conlan and Ramakka, the Army combat medic on duty helped to secure the scene, and started immediate medical assistance. Two other soldiers helped. “The soldiers had combat medic lifesaver training,” Conlan said. “They were able to bandage off my left leg, but on my right leg, they had 5 or 6 bandages on, and couldn’t stop the bleeding.”
Conlan said he remembers hearing the soldiers arguing about whether to apply a tourniquet. “I sat up and said, ‘If you need to do it, do it,’” he recalled. “To the day I die, I'll also remember the look on their faces.” He added that he would rather lose his leg than his life.
Following emergency care at Bagram, the airmen were flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. A few days later, both Conlan and Rammakka were flown to Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland AF Base in San Antonio.
After Conlan had resigned himself to losing it, the doctors were able to regain blood flow in his right leg. “Long story short, the medical personnel were able to save my leg,” he said. “I've nothing to say but good things about the medical folks. I've been seen by Army, Navy and AF, and had nothing but exceptional service along the way.”
Conlan has endured 10 surgeries, and probably will need more. Rammakka, who lost the lower part of his left leg, also returned to active-duty status. In addition to the gratitude he expressed for the medical care he received, Conlan thanked the leaders who allowed him to finish what he started out to do 20 years ago.
“One of the most important things that anyone said to me was actually during my Purple Heart ceremony,” he said. Maj. Gen. Dean Fox, then the AF's top civil engr, presented the Purple Heart to Conlan on Aug. 12, 2005. Conlan said the general told him, “When you are ready, we have a job for you.” The major said those 10 simple words had a huge impact on him and his ability to return to duty.
He acknowledged that he may not move as fast as he once did, but said he knows he's still contributing to the AF’s mission. “My legs are nowhere near as strong or useful as they were, due to the damage of my right leg, but I can walk, and there're a lot of things that I can do.”
If people need inspiration or want to know what the human spirit is all about, Conlan said, they should spend a “day in the life” of a wounded sailor, soldier, airman or Marine. “Go visit Walter Reed … or any of the major hospitals and talk to some of the wounded guys and gals,” he said. “All they want to do is get back to their unit, and we're all the same in that regard. “I don’t consider myself special,” he continued. “My injuries were pretty bad, and it took a long time to come back, but I felt like I would be letting everyone down, if I didn’t get up and get back to it.”
-30-
American Forces Press Service
Coalition, Afghan Forces Kill 25 Militants, Detain Seven
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2009 – In the city of Marjeh in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, forces killed 16 enemy fighters and confiscated and destroyed drugs, drug-refining materials and weapons.
SECFOR there launched an op to secure the bazaar in Marjeh, thought to be a militant stronghold and hub of narcotics processing for southern Afghanistan. Nearly 33,000 pounds of various high-grade narcotics, including black tar opium, heroin and morphine, were destroyed. Forces also found heroin-refining products, including nearly 16,000 pounds of poppy seeds. Forces also found several thousand pounds of bomb-making materials packaged into gallon-size drums and prepared for use in car bombs. It was the 2nd-largest narcotics find during coalition ops in Afghanistan.
At the bazaar, forces uncovered 2 “war rooms” stocked with maps, communication equipment, Russian-made night-vision goggles, and U.S. military vehicle parts. They also found weapons, including 10 RPGs, a launcher, 6 mortars and a number of small-arms munitions.
Also in Marjeh, coalition and Afghan forces killed 2 militants and detained 6 suspects in ops early today. SECFOR cleared several compounds targeting a network known to attack SECFOR. Two men were killed and 6 surrendered in the op. Opium seeds were found and destroyed at the compounds.
-30-
American Forces Press Service
Seven militants killed, one suspect detained in Ghazni province
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2009 -- SECFOR targeted a mid-level Taliban cmdr in the village of Spedar, thought to be responsible for leading attacks against forces in the east. Forces came under fire when approaching the village. They returned fire and called in air support. Following the gun battle, forces searched for and caught the wanted cmdr.
Elsewhere, 7 militants were killed in a firefight last night and 1 suspect was detained in Ghazni province.
-30-