Dear Interested Reader,
Historic Day for future of Iraq. The "Silo" begins its transition back to the GoI. Ceremony celebrates transition of security in Diyala. FSC is first deployed unit to receive the Combined Logistics Excellence Award. Texas unit at home in wilderness, takes us on a convoy. Indiana Guard bid farewell.
In Afghanistan, suspected militants detained, weapons and drugs seized. Afghan Air Corps once again flies the Mi-35. MEB-A assumes control of Marine battle space. Haqqani command bunkers struck in Khost.
Joanna
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July 2, 2009
Special to American Forces Press Service
Withdrawal Marks Historic Day for Future of Iraq, General Says
By Army Staff Sgt. Dave Lankford
Army Capt. Rich Turvey, cmdr of 2nd Bn, 20th FAR, signs over JSS Salaam to IA 1st Lt. Jassim Abbas, at a transfer ceremony near Numaniyah, June 20, 2009.
(Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson)
COB BASRA - June 30, 2009 – “As of today, U.S. combat forces will turn over the security of cities to ISF, and begin a period where our primary security role is one of training, mentoring and advising the ISF,” said Army Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, MND-S cmdr. “Today ISF is capable, ready and dedicated to keeping the people of Iraq safe.”
Nash praised the dedication of the ISF, as well as the proficiency of U.S. and CF, and attributed the successful implementation of the security agreement to their actions. “Iraq’s successes and significantly improved security are a testament of the ISF’s progress and its dedication to Iraq’s sovereignty,” Nash said. “The Iraqis have made strides in their ability to protect their citizens, and our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are doing a great job in helping them build both their security forces and their civil capacity.”
Though U.S. and CF no longer will inhabit Iraqi cities, they will continue to support the ISF within the parameters of the security agreement, Nash said.
In accordance with the agreement, U.S. forces will withdraw from all Iraqi territory by Dec. 31, 2011. Today will be remembered as a significant step toward the realization of that objective, Nash noted.
“So, on this important day of transition in Iraq, our 2 nations move forward together as friends, with the shared goal of the safety and security of the Iraqi people,” he said. “I'm very encouraged about the future success of Iraq.”
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Multi-National Division - North PAO
The "Silo" begins its transition
Lt. Col. Sam Whitehurst, (far right) cmdr, speaks with officials from the Salah ad Din provincial office
of seeds and grains about agricultural infrastructure. The U.S. will transition the FOB, a former agricultural storage facility, back to the GoI in increments, and will be complete by early 2010.
(Army Photos by Spc. Eric Kenney)
FOB BRASSFIELD-MORA, SAMARRA - U.S. Forces met with a Salah ad-Din provincial dir. gen. June 20, to discuss the transfer of FOB Brassfield-Mora, known by local Iraqis as the 'Silo,' back to the citizens of Samarra.
The meeting between Bahaa Ali, the dir. gen. of seeds and grains, and Lt. Col. Sam Whitehurst, cmdr, 2nd Bn, 35th Inf Regt, 3rd IBCT, 25th ID, was the first step forward. The landmark meeting helped to begin planning the removal of U.S. Forces from the Silo.
"It's important that the next unit realizes that they need to be out of the Silo by early 2010. The issue's very important to agriculture in Samarra," said Lt. Col. David Snodgrass, dep. comm. officer. Snodgrass attended the meeting to get info for the bde to plan the future location for the bn, and to assist in the transition. Promoting agricultural development is one of the bde's main efforts and returning a major grain storage area back to the GoI will greatly assist local farmers.
The goal is to turn over the entire base, but this won't happen overnight. Parts of the base will be sectioned off by T-wall barriers and returned to the city of Samarra to begin reconstruction of the grain storage areas. One of the first areas to be turned over consists of 3 buildings, and a scale that remains from when the silo was operational.
"This place is in a key location for local farmers to turn in their grains," said Bahaa, explaining the impact the return of the silo will have on local agriculture. The Samarra silo is one of the main
storage areas for wheat and other grains harvested in the province.
Bahaa Ali, the Salah ad-Din provincial dir. gen. of seeds and grains, (center) speaks with Maj. Kareem Montague, (right) EO, 2nd Bn, about the transition of FOB Brassfield-Mora to the GoI.
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Multi-National Division – North
Ceremony Highlights Security Transition
DIYALA — A ceremony to celebrate the transition of security in the cities from CF to ISF was held in Baqubah, June 25.
The ceremony was attended by senior govt officials in the Diyala prov. along with Coalition leadership from the 1st Stryker BCT and the 25th ID. During the ceremony, Diyala gov. al-Mahdawi, spoke of the transition in security, and the efforts by many to gain and hold stability in Diyala.
“This event certainly displays the high degree of cooperation made by the ISF and the Coalition in recent history,” said, Maj. Chris Hyde, 1/25 SBCT PAO. “The IA and IP Force have improved dramatically in their ability to provide security for the people and communities of the province. As CF pull out of the region’s cities, we leave the people of Diyala in the strong, capable, and energetic hands of the ISF.”
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114th Public Affairs Detachment RSS
Support Company First of Their Kind
Story by Staff Sgt. Luke Koladish
A soldier in the Maintenance Plt, Fwd Support Co, 54th Engr Bn conducts primary maintenance and checks on an up-armored vehicle. The up-armor and adverse road conditions require the unit to continually check for wear and tear of doors, brakes and brake systems.
BAGHDAD - As the Fwd Support Co packs the last of their bags and heads back to Germany, they will take with them not only the satisfaction of a 15-month mission complete, but the honor of being the Army's first deployed unit to receive a Combined Logistics Excellence Award. "It's easy to get jobs done, but it has to be done the right way, to standard," Staff Sgt. Alford Reed, said.
The evaluation covered nearly every aspect of the unit's mission, to include maintenance, operational environment, pollution prevention, professional development, community and humanitarian projects. "The title of Maintenance Award creates a misconception," 1st Sgt. Daniel Canez, explained. "Maintenance is key, but not the whole criteria. It should be called 'Organization Excellence'."
For the 1st time in history of the awards, evaluators traveled to Iraq to conduct an on-site inspection. One of the biggest challenges that faced the FSC was the operational environment. Their mission spanned over hundreds of miles across adverse road conditions in southern Iraq, with up-armored vehicles that required careful, thorough maintenance of the doors, brakes and brake suspension due to the extensive wear.
"We had to adapt to 3 different iterations of the MRAP vehicles, field equipment changes, and modify our fleet," Canez said. "We developed a gunner restraint system before the Army even fielded the harness." The radio repairer designed and installed radio mounts for the bulkier man pack radios, while welders used their expertise and class four supplies to add protection to vehicles.
"At first it was good to see the org grow, but to see how it positively affected our bn and units here, makes me proud of how my soldiers executed," Capt. Penny Bloedel, FSC commander said. The maintenance plt kept all prime movers, trailers, night vision devices and communication equipment more than 95% fully mission capable. The security plt made a significant contribution to the unit's humanitarian effort by helping to establish a burn center adjacent to the convoy support center in Scania. "They transported bn medics and supplies to provide aid to burn victims, and in some cases the security personnel assisted the medics in treating the wounded," Canez said.
In October the 110-Soldier-strong unit will be one of 2 units representing the Army for the Phoenix Award. They'll compete against nominees from the AF, Navy, Marines and civilians in the 2009 Secretary of Defense Awards.
Soldiers from the FSC conduct primary maintenance and checks on a vehicle.
Soldiers from the FSC load equipment and supplies for a logistical convoy.
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Multi-National Division Baghdad RSS
Texas Unit at Home in Iraqi Wilderness
Story by Staff Sgt. Jason Kendrick
Spc. Timothy Stewart, a vehicle driver serving with B Co, 2nd Bn 142nd Inf, 56th IBCT, checks transmission fluid levels in his MRAP vehicle in the early morning hours, June 23, following a 7 hour long convoy.
BAGHDAD – For some Soldiers of 2nd Bn, 142nd Inf Regt, deployment to the Middle East bares a close resemblance to home station. Known as the "High Plains Infantry", the cos that comprise the bn are primarily found in the high plains area of the panhandle of NW Texas. This part of Texas has terrain that is mostly flat with moderate elevation and has high winds and temps during the summer, no different than many parts of Iraq.
This time around, they secure and escort convoys of critical supplies, everything from beans and bullets to water and fuel across western Iraq in the famed al-Anbar prov. "Every single widget we use, from a slice of bread at chow, to the fuel that runs our generators, is brought in by ground convoy, and Texan Soldiers are the ones protecting it," said Lt. Col. Christopher Link, 56th IBCT ops officer.
These convoy missions can take several days to complete, and when rolling on the road, can stretch for several miles from the lead vehicle to the truck pulling up the rear. "This mission normally puts about 1,000 miles on each of our trucks," explained acting plt sgt, Staff Sgt. Richard Shaver. For Shaver, most missions normally lasts about 4 or 5 days, depending on execution times and cooperating weather. That's 5 days of living out of a backpack, sleeping irregular hours, operating under starry nights, and sleeping in makeshift huts under the blaring desert sun.
Rolling out of the sprawling Victory Base Complex, Soldiers escort more than 30 tractor trailer trucks and start heading west in MRAP Vehicles. The convoy traveled more than 250 miles during the night, often times barely crawling along due to sub-standard road conditions. Along the way, vehicle breakdowns, increase the timeline and prompts Shaver to say, "We might see daylight before we finish tonight, boys." Once everyone has pulled into their destination, all the vehicles top off with fuel and get ready to go again the next day. As they look to the east, troops see the beginnings of daybreak, and head to the dining facility for a breakfast meal that for many of the Soldiers will serve as supper. Following chow, many of the Soldiers retire for the morning into a plywood building for a few hours of shut-eye.
As the afternoon sun begins to bake the desert at a stifling 110 degrees, many of the Soldiers begin to stir. Within a couple of hours these Soldiers start all the preparations of once again heading out on the road. As they ready their trucks, checking fluid levels and doing communications checks, the word comes that the convoy may not push out. "I don't mind spending an extra day out, because when we are out on the road, it makes the days go by quicker," said Sgt. Ryan Northcutt, a squad leader.
On this night, the Soldiers would be put on standby because of unfavorable route status, only to be given the word "Go" after many had relaxed and settled in for what was thought to be an extra night on the camp. "You absolutely have to be flexible in this mission, said Shaver. "We can go from being stood down and not moving, to hitting a start point within an hour."
Like the rest of the convoy, the security plts operate using 3 elements: a forward security element for added safety, a main body who escorts the bulk of the semi-trucks with the supplies, and a recovery element which acts to recover any of the vehicles that may experience problems, ranging from transmission problems to something as innocuous as a simple flat tire.
Along the route the recovery team got a chance to exercise their skills, as a fuel tanker had a tire blowout. On this night however, this would not be the only maintenance issue that these Soldiers would be faced with. A separate trailer had tire issues as well, including the loss of some of the highly important lug nuts used to keep the wheels on and rolling down the supply routes. After some controlled substitution amongst the contracted drivers of the fuel tankers, the mission, once again continued towards the Iraqi capital. There would be, however, one more breakdown, along the supply route to Baghdad near Fallujah, some 30 miles west of the capital city. This incident would test the resolve and patience of the recovery crew.
Unable to self-recover, Shaver's Soldiers would wait nearly 10 hours on the outskirts of Fallujah in searing heat for recovery assets, all the while maintaining 360 degree security protecting the vital fuel in the tankers.
The recovery element of 1st Plt breathe a sigh of relief as they finally continue towards Victory Base Complex for some well deserved rest after their 22 hours on the road.
Staff Sgt. Theodore Montgomery, a squad leader in B Co, directs traffic during recovery ops after a vehicle breakdown on the outskirts of Fallujah. Montgomery, serving in his 2nd tour to Iraq, has been on the road executing the convoy escort mission to a tune of more than 20,000 miles in only 7 months.
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Blackanthem Military News
Indiana Guard Soldiers bid farewell
By 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public Affairs
Col. Mark Drake, 10th Sust Bde cmdr, addresses the Soldiers of the Indiana NG's 1538th Trans. Co., 419th CSSB, during the unit's Farewell Dinner at Camp Taji. He praised the Soldiers' mission accomplishment while reminding the crowd to take care of each other during the upcoming few months of reintegration. The evening's events included remarks from 10th Sust Bde leadership, dinner, sports, and karaoke.
CAMP TAJI - The celebration, held in the courtyard of the company's horseshoe-shaped barracks, was punctuated with farewell remarks from Col. Mark Drake, 10th Sust Bde cmdr, and Command Sgt. Maj. Allen Fritzsching, 10th Sust Bde senior enlisted advisor.
"The 1538th has done great work. You've made a name for yourselves and taught me a few things in the process," said Drake. He continued on to remind these men and women of the 1538th to take care of each other in the coming months, to be safe when they get home, and to take their time reintegrating into family life and everyday activities.
Col. Drake and Command Sgt. Maj. Fritzsching both spoke to the troops, and presented the unit with a snowshoe-shaped plaque, commemorating their part in 10th Sust Bde history. The snowshoe represents the bde's lineage as a former part of the 10th Mtn Div of World War II fame, and the 10th Sust Bde's first operational deployment "Supporting the Climb" in Iraq.
"We've had a unique part of history here with the Army's Transformation," said 1538th cmdr, Capt. Phillip Anderson. "We've been a part of the 10th Sust's history, the 38th ID's history, and the first unit to wear the new patch of the 38th Sust Bde," said Anderson.
Staff Sgt. Tien Do, right, administrative NCO-in-charge for the 1538th, and Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Brown, supervise the grills in 100-degree heat.
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American Forces Press Service
Troops in Afghanistan Detain Suspects, Seize Weapons, Drugs
WASHINGTON – Coalition and Afghan forces detained more than a dozen suspected militants and seized weapons and drugs in recent ops, military officials said. During 2 June 27 ops in the Musa Khel district of Khost province, Afghan and CF targeted a key cmdr in one op and searched a compound in another.
CF used precision air strikes in a remote area of the district, targeting a key Haqqani cmdr responsible for planning militant attacks against CF, officials said. Intel sources indicated his location in the mountainous district, about 30 miles NW of the city of Khost. CF observed and identified suspected militants gathering at this location, and called for precision air strikes to eliminate the target. A coalition patrol conducted a battle damage assessment of the area and confirmed there were no non-combatant casualties, officials said. The patrol recovered multiple weapons consisting of small arms, heavy machine guns, RPGs, ammo, grenades, radios and military load-bearing equipment.
In a separate engagement in the same area, Afghan and CF patrolled a compound near the village of Wech Paray. Intel sources indicated militant activity at the compound. The forces searched the compound without incident and detained 6 men suspected of being part of the Haqqani terrorist network, military officials said.
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American Forces Press Service
Afghan Air Corps Returns Mi-35 Helicopters to Flight
Two MI-35 attack helicopters from the Afghan Army Air Corps launch on a gunnery training mission as another ANAAC MI-17 transport lands in the background at Kabul Int'l Airport, May 27, 2009. This mission was the first time rockets have been flown by the Afghan Air Corps in more than 10 years, and will eventually allow the Afghans to provide their own close-air support.
(AF photo by Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres)
KABUL – After an absence of nearly a decade, the Afghan Mi-35 is again flying the skies of Afghanistan, thanks to pilots from the ANA Air Corps and the Czech Republic, military officials here said.
On May 27, Afghan Mi-35 attack helicopters fired 12.7 mm rounds and 57 mm rockets near Bagram Air Base. Each partnered Afghan and Czech Republic crew fired 200 rounds of ball ammo and 16 rockets while practicing gunnery on the East River Range Complex. The practice session was the culmination of more than a year’s work to rebuild the Mi-35 program, which gives the ANA dedicated, armed aircraft for the first time in 8 years.
The 7-hour training was supported by personnel and equipment from the ANAAC, the Czech Republic Operational Mentor and Liaison Team, Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan mentors, and personnel from TF Thunder at Bagram Air Base. After the completion of the live-fire training, the lead pilot from the Czech team, Major Juracka, commented, “The Afghan shooting was perfect.”
Future Mi-35 initiatives will put even more emphasis on independent Afghan training ops. The air corps also is researching live-fire training locations throughout Afghanistan to better integrate the Mi-35 with the army.
The Mi-35’s combat radius permits it to conduct combat ops anywhere in the country. The aircraft’s unique design allows it to be used in attack, air assault or medical evacuation roles. It can be configured with a 12.7 mm Gatling type machine gun, 57 mm rocket pods, and the AT-6 Spiral Anti-tank guided missile. The helicopters typically fly with 1,470 rounds of ball ammo, 128 rockets and 2 anti-tank missiles.
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2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade RSS
Marine Expeditionary Bde-Afghanistan Assumes Control of Marine Battle Space
Story by Cpl. Aaron Rooks
Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, comm. gen. of Marine Expeditionary Bde, speaks to those present at the transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, May 29. Nicholson assumed authority of Marine battle space and forces in Helmand province from Col. Duffy White, comm. officer of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground TF.
CAMP LEATHERNECK – The event echoed hope for the future, as reps from the U.S., U.K. and Afghanistan gathered in support of the brigade.
"My deployment is halfway done," White said, "and as I see it, the best part is about to come. It'll be a game changer for this part of the country."
Nicholson then took the floor and brought attention to FOB Delaram, where 11 Marines from 3rd Bn, 8th Marine Regt, commanded by Lt. Col. David Odom, made the ultimate sacrifice to bring security and stability to the south. The gen. identified Delaram and the area around it, where Marines have developed a positive relationship with the local people, the police force and the mayor, as an example of the stability and success that can be achieved here. He also made note of Lashkar-Gah, an area SE of Camp Leatherneck, stating successes can be found there as well. "We've one hell of a team here in Helmand province," said Nicholson, motioning toward the American, British and Afghan forces in the audience. "I think we can change the dynamic here."
Brig. Tim Radford, cmdr of TF Helmand, the British unit that operates adjacent to TF Leatherneck, agreed with Nicholson, stating that he believes CF here can make a difference and make the country better.
Nicholson said the Marines will never forget that the focus of their mission is the Afghan people. With the cooperation of ANSF and national elections nearing, he said, a door has been opened for a successful op.
Afghan Gen. Ghori, cmdr, said achieving success will not be easy. "We've a huge challenge against the enemies in the future," he said.
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U.S. Forces Afghanistan RSS
Coalition Forces Strike Haqqani Command Bunkers in Khost
KABUL - CF launched precision airstrikes overnight, June 29, against senior Haqqani cmdrs and command posts in the remote mountains of western Khost province. These militants are responsible for aiding in the movement of foreign fighters through the Khost-Gardez Pass and throughout Afghanistan.
CF planned and coordinated the airstrikes when intel sources indicated militant activity at this rugged location earlier in the day. CF aircraft were called in and destroyed a pair of command bunkers, killing more than a dozen militants.
The Haqqani network remains one of the most lethal Taliban orgs operating out of Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Area. Haqqani leaders conduct ops in conjunction with other Islamic militant groups with similar goals and interests. The network focuses ops against the GoA and ANSF and seeks to expel coalition and NATO forces from Afghanistan, to maintain its influence in eastern provinces.
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