Dear Interested Reader,
Nuristan PRT treats snake-bitten boy. Counter IED team training. Taliban compound in Helmand searched. The 286th CSSB roll through danger to deliver supplies. U.S. "sparing no effort" to locate missing soldier. Utilities Marines bring power to RCT-3.
In Iraq, Soldiers foster friendships at JSS Zubaida. ISF medics receive training. Father and son serve together.
Joanna
________________________________
July 21, 2009
CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Nuristan PRT treats Afghan snake-bite victim
Navy Chief Hospital Corpsmen Belinda Daniels, a member of the Nuristan PRT, treats a 10 year old boy's hand after he was bit by a snake in Nurguram district, July 16. The boy was treated for his symptoms, monitored for 8 hours to make sure the he was stable, and released to follow-up with a local Afghan doctor.
BAGRAM AIR FIELD - After a snake bit the boy on his hand, his father applied 2 tourniquets before they walked 4 hours to receive the medical care from the team.
"When his son came to us he was in a lot of pain and not feeling well," explained Navy Lt. Dominic Romanowski, a physician's asst with the PRT. The boy also had some numbness in his fingers and was dehydrated. "By the time he left he had regained the feeling in his hand," explained Romanowski.
Before the boy was released, the family was educated on how to treat snake bites. "The father was very grateful that we were able to see his son and help him," said Romanowski.
-30-
CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Counter improvised explosive device team training
(Photos by Army Spc. Matthew Thompson
LOGAR PROVINCE - AF Staff Sgt. Carl Dill and Sgt. 1st Class Scott Lund perform a 2-man carry on AF Tech. Sgt. Brandon Livingston, during training at FOB Shank, July 17. The recently formed Counter IED team with 3rd Bde, 10th Mtn Div, trains constantly to keep their skills sharp.
Army Sgt. Christine Hein demonstrates how to remove a bomb suit from AF Tech Sgt. Brandon Livingston. The combined team "treated" their casualty for exhaustion and dehydration, which are possible during real missions in the 80 lb. suit.
-30-
U.S. Forces Afghanistan RSS
Afghan, CF Search Suspected Taliban Compound in Helmand
KABUL– A joint Afghan and CF searched a compound last night in southern Helmand prov., thought to be used by a Taliban cmdr responsible for the flow of foreign fighters, drug trafficking, and facilitating attacks in the region.
The force searched the compound, near the village of Najibollah Khan Kalay, about 90 kms south of Lashkar Gah, after intel indicated militant activity. The force conducted a search of the buildings without incident and confiscated 8 shotguns, over 100 bags of ammonium nitrate, which is a key ingredient used in explosives, and poppy seeds. The confiscated items were destroyed in place and 2 suspected militants were detained.
Helmand province has been increasingly plagued by Taliban violence as militants seek to disrupt governance and security in the region. Taliban cmdrs routinely seek strongholds in Helmand to facilitate the movement of fighters into the heart of Afghanistan.
-30-
Special to American Forces Press Service
Convoys Roll Through Danger to Deliver Goods
By Army Spc. Elisebet Freeburg
Army Sgt. 1st Class Byron Mills, a 286th CSSB transportation plt sgt prays with soldiers at Kandahar Airfield, before leaving on a 2-day combat logistics patrol (CLP) to FOBs Lagman and Wolverine, June 25, 2009.
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD – As combat missions increase in Afghanistan, a Maine NG bn is getting increasingly busy delivering supplies to FOBs under dangerous conditions.
Riding in MRAP vehicles, also known as “gun trucks,” soldiers of the 286th escort Afghan army “jingle trucks” and military palletized load system trucks, all loaded down with U.S. military cargo. The convoys take the equipment to FOBs, sometimes through narrow city streets or in difficult terrain, always under the threat of enemy fire and facing the possibility of breakdowns or needing to take an alternate route.
The number of troops moving into Afghanistan is expected to grow to more than 60,000 by the end of the year. With them comes an increased demand for supplies. Because of austere and difficult terrain, Joint Sustainment Command Afghanistan, the U.S. logistics command here, often moves large cargo to FOBs through logistics convoy missions, called CLPs.
“There's a warfighting effort going on in this theater, and someone has to get supplies and things a frontline soldier needs to him,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Byron Mills. The 286th, runs CLPs to many locations in the south, including FOBs Lagman, Ramrod, Wolverine and Ghazni. Building materials, mail, ammo, vehicles and food supplies are among the cargo. “Anything to sustain the maneuver units up front,” Mills said.
The patrols to Helmand were done in 4 phases to deliver equipment to Marines at Dwyer and Leatherneck. During the first phase, troops delivered power generation equipment to Leatherneck, where they rested overnight. The next day, they drove to Dwyer, delivered fuel system supply point equipment and slept for the night. The third day, the patrol returned to Leatherneck, loaded special ops equipment and departed back here as their final phase.
The command also met a critical need with 2 missions the 286th took to move about 60 MRAPs to Marine units in Helmand prov, where they were sent to ward off roadside bomb attacks. Soldiers of the 286th generally convoy 1 to 3 times per week, with some patrols lasting as long as 4 days, Mills said.
Besides MRAPs and cargo trucks, patrols include at least one wrecker in case it’s necessary to pull cargo trucks out of loose sand and up steep hills. Before a CLP, soldiers must prepare their vehicles, individual and crew-served weapons and personal equipment by completing pre-combat checks. Troops also ensure that cargo trucks have adequate fuel and that the freight is strapped down securely. Each gun truck carries at least a driver, truck cmdr, gunner and assistant gunner. “We've a defensive posture,” Mills said. “But, if someone were to have hostile intent against our movement, we're equipped to eliminate or reduce the threat.”
“Someone’s got to do it,” said Army Spc. Robert Mitchell, a 286th asst gunner. “I don’t mind coming out here and doing my duty, because I signed my name on the line voluntarily.”
Army Cpl. Robert Lewis unloads ammo from a MRAP vehicle at Kandahar Airfield, after a 2-day CLP.
-30-
American Forces Press Service
Gates: "Sparing no effort" to find missing soldier
By John J. Kruzel
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2009 – Speaking to reporters today during a Pentagon news conference, Gates also expressed his disgust at the exploitation of Army Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, who the Defense Dept., identified as the missing soldier. “Our cmdrs are sparing no effort to find this young soldier,” Gates said.
Appearing alongside Gates today was Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who denounced the situation in similar terms. On a visit to Afghanistan last week, the chairman said he spent time with forces conducting ops to find Bergdahl.
“They're extensive, vast; they’re on it 24-7,” Mullen said. “We’re doing absolutely everything we can to get him back.”
-30-
Regimental Combat Team 3 RSS
Utilities Marines Adapt, Overcome to Bring Power to RCT-3
Story by Lance Cpl. Daniel Flynn
GnrySgt. Victor Marks, Mark Kurtti, and Cpl. Jacob Olin work on a breaker box to get it ready for electricity to be distributed through it, July 16 at Camp Dwyer.
CAMP DWYER, HELMAND PROVINCE – When in a deployed environment, such as here in Afghanistan, one of the most important necessities is electricity. The responsibility to facilitate these power requirements falls on 8 utilities Marines from Okinawa, Japan, who are now deployed with RCT 3.
The utilities Marines arrived at Camp Dwyer in mid-June, and it took about 3 weeks to get power up and running for the command ops center (COC), according to Lance Cpl. Anthony Hale, an electrician with RCT-3.
While the COC may be their main concern, the utilities Marines also have to provide power for most of the camp to include the sleeping and chow hall tents. They're responsible for maintaining a/c on the camp, as temps sometimes reach the 120s during the heat of the day, and they also provide the same level of support for all of the FOBs throughout the prov.
"I like my job, but it's a lot of work," said Hale. "We don't have many Marines to help out, and we can always use more gear." Since there are so few of them with the RCT-3, they've been getting a lot of cross training, and not just working on their own specialties.
We have a pretty significant workload, said Lance Cpl. Alexander Hodges, acting utilities chief with RCT-3. "Sleep is limited, and the work is never ending."
Even dealing with the seemingly endless amount of work and the long hours, the utilities Marines manage to find time to do Marine Corps Institute tests, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training, physical training and hip-pocket classes. The Marines show on a daily basis just how much initiative and ingenuity they have by doing the work that would keep 20 Marines busy, according to Hodges. This is part of why 2 of them have received combat meritorious promotions.
According to Lance Cpl. Benjamin Lawson, a/c technician with RCT-3, the job is rewarding for them because they can see the progress they are making here, and they understand that their diligent efforts makes life a little bit easier for the Marines on the front lines.
Lance Cpl. Khoa Le and Benjamin Lawson work on a power cord connecter for an a/c unit.
-30-
MNF-I
U.S., Iraqi Soldiers Foster Friendships
Staff Sgt. Alan Cable, 30th HBCT, (left), and Iraqi 1st Lt. Ganim shake hands before returning to work at JSS Zubaida, south of Baghdad, July 15.
(Photo by Sgt. Mary Phillips)
FARNAN AL AMIN — American and Iraqi Soldiers at JSS Zubaida are looking back on the friendships they have formed as the IA prepares to take over this small military post south of Baghdad.
Staff Sgt. Alan Cable is proud of the 2 groups of Soldiers, who were able to bridge the cultural gap and form a lasting partnership. "Our biggest accomplishment is developing a relationship with the IA that shares this JSS with us." said Cable. "We've not only developed a professional relationship with them, we've also developed a friendship."
IA 1st Lt. Ganim, agreed. "The relationship between us is very strong." said Ganim. "It's more than a friendship. We've become brothers."
Living together on the small JSS has made it easy for the 2 cultures to come together under one title: Soldier. "They're Soldiers just like we are." said Cable. "They're not really different. They're a different culture, in a different country, but they're still human beings like us."
Ganim believes that the friendships formed here will help bring the 2 cultures together on a broader scale, and is hopeful for what the future holds. "We hope that not far in the future we can go to the U.S. just for fun," said Ganim. "At the same time, we hope that the American people can come to Iraq to visit, and walk around and not need security forces with them."
The 30th Bde Soldiers will soon be leaving JSS Zubaida in the IA's hands. Cable plans to keep in touch with his new friends, and said he will never forget them. "When I walk away from here, what I will take with me is remembering these guys and the friendships I have with them." said Cable. "I'm going to miss them."
-30-
Multi-National Division - North PAO
ISF medics receive training from U.S. forces
Pvt. Matthew Ledbetter acts as a mock casualty during an evaluation period.
(Army photos by 1st Lt. Walter Kaer)
DIYALA - Medics are a vital piece of the U.S. Army's ability to complete its mission. It's no different for the IA, which is why the medical plt of 1st Bn, 24th Inf Regt, in partnership with the 19/5 MiTT, recently provided training to the IA medics.
"Our main goal with these events is to provide these medics with the knowledge they need to save lives," said Staff Sgt. Patrick Mackey, medic for the 19/5 MiTT. "Beyond the actual training, we're coaching the IA bde's medical leadership in planning and implementing bde-level training."
Mackey also planned training around the language barrier, choosing a more hands-on approach to the training, in lieu of Powerpoint presentations.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Walker, the 1-24 Inf. Regt. medical plt sgt on his 2nd tour in Iraq, has trained IA medics before and knows how far they've come. "We know we can't pull all of the medics out of the fight, so we're going with a 'train the trainer' approach, which builds on itself every time we meet, and then we challenge them to take the info to their units and share with their soldiers," said Walker. "So we're not only training these medics, but also encouraging them to 'grow' their NCO corps as well."
All of the trainers agree that Iraqi medics are motivated and dedicated to their job. "It's good to see that the Iraqi medics are progressing," said Walker. The Iraqi medics are eager to learn and the training is well received, according to Lt. Hatem Karim, medical ops officer. "We're very thankful for the CF for providing this training. It's our duty to continue this training and teach our other medics," said Hatem.
An Iraqi medic splints a simulated open leg fracture on Staff Sgt. Nicholas Simmons.
-30-
Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq
Father and Son Serve Together in Iraq
By Sgt. 1st Class Patricia Ruth
Staff Sgt. Glennie Burks, Jr., left, and Maj. Glennie Burks, Sr. enjoy some father-son time before his son re-deploys.
(Photo by Chief Petty Officer Michael Kennedy)
BAGHDAD — Burks and Burks—one a major and the other a staff sgt—are both serving their country on their 2nd combat tour. The younger Burks has been serving in the Army for 7 years, and has excelled since basic training.
In 2003, Burks, Jr. did his first deployment to Iraq and received a bronze star for valor. He trained as a MP in 2008 and deployed again to Al-Kut, where he's currently. "He's my hero!" exclaimed the elder Burks when asked about his son's accomplishments. "He received a bronze star for valor, saving 2 Soldiers from a burning Armored Personnel Carrier. Without regard for his own safety, he risked his life for the lives of his comrades. He's my hero," he repeated.
The elder Burks' background is also in MP work, and he has served in that capacity for over 13 years. The senior Burks' first tour was to Abu Grab in 2004, where he also earned a bronze star.
When asked about the similar paths he and his father have traveled in the military, Burks Jr. remarked, "My Dad's footsteps could never be trailed. He's done so much to mold me into the man I am today, but seeing myself endure some of the same encounters as him, gives me a sense of pride, security, and the drive to become a good man for myself and my son."
-30-