Dear Interested Reader,
Soldiers teach Afghan's next generation of farmers. Panjshir hosts Martial Arts Sports Festival, while first-of-its kind food storage facility is made available. Attack is stopped at FOB on Jalalabad. Soldiers give the gift of speech.
In Iraq, leaders discuss provincial construction in Anbar prov. Soccer balls donated to children near Balad. COP India nearing completion. XGames athletes visit Greywolf Soldiers.
Joanna
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July 23, 2009
CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Soldiers teach Afghanistan's next generation of farmers
By Army Pfc. Elizabeth Raney
Army Capt. Jeffrey Mann shows students from Nangarhar University how to test for nutrients in soil samples.
LAGHMAN PROVINCE - Army and Air National Guardsmen from the Kansas Agribusiness Development Team (ADT), TF Mtn Warrior, conducted an agricultural development class at FOB Mehtar Lam's district Research and Demo Farm, July 12 through 16.
The 5-day class coordinated with members of the U.S. Agency for Int'l Development, taught students from Nangarhar University. "These classes are designed to teach future agricultural leaders modern techniques of growing, irrigating, harvesting, and preserving their crops, as well as taking better care of their livestock," said, Army Lt. Col. Roger Beekman, ADT Cmdr.
A favorite among the Afghan students was the hands-on soil mgt class, given by Army Capt. Jeffrey Mann, a soil scientist. "The students loved to dig into and analyze the soil samples," said Mann. "They were very curious about the chemicals used to separate the nutrients from the soil and asked many questions."
"If these students take just some of these ideas and work with local farmers, who will then put them into practice, we'll see a more productive and efficient farming society in Afghanistan," said Beekman.
Capt. Jeffrey Mann shows students from Nangarhar University how to collect soil samples.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Panjshir hosts martial arts sports festival in the valley
By AF Capt. John Stamm
A Tae-Kwon Do stylist demonstrates a board-breaking kick. The demo was part of a sports day festival, held at the governor's compound, July 16, showcasing martial arts, which is now being taught in the valley.
(Photo by AF Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Kelly)
BAGRAM AIR FIELD - Muscles tensed, kicks and punches were thrown, and boards were broken as Panjshir gov. Bahlol, the president of the Int'l Olympic Committee of Afghanistan, Zamir Ogbar, and reps of the Panjshir PRT watched in amazement.
"This sports festival is a testament to how much progress has been made in such a short time," said AF Lt. Col. Eric Hommel, cmdr, Panjshir PRT. "Through cooperation, the legitimate provincial govt of Panjshir and int'l supporting orgs have made it possible for the youth of the valley to begin to enjoy the benefits of sports programs. It's great to see the common language of sport uniting Afghans," Hommel said.
To date, the govt of Panjshir, working in conjunction with the PRT, has provided the valley with 21 school projects, 16 energy projects, 12 public health clinics, 5 agricultural irrigation canals, 4 communications projects, 4 justice center projects, and 26 bridge and road projects spanning 136 kms.
"The provincial govt is working very hard to increase Panjshiri's quality of life, and the PRT is proud to be a part of it all," said Hommel.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Food storage facility now available in Panjshir
By AF Capt. Stacie Shafran
Zubair, a Dara district farmer, stands inside the area's first-of-its kind food storage facility, that he also maintains in the eastern Afghanistan prov. of Panjshir, July 11. Starting this fall, local farmers will be able to store their produce inside the temp-controlled underground facility.
PANJSHIR PROVINCE - Panjshir is renowned for its agriculture-based society, and food items such as potatoes, watermelon, wheat and other fruits and vegetables can be stored in this facility.
Dara resident Zubair not only maintains the facility, but is also a farmer. "We're all very excited about what this facility can do for us," he said. "This will extend the age of our products, especially over the very cold winter."
Panjshir is still without sustainable electricity, which limits food storage options. "From what we've learned, fresh fruits and vegetables often go to waste because there isn't a proper way to store them," explained Army Sgt. Daniel Kelley, the PRT's civil affairs liaison to the Panjshir dir. of agriculture, who is deployed from the 426th CAB. "Hopefully this facility will help the residents of Dara maintain a healthy food source for longer periods of time or even help them earn extra money."
Keeping in line with the gov.'s commitment to agriculture, the PRT increased its number of agriculture-related projects. The team now has 14 current agricultural projects scheduled for Panjshir, with another 8 more planned. Projects include chicken and dairy cow production, honey production, woodlots for construction and fuel, fruit tree orchards, natural tree nurseries for reforestation, a demo farm to teach new techniques, an experimental farm to test potential crops, irrigation canals, brown tail moth control and eradication, and food processing.
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International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs RSS
ANSF, ISAF Stop Attack at a FOB on Jalalabad
KABUL – One of the militants, wearing a suicide vest, was killed before he could detonate his explosives and do any damage to the base or any nearby personnel. A second insurgent was captured, July 21.
No ANSF or ISAF forces were killed or injured in the attack. No damage was done to structures in the area.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Soldiers give the gift of speech
KUNAR PROVINCE -- Soldiers from TF Mtn Warrior's, 1st Bn, 32nd Inf Regt, 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn Div, helped Jallal, a local village elder in the Kunar prov., regain his voice.
While patrolling during a Key Leader Engagement, Feb. 9, the elder's situation was brought to the Soldiers' attention. Jallal's voice box had been removed as part of a cancer-removal surgery in Pakistan.
After hearing of the man's situation, 1st Lt. John Carlson, a medical plt leader with TF Chosin, felt that something had to be done. With the help of fellow 1st Bn., 32nd Inf. Regt. Soldiers, Carlson decided to try to acquire an electro larynx, an artificial voice box, which costs approx. $600.
After Carlson's first attempt to acquire the voice box proved unsuccessful, Maj. Jennifer Bell, bde surgeon, TF Spartan, felt she could help with the situation. She turned to a friend in Chicago, who was eager to help, and the artificial voice box was on its way to the Co C Soldiers, arriving at COP Monti, April 26. When Jallal was handed the new device, the Soldiers all gathered around to watch the joyful expression on his face. Jallal's family was in awe as the man spoke for the first time in years.
When CF returned to the village, Jallal approached the Soldiers and greeted them with his new voice. According to Jallal, through the device he received, it's the small things in life, such as gifts like these, which really make a difference.
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DoD Imagery
Marines with 1st Plt, Alpha Co, 1st Bn, 5th Marine Regt carry a log to a canal to make a bridge outside their patrol base in the Nawa District, Helmand province, July 9, 2009.
(DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Harris, Marine Corps)
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MNF-I
Leaders Discuss Provincial Construction at Asad Air Base, Iraq
By Cpl. Meg Murray, MNF – West
The gov. al-Fahadawi (left) and provincial council chairman (right) of Anbar province, Dr. al-Halbusi, discuss the status of Coalition-funded construction projects in the region with Maj. Gen. R. T. Tryon, comm. gen. of MNF – West, July 16.
AL ASAD AIR BASE — In a conference room where photographs of the peaceful 2009 Anbar provincial elections hang, MNF-W leaders spoke of a topic that has long been one of the main focuses of the Marines’ mission in Iraq: reconstruction and development.
Col. Robert Lanham, the MNF-W assistant chief of staff for civil-military ops, explained that the purpose of the meeting. “Today, we’re only discussing projects that deal with what we call ‘brick and mortar construction,’” said Lanham. “This means these projects are actually visible throughout the province.” These visible signs of progress include structures like schools, crime labs, hospitals, greenhouses and judicial centers.
The 3 initiatives that have received the most funding since 2006 are education, transportation, water, and sanitation projects. Though the focus of Lanham’s presentation was on construction projects, he mentioned another project that is aimed at boosting the province’s economy. He said in early August, the U.S. State Dept’s PRT for Anbar plans to hold large classes for businessmen in the area. The idea is to teach these businessmen how to compete for contracts. Lanham added that Iraqi businesses vying for contracts will have special priority over foreign companies.
“We aren’t going to do anything other than work to help the prov.,” said Tryon, as the meeting concluded. Qasim was quick to respond and voice his mutual support. “When you encounter obstacles with your projects, please just let us know,” he said. “If anything is not being solved, please feel free to bring it directly to me.”
The governor thanked the Marines for the opportunity to come aboard the base and discuss such important topics. “I’m glad we had the chance to come here and have this meeting, because one of the most important things in our combined efforts is making sure our approach in thinking is unified.”
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MNF-I
Iraqi Children Get a Kick out of Donations
By Senior Airman Andria Allmond
Capt. Jason Glanovsky of the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Sqdrn loads soccer balls into boxes to be distributed to Iraqi children living near Balad, July 15.
(AF photo by Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)
JOINT BASE BALAD — Airmen and Soldiers here recently received donations for Iraqi children who live near this base from a stateside fraternity. The PA State University chapter of the social fraternity Phi Kappa Tau supports programs to increase the quality of life for terminally ill children.
"Kicks 4 Kids is an annual soccer tournament hosted by the PSU chapter of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity," said Capt. Craig Bryan, Expeditionary Aeromedicine Sqdrn psychologist and PKT alumnus. "It was designed as a philanthropy event to raise money for an int'l network of summer camp facilities for terminally ill children...allowing these children the opportunity to participate in typical summer camp activities despite their illnesses."
Months prior to the donations being made, Bryan was having lunch with Capt. Laura Dart, 532nd Expeditionary SECFOR medical officer. She mentioned that Iraqi children were asking the 532nd ESFS for soccer balls while the Airmen were outside the wire on patrol. "I e-mailed a few of my fraternity brothers and told them the story. I asked if they'd be willing to get some soccer balls for us. One of them wrote back and said 'We're on it...we'll get you some soccer balls.'" The PKT brothers hosting the event sent an e-mail to the 200 participating team coaches, requesting each bring one deflated soccer ball and air pump to the event registration. The request was also posted on the Kicks 4 Kids Web site.
The captain said the boxes started arriving shortly thereafter. "They just kept coming," he said. "My initial reaction was, 'What am I going to do with all these soccer balls?'"
The captain contacted Kids of Iraq, a nonprofit org. dedicated to improving the lives of Iraqi children by fulfilling their basic needs and providing a brighter future. They accepted the majority of the contributed balls and inflated them.
Due to the large amount of donations, Bryan coordinated multiple methods to distribute the soccer balls. Some were kept in the intensive care ward at the base hospital and given out to pediatric patients, while a number were given to Army Spc. Nazha Lakrik, who is assigned to the 1st Medical Sqdrn Medical Control Center, he said. "Certain days of the week, the local nationals on base come in for their follow-up appointments," said Lakrik. "I know a lot of them are parents, so I make up goody-bags of items for them to give to their children, like books and school supplies. When I heard that Capt. Bryan had those extra soccer balls, I asked if I could have them to put in my bags."
The remainder was given to the 532nd EFSF Quick Reaction Force for distribution to Iraqi children while on patrol in areas surrounding JBB. "I think where we're at right now in our ops in Iraq, building strong relationship with the citizens is what's most important," said Bryan. "Combat action will only go so far, especially during a stage that is 100% about building lasting, trusting relationships with the people."
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Multi-National Division - North PAO
Engineers nearing completion of COP India construction
COB MAREZ, MOSUL - With the sound of hammers and saws resonating in the otherwise still night air at COP India, Soldiers of the 643rd Engr Co are making steady progress to complete construction of the outpost. COP India's completion will facilitate the reduction of U.S. forces from the city of Mosul.
The outpost will be used as a training site for local ISF, and its construction will also make the areas north of Mosul more accessible to the PRTs working in the area, said Cpt. Joshua Long, HHC, 130th Engr Bde technical HQs officer-in-charge. "This's a major construction project that will significantly increase U.S. Force's ability to train with Iraqis, and will facilitate transition to the GoI," said Long.
Once finished, COP India will consist of multiple housing structures, including living quarters and offices, a dining facility, a laundry facility, and a morale, welfare and recreation facility. "This'll be a nice living area for the Soldiers. We've put a lot of pride and hard work in this project, and hope it will help them accomplish their mission," said1st Lt. Emily Hannenberg, 1st plt leader 643rd Eng. Co.
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Blackanthem Military News
XGames athletes visit Greywolf Soldiers
By 3rd HBCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
ESPN XGames athletes Brad Simms, Sarah Burke, Jen O'Brien, Grete Eliassen and Nate Holland came to visit the 3rd HBCT, 1st Cav Div at FOB Marez, July 19. They signed autographs and talked with the troops.
(Photos by Spc. Jared Sollars)
MOSUL - They're not the standard professional athlete many would expect to come to Iraq. But, Soldiers with an interest in extreme sports know them well and appreciated the visit. Five ESPN XGames athletes from various extreme sports visited the "Greywolf."
"I came out to see the athletes because I use to skate when I was younger, and I'm a big fan of it," said Sgt. Stephen Fogelberg, with HHT, 3rd HBCT. Jen O'Brien was the first female skater to ever participate in the XGames. "I just think it's important to come out and support the troops, and let them know we appreciate what they're doing out here," said Jen O'Brien. "They're away from their family and friends, and they're working hard to make sure we're safe at home."
Nate Holland has competed in multiple XGames snowboarding events, and was even a member of the 2006 U.S. Olympic team. Snowboarder Grete Eliassen has won back to back gold medals in the 2005 and 2006 XGames. She has also won 3 straight U.S. Open Skiing Slopestyle competitions.
Skier Sarah Burke won the gold medal in the 2009 XGames superpipe event and numerous gold medals prior to that. She's the first and only female to ever land a 1,080 degree spin during competition.
BMX freestyle rider Brad Simms has recently had a signature frame with Hoffman bikes, come out with his nick name B-Rad on the side.
During this tour the athletes have stopped at numerous posts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.
Nate Holland, Jen O'Brien, Brad Simms, Grete Eliassen and Sarah Burke signing autographs and talking with the troops.
Soldiers enjoy meeting and talking to the athletes.
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