Dear Interested Reader,
2/8 Marines conduct key security op in Helmand. TF Uruzgan expands safe areas. Ministry of Finance opens office in Panjshir. Ambulances boost Paktya emergency healthcare capabilities. Laghan prov. celebrates infrastructure improvements.
Iraq: CF transfers Umm Qasar, Al Qurnah Bases to GoI. New Sadr City school project completed. AF Defense Decision Support Course inspires Iraqi oficers. Ansar Islam operatives and key leaders arrested in Mosul.
Joanna
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August 6, 2009
Blackanthem Military News
ANSF, 2/8 Marines conduct key security op in Helmand
By Lance Cpl. Daniel Flynn
The Marines of Co F, 2nd Bn, 8th Marine Regt, RCT 3, force their way through shin-high mud, patrolling to their objective during a cordon and knock op, July 28, 2009. RCT-3's mission is to conduct counter-insurgency in partnership with the ANSF in southern Afghanistan.
GARMSIR DISTRICT - The main focus of this op was to re-establish security in the area with the ANA out in the lead, and show the local populace that Afghan and U.S. forces are here for their protection. A "cordon and knock" mission typically involves setting up a security perimeter around a specific objective, with a maneuver element that conducts voluntary searches inside the cordon.
"With this op we were able to get the Marines and ANA working together and let the enemy know, it's not just Marines, but ANA coming after them," said Sgt. Thomas Williams, squad leader. The 12-hour mission was conducted on foot and started from one of 2/8's patrol bases at 4:45 a.m. The movement was approx. 2 miles, over tough terrain to their objective, where the Marines posted security while the ANA conducted the questioning and voluntary searches of the residents' homes.
"One of the main obstacles we faced was the terrain," said Lance Cpl. Steven Keller, team leader. "There was a lot of mud and canals, as well as the tree lines which disrupted our line of sight."
Almost as soon as the Marines and ANA reached the objective, the first IED detonated and small-arms fire was exchanged. First squad tried to link with the other squad from another plt that was under fire, but triggered another IED which kept them from reaching their fellow Marines. The fight only lasted a short time, but once it was over, the ANA were able to start voluntary questioning and searches of the village.
"With the searches, we wanted the ANA to go in first," said Staff Sgt. Michael Garrett, plt sgt. "They have been working here for years, so they knew what questions to ask, and also who was suspicious." According to Garrett, local residents told the ANA that insurgents were active in the area and the ANA told them to stay in their homes.
The town was rigged with IED's, as well as command wire which was hidden in multiple places, according to Williams. "But we had some pretty good CEB (Combat Engr Bn) guys that helped us out, and used the mine sweepers to find pretty much everything," he added.
Overall the operation was a success. There were no casualties and the ANA did their job well. Their actions will only improve the effectiveness of upcoming ops, according to Garrett.
Lance Cpl. Michael Warren, asst team leader and SAW gunner, Lance Cpl. Justin Caverly, team leader, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Gian Torrijos, a corpsman, hold rear security while the rest of their squad moves to the next objective point.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Gian Torrijos trudges through a grass field while returning from a cordon and knock op.
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American Forces Press Service
Task Force Expands Safe Areas in Afghanistan Province
By Jim Garamone
WASHINGTON – The increased troop levels in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan prov. has expanded the security envelope to roughly 80% of the people there, the former cmdr of TF Uruzgan in southern Afghanistan said, Aug 4.
Security has taken years to establish, but is allowing development to begin in one of the poorest areas of the country, Dutch army Brig. Gen. Middendorp told members of the Pentagon press corps during a teleconference from Kandahar. “If you walk through that prov., it's like walking through the Old Testament,” the gen. said.
Uruzgan prov. is centrally located in the region and the nation, and is the homeland of Taliban leader Mullah Omar, and also of Afghan Pres. Hamid Karzai. Illiteracy is rampant, with only about 10% of all provincial residents able to read and write.
The general, who just turned over the TF command, compared conditions today to what he saw 2 years ago when he was assigned there in a previous deployment. “I see a big difference in the security situation, and I see a change in efforts toward development,” Middendorp said. “I also see a big difference in the attitude of the population.” The latter may be the most important, he said. Two years ago, fighting was prevalent in the prov., “but now the resistance of the Taliban in that prov. seems to be broken,” he said. The Taliban have shifted from direct combat with NATO-led ISAF troops, and now plant more roadside bombs and conduct more mortar and rocket attacks.
Helping out is the presence of an ANA bde. The Afghans respect the bde, and it is assuming an increasing role in the security mission, he said. This allows the NATO force to shift efforts to the Afghan police to improve their performance.
Middendorp noted that a growing number of int'l and nongovernmental orgs are coming into the prov. More than 50 orgs find it safe enough to operate in Uruzgan prov., and “even the UN has just opened their office there,” Middendorp said.
The TF’s Dutch, Australian, French and American troops have doubled the size of the protected area in the past 8 months, the gen. said. The troops engage in classic counterinsurgency tactics by protecting the population and allowing reconstruction efforts to begin. Afghan forces take over security missions in these secure areas, enabling the int'l force to expand the secure area in the outlying regions.
Intel drives ops, Middendorp said, and developing targets allows SF personnel to move against the insurgents. “They’re doing a great job in there,” he said. “In my period, they had about 15 leaders of the Taliban taken out.”
The increase in American forces to Regional Command South has made it easier to interdict Taliban forces in the region, he said. They are breaking the Taliban lines of communication with Pakistan. Middendorp stressed that any progress is going to take time. It takes the prov’s people 2 to 3 years in secured areas to feel confident enough to trust NATO forces and the Afghan govt, he said. “They also start getting the Taliban out of their areas and being less receptive toward them,” he said.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Afghanistan Ministry of Finance opens office in Panjshir
By AF Capt. John Stamm
PANJSHIR PROVINCE - Panjshir Gov. Haji Bahlol hosted the official grand opening of the Afghanistan Ministry of Finance (MoF) office in the Panjshir valley, in a ceremony next to the Panjshir River in the provincial center of Bazarak, Aug. 2.
The MoF is specifically responsible for the mgt and execution of budget, collection of taxes, org. and control of public expenditures, payments to the govt, and the mgt of Customs Affairs.
Lt. Col. Eric Hommel, Panjshir PRT cmdr, and Mr. Jim Dehart, Panjshir PRT director, were there to witness this monumental achievement in the development of the valley. "The opening of this office is a major step in the overall development plan for Panjshir," said Hommel. "It represents another step in govt accountability and sustainability," added DeHart. "It provides an essential link between the prov. and the central govt."
The ceremony also included final words by Gov. Bahlol, who thanked the MoF, the PRT, and all the other orgs that help bring govt and development projects to the valley. He urged the Panjshir Dir. of Finance to be vigilant with the funds he will oversee, and to use those funds to benefit the people. He also noted the need for other ministries to come to Panjshir, specifically naming the Afghan Ministry of Mines. "Panjshir can increase its gross domestic product 3 times by regulating the mining of emeralds and gems," he said. "The taxes from proper mining efforts will increase salaries and foster more improvement projects."
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Ambulances boost Paktya emergency healthcare capabilities
By Army Pfc. Andrya Hill
The Paktya PRT cmdr, Lt. Col. Carlos Halcomb, hands the keys to 10 new ambulances to Prov. Gov. Jama Hamdard.
(Photo by AF 1st Lt. Lauren Johnson)
BAGRAM AIR FIELD - The Paktya PRT provided 10 ambulances to the Paktya Dir. of Public Health, Dr. Noori, for distribution to medical clinics throughout Paktya prov., July 29.
"The ambulance distribution was a long-awaited event for the Dir. of Public Health and other healthcare workers throughout Paktya," said Lt. Col. Carlos Halcomb, the PRT cmdr. "It represents an important step in increasing healthcare capabilities in the prov., and connecting the people to their govt through access to basic services."
ANP escorted the ambulances from FOB Gardez to a ceremony held at the gov's compound. The delivery was greeted with fanfare and celebration.
"Everyone at the ceremony was really excited," said Maj. Anita Chapel, the PRT Medical Officer. "I think it hit home because most of them have problems with transportation to their district clinics, or the hospital in Gardez, or Kabul if they're really bad," Chapel said. "I think this was a symbol of hope for them; it will really improve their health."
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MNF-I
Afghans celebrate infrastructure improvements
BAGRAM AIR FIELD - Village elders, officials from the Zmaryal Construction Co., and members of TF Wildhorse participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony, Aug. 3, for a new well in the Wala Gala Village, Lagham Prov. This village will produce clean drinking water for hundreds of locals in the area.
"Today we have this building because of the hard work of the govt and the people", said Mr. Abdul Samadi, dep. minister for administration in the central govt. "The MoF is connected to every other ministry, and that's important for bringing new projects to Panjshir."
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
2-77 mortar team blasts away at FOB Kalagush
By Army Sgt. Matthew Moeller
NURISTAN PROVINCE - Soldiers with Co A, 2nd Bn, 77th FAR, 4th BCT, 4th ID fire a 120mm mortar at the hills surrounding FOB Kalagush, Aug. 2. The TF Mtn Warrior Soldiers have been increasing ops in their area in order to disrupt insurgents before the country's 2nd national elections, scheduled for the end of August.
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DoD Imagery
Marine Corps Capt. Gus Biggio (left) with the civil affairs group from 1st Bn, 5th Marine Regt meets with Nawa District Admin. Haji Khan at Patrol Base Jaker, Nawa District, Helmand prov., to discuss road improvement projects in the district, July 28, 2009.
(DoD photo by Staff Sgt. William Greeson, Marine Corps)
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MNF-I
Coalition Transfers Umm Qasar, Al Qurnah Bases to Iraqi Government
Sameer Alhaddad, the receivership secretariat and Prime Minister's rep for the GoI, and Capt. Jeffrey Duplantis, cmdr, Troop A, 1st Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt, 2nd BCT, sign the paperwork transferring Umm Qasar over to Iraqi control, Aug. 1.
(Photo by Sgt. Rodney Foliente)
BASRAH — Following the implementation of the Security Agreement June 30, Soldiers from the 2nd BCT, stayed at these locations at the request of the ISF and GoI. Now the Iraqis feel ready to operate these bases independently.
"In Umm Qasar, our forces were partnered with Iraqi Marines and also with the security forces which run the port. Here in Qurnah, the Americans were mostly partnered with the border forces," said Lt. Col. William Benson, cmdr, 1st Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt. Two of Benson's troop cmdrs were in charge of Umm Qasar and Qurnah.
"Over the next several months the American presence in Basrah prov. will be reduced by about half as we try to shrink and get out of the local areas," said Benson.
"There is happiness in American eyes and Iraqi eyes as they give these properties back to the GoI," said Sameer Alhaddad, the receivership secretariat and PM's rep for the GoI.
"This is my 3rd tour over here and I've gotten to see how Iraq has evolved," said Capt. Jeffrey Duplantis. He said the changes have been drastic, even compared to a year ago, and that the people are much safer, and that the ISF can be seen everywhere, a strong presence safeguarding the city. Duplantis has spent time throughout 4 Iraqi provs. this deployment, and in each place he said the ISF have the security situation under control. "I wasn't expecting Iraq to stand on its own this fast,” he said. “It gives me a lot of peace of mind, knowing that the Soldiers I've commanded here and the Soldiers I've lost on previous tours ... that their efforts have not been in vain. Their sacrifice went to a good cause."
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New Sadr City School Project Complete
By Ronald Reeves, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The USACE here recently completed the Ammar Bin Yasir School project, a 12-classroom school in Sadr City that will provide educational opportunities for approx. 600 boys and girls ages 6 through 12.
BAGHDAD — Project Engr Inez Bergerson from the Gulf Region district’s Loyalty Resident Office said, “it’s a real pleasure to see projects such as this completed in an area of Baghdad that has so little.”
As Iraq strives to build a secure, stable and self-governing nation, the Gulf Region Div, USACE has completed thousands of projects in support of Iraq reconstruction, and has 285 projects ongoing.
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Air Force Course Inspires Iraqi Officers
By Capt. Robert Burnham
AF Lt. Col. Jeffrey Coggin (left) explains the concepts of the Defense Decision Support Course (DDSC) to Iraqi officers with the help of Mathus Remaden, a linguistic and cultural adviser, at Iraqi Ground Forces Command, Baghdad, July 19.
(Photo by Master Sgt. Michael Daigle)
BAGHDAD — "Effective decision making is critical to Iraq's future," said AF Lt. Col. Jeffrey Coggin, currently deployed as the MNC-I deputy comptroller. The goal of the training was to help enable staff officers to assist their leaders in making calculated decisions concerning military ops.
The U.S. AF Air University, Maxwell AF Base, supported the leadership workshop by providing the DDSC. Coggin, a resident instructor from the University, used a modified version of this course to present its principles to a combined Iraqi and American audience of 12 officers.
"One thing that Lt. Col. Coggin and I had in common was that we shared the same energy," Ramaden said. "It was easy for me to put myself in his shoes. Energy, that's what allowed our tag team to succeed."
Discussions and practical exercises focused on identifying specific issues, using tools to sort and analyze available data, develop possible courses of action, and generate educated recommendations for decision makers. "To make well informed decisions you need to be able to peel back the onion and get to the core of the real problem," Coggin said. "The application of this process is not limited to a formalized military setting; the decision support process can be applied by people of all ages to make rational decisions daily."
"What works in one culture may not work in another," Coggin said. "But universally, decision making is supported by selecting between choice alternatives and not reacting due to immediate emotions." Coggin referred to these emotional or instinctive reactions as 3 second decisions.
Open discussions regarding decision brainstorming and analysis allowed members of the group to share their own ideas and highlighted the importance of incorporating different perspectives and ideas to view a given situation.
The courses showed how staff officers can help provide important advice to senior leaders making significant decisions on how to improve the conditions in Iraq, and helped restore hope for the Iraqi officers. "I think this type of training is great," Remaden said. "The hardest part is to create hope all over again. A lot of folks have hard lives, daily routines; hope was almost gone; this helped re-energize the Iraqi officers."
"We're excited," one IA officer said. "We hope to conduct similar training in the future."
Coggin concluded by paraphrasing a significant American leader, Martin Luther King Jr., who relied on the power of hope and the perspectives of others to develop his vision. "You don't have to see all the way to the end. You just need to take one step at a time and keep going."
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MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
IA, Police and Coalition advisors arrest 10 Ansar Islam operatives
BAGHDAD – Mosul SWAT and IA soldiers, with Coalition advisors, conducted a series of raids July 24, that targeted and successfully captured key leaders and operatives of Ansar al Islam in Mosul.
Fakri Hadi Gari, also known as Abu ‘Abbas and Mullah Halgurd, assessed to be the dep. cmdr for Ansar al Islam was arrested during this raid. He is believed to be responsible for AAI recruitment and financing efforts, and the operational director for AAI attacks. He's also believed to have facilitated the movement of terrorists across the borders of Iraq.
In addition to Mullah Halgurd, the AAI financial emir and a driver/counter for AAI leadership were captured. The force arrested 10 suspected terrorists in total, pursuant to warrants issued by an Iraqi directorate in Irbil.
This op is the result of a long-term investigation by the IA and police forces. ISF and coalition advisors will continue to work closely together to ensure terrorists who threaten the security of Iraq are prosecuted under the Iraqi justice system.
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MNF-I
Joint Mission
Spc. Juvencio Alvarado, of Charlie Btry, 2nd Bn, 8th FAR, 1st Stryker BCT, 25th ID, sweeps the ground with a metal detector alongside a canal during a joint clearing mission of the Salwah Levee, Diyala, July 31.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Ali Flisek)
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