Dear Interested Reader,
377th Parachute FAR search Khost prov. Midoni Village is patrolled by the 425th BSTB. HSC Marines conduct foot patrols around Patrol Base Jaker. Business development leaders visit Panjshir Valley. Infrastructure is being improved.
IRAQ: IA sharpen skills at "Cold Steel Academy." Arabs, Kurds advised to take advantage of U.S. help. Simulator allows AH-62 Apache Longbow pilots to train on the ground. IA takes mission support lead.
Joanna
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August 2, 2009
CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Paratroopers search Khost province, Afghanistan
Photos by Spc. Matthew Freire
Army Cpl. James Daoust, field medic, 2nd Bn, 377th Parachute FAR, 4th BCT, 25th ID provides medical care to an Afghan boy during an air-assault mission to search the area of Khost prov., during Op Champion
Sword, July 29.
Op Champion Sword is a joint op involving ANSF and ISAF focused on specific militant targets and safe havens within eastern Afghanistan.
Army Paratroopers run off a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter.
Army Paratrooper from 2nd Bn secures the landing zone.
Army Paratrooper Spc. Derrick Cherry pulls security.
Army Cpl. James Daoust, field medic, provides aid to an Afghan boy.
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Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan RSS
ANA and U.S. Troops Patrol in Midoni Village
Photos by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith
Army Staff Sgt. William Travis, right, conducts a dismounted patrol with ANA soldiers in an area near Midoni village, Khowst prov., July 23. The Army is increasingly transferring responsibility to the ANSF.
An Army Soldier uses an interpreter to translate questions for the ANA soldier to ask village members.
Army Staff Sgt. William Travis conducts a dismounted patrol with ANA soldiers. Travis is deployed with A Co, 425th Bde Special Troops Bn (Abn), 4-25 BCT.
Army 2nd Lt. Nicolas Massie, center, conducts a patrol briefing with Soldiers from his plt and ANA soldiers on COP Gorbuz.
An ANA soldier asks village members questions about enemy activity.
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Regimental Combat Team 3 RSS
HSC Marines Conduct Foot Patrols Around Patrol Base Jaker
(Photos by William Greeson)
Cpl. Christopher Mullins with HSC, 1st Bn, 5th Marine Regt, provides security during a road recon patrol in Nawa District, Helmand prov., July 25, 2009. Marines with 1/5, RCT 3 are engaged in counter-insurgency ops in partnership with the ANSF to improve security and stability in southern Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. John Nichols provides security during a Civil Affairs Group patrol. Nichols is a 45-year-old infantry plt sgt.
Marines conduct a Civil Affairs Group patrol with ANA soldiers and members of U.S. Agency for Int'l Development.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense visits Panjshir
By AF Capt. John Stamm
Col. Martin Bischoff checks out a cutting machine used at the marble cutting and polishing plant.
BAGRAM AIR FIELD - U.S. Undersec. of Defense for Business Transformation, Mr. Paul Brinkley, and a hand-picked team of business development leaders, visited the Panjshir valley and the Panjshir PRT, July 26. Brinkley and the team came to discuss the future of business development, and get a first-hand view of the valley, its people, and to get a better understanding of the progress made over the past few years.
The governor indicated that he welcomed new ideas to promote business development in the valley, including tourism, mining, and agricultural processing. The governor also addressed the need for a sustainable, hydro-powered energy source to aid business growth. "It's their decision to make on how to move forward," Brinkley said. "We need to continue to support them and align our vision with theirs."
To get a sense of the local bus. culture, the team stopped at the Rohka Bazaar, where shop-keepers expressed the desire to expand the market to sell their products.
The group spent the remainder of their time visiting the Abdawa micro-hydro electric project, considered the valley's role-model for other small-scale electric projects, and the Abdara marble cutting and polishing plant, a start-up local business venture. The discussion there centered around the role the Ministry of Mining and the effects of central govt policy on production.
Col. Martin Bischoff, development chief, Combined Joint TF-82, accompanied the delegation and was impressed by what he saw. "The biggest challenge facing Afghan reconstruction is getting past the number of projects, and focusing on where to go next with govt accountability and business endeavors," he said. "Panjshir is doing that."
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MNC-I
Afghans improve infrastructure
LAGHMAN PROVINCE - A local Afghan construction co. agreed with TF Mtn Warrior service members to construct a primary school in Qhargayee district of Laghman Prov., July 29.
The new school will serve as the first ever primary educational center for the children of Miakhan Kac village and surrounding areas. This project is the 4th school being constructed in Laghman prov.,, with all four scheduled to be opened by Spring 2010.
On July 27, the Kunar PRT conducted an assessment of the Shigal District's recently completed Bar Sholton Bridge in the Shigal District of the Kunar Prov. The bridge's construction, coordinated by the PRT, supports an estimated 50 to 60 vehicles per day. The bridge was built entirely by Afghans with at least 60 workers from the local village of Sholton. The bridge, which crosses the Kunar River, was officially opened, July 10. "Now we've an area where we can set up our own bazaar. Also, we can now see relatives regularly. Now we have access to the district center, clinic, and our children can go to high school, when before they could not." said Noor Mohammad, a village member. Previously, local villagers had to use a rope ferry to cross the river.
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Special to American Forces Press Service
Iraqi Soldiers Sharpen Skills at ‘Cold Steel Academy’
By Army Pvt. Jared Gehmann
Army Spc. Cesar Lopez gives pointers to an Iraqi soldier attempting to apply a pressure dressing on a simulated wound during a training exercise in the midst of a sandstorm, July 29, 2009, at COP Carver.
COP CARVER – After 5 long days of intense training and battling a pair of fierce sandstorms, more than 20 Iraqi soldiers graduated from the “Cold Steel Training Academy.”
The academy was established for 82nd Abn Div paratroopers of Co A, 1st Bn, 505th PIR, 3rd BCT, to advise and mentor their IA partners on their combat abilities. It also sets the conditions for Iraqi soldiers to continue maintaining security in Salman Pak, a southeastern suburb of Baghdad.
“This 5-day training program is in place to better equip Iraqi soldiers for combat in the field through the execution of different combat training exercises each day,” said Army Spc. Cesar Lopez, an academy instructor and combat medic. Lopez said the academy trains Iraqi soldiers in leadership, basic M-16 rifle marksmanship, reflexive-fire, reacting to IEDs, search and clearing tactics, preventive medicine and combat lifesaving. “We showed them how to fix a hemorrhage in a person’s airway, how to treat shock and how to apply pressure dressings and tourniquets,” Lopez said. The training instills confidence and strengthens unit cohesiveness, Lopez added. “When a soldier knows what he's doing, it makes him want to be a part of the team, and that really helps with morale, but more importantly, it helps the overall strength of the unit in the long run,” he said.
Iraqi soldier Wessan Abass, the academy’s honor graduate, said the training helped him tremendously. “My favorite part of the training was the leadership courses, because they not only help me as a soldier, but they can help me in my everyday life as well,” he said. Abass also said he also enjoyed qualifying on the range with the M-16. “I've rarely shot with an M-16,” he said. “I definitely have more experience with the AK-47. I learned a lot from the American soldiers, and had fun. Overall, I think that the training was definitely worth the time and energy, and I look forward to working with U.S. soldiers again in the future.”
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MNF-I
Arabs, Kurds Should Take Advantage of U.S. Help, Gates Says
By Jim Garamone, Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates meets with the Pres. of the Kurdistan regional govt, Massoud Barzani, at the KRG White House during a brief visit to Erbil, July 29.
(DoD photo by AF Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison)
ERBIL— Arab and Kurdish Iraqis should take advantage of the remaining time U.S. forces will be in the country to work out their differences, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said to Kurdish Pres. Barzani.
Gates, accompanied by Army Gen. Ray Odierno, cmdr of MNF-Iraq, congratulated Kurdish officials for last week's free and fair elections, and said the Kurdish people always have been good friends of the U.S.
Under the U.S.-Iraqi agreement signed in Dec., all U.S. troops will be out of Iraq by the end of 2011. Gates delivered the same message to Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki.
The issues include a law governing distribution of oil revenue, internal boundaries and security. Gates asked the leaders "to reach sustainable agreements on these issues." Gates said the U.S. supports the UN's TF set up with Arab and Kurdish Iraqis to work through these disagreements.
The disagreements between Kurds and Arabs run deep in Iraq. Saddam Hussein's regime persecuted the Kurds and tried to "Arabize" whole sections of the country, especially the area around oil-rich Kirkuk. Saddam cleared out Kurdish areas and gave the land to Arab families, launched chemical attacks against Kurdish towns and drove thousands out of the nation.
Gates acknowledged this history during his meetings. "He noted that at every negotiating table, history has a seat," the press secretary Morrell said. "The challenge is to put history at the end of the table, and think about the future, rather than the past."
Gates assured Kurdish and Arab leaders that the U.S. is prepared to offer any help it can "to resolve the disputes in a peaceful manner in accordance with the Iraqi constitution," Morrell said. "He reminded his hosts that all of us have sacrificed too much in blood and treasure to see the gains of the last few years lost due to political differences."
Kirkuk is the main flash point between the regional and national govt, but not the only one. Kurdish and ISF have had confrontations, but they've not escalated to violence. U.S., Iraqi and Kurdish officials are working closely in coordination centers to ensure confrontations are avoided or resolved peacefully, Odierno said during an interview yesterday. The general also said the Arab-Kurd issue is the main driver of instability in Iraq today.
"Gates is optimistic that there can be follow-through on these issues," Morrell said. "They're very difficult issues, and the clock is ticking on our presence in Iraq. He's very much encouraging both sides to get down to work as soon as possible."
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MND - North PAO
Simulator allows AH-64 Apache Longbow pilots to train on the ground
Capt. Jeremy Duff sits in the pilot's seat of the Apache Longbow Crew Trainer.
(Photo illustration by Terry Moore)
COB SPEICHER - Whether new to flying, new in theater or a seasoned pilot, flying the AH-64 Apache Longbow on combat missions can present a variety of challenges.
For pilots of the 1st Attack Recon Bn,10th CAB, 10th Mtn Div, the Apache Longbow Crew Trainer - a highly-realistic simulator used for individual and multi-ship-ops training - levels the playing field.
According to Chief Warrant Officer 4 Steve Donahue, bn master gunner and standardization instruction pilot, the LCT is one of the most important pieces of equipment the 10th CAB has on ground. With it, he can familiarize pilots new to the combat zone on sudden weather changes, possible equipment failure and unexpected combat situations, all within the safety of the COB. "The simulator helps pilots prioritize required tasks while engaging targets in a fluid environment," Donahue said. "I can watch how they maintain the safety of the aircraft and crew, and do everything they need to do.
Inside the cool darkness of the simulator, which is housed in a container near the flightline, conditions are preset. The pilot sits at the controls in front of 3 large screens where the scenario is played out. Time can be stopped, backed up and re-played. Fuel and ammo can be in abundance or short supply.
"The LCT is used as a stepping stone for new aviators when they first come into country," Donahue explained. "We can give an aviator unlimited amounts of fuel, ammo and targets. We can freeze time without slowing range time or risking crew or equipment while they are in the learning stage."
Capt. Jeremy Duff, HQ Co, 1-10 ARB battle cmdr, agrees. "In the beginning, you can see pilots get frustrated as they handle emergencies; and then, as they get more proficient, they become more comfortable with themselves and what to do. That's where you get the learning benefit. How many people know themselves well enough to know what they need to work on? They may not be aware of their shortcomings," Duff said.
Twenty-twenty hindsight is key. During pauses, pilots and trainers can talk about what could've been done differently, and how to proceed for the rest of the mission. Donahue can also put the most experienced pilots through challenging situations, as well as work with entire crews on an upcoming mission in conditions that include everything from turbulence, wind gusts, lightning, snow, a desert environment, altitude, day, night, sunset and sunrise.
Donahue said, no matter what the level of experience a pilot has, no matter how skillful a pilot thinks he is, the bottom line is they can always learn something more. "Challenging a bad decision here isn't anything more than a discussion in a safe, controlled environment," Donahue said. "That's better than the alternative."
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U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
Iraqis Take Mission Support Lead
By Staff Sgt. Joseph Buzanowski
An Iraqi Soldier carries a box of food from an Iraqi dining facility for his fellow Soldiers pulling guard duty at CampTaji, July 12. This dining facility is run exclusively by the IA with some assistance from an American Airman assigned to the Logistics Military Advisor Team.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Keller)
CAMP TAJI — U.S. Airmen don't run dining facilities for the Iraqi military here. They don't pump fuel or make runs to ammunition storage points. At least not any more. All of these daily tasks that require the utmost attention to detail and dedication to supporting mission readiness are now handled directly by Iraqi Soldiers.
"We're just here to advise them now," said Tech. Sgt. Willie Moorer, who merely provides "a safety net" for the Iraqi Soldiers who run a dining facility that feeds more than 400 troops per meal. "My goal is to work myself out of a job. They understand what they need to do to maintain the dining facilities. They know how to get a refrigerator fixed if it breaks; they know why cleanliness is important, and they know about health standards."
IA Sgt. Major Atae is the mgr at the dining facility, a position he's held for a year-and-a-half. "Our Soldiers have a hard job and they need good, healthy food," the sgt maj said. My job is to give them that."
Moorer says the Iraqis are 95% ready to run the op on their own. "All they need me for now is to give advice on how to solve an issue they don't know how to solve," Moorer said. "But they'll actually go and take care of it."
The same is true for ammo. Staff Sgt. Eric Richards says it's been challenging for him and his Iraqi counterparts to bridge cultural differences, but they see eye to eye when it comes to protecting the munitions. "It's very important to have skilled specialists to handle the ammo," said IA Capt. Marai. "We need to prevent accidents; ammo is an important part of any Army."
The Iraqis have dramatically improved their standards over the last several years. They have better documentation practices and are constantly upgrading them, Richards said. A new facility and modern bookkeeping tools are also on the way for the Iraqi troops who run this camp’s fuel depot. "They already had a good system for documenting and verifying fuel distribution - almost as good as our own - but it's all on slips of paper and in ledgers," said Tech. Sgt. John Dukes, a fuels advisor to the IA. "They've got computer laptops on the way. They already know how to do a spreadsheet, so they're almost ready to go."
The IA is also planning to install a new fuel storage area. "The facility will be more environmentally friendly and will better enable the IA to fuel their vehicles," said Dukes. "What we're working on now is improving the procedures already in place, so it's as seamless a transition as possible when we leave."
Lessons it took much of the Western world to learn over 30 to 40 years about fuel and hazardous material storage, the Iraqis have had to learn in 4, Dukes said. "My role is just to step back and let them perform their mission on their own," Dukes continued. "We're not here to tell them how to do their job. We're just here to offer advice based on the lessons we've learned. But they take a lot of pride in their work, and the Iraqis are well on their way to running things on their own."
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