Dear Interested Reader,
Logistics Marines recognized for service in Iraq/Afghanistan. PRT Kapisa-Parwan visits construction sites. GnrySgt Steven Baker leads joint military convoy to resupply FOB Dwyer. Ghazni PRT opens important new road.
Iraq: U.S. Explosive Hazards Team to train ISF. Mortar plt conducts training with Oil Refinery Protection Force. Ninawa PRT to rebuild bomb sites in Shrekhan, Khazna. Key leader captured in terrorist cell.
Joanna
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September 14, 2009
Blackanthem Military News
Logistics Marines Recognized for Iraq, Afghanistan Service
By Cpl. Aaron Rooks
Col. John Simmons, comm. officer of Combat Logistics Regt 2, MEB-A, presents the NATO Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal to 21 Marines, Aug. 31, at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand prov. The Marines receiving the medals traveled from Iraq in early July to temporarily reinforce Combat Logistics Co 151, CLR-2, MEB-A.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand Province - The Marines, who were awarded the NATO Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal, traveled to Helmand prov. in early July after serving in Iraq's Al Anbar prov. for more than 4 months while assigned to Combat Logistics Bn 4, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Fwd).
According to 1st Sgt. Charles Hutto, CLC-151 1st sgt, the logistics co. from CLR-2, MEB-A, came to Afghanistan with a smaller than normal staff, but soon realized that certain conditions required more maintenance Marines. A harsher-than-expected environment, coupled with damage caused by combat ops, led MEB-A leaders to conclude additional assistance was needed, and they turned to Marines serving in Iraq for support. "The Marines who came from Iraq allowed us to push a larger percentage of our Marines out to the FOBs as maintenance teams," Hutto said. "This helped prevent units from being forced to send their gear all the way back to Camp Leatherneck."
Col. John Simmons, the com officer of CLR-2, expressed gratitude to the Marines of CLB-4 for the assistance they were able to provide during a time when the operational tempo was at its peak. The Marines from CLB-4 that were sent here are trained in all facets of maintenance, with expertise in vehicle, generator, heavy equipment, electronics, and weaponry maintenance. Some of them even joined those of CLC-151 on trips out to various FOBs and COPs during their time in the bde's area of ops.
"We were stoked," said Cpl. Kevin Delancey, a generator mechanic who came from Iraq. "This is the hot spot for the action right now. This is where everyone in the Marine Corps wants to be."
Marines from Combat Logistics Bn 4, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Fwd), receive the NATO Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
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55th Combat Camera RSS
PRT Kapisa-Parwan Visits Construction Sites
Photos by Sgt. Teddy Wade
AF 1st Lt. Graham Auten, a civil engr assigned to the Kapisa-Parwan PRT, meets with Afghan locals in Mahmood Rahqi, and asks them how much a clinic is needed in that community, Sept. 9. The locals replied that the clinic is critically needed, especially for the elders.
An Afghan girl smiles as she looks out the back of a truck-cycle. Truck-cycle is a name given by U.S. Soldiers to Afghan motorcycles that have a wagon attached to it. They're commonly used as taxis.
Army Staff Sgt. Francis Macale, 38, a NG infantryman, assigned to 1st Sqdrn, 221th Cav Regt, provides security.
AF 1st Lt. Auten meets with Afghan construction workers at the Shoki Clinic construction site.
Afghan children play around inside the Shoki School during a visit by members of the Kapisa-Parwan PRT, Sept. 9, to assess the conditions of the school's building.
Army Sgt. Chris Miller talks to Afghan children during a visit to the Shoki School.
Army Cpl. Michael Tacker, an infantryman, leans against the guard rails of a bridge while providing security.
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Blackanthem Military News
Milwaukee Native Leads Joint Military Convoy to Resupply Southern Afghanistan
By Cpl. Aaron Rooks
A convoy of vehicles waits to continue their push from Camp Leatherneck to FOB Dwyer, Sept. 8, in Helmand prov. The Marines of GSMT Co are used to traveling to FOB Dwyer for resupply missions.
HELMAND PROVINCE - GnrySgt. Steven Baker and his plt of Marines joined members of Camp Shorabak's ANA and their U.K. mentors in a convoy from Camp Leatherneck to FOB Dwyer with the goal of delivering building supplies and mechanical parts to their respective comrades.
The convoy, led by Baker's unit, Truck Plt 2, General Support Motor Transport Co, Combat Logistics Regt 2, MEB-A, consisted of more than 40 vehicles, ranging from 7-ton trucks loaded with metal containers, to small pickup trucks operated by the ANA. Baker described the mission as unique because it was the first-ever joint op between the U.K., U.S. Marines and ANA within the bde's area of ops in Helmand.
The Marines of GSMT Co have grown accustomed to traveling to FOB Dwyer for resupply missions that can take up the better part of a day. "We bring everything so that the infantrymen and other units can function," said Cpl. A. M. Peterson, one of Baker's motor transport operators with Truck Plt 2. "We bring the ammo and everything else. Time is of the essence because of this. If we can't get the gear to where we're going in a timely manner, the unit waiting for the supplies will have to run with the bare minimum instead of what they need."
During the resupply missions, Baker focuses on keeping oversight of the entire convoy, ensuring that accountability is maintained, and that every piece of gear reaches its destination. His first convoy with the ANA and U.K. troops "went better than I ever expected," he said.
A soldier with the ANA tightens a bolt underneath his vehicle.
A soldier with the ANA walks past a Marine 7-ton truck.
A soldier with the ANA works on his truck during a convoy.
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Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO RSS
Ghazni PRT Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Road
Navy Cmdr. Wilson Marks, cmdr of Ghazni PRT, along with local community leaders prepare to cut the ribbon during the ceremony for the opening of the 17-km improved road from Kwaji Omari District Center to the District Center of Ghazni City, Sept.7.
The improved road links the district of Kwaji Omari to the "Ring Road," Afghanistan's main highway, which cuts through Ghazni city. "The construction of this road provided jobs to local citizens of Ghazni city," said Navy Lt. James Bower, Ghazni PRT, engr. "The road also creates economic development by improving the transportation of goods and mobility of people around the prov., by linking to Highway 1."
The district of Kwaji Omari is scattered with orchards and farmland, but the means to easily deliver products to large markets without spoilage was lacking. This road will increase the delivery of quality produce to Ghazni City, increasing the city's food supply, as well as significantly increasing the economy for farmers in Kwaji Omari.
Cmdr. Wilson Marks discusses future projects with Kasim Disiwal, the district sub-gov. of Kwaji Omarii, following the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Navy Lt. James Bowen, engr. accepts a carpet from Usman Usmani, gov. of Ghazni, as a token of appreciation for his work.
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Multi-National Division - North PAO - Iraq
U.S. Explosive Hazards Team to train ISF
Members of the 15th EHT, 130th Engr Bde. Team members include (from left to right) 1st Lt. Manuel Orozco, Sgt. William James, Sgt. Nathaniel Morris, Sgt. Matthew Jackson, Staff Sgt. Darryl Goodwin, Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Brummel and Pvt. David Casas.
(Army photo by Army Staff Sgt. Melanie Trollinger)
CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION MAREZ, MOSUL - The 130th Engr Bde's highly specialized 15th Explosive Hazards Team (EHT) recently arrived in Iraq to support the bde's reconstruction mission in Ninawa prov. Their presence will enhance the 130th's capabilities to train ISF in counter-IED tactics and evidence collection procedures.
EHT's are a new concept in military ops. Created to support EOD units, each team member completes several months of intensive training. Training ranges from mine detection and area clearance, to explosives tracking and hazards planning. "The training we went through as a unit certified us to be able to instruct other units in IED defeat, area clearance, and mine detection ops," said Sgt. James Williams, a technical intel analyst with the 15th EHT.
"The 15th EHT was not only the first team to complete the certification process," said 1st Lt. Manuel Orozco, 15th EHT det cmdr, "but they're also the 1st operational EHT to deploy in support of OIF. "I credit my team members for the outstanding job they did to get us where we are."
According to Orozco, his 7-member team will provide explosives tracking, mitigation and assured mobility for the 130th Eng. Bde., and will act as a MiTT for local IA soldiers. "A critical part of our mission is training the ISF in everything they need to know to replace U.S. forces as far as
conducting counter-IED ops. We 'train the trainers' so the Iraqis can take what they learn from us, back to their own units and teach them how to effectively counter the IED threat," Orozco said.
The 15th EHT is currently undergoing crime scene evidence collection certification. Before the team can train the ISF in these procedures, they must complete several hours of sensitive site
exploitation training. Law enforcement officials with the 25th ID, which is responsible for ops in MND-N, will certify the 15th EHT in these procedures.
ISF evidence collection training will be a major part of the 15th EHT's mission. Orozco said utilizing evidence collection procedures at crime scenes will assist the Iraqis in targeting the insurgency, and ultimately, governing themselves.
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Multi-National Division - North PAO
Mortar platoon conducts training with Qayyarah Oil Refinery Protection Force
1st Lt. Ephraim Garner, an officer with HHC, 1st Bn, 12th Cav Regt, reviews entry control point procedures with OPF EO, Capt. Ahmed, during a training session for the OPF stationed in Qayarrah.
MOSUL - Soldiers from HHC, 1st Bn, 12th Cav Regt, conducted training during the week of Sept. 7, with the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior's Oil Protection Force (OPF), stationed at the Qayyarah Oil Refinery.
The focus was to build on basic skills that the OPF use on a daily basis, and to work with the OPF leadership on planning and ops for security posts. The Soldiers worked through a series of training courses involving basic traffic control point ops, contingency ops at fixed security checkpoints, basic first aid and a medical first responder's course.
"These guys catch on pretty quick. They're eager to learn and continue to develop their skills that they've picked up in previous training," said Staff Sgt. Josh Philbeck, a mortar section sgt. "What we're doing now is running through different scenarios with them for what could happen at an entry control point, or how to search a vehicle safely, thoroughly and expeditiously."
HHC Soldiers also provided the OPF NCOs responsible for each checkpoint with an 8-hour medical first responder's course. A U.S. medic, Spc. Robert Baird, taught the Iraqis about treating burns, fractures, minor and major cuts, and treatment for shock.
"We wanted them to be able to do quick triage for a wide assortment of injuries that could happen in the course of a normal day at a refinery," said Baird. "The focus here isn't just about insurgent attacks, but also on what they would need to do if there was a flash fire."
As the NCOs attended the medical 1st responder's course, the OPF EO, Capt. Ahmed, worked with 1st Lt. Ephraim Garner and Sgt.1st Class Mike Sherman, on contingency planning for fixed checkpoints.
The group looked at specific checkpoints and how they could be better protected against different threats, while still allowing accessibility for daily commerce. They also discussed the shift rotations and emphasized the need for good communication during shift changes to ensure continuity of info. "The fixed site security is well-emplaced and they have a good foundation of knowledge needed for day-to-day ops," said Garner. "Now we need to look ahead to the future and try to plan out, as best we can, the different types of scenarios they might face."
When asked his thoughts about future training with the OPF, Garner said that they're a disciplined unit, and that he was certain they had what it took to succeed.
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Multi-National Division - North PAO
Ninawa PRT sets plans to rebuild bomb sites in Shrekhan, Khazna
1st Sgt. Thomas Watts, with Co C, 422nd CAB, 360th CAB, and Capt. Joshua Sturgill, with the 130th Engr Bn, study a map to assess the site of a VBIED that detonated in a small neighborhood located NW of Mosul. The units and the Ninawa PRT are planning the reconstruction of the most severely damaged structures at the site.
(Army photo by Spc. Sharla Lewis)
MOSUL - Two bombsites in Mosul are undergoing reconstruction by the Ninawa PRT who, along with the 130th Engr Bde, 8th Theater Sust Command, visited and assessed the sites Sept. 2 and 3.
VBIED devices hit 2 villages: Shrekhan Sufla, located NW of Mosul and Khazna Tabtah, located
E of Mosul, Aug. 7 and 10, killing 79 residents and injuring 379. Various humanitarian aid orgs. improved minor damage to the sites, but reconstruction of severely damaged areas will be managed by the PRT, who will coordinate the reconstruction effort with the provincial govt.
"Today was the 1st day of a 2-day effort to do preliminary assessments of the villages," said Brian Jalbert, the head of the PRT reconstruction section. "We were counting the number of structures that had been severely damaged or completely destroyed, of which there were a great number. We needed to get a sense of how much rubble there's to remove, and how many houses will need extensive repair, or were completely destroyed and will require rebuilding."
Jalbert said they wanted to understand the magnitude of the problem by making preliminary assessments and evaluating options. The PRT has different choices, as they decide how to approach the reconstruction of these destroyed villages. One option is giving the communities enough cash to repair their own homes. This puts the families at risk of being robbed or threatened. Another method, repairing all the structures themselves with "in kind" donations of building materials is also risky, said Mark Schapiro, head of the PRT economics section. "The other option is to contract out and take care of everything for them. That has its own drawback - we don't know what the boundaries are, and how they want their houses rebuilt," he said.
This particular project is urgent because the families whose homes were destroyed will be living on the streets or in temporary housing when the cold winter months come.
As the PRT spent time assessing the sites, locals asked them questions about the outcome of the visit, wanting to know what to expect. "Our answer to them was, 'There is a time constraint. We want to get this done before winter. If we can pull this off, then we can eat together and celebrate,'" said Schapiro.
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Multi-National Corps-Iraq PAO
ISF arrest 2, capture key leader in terrorist cell
TIKRIT - During ops throughout northern Iraq, ISF, with U.S. forces advisors, arrested 2 suspected terrorists, Sept. 11, under the authority of various warrants issued by the GoI.
Sinjar SWAT, with U.S. forces advisors, arrested a suspected terrorist in the Ninawa prov., suspected of conducting multiple attacks against ISF and local citizens in Sinjar.
During a separate mission in the Diyala prov., the 6th ERB, with U.S. forces advisors, arrested a
suspected terrorist of being a key leader of a terrorist cell in Baqubah, and for facilitating and planning attacks against ISF and U.S. forces in Diyala. During the op, 2 other individuals were brought in for questioning because of their association with the arrested suspect.
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