Paratroopers conduct village assessment in Paktika prov. Route Clearance Plts comb roads for IEDs in Logar prov. Paratroopers work on vehicles, teach ANSF. Militants are stopped in Khowst, Kandahar.
Iraq: Al Benghazi School children love Charlie Co. IFP continue refining tactics and procedures. Renovation of school, thanks to efforts by W.Virginia NG. The 121st BSB fix water purification system.
Joanna
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September 22, 2009
Blackanthem Military News
Paratroopers conduct village assessment
By Army Pfc. Andrya Hill
FOB SALERNO, Afghanistan -
1st Lt. Robert Heidt, the plt leader for 1st Plt, Co C, 3rd Bn, 509th Inf Regt, 4th BCT, 25th ID, greets a local child during a village assessment in the Gomal district of Paktika prov. in eastern Afghanistan, Sept. 17.
Spc. Michael Ronk, an infantryman with 1st Plt, plots the coordinates of a dam in need of repair, while a local woman is seen in the distance hauling water from a more plentiful source in eastern Afghanistan, Sept. 17. Paratroopers were working with the Afghan Border policemen (ABP) to conduct a village assessment.
Spc. Michael Ronk, an infantryman, discusses concerns with a village elder.
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Blackanthem Military News
Trailblazers : Soldiers comb roads for IEDs
By Spc. Derek Kuhn
An IED is detonated during a route clearance op in Logar prov., Sep. 15. Route Clearance Plts (RCP) ensure roads remain unobstructed, so operational movement is not affected.
LOGAR PROVINCE - Slowly, the convoy traverses the steep mountain pass. To the left, there is a granite spike stabbing up at the sky. To the right, a chasm so deep that looking over it is enough to give most people vertigo. Eventually, the lead vehicle nears the top.
Calling over the radio, Army Sgt. Frank Iannaccone, who is operating the lead vehicle, says the Husky has picked up something. A specially designed one seat vehicle, the Husky, scans the area searching for additional IED indicators.
After Iannaccone finishes scanning the area, he requests the Buffalo, a MRAP vehicle outfitted with a special arm, move forward to probe the suspected IED. Driving toward the summit, the specially out-fitted MRAP stops several feet short of the object in question. Using the mechanical arm, the Buffalo investigates the area for about half an hour.
After the probe is finished, a Soldier's voice crackles on the radio. "It's a shampoo bottle," he says. Hearing the news, the Soldiers of the RCP, Co A, 3rd BSTB, 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn Div, relax. The tension in the air dissipates—for now. However, the reprieve is short-lived as the convoy reorganizes and moves onward to find more threats.
It's 11 a.m., and the RCP has moved only a few kms from their pre-dawn starting point. Route clearance is a slow, dangerous job and experience promises many more stops for suspected IEDs. "You have to be meticulous," said Iannaccone, "even though it can be hot and boring, because this job can be dangerous."
"It's very slow, very methodical," said Spc. Brian Bailey, a fwd observer with HHT, 3rd BSTB, who is attached to the RCP. "We have to be very precise. We counteract them (the insurgents) by taking our time and ensuring the route is cleared properly."
Such attention to detail often requires the Soldiers to dismount from the MRAPS and search areas for evidence of IEDs. When dismounted, the Soldiers walk kms up and down hills looking for items often smaller than a golf ball or thinner than a shoelace. "The items are very difficult to find," said Bailey. "You really have to look for the stuff, because they like to cover them in mud and hide them in corn fields."
Regardless of the pace and inherent danger with their job, this RCP is one of the most successful units in Afghanistan. According to Bailey, as of Sep. 15, he and his teammates have recovered 48 IEDs with only 8 detonations. "We take great pride in our number of safe recoveries," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Garrett, plt sgt for the RCP.
The gravity of their job and the greater impact it has on those who follow in their paths is not lost on these service members. "It's long and tough," said Iannaccone, "but there's a lot of satisfaction knowing that I could have saved someone's life."
An IED is detonated during a route clearance op.
Spc. Brian Bailey, a fwd observer attached to the RCP searches for traces of IEDs.
Service members with the RCP discuss their course of action after finishing with a suspected IED.
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Blackanthem Military News
Paratroopers work on vehicles, teach ANSF
By Army Pfc. Andrya Hill
KHOST PROVINCE
Spc. Brandon Horner and Pfc. George Dyer, mortarmen from HQ Co, attached to 1st Plt, Co C, 3rd Bn, 509th PIR, 4th BCT, 25th ID, hone their mechanical skills while fixing a flat tire on a piece of machinery, Sept. 18, at FOB Curry, in Paktika prov. of eastern Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Wolfgang McLachlan, the team leader for the Team Curry eMiTT, and infantryman, assists with a technical class instructing ANA soldiers and ABP fundamentals of the humvee.
Spc. Nathan Snyder, an infantryman, teaches a technical class on the fundamentals of the humvee to ANA soldiers and ABP.
Pfc. Alejandro Ruiz, a mechanic, repairs a vehicle.
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Blackanthem Military News
Afghan-ISAF Stops Militants in Khowst, Kandahar
By International Security Assistance Force
KABUL - An Afghan and ISAF detained several suspected militants Sept. 20, after searching a series of buildings in Khowst prov. and compounds in Kandahar prov.
The buildings in Khowst were known to be used by a Haqqani element and facilitator responsible for the regional distribution of IEDs and IED-making material.
In a compound search north of Kandahar City, a joint force pursued Taliban suspects responsible for IED and small arms attacks, and for shipment of weapons and IEDs into the region. During the search the joint force wounded a suspected Taliban cmdr after he displayed hostile intent with a weapon. Although the force provided immediate medical care, he later died from his wounds. The joint force also found TNT explosives, an anti-personnel mine, 7 AK-47 rifles, fragmentation grenades and communications equipment.
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Blackanthem Military News
Kapisa PRT lends a helping hand
By AF Senior Airmen Jason Troups
KAPISA PROVINCE
AF 1st Lt. Anthony Raffaele, a civil engr with the Kapisa PRT, assesses a roof being built on Omar Shahid High School in the Kohistan district of northern Kapisa prov., Sept. 16. The PRT helps the contractors of Afghanistan in developing schools, roads, hospitals and clinics.
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Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq
School Supplies
Photos by Pfc. Ali Hargis
Army Capt. Brennan Speakes, assigned to Charlie Co, 1st Bn, 5th Cav Regt, 2nd Bde, 1st Cav Div, helps a young girl put on her new backpack, near Tarmiyah, Sept. 16. The op included handing out school supplies and providing water purifiers for Al Benghazi Elementary School.
A group of girls show off their new backpacks and radios.
Soldiers, assigned to Charlie Co, 1st Bn, adjust radio frequencies outside of a local school.
A woman carries harvested winter wheat near Tarmiyah, Sept. 16. Nearby, U.S. Soldiers hand out school supplies to children at a local school.
Soldiers, assigned to the 362nd Psychological Ops Co, 16th PSYOP Bn, 2nd PSYOP Group, talk with children at Al Benghazi Elementary School.
Capt. Brennan Speakes, helps a young boy put on his new backpack.
A Soldier, assigned to the 362nd, carries a box of shirts to Al Benghazi Elementary School.
Soldiers assigned to the 362nd, chat with children.
Children crowd around Staff Sgt. Christopher Johnson, assigned to 362nd.
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Blackanthem Military News
Federal Police continue refining tactics and procedures
By Multi-National Division - North PAO
Maj. Darren King speaks with Federal Police Col. Awad during a cordon-and-search op led by the IFP in the Al Rissala neighborhood of western Mosul, Sept. 17.
(Army Photos by 2nd Lt. Jeff Orban)
MOSUL - IFP have continued to refine and improve their tactical procedures months after the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Mosul. In ops throughout west Mosul, the Mosul Bde of the 3rd IFP Div has been incorporating and refining new tactics into their ops.
In an op Sept. 17, the Mosul Bde. conducted a cordon-and-search in the Al Rissala neighborhood of west Mosul. During this op, the Mosul Bde. established a tactical command post to assist in command and control of the op. "This is the best I've seen," said Maj. Darren King, ops officer for the Mosul Bde. MiTT, about the level of sophistication that the Mosul Bde. had put into their tactical command post.
Brig. Gen. Jawad, ops officer for Mosul Bde., walked King through the layout of their tactical command post set-up earlier that morning. Jawad showed him the maps and communications equipment and how they were using them to help conduct their mission.
With its team of U.S. advisors, the Mosul Bde. realized the value in operating tactical command posts like the one used in the cordon-and-search op of the 17th. This op ran much smoother than previous ops, because of the assets and training implemented in the tactical command posts, said Jawad.
According to King, Mosul Bde. is increasingly using maps and radio communications to coordinate with subordinate units across the city, and sharing valuable intel with other IFP units. Communication and intel are areas the Mosul Bde. has emphasized since U.S. forces pulled out of the city June 30. King said these capabilities help increase the success rate of their ops.
"We'll get even better in future missions," said Jawad. "We're constantly getting better."
An IFP officer puts up a wanted poster of a known criminal during a cordon-and-search op. led by the Federal Police in the Al Rissala neighborhood of western Mosul Sept. 17. (U.S. Army Photo by 2nd Lt. Jeff Orban)
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MNF-I
School brings hope of bright future
(By Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell)
Soldiers with the 30th HBCT walk around a school reconstruction project in Qarguli, Sept. 20. The school will open for hundreds of students to attend this year.
BAGHDAD — Hundreds of students at the Thugger al-Iraq Primary and Secondary School here in the Qarguli neighborhood have something to look forward to this year, thanks to the efforts of W. Virginia NG.
A project to overhaul the school and add 4 new buildings began Aug. 28, according to Capt. James Bowen, cmdr of Troop B, 1st Bn, 150th Armored Recon Sqdrn, 30th HBCT. The dilapidated school was chosen with help from the local area council and shaykh, according to Bowen.
"The school was built in 1958, and nobody has fixed it until now," said Younis Ali, a security guard for the project. Ali attended the school in the 1980s with his siblings and now his 3 children attend the school. "The U.S. forces make life easier and much better for us," added Ali. "When the Americans say they're going to do something, they do it."
"It makes a tremendous impact on the community," Bowen said. "This project has put our troops in better light in the eyes of the community. They realize we're here to help the community, instead of just walking around with guns and asking questions."
"I understand the importance of educating the youth; these are the people that will eventually lead Iraq," continued Bowen. "Previously, the school didn't have electricity or a/c all the time, which makes it harder to learn when it's 120 degrees out."
According to Bowen, members of the GoI and both the Sunni and Shi'a parts of town assembled for a meeting at the school before the project began. "They understand they have to get past sectarianism to make things better," explained Bowen. "They understand they have to work together to make things better. To show the kids that we're able to get Sunni and Shi'a to work together is a big step," Bowen said. Setting an example for the future leaders of Iraq and working together to rebuild the Thugger al-Iraq School gives the community something they haven't had for a long time."I have much hope for my children," said Ali, just before the Soldiers left. "It's a good feeling because if they study hard, then they've a chance to become a doctor or an officer."
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MNF-I
Soldiers fix Iraqi water purification systemBy Maj. Courtney Abraham and Capt. Jeffrey Witherspoon
(Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jason Tellez)
Sgt. Christopher Dunlop, assesses the raw water area on Camp Dhi Qar, recently. Dunlop conducted training on the Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit for the IA.CAMP DHI QAR — U.S. Soldiers here recently conducted training with 10th IA Div Water Purification Teams, following complaints of salty water. The 121st BSB senior water purification NCO, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Tellez, and his team met with the Iraqi team to assess the problem. The meeting revealed glaring issues requiring immediate attention. Tellez, along with Sgt. Christopher Dunlop, provided the Iraqis with hands-on training, troubleshooting techniques, preventive maintenance assistance and advice on assessing supply requirements for the system. "The source water was terrible and it tested positive for different forms of bacteria," said Dunlop. "It could cause typhoid, because there was almost no chlorination for the water." "Typhoid, E. coli, parasites, and cholera are all found in this water," said Capt. Jennifer Shields, bde environmental health officer. "Proper operation of this water purification unit will reduce illness among Iraqi Soldiers." Due to high levels of pollutants and salt, the water was deemed unfit for consumption by U.S. standards. The team also discovered several operator errors and system faults in the water purification system. "Once we figured out their chlorination injector wasn't working properly, we adjusted the settings on it," said Dunlop. "The samples of the water we took after that came out okay." A second visit was made to correct other faults and train the equipment operators. "There were cartridge filters that needed replacing, as well as reverse osmosis elements that needed to be replaced," explained Dunlop. "It was causing water to come out salty and hard. We showed them how to clean the media filters." The senior water plant engr informed the team the system had not been operating properly for nearly 3 years. The BSB and Iraqi teams immediately went to work to properly rout the water through the purification system. Additional problems were identified and addressed, including significant damage to piping used to carry water between stations, causing leaks and loss of pressure. The team fabricated a replacement pipe. Follow-up training with the Iraqi teams will ensure that clean water will remain part of the camp’s future.
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Making Friends
Photo by Pfc. Ali Hargis
A U.S. Soldier assigned to Charlie Co, 1st Bn, 5th Cav Regt, 2nd Bde, 1st Cav Div, poses with children during a ground patrol to deliver food packages and discuss improvements that could be made in the community of Mushahda, Sept. 17.
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MNF-I
Share the Love
(Photo by Spc. Ruth McClary)
NG Capt. Mike Allen of 150th Armored Recon Sqdrn, 30th HBCT, shows Mohammad Ahmed pre-packaged book-bags full of school supplies to distribute to the children of his village, Sept. 16. Allen is the squadron's chaplain and the official overseer of care packages sent from the states.
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