Spc. Jesus Sanchez and fellow Co B, 2nd Bn, 12th Inf Regt, 4th ID Soldiers patrol the Korengal Valley in Kunar prov., Oct. 1. The 4th ID Soldiers operating in the valley work closely with local Afghan govt and SECFOR to improve the lives of its citizens.
Army Soldiers and AF Airmen with Co B, patrol the Korengal Valley.
An Army Soldier scans the Korengal Valley walls while on patrol.
Army Soldiers patrol the Korengal Valley. The Fort Carson, Colo., based Soldiers are deployed to the remote mountain valley.
Spc. Jesus Sanchez watches for suspicious activity. Sanchez is a combat medic.
AF Airman 1st Class James Craddick crosses a fast-flowing river while on patrol with Army Soldiers from Co B. AF Airmen fight side-by-side with their Army counterparts, serving as joint terminal attack controllers, responsible for coordinating air-strikes for ground forces.
Army Soldiers pause during a patrol. Since arriving in June, Soldiers have seen some of the toughest fighting in Afghanistan.
Army Pfc. Damian Gardner looks for suspicious activity.
-30-WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2009 – Several military ops in southern and eastern Afghanistan today and yesterday resulted in insurgents killed and captured, military officials reported.
In other ops, joint forces detained several insurgents in Zabul and Kandahar provs today. A force searched a compound in Zabul’s Qalat district known to be used by a Taliban cmdr and his element who are believed to be responsible for several attacks against Afghan civilians and infrastructure in the region. During the search, the force shot and killed an enemy militant armed with an AK-47 rifle and chest rack before he engaged the force. The force completed the search and detained several suspected militants.
In a separate search in Kandahar City, a joint force detained a suspected militant who immediately surrendered, and identified himself as a Taliban member responsible for supplying IEDs used against Afghan civilians and infrastructure in the region.The primary mission of those transport helicopters is battlefield mobility, moving cargo and passengers from major bases such as Kandahar out to detachments or training facilities. With the addition of Afghan attack platforms, missions requiring escort for transports can now be done by ANAAC assets instead of coalition aircraft.
The ability to support their own ops and be a part of the larger effort is important to the Afghan cmdrs. "The Afghan air corps has a significant role in the fight here in the region," said Gen. Dawran, ANAAC cmdr. "The corps' priorities are moving troops and supplies to where they're needed, helping civilians in need, and being an equal partner in the int'l coalition effort. The air corps is in the progress of modernizing its aircraft," said General Dawran. "We're very grateful for the helicopters and airplanes donated to us by our int'l friends."
The ANAAC is currently working with U.S. AF and Army mentors to further enhance their mission capabilities and skills. There're also approx 60 Afghan pilots attending English language and flight training in the U.S.
Echoing many of the statements given to the crowd by a myriad of speakers during the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Mike Boera, representing the ISAF and U.S. AF Central command, commented on the success the air corps has had in establishing the new wing at Kandahar. "Building an air corps in the middle of a war is difficult," said Gen. Boera. "It's like building an airplane in flight. However, today is truly an historic day, both for the ANA air corps and for the country of Afghanistan," he said. "It's been a challenge, but I congratulate you on your success here at Kandahar, and wish you more continued success in the future."
The culminating event for this course was a weeklong practical exercise conducted at the Military Ops in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training site. This military training base has one of the largest MOUT training sites in Iraq. The training conducted at the MOUT site consisted of the many aspects of convoy ops. The MP Cmdr, Iraqi Lt. Col. Hatman, served as the guest speaker during the graduation ceremony. Hatman briefly addressed the class and reminded them of their responsibilities as leaders. He emphasized the leadership qualities required to take the IA into the future. These soldiers will now return to their home units and continue their efforts in providing a safe and stable Iraq.
BAGHDAD – The first ever IA Basic Combat Training course for enlisted Iraqi women, held a cultural awareness training conference Oct. 5. As part of the 6- week course, 36 Iraqi trainees were introduced to American women who serve in the military, to get a sense of American military training and lifestyle.
The American military women represented the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, and were from the Marine Corps, Army and the AF. “One of the worst things you can die with is potential. It's something to be realized, not guarded or protected." Marine Corps GnrySgt. Tricia Smith-Leavy told the Iraqi women. “So grasp your dreams and take appropriate risk, and the rewards will be greater than you can imagine.”
The youngest Iraqi trainee, Randa Mahmood, is 21 years old said she feels fortunate to be a part of the basic combat training. “I'm thankful for all the experiences, and I'm learning all things about life,” said Mahmood. The training lasted for about an hour, and the Iraqi women were able to ask questions of the American military women.
AF Capt. Kay Sipe, dep. chief of MNSTC-I’s ITAM Intel TT, served on the panel and gave the Iraqis her sense of American culture. In turn, the Iraqi women asked back about American culture. “What’s your favorite television show?” asked one. Another asked, “Were you sad when Michael Jackson died?” Sipe said that she loved how enthusiastic and curious the trainees were about American culture.
“It was an honor to participate in today's training with the female Iraqi soldiers,” Army Staff Sgt. Christina Simpson said. “Hopefully, they learned just as much from me as I did from them. Their eagerness to excel in the military is amazing, and I'm very proud to have shared my thoughts with them. They, too, should be very proud to be such pioneers in the IA. The trainees are scheduled to graduate from the Basic Combat Training Course Nov. 1.
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Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
KIRKUSH – The new IA continues to expand and professionalize its forces with 383 new lts starting the Infantry Officer Basic Course at the Kirkush Military Training Base, Oct. 4. This is the largest class to go through training in the IA.
The Infantry school cmdr, IA Staff Col. Mahamood, was the keynote speaker for the opening ceremony. He said that discipline would be the cornerstone of the class and that every officer would be held accountable for his actions. Mahamood challenged the students to do their best, to strive to be honor graduates, and to learn as much as possible so they can wisely lead their soldiers during times of peace and war.
The IOBC core curriculum covers all aspects of small unit leadership and warfighting at the platoon level. The course consists of classroom lectures utilizing power point slides and practical applications on live-fire courses and ranges. IOBC training also includes ethics/values, counter-insurgency ops, offensive and defensive ops, and a platoon/squad live fire maneuver course. The course will culminate with mounted combat patrol live fire exercises and traffic control points. Graduation for this course is expected around mid-Nov.
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