PRT Ghazni forging friendships. Air strike hits stronghold in Konar. Incentives show promise for Afghan forces. Forces team up to rebuild Saracha Bridge.
Iraq: Selfless service saves lives. After nearly 20 years 5 Soldiers reunite at JBB. Joint forces secure coastal border. Terrorists arrested in multiple ops.
Joanna
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Afghanistan Stories:
Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO
PRT Ghazni: Forging Friendships With Local Afghans Photo by Master Sgt. Sarah Webb
Army Sgt. Brian Dalka, SECFOR member with Ghazni PRT, gives candy to a local boy from a "returnee" village outside of Ghazni City, Dec. 3. The people of this village were originally from the Dichondi prov., but fled during the 90's after civil war and drought plagued the area.
Army Spc. Pavol Palansky, SECFOR member assigned to Ghazni PRT, patrols the area.
Michael Torreno, Ghazni Field program officer for U.S. Agency for Int'l Development, assigned to Ghazni PRT, inspects the completion of a project. The building was constructed with the help of a grant from USAID. It is used by the 750 villagers as a community center.
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Blackanthem Military News
Air Strike Hits Stronghold in Konar
By ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
KABUL - An ISAF conducted an air strike today and destroyed a known Taliban stronghold consisting of bunkers and prepared defensive positions in Konar prov.
The SECFOR targeted the stronghold near the village of Tsangar Darah in the mountainous Watapur district, after intel sources indicated militant activity.
In other ops Dec. 7, an Afghan-ISAF in Khowst prov. detained a Haqqani IED cell leader and several other militants, after searching a compound. The IED cell leader is responsible for constructing and emplacing IEDs and for several attacks.
The joint SECFOR targeted a compound near the village of Kuzah Kala in the Terayzai district, where intel sources reported the cell leader to be located. The joint force searched the compound without incident and detained several militants, including the cell leader. The force also recovered a number of AK-47 rifles, hand grenades and bomb-making materials.
In another op, an Afghan-ISAF killed several enemy militants and wounded another in northern Paktika prov., while pursuing a Taliban cmdr. The militant cmdr is responsible for weapons facilitation, kidnapping Afghan citizens and planning several suicide bomb and IED attacks.
The joint SECFOR targeted a compound near the village of Tawdobay Kalay in the Sar Hawza district, where intel reported militant activity. During the op, the joint force received hostile fire and returned fire. A security element of the force searched the enemy fighting position and recovered several AK-47 rifles and chest racks loaded with AK-47 mags.
Another Afghan-ISAF detained a few suspected militants in Zabul prov., while pursuing a Taliban cmdr responsible for several small arms and IED attacks.
The joint SECFOR targeted a compound near the village of Nowkhiz in the Qalat district after intel sources reported militant activity. The joint force searched the compound without incident and detained the militants.
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American Forces Press Service
Incentives Show Promise for Afghan ForcesBy Donna Miles
KABUL – Better pay for ANSF and a govt-led emphasis on national service appear to be paying off in stronger recruiting, the cmdr responsible for recruiting and training them told reporters Dec. 7.
Army Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, who heads up Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan, cited signs of promise since the Afghan govt announced major changes in its pay system in late Nov. Pay raises have been instituted to better compensate Afghan soldiers throughout the rank structure, Caldwell said, expressing hope that they’ll encourage the retention critical to developing leaders. Caldwell noted similar pay increases to bring ANP salaries on par with those of their Afghan army counterparts.
The new pay structure comes as welcome news, he said, as U.S. and NATO trainers work to build professional, capable ANSF. Defense Secretary Robert Gates calls this effort key to turning the security lead over to the Afghans – a critical step toward the drawdown of int'l troops here. Yet Gates told reporters during the flight here that he was surprised to learn during last week’s congressional hearings that the Taliban had been paying more than the ANA, and particularly the ANP.
Recruiting trends since the pay-structure changes point to signs of promise. During the first 7 days of December, 2,659 recruits joined the Afghan army – halfway toward the month’s 5,253-recruit objective, Caldwell said.
In January, U.S. and ISAF trainers will begin a literacy program for ANSF that Caldwell said expects to be another incentive to recruiting, as well as retention. These efforts will be an important step toward the goal of 287,000 ANSF by July 2011, he said. “Putting more SECFOR out there, is not, in itself, a sufficient answer,” he said. “It's essential; it sets the conditions, but judicial reform has to start taking place. The people will have to have confidence that this govt is going to resolve disputes and that they have a place to go and arbitrate things. They have to feel things are fair and equitable out there. There're going to have to be some basic services provided out there that aren’t present today. “So there are other things that are going to have to take hold, and those are going to take time, too,” he continued. “So it is a team effort, with all of us – the int'l community, the DoD and all the elements of the U.S. govt, working collaboratively together.”
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Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO
Local Government, ISAF Team Up to Rebuild Saracha Bridge ISAF service members assemble the new Saracha Bridge, in Nangahar prov., Dec. 7. The downing of the bridge, due to flash flooding in late Aug., immediately cut off all traffic from Torkham Gate to Jalalabad. The Afghan govt, ANA soldiers, ANP, and ISAF continue to work together to complete the bridge by the end of Dec.
NANGARHAR PROVINCE – In Sept., a complete reconstruction of the bridge began to restore the traffic flow through the area. Service members from the 1613th Engr Co conducted the necessary demolition of the destroyed bridge and emplaced concrete footers and piers for support.
The 502nd Multi-Role Bridge Co placed towers and constructed a Mabey-Johnson Bridge, a temporary military bridge that snaps together, and launched it across the 142 meter gap.
TF Mtn Warrior service members synchronized and coordinated all assets and provided round-the-clock security and engr escorts. ANA soldiers and ANP provided on-site traffic control and security.
Rebuilding the Saracha Bridge presented an opportunity for ISAF, and local Afghan govt agencies to come together and solve a problem, said Army Maj. Gerald Law, an engr for TF Mtn Warrior and 4th BCT, 4th ID. “Everyone came through and did a great job,” he added.
The Saracha Bridge stands partially built, Dec. 7.
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Iraqi Stories:
Blackanthem Military News
Selfless Service Saves Lives
By Spc. Shantelle J. Campbell
The medical staff at the 47th Combat Support Hospital on COB Speicher work on 7 wounded Iraqis following an explosion in downtown Tikrit, Dec. 3, which also killed a prominent Iraqi officer and 3 Iraqi Soldiers, that were part of his personal security det. (Army photos by Staff Sgt. Shawn Short)
TIKRIT - Former Soldier and author, William Arthur Ward once said that, "Every person has the power to make others happy." He said that "Some leave trails of cynicism and pessimism; others, trails of faith and optimism. Some leave trails of criticism and resignation; others, trails of gratitude and hope." Then he asked, "What kind of trails do you leave?"
The trails created in Iraq have led to a change that has fostered a long lasting partnership and friendship between the Iraqi and American military forces. Five Soldiers of HHB, 2nd Bn, 32nd FAR, 4th IBCT, 1st ID out of Fort Riley, Kan., chose the trail they would leave behind as their selfless service helped save the lives of their Iraqi counterparts, who they also consider close friends.
On the evening of Dec. 3, a bomb exploded in the city of Tikrit, killing Iraqi Lt. Col. Ahmed Fahal, cmdr of the riot dispersion unit in the area, and 3 members of his security det. Several others were wounded in the explosion. Seven of the wounded Iraqis were taken to the 47th Combat Support Hospital on COB Speicher. As doctors fought feverishly to save their patients, another threat faced them; the blood supply in the hospital began to run low, and that's when the 2-32 FAR Soldiers reacted.
"When we heard that it was our Iraqi personal security det. counterparts," said Pvt. 1st Class Christian Vasquez, a field artillery meteorological crew member, "we just decided to jump and volunteer because they're our guys. They've always had our backs when we were out there."
Pvt. 1st Class Philip Gertzel a supply specialist, said that even though he didn't personally know the Iraqi PSD personnel who were injured, he still wanted to help.
"Blood isn't typed on who hates who or who likes who," he said. "It's only based on blood. So, my blood is as good as anybody else's, so I said use mine."
The selflessness and urgency to help someone is something that these 5 young "Proud Americans" say just came naturally. For Pvt. 1st Class Gerald Paige, a cannon crew member, the incident wasn't something that changed him, but says it did "redefine" who he is as a person. "I'm the same person, because I would have done it before, but seeing some of my friends get hurt - something just took over," he said.
"When you actually see firsthand what some people will do to others," said Spc. Ross L. Sedgwick, a signal support systems specialist, "it will change your opinions on what you will do to make a difference - completely.
"I just hope that people realize that it doesn't take years to know who someone is, because I consider everyone that I've met my friends and some my family," said Pvt. 1st Class Gertzel. "These people never leave my thoughts, and I hope that it makes an impact on this country. I didn't even know the Iraqi PSD personally, but I still went out to help, because I knew one person could make a difference, but a thousand people can make a change."
Doctors and medics at the 47th Combat Support Hospital work feverishly on one Iraqi patient.
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Blackanthem Military News
After Nearly 20 years, Soldiers Reunite at JBB
By Sgt. John Stimac
From left to right: Sgt.1st Class Brian Johnson, Sgt. Maj. Gene Canada, Lt. Col. Lew Cureton, Command Sgt. Major Kenneth Tincknell, and retired Master Sgt. Wayne Tadlock stand for a picture at the Desert Inn dining facility Dec. 3 at Joint Base Balad. The 5 men served together roughly 20 years ago at Camp Dahn, Germany, and are now all deployed here.
JOINT BASE BALAD - Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Tincknell, the senior enlisted adviser with the 80th Ordnance Bn, said they were all stationed together at Camp Dahn in 1991. "We were part of the 20th Ordnance Co," he said. "I was a specialist then and we did a lot of work during the height of the Gulf War, primarily closing down some ammo sites in Germany. "Today's the first day all 5 of us will be together. This brings back a lot of fond memories, and I haven't seen some of them since 1992."
Lt. Col. Lew Cureton, munitions support ops officer in charge with the 13th ESC said, "I absolutely knew these guys would go far in the Army. They're the best Soldiers I've ever seen. The company we were in had the most sense of family cohesion that I've been a part of," he said. "It was like seeing brothers again, after a long time."
Sgt. Maj. Gene Canada, logistics sgt maj with the 13th ESC said he was also excited to see everyone and praised their career progressions. "It's a testament to some good past leaders," said Canada. "Our continued service is for the love of the military."
Sgt. 1st Class Brian Johnson, Canada's roommate from Camp Dahn and the core storage area NCO-in-charge with the 80th Ord. Bn., said the 2 roomed together for roughly a year. "This really brings back good memories," he said. "We all used to load ammo together at Camp Dahn, and now some of us work in the same area again after all these years."
The experience has been one of the best in his life, said Cureton. "I plan on retiring when I get back to the states, so it's fitting that they were with me for my first duty station, and now we're all here again for my last," he said.
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Special to American Forces Press Service
U.S. Soldiers, Iraqi Sailors Secure ShoresBy Army Spc. Samuel Soza
Iraqi Gen. Shehab discusses training options, such as close-quarters combat and detainee ops, offered by the U.S. Army border Transition Team (BTT), Dec. 3, 2009. Shehab and other leaders of the Iraqi coastal border guard work with the BTT to train Iraqi troops in maintaining security of Iraq’s border with Iran.
FAW – ISF are constantly stepping up their role in the protection of Iraq, from the heart of the country out to the borders, where the Iraqi coast border guard can be found at work with U.S. Army BTTs.
“Our primary mission is to coach, teach and mentor Iraqis as we get ready to transition out of Iraq, and let them take complete control over their own security,” said Army Capt. Matt Hagerman, chief of the BTT that works with the 17th Fires Bde.
During a recent trip to the coast border guard HQ, Hagerman and a team of soldiers brought an assortment of training subjects to Gen. Shehab, a key leader in the Iraqi force. Together, they created a curriculum, meant to be taught in the hours between patrols, that will supplement longer courses taught by the U.S. Navy’s Riverine Sqdrn 3 that focus on water ops.
Other classes the BTTs teach include radio and communication ops, targeting and close-quarters combat. “We’re there now to help them improve as an org, like you would for any friend and any ally,” Hagerman said. “The language barrier is actually not that difficult for us,” Hagerman explained. “The coastal border guard leadership is an extremely well-educated, intelligent, and dedicated group of Iraqis,” he said, “many of whom speak English and other languages, such as Chinese and Russian.”
More independent ops will come as the 2 forces work together to protect the borders of Iraq, Hagerman said. “The partnership is absolutely critical,” he said. “Not only does it help the long-term security of Iraq, but it also fosters cooperation and understanding between our 2 countries.”
Army Capt. Matt Hagerman, left, and Iraqi Gen. Shehab discuss the creation of a border security training curriculum, Dec. 3, 2009.
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American Forces Press Service
Iraqis Arrest 7 in Multiple OperationsWASHINGTON – ISF arrested 7 terrorism suspects in multiple ops in Iraq Dec. 11, military officials reported.
In Baqubah, NE of Baghdad, IP and U.S. advisors searched 2 buildings for a suspected AQI leader in the Tarmiyah area. Police identified and arrested the suspect, who allegedly assists in acquiring suicide vests and coordinating suicide attacks in the region. A suspected associate also was arrested without incident.
In southern Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for an alleged leader of an AQI bombing cell operating in the Rusafa-Karkh area. He also is suspected of executing Iraqi civilians and staging deadly attacks against SECFOR in the region. Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi forces to identify and arrest him, along with 2 suspected criminal accomplices.
In an op near Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected AQI member who leads communications and logistics efforts for the terrorist group within the Anbar area.
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