Spc. Jose Lopez, (right) irrigation specialist, holds a calf tight while a local Afghan administers vaccines and vitamins.
"These classes will increase the experience and readiness of the Co. for better executing the missions of the ANA," said Capt. Nasiry, an ANA cmdr. The training included demining, recognizing underground mines, discovering and neutralizing mines, and basic skills like radio operation and handling of M16 rifles.
His reward for this feat, perhaps saving lives if not in a training environment, is not a bone or even a Scooby-snack. It's his favorite ball. He loves to fetch the ball with Derrero. While this is only training for the German shepherd, similar scenarios do happen while on patrols, and Bartek has saved untold lives by finding IEDs. To do this, Bartek trains with his handler at least twice a week to make sure he is ready when the situation does occur. "When I first got him, he wouldn't listen at all. I would tell him to sit and he would just stare at me," said Derrero, a native of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic. "Now if I tell him to sit, he won't move until I tell him he can get up."After training is complete, the 2 spend the rest of the day playing until exhausted from all the fun. For Derrero, the saying that a dog is a man's best friend has never been more real. "I love him with all my heart, and I know he feels the same for me," said Derrero. "I wouldn't have things any other way."
WASHINGTON – Combined ISAF and Afghan forces conducted multiple ops in southern and eastern Afghanistan Dec. 22, killing and capturing numerous insurgents, military officials reported.
In Zhari, as the SECFOR moved toward a compound, several militants left the area. Later, the SECFOR killed several militants after receiving hostile fire, and detained 2 others.
In Wardak province Dec. 22, a combined force detained several suspected militants, including a Taliban leader. The combined force moved to the Sayyidabad district after intel sources suspected militant activity in a compound there. After searching the compound, the force detained several suspects, including the targeted man. In Khost prov., a combined force detained a group of suspected militants, while searching for a Haqqani terrorist network cmdr. The force closed in on a rural area of the Sabari district after intel indicated militant activity in a compound. The militants were detained following an extensive search. In a combined op last night, an Afghan-ISAF killed several militants and detained another in Ghazni prov. The force went to a series of compounds in the Andar district after intel sources confirmed militant activities there. The SECFOR killed several armed enemy fighters who resisted. Several weapons were found, including assault rifles, grenades, 40 mm rounds and an anti-personnel mine. Numerous weapons were found Dec. 22. Afghan civilians in Paktika prov. led ANP to a 107 mm rocket that the police then diffused. In Ghazni prov., CF found a 107 mm rocket that Polish engrs helped to destroy. In Helmand prov., a combined force found a cache of bomb-making materials that contained 6 60 mm mortar rounds and other components. In Herat prov., CF found unexploded ordnance in 2 locations, including a 107 mm rocket, 3 82 mm mortars, an 81 mm mortar, and a hand grenade.-30-
(Photo by 2nd Lt. Natassia Cherne)
An ANP officer helps Nuristan PRT SECFOR members secure the Sunderwa village in Nuristan prov. during a key leader engagement, Dec. 16. The Nuristan PRT visits local villages to gather info in order to help rebuild and improve the community and economy.
-30-Tinsel and snowflakes aside, warming the hearts of the Soldiers are the care packages sent from all over the U.S. The packages are sometimes sent by loved ones, but are often sent by strangers, including orgs such as Op Gratitude, the American Legion, and other schools and groups.
"It's amazing to me still after 7 years the amount of prayer and love that is extended to us," Capt. Amy Noble, the bn's chaplain, said of the gifts. "I'm sure everyone will gain 5 lbs. of love this holiday season," she said, jesting at the table of cookies in the Tactical Ops Center.
And though the Soldiers won't be gathering around a twinkling tree on Christmas morning with family, the mail is abundant with holiday cards from home, noted Pfc. Phillip Makowski, an info system specialist and mail clerk. "Never lose the child-like wonder of Christmas," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Teri Watkins, a bn Logistics Civil Augmentation Program officer.
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Blackanthem Military News
By Spc. Shantelle Campbell
One such threat, IEDs – whether on bridges they pass under or from the shoreline they patrol – are now a little less threatening, thanks to new anti-IED devices installed on their boats by members of Joint CREW. The thorough testing of the systems took several hours, but revealed that the system's functionality on the boats was even more robust than had been expected.
"I definitely think the fact that we had the ECM crews come down from Baghdad and actually do live testing, having those guys actually come out and show us all the different tests they can do, definitely inspires much more confidence," said Lt. j.g. Mike Diehl, comm. officer of Yorktown, Va.-based Det-1, RIVRON-3.
The simplicity the system allows for crewmen is also a plus, Diehl said. "It's an easy to use system; it's much more transportable than something like the man-packs," he said. "It's more versatile."
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Blackanthem Military News
By Army Sgt. Brandon Pomrenke
For some, the help does not stop with education and sports, but continues as other aspects of life. "The center takes care of people," said Zuhair. "For example, we had a guy who started at the youth center when he was 3. When he was older and wanted to marry, we helped support them. Everything is good for the Iraqi people in this area."The mission of the Mujamma Youth Center is often furthered with aid from outsiders as well. "We even receive support from kids in America with toys," Hasim said. "So when school starts here, we give them to our students."