“Info flow can be slow, and you could miss your opportunity to have an effect on the battlefield if something was to happen,” Harnisch said. “If we've the right info, we can act properly allowing us to provide a lot more than just close-air support.” The JTACs’ keen sense of situational awareness allows them to assist with intel gathering, and give input based on what they call patterns of life observations. These traits are invaluable to the cavalry scouts, who patrol the mountains bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan. Missions are conducted in spite of unpredictable weather and questionable terrain that could hobble ground evacuation. AF Maj. Gen. Scott Hammond, Georgia Air NG cmdr, will be visiting with Soldiers and Airmen in Afghanistan. During joint training exercises prior to the 48th’s departure he reiterated the need to speak the same language and work in concert.
“There should be no delineation as to uniform or branch of service,” Hammond said. “The primary focus is to make sure the 48th Bde is successful during this deployment, and we'll do everything we can to make sure that they're successful.”
“We wanted people to have the chance to mingle and eat,” said 1st Lt. Jace Walden, CAU EO. “We've an extremely high operational tempo here, so we don’t get a lot of down time. The holiday season can be lonely for soldiers, especially guys who have never experienced a holiday away from their families before. It was a good idea to get everyone together in a non-stressful environment. We wanted to pull back for a day or 2, enjoy each other’s company, and cut-up for a little bit.”
Each successive platoon performed their skits in an attempt to out-do the other. Some sang traditional carols with less-than-traditional lyrics; others created and performed skits. All the performances were good natured, and definitely intended to be funny. The highlight of the evening was a solo by Pfc. Jason Garrett, who played guitar and sang “Roll With Me”, by Montgomery Gentry. While the song is not a traditional holiday carol, it was a song that all could identify with. With Christmas over, this task saturated team will be back to their normal operational tempo, a little closer to one another, and one day closer to going home.Capt. Matthew Quiggle, cmdr of Alpha Troop, 8th Sqdrn, 1st Cav Regt, 5th Stryker BCT, returns to the Stryker after a recon of an area to the west of FOB Ramrod.
An interpreter questions local farmers after spotting a young Afghan boy digging.
Spc. Lucas Yonkman inspects a digging device next to a large hole along with an ANA service member.
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2009 – Afghan and ISAF detained several suspected militants, including a Taliban cmdr, military officials reported.
Meanwhile, a combined force captured a Taliban facilitator and several other suspected militants in Kandahar, Dec. 27.
Elsewhere, a combined force captured a Haqqani terrorist network suicide bomb facilitator and several other suspected militants Dec. 27 in Khowst. In Helmand, a combined force detained one suspected militant Dec. 27, while searching for a Taliban weapons facilitator. In Zabul Dec. 27, a combined force killed several militants, including a Taliban cmdr responsible for homemade bomb attacks. The force found machine guns, RPGs and a significant amount of bomb components. In Kandahar Dec. 27, a combined force captured a Taliban facilitator believed to be responsible for transporting weapons and illegal aid. -- ISAF members in southern Afghanistan detained nearly a dozen insurgents Dec. 24 for possible connection to the manufacturing of homemade bombs. Patrolling servicemembers in the south also found about 600 pounds of what is believed to be ammonium nitrate, a key ingredient of homemade explosives, as well as a Russian anti-tank mine. A local resident also led troops to a homemade bomb that had been placed under a bridge. -30-Iraqi Stories:
Multi-National Division Baghdad
Shadow Program Creates Experienced ISF
Lateef was part of the planning process, mission execution and after action review, which Burrow said is essential to junior officers' experience. He stated the best way for ISF junior leaders to become more efficient is to be hands on with ops. "Prior to going out, we discuss operational security, establishing 360 degree security perimeters, and targeting high value individuals," explained Burrow. During the patrol, Burrow and Lateef met with leaders of the Kurdish Specialized Presidential Guard, whose area of ops is in the vicinity of JSS Doura. Local leaders provided info on water points in the area, and advised the junior officers how to utilize those points for future joint ops. Spc. John Stricklin said most of his unit's missions are focused on improving the quality of life for the Iraqi people. "That's what we're here for, to help the populace establish a good infrastructure," said Stricklin. Burrow said his ISF counterpart gained leadership experience and established rapport with local military leaders. He also stated that the experience goes both ways. "I've learned a lot from the Iraqis, and I hope they've learned a lot from me," Burrow said.
Spc. Jose Perez (front), an infantryman assigned to Company A, 252nd CAB, patrols the E. Rashid district.
Multi-National Division-South
Transition to USF-I Marks Significant Step
United States Forces - Iraq PAO
IqAF recruits build a human pyramid during their graduation ceremony from the basic military training Top Off course at the IqAF Training School on Camp Taji, Dec. 28.
CAMP TAJI -- In the U.S. Armed Forces, Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors have a parade at the completion of basic military training to celebrate their achievements. More than 330 IqAF recruits, the largest graduating class since 2007, marched in a parade before even completing a single day of the initial BMT course, Dec. 28.
Recruits normally attend a 12-week BMT course at the IA Regional Training Center prior to reporting to the AF training school on Camp Taji for the BMT Top Off course. However, the RTC will not have the capacity to house the recruits until January 2010. Instead of sending the recruits home, Master Sgt. Paula Gaffney, a BMT instructor and AF advisor, suggested they have the BMT Top Off course first, said Maj. Bill Holl, the 821st Expeditionary Training Sqdrn Chief of Professional Military Training.
Since the trainees remained at Camp Taji, they received additional training they wouldn’t normally get at the BMT Top Off course. This gives them an edge over their comrades when BMT begins. “Over a period of 3 weeks, the BMT Top Off course teaches recruits what kind of AF benefits they will receive, rank structure and leadership,” said Holl. “Since the recruits were brand-new, the staff incorporated discipline, marching and drill during the morning and academics in the afternoon.”
“Due to money restraints, basic military training was suspended for nearly a year,” said Holl. This graduation is very significant for several reasons, he said. “Other than being the largest class to graduate, it’s the first time the Iraqis were trained solely by Iraqis with very little U.S. involvement.”
With the drawdown of troops, part of the U.S. mission is to help the Iraqi schoolhouse build a self- sufficient, self-enduring technical training course. This will allow Iraq to build its own military, trained by Iraqis, without the need of CF. “The instructors are completely certified,” Holl said. “As far as basic training goes, the Iraqis have an outstanding group of instructors.
“We're very proud to see one of the first groups to build our new IqAF,” said Lt. Col. Muhaimeed, the IqAF Training Sqdrn BMT dir. “We want our AF to be built on the modern sands of Iraq.”
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MNF-I
Spc. Casey Ferguson, a gunner with the Colorado Army NG, explains loading and unloading procedures of the M240B machine gun to an Anbar PRT linguist during a safety stand-down on Camp Ramadi, Dec. 11.
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MNF-I
Steady Squeeze
Army Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Reese helps train an Iraqi border guard in basic pistol drills at the west gate of the Muntheria Port of Entry, along the Iraq-Iran border in Diyala, Dec. 15. (Army photo by Spc. Anderson Savoy)