Dear Interested Reader,
Kapisa PRT visits Nejrab district to check on progress. Training empowers engrs in IED fight. TF Bayonet hosts Cmdrs Combined Action forum. "Kings of the Herd" calibrate artillery rounds, charges.
Iraq: Unlikely Wheaton College Army ROTC alumni reunion. Newest Iraqi mortarmen deliver lethal, close range firepower. Baghdad Bayji AQI attack-cells targeted. Security plan proving effective on election day.
Joanna
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Afghanistan Stories:
Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO
Kapisa PRT Visits Nejrab District to Check on Progress
The det., accompanied by U.S. Agency for Int'l Development members, often visits the Nejrab hospital to have meetings with Dr. Mustapha, the main doctor at the hospital, and check on how the different programs are advancing. For the local doctor, the first steps are to create a program to identify malnourished children. After that's complete, the next step would be to provide them with the "Strong Food," which is a paste made up of almonds, sugar, powdered milk, liquid vitamin supplements and vegetable oil that helps restore appetite and weight. The engrs of the PRT met with the contractors in charge of construction for the new Nejrab courthouse. The American team than went to the Nejrab market to do some shopping, and speak with the residents of the district. During their visit to the district the PRT handed out radios and stickers that help support OMID, TF La Fayette's radio station. Later that day, USAID members met the local responsible for "U.N HABITAT," a UN program for human settlements, M. Kushkaki. "We spoke about the evolution of the program, which started 3 months ago," said Jannie Kwok, the USAID rep with the PRT. "Progress is important because today it exists in separated classes for men and women. Those enrolled in the program are really happy to learn how to read and write; it's really a big change in their lives. The next step for educators is to encourage training in milk industry trades and in agriculture domain."
AF Capt. Darrick Lee, Kapisa PRT public affairs officer, distributes hand-crank radios and radio OMID stickers, during a visit to the Nejrab village in Kapisa prov., Feb. 16.
KAPISA PROVINCE – The PRTs are military units that focus on the development and reconstruction of their assigned prov. The Kapisa PRT is a U.S. military team inserted with French TF La Fayette, that enforces different development projects in the prov.. The PRT is composed of 80 people; among those 60 are experts in engineering, agriculture and foreign affairs, and 20 are American civilian specialists who work shoulder to shoulder with the Soldiers in different competency domains.
The det., accompanied by U.S. Agency for Int'l Development members, often visits the Nejrab hospital to have meetings with Dr. Mustapha, the main doctor at the hospital, and check on how the different programs are advancing. For the local doctor, the first steps are to create a program to identify malnourished children. After that's complete, the next step would be to provide them with the "Strong Food," which is a paste made up of almonds, sugar, powdered milk, liquid vitamin supplements and vegetable oil that helps restore appetite and weight. The engrs of the PRT met with the contractors in charge of construction for the new Nejrab courthouse. The American team than went to the Nejrab market to do some shopping, and speak with the residents of the district. During their visit to the district the PRT handed out radios and stickers that help support OMID, TF La Fayette's radio station. Later that day, USAID members met the local responsible for "U.N HABITAT," a UN program for human settlements, M. Kushkaki. "We spoke about the evolution of the program, which started 3 months ago," said Jannie Kwok, the USAID rep with the PRT. "Progress is important because today it exists in separated classes for men and women. Those enrolled in the program are really happy to learn how to read and write; it's really a big change in their lives. The next step for educators is to encourage training in milk industry trades and in agriculture domain."
AF Maj. Lori Adams, dep. cmdr of the Kapisa PRT, speaks with the director of the Nejrab village. The Kapisa PRT maintains a close relationship with the residents of the province to better understand the needs of the district.
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Blackanthem Military News
Training Empowers Engineers in IED Fight
By Spc. Jay Venturini, Combined Joint TF - 82 PAO
Staff Sgt. Daniel Walsh (left), and Staff Sgt. Adam Walsh, both combat engrs from Alpha Co, 173rd STB, recover a disabled Talon EOD Robot after a simulated IED detonation as part of Blow in Place-Theater Specific Training, Feb. 24. The course consisted of day and night scenarios to prepare the students for common EOD hazards.
"This training is as real as you can get without using real demolition," said Leighton. "The trainers have done this in the real world and make sure the students follow, because they know that this is life or death.""This training is all about getting Soldiers with a certain skill set, and training them up a little more, so they can become an asset and a combat multiplier on the roads," said Buckler.
Staff Sgt. Mark Taylor, combat engr with HHC 3rd Sust Bn, 3rd Bde, 101st Abn Div, prepares a Talon EOD Robot to investigate a simulated IED.
Staff Sgt. Mark Taylor, combat engr, controls a Talon EOD Robot through a video control panel.
A Talon EOD Robot investigates simulated unexploded ordnance.
CJTF 82 Public Affairs, Bagram Media Center
TF Bayonet Hosts Commanders’ Combined Action Forum
“As we work together, we’re able to help each other understand and plan for the future better,” said Brig. Gen. Razik. Reaching for the same goal while focusing on the future will keep the forces ready, said Razik.
In addition to preparation for the future, the forum attendees focused on specific developments toward security for both provs. “As we all know spring will soon come, and the enemy will also come. Before the enemy starts acting, we'll be there to stop them. We're ready for them,” said Razik.
“We must train together to prepare for the missions, and then we must rehearse together too,” said Johnson. “More importantly, we’ll come back after the mission and figure out what we can do better, so that the next time we're even more successful. Combined action is the all encompassing partnership between us and our coalition partners.” “Logar and Wardak are the 2 provs. of which General Razik and I am responsible for. They are very diverse. Within these 2 provs, you have different threats, under different conditions, in different districts, so there’s no one uniform action against a specific threat,” said Johnson. At the end of the combined action forum, a blueprint was made to respond to various threats. “One thing that is consistent is, we're focusing on the population, separating the Afghans from that threat, so that we can achieve the end state of improving their local communities, and giving them more capacity to live a better life,” said Johnson. “I think we've momentum moving forward, and I think the partnership is going to be the most vital piece to that.”-30-
CJTF 82 Public Affairs, Bagram Media Center
Battle Kings calibrate artillery rounds, charges
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Iraqi Stories:
Blackanthem Military News
Unlikely reunion in Iraq
By Capt. Rebecca Walsh
Wheaton College Army ROTC alumni, Capt. Paily Eapen, Capt. Timothy Erickson, Capt. Dustin Marlett, Capt. Brendan Bell, 1st Lt. Brett Latsha, and 1st Lt. Nathan Williams meet together on COB Speicher, Feb. 28. Not pictured, Maj. Luke Wilder.
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USF-I
Newest Iraqi Mortarmen deliver lethal, close range firepower
BESMAYA - More than 140 IA soldiers graduated from the 81 mm mortar course at Besmaya Combat Training Center, Feb. 25. The 4-week course trained soldiers in 3 separate and specialized groups: forward observers, fire direction center and mechanical, all of which are part of an indirect fire team.
During the course, the forward observers learned skills including map reading, how to call for and adjust indirect fire, and occupying an observation post. "The things I learned as a forward observer will help me protect my family and country", said IA Pvt. Abdullah. "I'm proud of graduating ... It's a good feeling."
"Before I came to the course, I knew nothing of mortars," said IA Pvt. Sabar. "Now I feel that I can lead my plt when I go back to my home station." The students put all of their new skills into action during their final training event, a full scale live fire exercise.
During the graduation ceremony, the top officer, soldier and plt were recognized for outstanding achievement. Pvt. Sabar was named the course honor graduate, and received a gift for his accomplishment. "It was a surprise that I didn't expect, but I'm definitely happy," he said.
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USF-I
March 6, 2010
ISF target Baghdad, Bayji AQI attack-cells, arrest 10
BAGHDAD - ISF arrested 10 suspected terrorists March 5, during 2 joint security ops conducted in central and northern Iraq, targeting AQI attack cells, prior to the country's March 7 elections.
In Bayji, located approx 102 km SW of Kirkuk, the 3rd ERU and U.S. advisors, in coordination with IP, searched several buildings for a suspected AQI member believed to have carried out multiple IED attacks within the region. Within one of the buildings, the security team discovered weapons, numerous rounds of ammo and IED-making materials such as rolls of copper wire. After conducting preliminary questioning and an initial examination of evidence at the scene, IP arrested 5 suspected criminal assocs of the warranted AQI member.
During a separate security op conducted in a rural area located approx 15 km SW of Baghdad, ISF and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected AQI explosives-cell member. The wanted individual has allegedly staged attacks in and around Baghdad in addition to having planned coordinated VBIED attacks against the Iraqi govt. Info and evidence gathered during the security op led ISF to arrest the wanted individual and 4 suspected criminal assocs.
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USD-C Press Release
Iraqi security plan proving effective
BAGHDAD (March 7, 2010) - ISF are ready for anything, say U.S. officials whose forces have partnered with the ISF for several months to advise and assist them in preparing for the March 7 national elections. So far, that partnership has proven successful.
Terrorists have initiated a number of small-scale explosions around Baghdad. All attempts so far have fallen short in deterring voter turnout. Iraqi citizens continue to move to the polls and cast their votes in this historic election in the Middle East.
Several explosions that have been felt around the city have destroyed only dilapidated cars and abandoned buildings. In Al Anbar, the ISF arrested attackers in 2 separate incidents before they could get to their intended targets.
As U.S. forces escort int'l observers near polling stations, the ISF is manning multiple layers of checkpoints leading in and out of the polling stations. U.S. forces are to provide security assistance and augment the ISF with bomb-sniffing dog teams, intel, surveillance and recon aircraft, and EOD teams when requested.
Voters endured more than 200 attacks the day prior to elections in 2005. If history is any indicator of Iraqi resolve, it is to cast a vote. Iraqis again showed their resilience 3 days ago when more than 600,000 participated in the special elections, despite 2 attacks in neighborhoods surrounding polling stations in Baghdad.
In one incident, an IA captain gave his life to stop an attacker wearing a vest strapped with explosives, who was attempting to go through a security checkpoint. Another suicide bomber was foiled after attempting unsuccessfully to board a bus at another checkpoint.
Iraqi and U.S. leaders attribute these foiled attempts and the improved security environment to ISF plans, and the extensive training IA soldiers and IP have received, with assistance from the U.S. military.
Feb. saw one of the fewest Iraqi casualties of any month in the last 3 years; January, the 2nd fewest. In fact, there have been fewer casualties in 3 of the last 4 months than at any time in the last 3 years - a 90% decrease in attacks since the peak of surge ops in June 2007.
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