Dear Interested Reader,
What it takes to be an NCO in the Marine Corps. Combat Air Lift delivering critical supplies. Combined action in the Khost-Gardez Pass. It's cold outside at FOB Lightning.
Iraq: Military support adds valuable assistance to ISF security successes. ISF and Iraqi SOF arrrest suspected terrorists in security ops. Alleged cell leader arrested in Kirkuk, while alleged VBIED cell member detained in Ninawa prov.
Joanna
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Afghanistan Stories:
CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
What it Takes to be an NCO in the Marine Corps
Army Spc. Robert Dean (center), a wheeled mechanic with HSC, TF Workhorse, runs the 2-mile event of the Army’s physical fitness test along with Marine counterparts, during the Marine Corps Corporal’s Course at camp McCool, Feb. 10. Dean was one of 3 Soldiers who participated in the Marines course.
BAGRAM AIRFIELD – Army Specialists Robert Dean; Spc. Ritchie Lopez, an aviation ops specialist with HSC, TF Observe, Detect, Identify, Neutralize-Afghanistan; and Pfc. Lawrence Johnson, an intel analyst with Co D, TF ODIN-A, 3rd CAB, TF Falcon, took part in the 16-day course, which is the preliminary introduction to what it takes to be an NCO in the Marine Corps.The course, comparable to the Army’s Warrior Leader Course for NCOs, taught in various areas such as warfighting, decision making, and critical thinking in a classroom and outdoor environment. This was a rare opportunity for the 3 Soldiers, who welcomed the challenge no matter the differences. “The Marines have a different mentality,” said Dean. “We seem to put our military occupational specialties first, but the Marines train to be riflemen first.”
“We're going to push them hard,” said Marine Sgt. Christopher Ostrander, the lead instructor for the Marine Corps Corporal’s Course at Bagram. “We're going to push them so that their subordinates never can. It’s going to be tough. We're not here to break anybody, but we're here to make better leaders.”
Ostrander has served for 7 years in the Marines and was instructing the 2nd cycle of the course. He said that to be disciplined, fair and have passion, motivates him and the students. This same mentality also helps level everyone in the classroom, to be on the same playing field. Despite the different uniform worn, the Soldiers were not treated any differently than the Marines. “They'll all be one team,” said Ostrander. “If one of them fails, they all fail together. “ The Soldiers were especially motivated during the run portion of the physical fitness test, as they lead the pack. “We drove alongside the group as they ran, yelling out the window ‘HOOAH! Rangers lead the way,’” said Ostrander in praise of the Soldiers. However, the Soldiers were in for a surprise during the combat conditioning portion of the class, nicknamed ‘Hell on Earth’. During ’Hell on Earth,’ the students ran through a gauntlet of mud, sweat, and big tires, as they suffered a haze of circuit drills, Marine Corps style. “The combat conditioning was by far the hardest part of the course,” said Lopez. “It was ‘boots and uts’ (short for utilities, or Army Combat Uniforms) every other day. We’d run a mile out on the field, perform extensive physical exercises for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, and just when you thought we were done - we’d go again, then have to run a mile back”. Marine Sgt. Bobby Malicoat, an instructor of the Marine Corps Corporal’s Course, ran the circuit side-by-side with his Marines and Soldiers. “I was excited when I found out we had Soldiers coming through,” said Mailcoat. “They didn’t quit, and the Marines were trying harder, because they didn’t want to look bad.” But amidst the taunts of “you ain’t gonna get faster by runnin’ slower” and “don’t you break my sand bags!” the class of 3 Soldiers and 13 Marines literally carried each other through 2 hours of pain and exhaustion. When the ’Hell on Earth‘ ended, the students showed their pride and motivation by rocking the north end of Bagram with their thundering cadence.Both Lopez and Johnson agreed that the most valuable lesson learned from this experience was to lead by example. “I’ve gained a lot of tools and a new way of thinking,” said Dean. “It made me realize it’s time to step up, because now I have a foundation to build my own leadership style.”
Johnson said he intends to incorporate the lessons learned at the course, at work and on the PT field. Sergeant Malicoat is the greatest NCO I’ve ever met,” said Johnson. “He was with us every step of the way, sometimes doing what we did times 4. I want to be seen as that type of leader.” Another take away from the course was the added camaraderie. “You can see all the pictures and hear all the stories I have to tell, but until you go through all that we did with those Marines, you’ll never know what it feels like,” said Lopez. “We were all proud of each other and all we accomplished together,” said Johnson. “It humbled me a little bit. The course opened my eyes on how Marines interact.”
Pfc. Lawrence Johnson performs tire flips as part of the “Hell on Earth” combat physical fitness portion.
Spc. Ritchie Lopez attempts an arm bar on instructor Marine Sgt. Bobby Malicoat.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Combat Air Lift Delivering Critical Supplies
Servicemembers, from Focused Targeting Force, 101st Abn Div, FOB Salerno, perform an air assault on an objective, from the bowels of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Feb. 24. Chinook helicopters are one of the primary air platforms for moving troops and supplies throughout Afghanistan.
KHOST PROVINCE – ISAF Soldiers used specialized equipment, CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, for troop mobilization and delivering critical supplies, throughout the sprawling eastern mountain ranges of Afghanistan, March 3."The CH-47 is the primary means of transport here in the Afghanistan area of ops", said Army Chief Warrant Officer Lance Brennan, CH-47 pilot, B Co, 1st Bn, 169th Aviation Regt. "We support the ISAF mission in Afghanistan by moving ground units directly into the fight."
"Part of my flying duties are to help the troops on the ground by providing air security and overwatch during their missions", said Spc. Wayne Bertino, a UH-60 Blackhawk crew chief, A Co., 4-3 CAB.
Sgt. 1st Class James Lee, an aerial gunner, Bravo Co, 1-169 Aviation Regt, provides aerial security from the rear door of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Feb. 24.
A CH-47 Chinook and an AH-64 Apache helicopters fly in formation during combat resupply ops, Feb. 24.
ANA Soldiers travel in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, from Bravo Co, 1-169 Aviation Reg., TF Viper, during troop changeover, Spera COP, Feb. 24.
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CJTF 82 Public Affairs, Bagram Media Center
Combined Action in the Khost-Gardez Pass
By Army Spc. Daniel Haun
“If we coordinate every time, then we'll not have problems anymore. It's important to make a close relationship,” said Shouja. “The people of Baraki Barak are going to get the benefits of this conference, because these guys are here to discuss our projects, to improve every district in the Logar prov.,” said Mohammad Amin, the sub-district gov for Baraki Barak. “The result of this conference is going to be positive in this area. The message of these projects is basically that the govt is here to help the people,” he continued. “The people need to understand that.” Not only are these reconstruction projects a means of empowerment, but also governmental lucidity, said Spees. “We’re able to create transparency; we’re getting the govt to actually communicate more with its people,” said Spees. The dialogue initiated by these meetings will hopefully create grassroots movements of project development conceived by the people themselves, said Spees. “We want the people to come up with their own projects, their own ideas, and then we want them to bring those projects to the govt. They bring them to the district level, which has reps from all the different villages. Then at the district level we want them to prioritize these projects,” said Spees. Shouja shared the same sentiment. “I'm looking to the people’s needs. I'm looking to the people’s favorite projects, and then I’m prioritizing those projects. I'm doing my work according to the people’s wishes, according to the people’s needs; that’s my job,” said Shouja. “I want to have the people of Logar prov. able to work and to have food or subsistence for their families, because if they are jobless, the enemy is using them, and they're joining the enemy’s ranks. I would like to have some long term projects to give them some jobs,” said Shouja. These projects are not only a means of job creation, but also ensure the security of the people, said Amin. “The people are going to find work. They're not going to be jobless. The economy of the people is going to get better day-by-day, and also the security is going to improve by those projects,” said Amin.
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CJTF 82 Public Affairs, Bagram Media Center
It’s cold outside at FOB Lightning
Sgt. Crista Tucker and Spc. Brandon Demark warm themselves by a stove in their guard shack, while on guard duty.
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Iraqi Stories:
USF-I
Military support adds valuable assistance to ISF security successes
BAGHDAD - ISF with assistance from U.S. Forces are providing voters a safe environment in which to cast a vote toward the future of Iraq. Although few requests have come across U.S. military desks for support, the requests that have come in demonstrate the ISF's resolve to quickly analyze where they need help, and willingness to ask for it, say U.S. officials - a sign of the strong partnership both countries have developed and nurtured over the years.
Requests include assistance with EOD teams, crime scene forensics, military working dog teams, intel, surveillance and recon, as well as command and control coordination.
Colonel Mark Calvert, chief of staff, U.S. Div-Center, said the command and control partnership in particular is as close as it can be at the command centers.
"Throughout the various different levels of ISF command, we are partnered side-by-side to ensure we share info and support their requests during these historic elections," said Calvert. "Because of our partnerships at the command centers, we were able to quickly divert our air weapons teams to support ISF ops on the ground."
That support has also come in the form of escort duties. U.S. forces were tasked to transport UN Assistance Mission for Iraq and U.S. embassy observers near polling stations, to ensure the legitimacy and credibility of the March 7 elections.
In Anbar prov., 1st Bde, 82nd Abn Div (Advise and Assist) paratroopers assisted the ISF by combining their command and control of forces operating throughout the prov. They've been openly exchanging military intel and helping the ISF track significant activities.
Col. Mark Stammer, cmdr of 1/82 AAB, says this relationship "by, with, and through the Iraqis" has enabled partnered security elements on the ground, to protect Anbari citizens as they cast their votes in the national election. "The ISF have conducted countless hours of training and combined ops, allowing them to derail the enemy's efforts to disrupt this electoral process," said Stammer.
"These elections are far too important for the Iraqi people to allow the influence of the criminals from casting their votes of fear and intimidation," said staff Lt. Gen. Al-Mufriji, comm. gen. of the Anbar Ops Command.
In western Baghdad, Col. John Norris, cmdr of 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID, traveled around Baghdad March 7, talking to several sheiks. The sheiks told him they were very impressed with the amount of voter turnout at the polling sites. "The election today, as demonstrated by the high voter turnout, was years in the making, and validated the time and effort invested by the U.S.," said Norris. "Today was personally rewarding, having witnessed years of growth, change, and progress."
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USF-I
ISF arrest suspected terrorists in security op
BAGHDAD - IP arrested 3 suspected terrorists March 7, during a joint security op conducted in northern Iraq, targeting a suspected leader of a terrorist group believed to be assisting AQI in planning and carrying out attacks.
IP from the 3rd ERU and U.S. advisors searched a building in a rural area, located approx. 76km SE of Kirkuk for the warranted terrorist leader. Info and evidence gathered during the op led IP to arrest 3 suspected criminal associates of the warranted individual.
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United States Forces - Iraq
Iraqi SOF Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists in Tarmiyah
BAGHDAD - An element of the Iraqi SOF, along with U.S. forces advisors, arrested 2 suspected terrorists in Tarmiyah, March 6. The elite Iraqi military unit was operating under the authority of warrants issued by the Central Investigative Court of Al Karkh.
Intel reports indicate that the suspects are responsible for providing other terrorist cells with IEDs, rockets and suicide vests, as well as for assassinations in the Tarmiyah and Taji areas. One of the suspects is allegedly a member of a weapon facilitation and assassination cell.
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United States Forces - Iraq
Alleged JRTN financier detained in Kirkuk
TIKRIT - Acting on a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, ISF, with U.S. advisors, arrested a suspected Jaysh Rijal Tariq al Naqshabandi cell leader in Kirkuk, March 5. ISF suspect the individual is a key financier and facilitator in the Kirkuk area and the villages of Barwana and Daquq. SF believe the individual obtains funding from outside of the country, and then smuggles the funds into Iraq to sustain terrorist ops.
The suspect is also accused of smuggling weapons into the area from Baghdad.
Intel reports indicate the individual is connected to AQI and ISI cells responsible for VBIED attacks.
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United States Forces - Iraq
Alleged VBIED cell member detained
TIKRIT - ISF, with U.S. advisors, arrested a suspected ISI cell leader in Arii village, Ninawa prov., March 5. The individual is suspected to be a member of a cell responsible for VBIED attacks on Iraqi citizens throughout Ninawa prov. Intel indicates the cell was targeting the Iraqi national elections.
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