Dear Interested Reader,
Op Back to School in Logar prov. Mortarmen bring 81s to the fight, with permission. Chairman Mullen meets with Kandahar leaders, and hears from Afghans/Marines in Marjah. Combined forces kill, detain militants.
Iraq: 504th reenlistment in the 504th PIR. Gen. Ann Dunwoody, 1st female 4-star gen. visits at Camp Liberty. Kurdish citizens celebrate the New Year.
Joanna
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Afghanistan Stories:
Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan
Operation Back to School in Logar Province(Photos by Spc. Deyonte Mosley)
FOB SHANK - Army Sgt. 1st Class Kiernan from BSB attached to the 173rd ABCT gives the students cricket uniforms at Karsai high school, as part of Op Back to School humanitarian assistance, Pole-Elam district, Logar Province.
An Afghan local national teacher gives his students a class on arithmetic, March 22, Karsai High School.
Soldiers prepare to give the students of Karsai high school new school supplies and athletic gear, in support of Op Back to School.
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DVIDS
Mortarmen Bring 81s to the Fight
By Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegard
Lance Cpl. Daniel Careaga (left), Cpl. David Wood (center), the fire direction center chief,all mortarmen with 1st Section, 81-mm Mortars Plt, attached to India Co, 3rd Bn, 6th Marine Regt, ready a mortar round after receiving enemy small-arms fire at India Co's operating base in Marjah, Helmand prov., March 21. The mortarmen prepared their guns during a brief firefight that lasted several minutes. The 3/6 Marines and soldiers from the ANA are in Marjah to support Op Moshtarak, a push to rid the area of Taliban presence and intimidation.
MARJAH – The Marines and Soldiers were going about their daily business, setting up their new co operating base in Marjah. There wasn't much going on at the time. Without warning, the dull afternoon was interrupted by gunshots. Insurgents in the area were attacking the troops with small-arms fire.While Marines from India Co, 3rd Bn, 6th Marine Regt, and soldiers from the ANA shot back, mortarmen dashed to their pits to prepare their mortars for fire. "We got on the mortar guns and direct-laid on the enemy's muzzle flashes," said Sgt. Dennis Leanes, the first section leader for the plt. Direct-laying, meaning to point the mortar tube directly at the target, is acceptable when the mark is in sight, Leanes added.The firefight was brief, only lasting several minutes before the insurgents stopped shooting. The Marines didn't get to launch any mortars, but they were ready to if necessary. "The mortarmen were ready to drop some rounds and cause havoc on those guys," said Leanes. "As soon as the insurgents saw the guns pointed at 'em, they retreated, because they knew what was gonna come down on 'em!"The potential destructibility and altitude of a mortar round when launched from an 81 mm tube, has in part, caused it to be used sparingly during Op Moshtarak. Before being allowed to shoot one, the mortarmen must obtain clearance through the battalion. To date, the 81s mortarmens' most significant role during the Marjah offensive occurred days before the coalition's Feb. 13 push into the city. "The biggest mission that we've had out here was a smoke-screening," said Cpl. Barry Herb, a squad leader. "That was right before D-Day."During the ruse, the mortarmen fired 24 rounds of red phosphorous over the course of several hours, while the light-armored recon unit with them fired off mine-clearing line charges. Since that time, the mortarmen have been moving around from place to place, ready for their next big mission.
Cpl. Barry Herb, a squad leader with 1st Section looks for suspicious activity after receiving enemy small-arms fire.
Cpl. David Wood (right), and Lance Cpl. Christopher Larson, a mortarman, await orders to fire a mortar round.
Lance Cpl. Justin Stovall, a mortarman, investigates something suspicious in the distance using his rifle's scope.
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American Forces Press Service
Chairman Meets With Kandahar Leaders
By Jim Garamone
KANDAHAR - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen attended a meeting of community leaders in the gov's palace March 20, a building that used to be the HQ for Mullah Omar, the leader of the Taliban.
The meeting – called a "shura" -- is the way Afghans get things done, said Frank Ruggiero, the senior civilian official at RC-S. It's the traditional way that Afghans discuss, argue and negotiate on matters affecting their community. Shuras are held at all levels of society, from small villages to nationwide. The Kandahar shura was hosted by provincial Gov. Wesa and included district govs and sub-district leaders, as well as reps of the tribes and elders held in respect throughout the prov. The subject of the discussion was the way forward in Kandahar. All in the shura recognized the problems created by corruption, but they disagreed on how to fight it. They also agreed on the need for security, but disagreed on who would provide it, or which tactics work. "It's a process," Ruggiero said. "It will take a while." Earlier, Mullen stopped at FOB Wilson and spoke to the soldiers of the 1st Bn, 12th Inf, out of Fort Carson, Colo. Defense leaders had to extend the unit's stay in Afghanistan for 10 days. "In particular, I wanted to be with you and talk about your extension," Mullen said. We worked like crazy to see if we could avoid that extension." He explained to the soldiers that changes to the battle space west of Kandahar made the choice inevitable. Mullen moved on to Kandahar, where he met with the soldiers of the 20th Engr Bn. The 20th was one of the units processing through the facility at Fort Hood, Texas, when the Nov. 5 shooting rampage took place. The chairman met with soldiers of the unit, and then pinned medals on soldiers for their actions that day. He also re-enlisted 3 soldiers. Also in Kandahar, the admiral met with Vermont NG of the 89th BCT – a unit he federalized earlier this year in Vermont.
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American Forces Press Service
Mullen Hears from Afghans, Marines
By Jim Garamone
MARJAH , March 30, 2010 - The Marines who work at the governmental center here, would feel right at home at an old cavalry post in the American West. The center looks like Fort Apache with razor wire and Hesco barriers. The center itself is a 2-story building in the middle of a roughly 5-acre piece of property. Guard towers are at the entrance, and the whole area is surrounded by a 12' mud wall.
On one side of the square, Afghan National Civil Order Police and Marines live side by side in tents. The tents are surrounded by Hesco barriers that are so new that some of them are not filled with dirt yet. On the other side of the compound, Afghans are drilling a well. "We hope to hook up a shower tent to it," said Marine Corps Cpl. Chris Learish, a communications expert with the 1st Bn, 6th Marines. None of the Marines working at the compound has had a shower for almost 2 months.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited with local and provincial Afghan leaders and with U.S. Marines here, March 30. The admiral said he wants to talk to the people on the ground to get a feel for how ops in this southern Afghanistan city are going. In the center of the compound, the Afghans erected an awning where Mullen first received briefings from U.S. and Afghan military and police leaders, then met with about 30 elders and tribal leaders from the surrounding area. If there was any doubt about who owned the compound, 4 Afghan flags flew from its highest points. The shura hosted by Gov. Mangel was an eye-opener for Mullen and for the staff accompanying him. "They're not shy, are they?" said Navy Capt. John Kirby, the chairman's spokesman. Leader after leader got up and spoke his mind. Some praised the way the op went. Others complained of the lack of progress in getting services to the people. All wanted more schools, a working hospital, road projects and electricity. Other leaders railed against the cultivation of poppy in the region, and wanted the coalition and the govt to do something about it. Mangel told Mullen through a translator that his big job "is to get the trust of the people. If we can win their trust, we can win this war." Mullen also spoke during the shura. "This is your country, your province, your people," he said. "You have been through very difficult times and lost many friends, but there's been a great change in the past days, and I would like to ensure that the focus is on you and your families. "It's for you to lead, and us to support," the admiral continued. "You have to lead, so that security that has changed this town in such a positive way, can be sustained, and the govt can provide services for you all." Later, Mullen said he was pleased with what he learned in the town, and that the governor is a very impressive leader. "I'm encouraged by watching his leadership in that shura," he said to reporters traveling with him. "I was encouraged by the number of people that came out and, recognizing that security was important, still encouraged by the list – education, roads, medical, crops – that they had." Mullen said the Marines he spoke with were comfortable with the mission, but they did speak to him about the rules of engagement. The rules are written in such a way as to minimize civilian casualties. "There are some tough decisions they have to make," Mullen said. "They have some concerns, but they really do get the issue of civilian casualties. Their concerns are the tension between calling in air or artillery support, versus the potential of creating civilian casualties." He said there was no push-back from the Marines that tactical success can lead to strategic defeat. "I said to them, if we keep killing Afghan civilians, we might as well pack it up and go home. It isn't going to work," Mullen said. "They understand that, but it's not easy."
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American Forces Press Service
Combined Forces Kill, Detain Militants
KABUL - An Afghan-ISAF detained several suspected insurgents for further questioning after searching a compound in north Kandahar city, March 29.
-- In Paktika province's Bermal district March 29, several militants were killed when they threatened combined Afghan-ISAF. The combined force detained several additional militants, and found automatic rifles and multiple RPGs at the compound. -- In Wardak province's Sayyidabad district March 29, Afghan-ISAF captured a Taliban weapons facilitator accused of buying and selling large amounts of weapons, munitions and explosives for other militant networks. The SECFOR also detained a few other suspected militants. -- In Zabul province's Shinkai district March 29, a combined force went to a rural area where intel info indicated militant activity. Two militants engaged the approaching force and were killed. During a follow-on search the combined force found radios, an automatic rifle, ammo, and a rocket launcher with multiple rounds. -- In Farah province's Shewan district March 29, an Afghan civilian turned in 2 155 mm rounds and an IED to SECFOR. -- On March 28, a combined Afghan-ISAF noticed suspicious movements in an uninhabited area outside of Shindand in Herat prov., and launched an illumination round. Insurgents then opened fire on the force, causing no injuries. The SECFOR returned fire with small arms and mortar fire, forcing the insurgents to flee. Upon searching the area, the SECFOR found more than 300 lbs of explosives, an 82 mm mortar round, 4 artillery shells, 2 grenades, 3 anti-tank rockets, a 122 mm anti-tank round, and small-arms ammo. -30-
Iraq Stories:
DVIDS
504th Reenlistment in the 504th (Photos by Sgt. Mike MacLeod)
CAMP RAMADI - Sgt. David Saxman, a combat medic with 2nd Bn, 504th PIR, 1st Bde, 82nd Abn Div (Advise and Assist Bde), re-enlists March 23. Re-enlisting Saxman is bde cmdr, Col. Mark Stammer.
Col. Mark Stammer, reenlists Sgt. David Saxman, who is the 504th PIR's 504th re-enlistment during the current fiscal year.
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DVIDS
1st Female 4-star General Visits, Inspires Raider Soldiers
(Photos by Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth)
(Photos by Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth)
CAMP LIBERTY - The first female four-star general in the U.S. Armed Forces, Gen. Ann Dunwoody, comm. gen., U.S. Army Materiel Command, greets a 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID Soldier at the bde HQ building, March 22. Dunwoody visited the Soldiers of the bde to discuss the responsible drawdown of forces, as they reach the halfway point in their deployment.
Gen. Ann Dunwoody greets Spc. Tori Figgers, a legal clerk with 702nd BSB. Dunwoody gave coins to outstanding Soldiers in the bde. Figgers received a coin.
Gen. Ann Dunwoody listens to Maj. William Voorhies, the 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID EO, describe the brigade's mission.
A 4th Stryker BCT Soldier explains the capabilities of a Stryker to Gen. Ann Dunwoody.
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Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq
Kurdish Citizens Celebrate New Year
(Photos by Spc. Matthew Lestikow)
(Photos by Spc. Matthew Lestikow)
QARAH ANIR - Army 1st Lt. Chris Dannemiller, Plt Leader, 2nd Plt, Bravo Btry, 2nd Bn, 3rd FAR, 1st BCT, 1st AR Div, talks to a group of local citizens who invited him to sit with them during a Kurdish New year celebration in the Qarah Anir region of Kirkuk, March 21. Soldiers visited the celebrating Kurdish citizens to gain feedback about how the citizens feel their recent elections were run.
Staff Sgt. Artagerges Davila, a Soldier from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, uses his tin water cup to join in a percussion performance.
Spc. Joel LeMaistre, a Soldier assigned to Joint Combat Camera Center - Iraq, shows a group of Kurdish children their picture as he documents a Kurdish New Year Celebration.
A Soldier passes out stuffed animals to children.
A group of local citizens set a table of food for the U.S. Soldiers.
A young girl takes a break from celebrating to pose for a portrait.
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DoD Imagery
(DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Adelita Mead, Army)
Army Cpl. Patrick Bramlett (left) from Tactical Psychological Ops Det 1070, attached to the 17th Fires Bde takes notes on key points during discussions with locals in Al Qurnah, Mar. 20, 2010. Bramlett spoke about the local economy, the recent elections, and security in their neighborhood.
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DoD Imagery
(DoD photo by Spc. Jesse Gross, Army)
Army Capt. Andrew Lewis, cmdr of Bravo Co, 2nd Bn, 14th Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn Div, gives a water filter to a local civilian near FOB Suj, March 20, 2010. The distribution effort was a joint mission with U.S. soldiers, IFP, and local govt leaders.
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