“The area hasn’t had a big American presence,” said Spc. Brabham Garrick, 1-187th. “The kids were both scared and interested at the same time, while I feel the adults were happy to see us for the most part.” This is the first assessment of Pirkoti and Wilson, and the PRT gained a lot of info to help determine where are the priorities for development.
ANA Capt. Ashaqullah, cmdr, said one of the most important strides toward progress would be to provide the people of Pirkoti with both jobs and projects.“Two and three years ago these people weren’t interested in anything; now they are asking for things,” Ashaqullah said. “They understand that the coalition has done a lot of projects through Orgun, and they'd like to get projects too.” It was an important point for the ANA not to make any promises that can’t be guaranteed, as to the people of Afghanistan, “a word is a man’s bond.” Ashaqullah said it's extremely important in circumstances such as in Pirkoti to be close to the people. “If you're close with them, then you can understand what they truly want, and they can understand what can actually be provided for them.” Ashaqullah said that the more the people see a military presence, the more they will trust the military.
Alfsen regularly travels Western Paktika, circulating through his unit’s area of ops with a camera, children’s books and blank DVDs, helping Soldiers read books to their families. “United Through Reading enables Soldiers to share their love and support with their children by reading books aloud on DVD,” Alfsen said. “Soldiers can also read to younger siblings, nieces, nephews, and other extended family members as well as to other children whom they mentor.”
While in past deployments, Alfsen said, Soldiers have been able to write letters, e-mail and send audio cassettes, United Through Reading offers children a chance to see their parent’s face, listen to their voice and read along as their parent reads them a children’s story. It also allows them to spend as much time with the deployed parent as they wish by watching the DVD over and over again.Afghan, ISAF Capture, Kill Militants, seize weapons
NANGARHAR PROVINCE - Afghan and ISAF in Khugyani district, responded to intel of militant activity in the area, and was fired on instantly, April 4. The force returned fire and killed 2 enemy fighters. The troops then called for any remaining militants to come out of hiding. After a period of no response, militants opened fire again; 8 more militants eventually were killed, and another wounded.
A weapons stockpile was discovered after a tip from a local civilian identified a militant hideout. The weapons included 300 machine-gun rounds and parts of a grenade launcher and rifle.
KHOST PROVINCE - A combined force captured a Haqqani terrorist network facilitator, responsible for bombing attacks on ISAF and Afghan border police. The facilitator surrendered without incident, and admitted his connection to several bombing networks in the area. PAKATIA PROVINCE - Afghan and ISAF captured another alleged Haqqani facilitator, and another suspected militant. The alleged Haqqani facilitator is believed to be responsible for trafficking and purchasing weapons for enemy fighters in the region. URUZGAN PROVINCE - An Afghan patrol in Chorah district netted a cache of RPGs and 8 mortar rounds. In ops April 3: HELMAND PROVINCE - NATO forces detained several people suspected of making and planting roadside bombs, after they tried to avoid a security checkpoint. Each suspect was found with large amounts of cash and cell phones, officials said. In Nad-e-Ali district, Afghan and ISAF captured 2 suspected militants while in pursuit of a Taliban leader in the area. Another op in the area netted a weapons cache that consisted of a grenade launcher, more than 300 lbs of explosives and other bomb-making materials. A third stockpile yielded 300 machine-gun rounds and 98 anti-aircraft rounds. FARAH PROVINCE - Another weapons stockpile was found during a coalition patrol. More than 60 lbs of ammonium nitrate, 6 mortar rounds, an anti-personnel mine, and other bomb-making materials were found and taken to a nearby COP. In other news in HELMAND PROVINCE, April 2, an Army SF patrol was struck by a roadside bomb. The troops dismounted their vehicles, found and dismantled 5 more roadside bombs. No civilian or military injuries were reported, officials said. An Afghan police chief in Gereskh arrested several individuals believed to be connected to a bombing cell responsible for attacks that wounded 3 SF soldiers the previous day.
Sawdy and his men met their Iraqi counterparts in one school’s courtyard, where they examined piles of bright pink backpacks. Before long, teachers from the school led their eager girls into the courtyard where each received a new backpack.
“This deployment is different from the last,” said Sgt. 1st Class Adam Asclipiadis, explaining that even with the pre-deployment emphasis on supporting the ISF, citizens and govt, the amount of non-lethal missions he’s conducted this deployment came as a surprise.“Even the non-kinetic ops at the Joint Readiness Training Center, the key leader engagements, and all that, didn't prepare my brain for this,” the inf plt sgt said, as smiling schoolchildren lined up to get their supplies. “There’s a sense of satisfaction that the deployments we did before meant something.”
A swimming pool is one of the many amenities awaiting service members at Camp Victory’s Freedom Rest, a new R&R center for troops here on a 4-day pass. (Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roger Dey)
The 2nd building, a former boathouse, has on the first floor a small billiard room with 2 pool tables, a gym with a view of a lake, and a furnished deck. Green Beans Coffee and a Subway sandwich shop are also located on the grounds.
The 2nd floor boasts a large movie theatre with leather seats. The room can also be used for karaoke, Foster added. There is also a computer lab with Internet access, and a game room with several gaming systems.
If the service members don't feel like staying inside, they can also enjoy an afternoon hanging out at the Freedom Rest swimming pool. Future plans for Freedom Rest involve the addition of equipment for fishing, biking and a golf driving range, Foster said. They're also looking at adding canoes and kayaks so service members can get out on the lake to relax, he added.With expectations that Freedom Rest will soon become a destination of choice for service members here, Foster said that priority will be given to those who work away from the main bases. "USD-C will manage these slots with priority going to the service members that live in a more austere environment," said Johnson.While a 4-day pass can be a great tool to help service members take a break from the daily grind while deployed, Maj. Sharon Trotter, Freedom Rest ops officer, said the Freedom Rest complex also allows units to put their troops on pass knowing they won't be away for an extended period of time.Previously, Soldiers on a 4-day pass traveled to Qatar, which also meant additional travel days, sometimes taking a week or longer to move back to their units. "A 4-day pass won't stretch to nine days because of travel," Trotter said. "Here, you're in and out on time and for a 1/3 of the cost to the govt."In western Baghdad April 5, Iraqi forces with their U.S. advisors arrested an alleged assoc. member of AQI. The suspect is believed to be "intimately involved" in planning and executing "high-profile attacks" in the area, officials said. He was not the op's planned target, but info found during the searches linked him to the AQI leader, officials said.
-- Near Kirkuk, Iraqi forces and their U.S. advisors captured a suspected AQI leader and 4 criminal accomplices who are believed to be responsible for coordinating multiple bombings on Iraqi forces. -- In western Baghdad, Iraqi forces detained an individual suspected to be connected to an AQI financier, who is believed to be a significant contributor to vehicle bombings against Iraqi forces. -- Another individual with alleged ties to an AQI leader was arrested near Mosul, during a search for an AQI leader believed to be involved in bombing attacks on local SECFOR. Info founding during the searches linked the detained individual to the AQI leader.