The most common reported ailment was chronic pain, followed by requests for toothpaste and toothbrushes, sunscreen, lotion, and protective lip balm. “Even though we may not be able to cure everyone that came in, they appreciated us taking the time to see them, and do what we could,” said AF Maj. Jana Kokkonen, a MED ETT emergency room physician. “It's not as easy for the women to get follow-up treatment. I referred one woman to Kabul because at FOB Thunder, the ANA do not treat women,” added Kokkonen.
The U.S. flag that flew with the beam, along with another displayed from the back hatch of the helicopter, will be given as a token of appreciation to the residents of Breezy Point, New York, who shipped the beam at a cost of approx $5,000.
The City of N.Y. had given a number of beams to the residents of Breezy Point, after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks that killed 29 residents from the small neighborhood in Queens. After the residents erected a permanent monument facing Manhatten, Sons and Daughters of America donated the remaining 3 beams to the military. One is at the recently opened infantry museum at Fort Benning, Ga., and the other is aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Nimitz, along with Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Quinn Jr., whose father was instrumental in organizing Sons and Daughters of America.
U.S. Army Maj. Stephen J. Ryan, a governance planner for Combined Joint TF-82 from Breezy Point, who responded to the attacks as an off-duty police officer, and was activated for 3 months with the N.Y. NG in recovery efforts, said the display of the 3rd beam in Afghanistan is “a fitting tribute.”
A ceremony for the beam’s arrival is tentatively scheduled for the first half of April. In accordance with the org’s vision, the beam will remain at Bagram as long as U.S. troops are deployed to Afghanistan. After that, it will most likely end up in a museum at Fort Bragg, N.C., similar to the beam at Fort Benning.
“I think this is going to be very symbolic to show our response and how we responded to the attacks, and how we’re helping the people of Afghanistan,” said Army Maj. Lisandro Murphy, another Sept. 11, 2001, responder who now works as info ops planner with CJTF-82 future ops.
Ryan, who had been working with Sons and Daughters, said the date of the flight was not significant, but that it was long in coming. “I just want, again, to thank the residents of Breezy Point, New York.
Face of Defense: Soldier Dedicates Career to Fallen Friend
By Air Force 2nd Lt. Mark Lazane
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Afghan, ISAF Troops Capture Taliban Commander/Militants
KANDAHAR PROVINCE - A combined Afghan-ISAF captured a Taliban cmdr during a search of a compound SW of Kandahar City, after intel indicated militant activity there, April 5. The man is suspected in a prison attack and assaults on CF, and is believed to be part of the Taliban's media efforts. Combined forces captured several other militants during that search, and others around the country.
Afghan, NATO Troops Kill Dozens in Battle
BADGHIS PROVINCE - Afghan and NATO troops were involved in a 12-hour battle, April 6 with insurgents, killing dozens of enemy fighters, military officials reported.
The CF returned fire and, to avoid civilian casualties, began clearing the buildings and compounds from which the insurgents were firing. During the clearing process, troops discovered an intricate system of tunnels and large stockpiles of weapons, bomb-making materials and other terrorist-related equipment. While the partnered force provided medical treatment and transported wounded personnel from the area, an overwhelming number of insurgents continued to fire from cave entrances, various locations within the village, and from high ground surrounding the area. The patrol leaders requested air support to minimize further risk to the community, and coalition aircraft dropped precision-guided munitions on multiple insurgent locations. Throughout the fight, Afghan and ISAF maintained contact with local govt leaders, who provided advice and support, and backed the use of close-air support. In other news from Afghanistan: In HELMAND PROVINCE, April 6, a combined force went into the Now Zad district in search of a Taliban weapons trafficker. As the team approached a vehicle, one of the occupants pointed a weapon. He was engaged and killed.
In KUNDUZ, April 6, a combined force searched a compound west of Ludin and captured a Taliban facilitator believed to be a key member of a militant early warning system, who has participated in several attacks against CF. In KABUL PROVINCE, April 5, Afghan soldiers discovered 170 mortar rounds behind a high school in the Shaker Darreh district.
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DoD Imagery
(DoD photo by Cpl. Mary E. Carlin, Marine Corps)
Army Beating Estimate on Equipment Drawdown
By C. Todd Lopez
American Forces Press Service
The same day, Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested a man believed to be the top AQI leader for eastern Mosul, also during a vehicle stop, along with 2 suspected criminal assocs. April 6, Iraqi forces arrested 3 suspects during 2 combined ops in NE Baghdad and Mosul targeting AQI's leadership. Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected AQI leader, believed to be involved in multiple terrorist activities, including bombing ops. A preliminary investigation led Iraqi forces to arrest a criminal associate of the wanted man. During a second op, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building in western Mosul for an AQI leader, and arrested 2 men suspected of being his criminal assocs.