By Army Spc. Daniel Haun
FOB SHANK – Graduates of the 1st Combined Action NCO Academy prepare to receive their diplomas, April 8. The academy is charged with the official duty of training, coaching and teaching future ANA NCOs assigned to the 4th Kandak (Bn), and their combined action partners from the BSB.
LOGAR PROVINCE -- Due to a shortage of trained and certified junior NCOs in the 4th Kandak, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Sellers, 173rd BSB Command Sgt. Maj., and ANA Command Sgt. Maj. Qadar, 4th Kandak, command sgt maj, developed and implemented the institution for the purpose of training NCOs.
The 1st class enrolled on March 27, with Army Master Sgt. Sean Wilson as the commandant. At its inception, the Academy occupied 2 adjoining bases, Camp Maiwan and FOB Shank. The 1st class graduated April 8, with over a dozen Warriors Leader Course honorees.
ANA Staff Sgt. Malager, a recon NCO said at the graduation that he learned both tactical and medical guidance throughout the course. “The ANA cmdrs and CF set up classes for us. We would start with physical training, and after that they would teach us in the field. We learned a lot about tactics, and received medical training. We learned how to save a life and how to protect ourselves,” Malager said. “I feel very good right now; we’ve been through the classes; we know how to lead. I’m ready for the challenge,” Malager said.
Army 1st Sgt. Richard Carullo, Alpha Co., 173rd BSB 1st sgt, spoke to the graduates about the importance of their training and the importance of leadership.
“The course you just completed is a culmination of nearly 10 years of partnering between our 2 countries,” he said. “It's understood in militaries around the globe that NCOs are the backbone of an army. The fact that TF Repel and the 4th Kandak are taking the time to establish an NCO education system, speaks volumes of the dedication these commands have to the success of our partnership,” he said.
Carullo said that the graduates were now given the responsibility of young Soldiers lives under their guidance. There’s no greater gift that a nation can bestow on an individual, than to place the lives of its soldiers in your hands,” he said. He left them by saying that the adventure of leadership had just begun for them.
"From this day forward you're a leader: one that can be counted on to do what is right legally, morally, and ethically; one that can be counted on to be technically and tactically proficient; one that stands for a cause that is greater than their own; one that leads Soldiers by providing purpose direction and motivation, while accomplishing any mission, at any time, in any weather, with minimal resources,” said Carullo.
A Soldier from the 4th Kandak, lifts his diploma after graduating, to show he is ready to serve the people of Afghanistan.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Gen. McChrystal awards four Silver Stars for valor
By Army Pfc. Beth Raney
NANGARHAR PROVINCE – Army Capt. Christopher Cordova, with HHT, 3rd Sqdrn, 61st Cav Regt, TF Destroyer, receives a Silver Star for exceptional valor from Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the cmdr of the ISAF and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, at FOB Fenty, April 9. Cordova was recognized for displaying mental endurance and technical competence in treating and evacuating 16 U.S. and ANSF casualties, and an additional 27 “walking wounded” during a violent engagement with enemy forces last Oct.
Army 1st Lt. Andrew Bundermann, with Troop B, 3rd Sqdrn, receives a Silver Star for exceptional valor from Gen. McChrystal. Bundermann orchestrated the defense of COP Keating, preventing it from falling into the hands of a Taliban force of more than 400 fighters.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Hill, with Troop B, receives a Silver Star for exceptional valor from Gen. McChrystal. Hill exemplified the skill and bravery of a Cavalry Scout, while leading his plt, in the plt leader’s absence, during the battle of COP Keating. Hill led and directed his platoon while exposing himself to a heavy barrage of enemy fire, and organized multiple efforts to recover fallen Soldiers under effective, accurate fire.
Army Sgt. Thomas Rasmussen, with Troop B, receives a Silver Star for exceptional valor from Gen. McChrystal. Rasmussen volunteered to assault the ammo supply point and establish a stronghold at COP, after it was overrun by more than 400 insurgent fighters. He was a critical member of the assault team that pushed to a battle position, and recovered 2 American Heroes.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Panjshir PRT Cmdr Interviewed at Radio Khurasan By AF 2nd Lt. Jason Smith
PANJSHIR PROVINCE - AF Lt. Col. Curtis Velasquez (left), the Panjshir PRT cmdr, is interviewed at Radio Khurasan. During his introductory interview, Velasquez talked about projects the previous PRT completed, and some of the projects his PRT will be working on during the coming months. Velasquez said he wants to build on the successes of previous PRTs, and he is thankful to the people of Panjshir for their cooperation and positive relationship with the PRT.
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American Forces Press Service
Coalition, Afghan Forces Capture Militants, Find Weapons
(From an ISAF Joint Command news release)
KHOST PROVINCE - An Afghan-ISAF detained several suspected militants, April 13, while pursuing a Haqqani terrorist network facilitator in the Terezai district. Haqqani cmdrs have sought to establish strongholds in the prov., disrupting the local govt and facilitating the movement of fighters, explosives and weapons into the country, officials said.
HELMAND PROVINCE - In the Lashkar Gah district, April 13, an ISAF patrol found a suicide vest, and an EOD team destroyed it.
An Afghan-ISAF in Nahr Surkh district, located a wanted man who was believed to be a Taliban sub-cmdr who facilitated bombing attacks. He was shot and killed after threatening the SECFOR.
In Nad-e Ali district, a combined patrol found a recoilless rifle, an assault rifle, a sniper rifle and hundreds of rounds of small-arms ammo.
ZABUL PROVINCE - April 12, an Afghan-ISAF in Qalat district detained 2 suspected militants for further questioning.
KANDAHAR PROVINCE - In Daman district April 12, a combined patrol found more than 1,000 anti-aircraft rounds, 9 105 mm artillery rounds, 2 120 mm artillery rounds, 20 mortar rounds, 6 anti-personnel mines, several grenades, RPGs, 100 cans of 30 mm rounds, 10 ANA uniforms, and 4 ANP uniforms.
KUNDUZ PROVINCE - An Afghan-ISAF killed 2 militants, and discovered 60-lbs of drugs, April 12. The combined force, while pursuing a Taliban cmdr in the Archi district, stopped a suspect vehicle. The 2 occupants came out of the vehicle, and the SECFOR shot and killed them, after assessing their actions as hostile. A search of the vehicle revealed 60-lbs of opium gum.
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Iraqi Stories:
DVIDS
16th Engrs Meet With Partners in BaghdadCol. Tris Cooper, dep. bde cmdr of 16th Engr Bde, meets with Gen. Halem, the EOD dir. of IFP, and Col. Falleh, the IA EOD regimental cmdr, at the IFP EOD HQ, March 31. Their meeting addressed the importance of collecting and preserving evidence, as well as addressing equipment issues, and other problems the IA and IP EOD units face.
BAGHDAD -- ISF leaders in charge of responding to the scene of IEDs and EFPs met with 16th Engr Bde leaders met in downtown Baghdad. "The Army EOD frequently arrives at the crime scene to find that the scene is all cleaned up and hosed down; all the evidence is washed away," said EOD adviser, Maj. Emerson Long. "By keeping the scene from being contaminated, it lets us get the evidence that we need to figure out who the perpetrator or bomb maker is."
The meeting took place as the 16th Engr Bde is preparing to redeploy as part of an Iraq-wide responsible drawdown, leaving the job of maintaining safety and security to capable Iraqi counterparts.
Both the IA and IP understand the importance of collecting the evidence, and are willing to work together, but they've some obstacles standing in their way. "We're fighting an invisible enemy: the lack of equipment and resources," said the Federal Police EOD dir., Gen. Halem.
The IP officers have trained and continue to train with U.S. EOD Soldiers, but without the proper equipment or the right resources, it's made it harder to collect the evidence needed to do their jobs correctly and effectively.
The meeting also addressed a plan to split the areas between the different EOD units. Currently, the IA, the IP, and the fire dept all share the same areas. Whoever arrives on the scene first takes control of the op. They expressed they'd like to set up designated areas to alleviate any confusion and allow units to run ops as they see fit.
As a result, Col. Tris Cooper, dep. cmdr, said that the 16th will continue building the relationship they have with their Iraqi counterparts. "We'll continue working together to ensure there is progress made on these problems."
Col. Tris Cooper accepts a token of appreciation from Gen. Halem, at the conclusion of the conference.
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Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq
Water Treatment Plant Opening Photos by Spc. Jesse Gross
JSS SUJ - Army Capt. Andrew Lewis, comm. officer for Bravo Co, 2nd Inf Bn, 14th Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn Div, greets Col. Kareem, comm. officer of the 8-2 Iraqi FPB during an opening ceremony for a water treatment plant, March 23. The treatment plant is one of many that have been opened to aid in efforts to bring clean water to the local community.
Maj. Jacob Peterson, EO for 2nd Inf Bn, talks with local Iraqi villagers.
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DVIDS
Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial Ceremony
(Army photos by Spc. Jared Eastman)
BAGHDAD - Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, 3rd ID cmdr, speaks during Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith's Memorial Ceremony on Camp Liberty, April 4. Smith was mortally wounded April 4, 2003, at the same spot the ceremony took place. His actions helped defeat enemy attacks, resulting in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded U.S. Soldiers.
Army Capt. Steven Jackowski, the HHC, 1st BCT-Augmented cmdr, looks at the Camp Liberty, battle-site where Sgt.1st Class Smith was mortally wounded. The 3rd ID held the ceremony to honor his sacrifice protecting his Soldiers.
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DVIDS
USD-S Returns Property to Iraqi Control (Photos by Sgt. Benjamin Kibbey)
BASRA - Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Ellithorpe, Patrol Base Shaibah Logistics Military Advisory Team NCO-in-charge; Sgt. Joshua Garriott, PB Shaibah LMAT fuel advisor; and Staff Sgt. Alejandro Montano, fold the U.S. flag after lowering it for the final time at PB Shaibah, March 30. The base was returned to full Iraqi control during a March 30, ceremony.
The Iraqi flag is raised over Contingency Operating Station Hunter, signifying the full return of the base to Iraqi control, March 26.
Sameer Alhaddad, the rep for receivership of the chief of staff of the Iraqi PM, and Lt. Col. William Walski, cmdr, 2nd Sqdrn, 13th Cav Regt, sign papers officially transferring Contingency Operating Station Hunter to Iraqi control, at COS Hunter, March 26.
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