Dear Interested Reader,
Heroic TF Mountain Warriors score 5 Bronze Stars with Valor. Agriculture helps in Wardak counter insurgency fight. Kapisa PRT makes a difference in Kohistan. Locals/GoA/CF join forces to defeat and remove Taliban in Gizab.
Iraq: Hard working AF Capt. Kurando Mensen aids civil flight control. The 278th ACR protects convoys traveling to Habur Gate. Suspected AQI assocs. arrested in Tikrit and Mosul.
Joanna
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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
TF Mountain Warriors score five Bronze Stars with Valor
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Agriculture helps in Wardak counter insurgency fight
WARDAK PROVINCE – Not long ago, Wardak prov. was known as “the breadbasket of Afghanistan.” Apples, apricots, potatoes and other crops were thriving in the prov.
After decades of war and civil unrest, the prov. is no longer the oasis of agricultural production it once was. However, that is quickly changing, thanks to the efforts of the Soldiers from 1st Bn, U.S. govt agencies, and the Wardak dept of agriculture, irrigation and land.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Making a difference for students in Kohistan
The sub-gov. of Kohistani district meets with military and civilian experts from Kapisa PRT and TF La Fayette. After inspecting a run-down water wheel, a major source of water to the area, the sub-gov. was able to discuss quick impact projects using local resources that would benefit the community.
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Blackanthem Military News
Afghan civilians, govt join forces to defeat and remove Taliban
By ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
KABUL - Gizab district, locked centrally in the Hazarajet region of Afghanistan, recently was the scene of community resolve and determination, when citizens took action to remove a Taliban threat from their village. The GoA, with minimal involvement by CF, is assisting Gizab residents in their effort to purge the Taliban from the area.
With harassment by the Taliban increasing, local villagers held a shura and decided to establish a road block April 28, in an effort to detain insurgents. This action led to the apprehension of several insurgents as well as their weapons and motorbikes. A Taliban cmdr, responsible for coordinating attacks against coalition special forces in the area, was among those apprehended at the road block.Later that afternoon, Taliban insurgents armed with small arms and RPGs were preparing to attack the village. Local citizens, defending their homes and families, engaged the insurgents in a battle that lasted more than 3 days.A combined patrol of ANSF and ISAF partners was conducting an op nearby and responded, enhancing security at the village stronghold. After 3 days of fighting, the insurgents were defeated and driven out of Gizab. Between the villagers and combined patrol, several insurgents were killed and 4 were arrested.In the subsequent days, hostile action in the area has diminished, providing an opportunity for the gov. of Dai Kundi, the provincial gov. of neighbouring Uruzgan prov., the local Malik, and 20 other community leaders to travel to Gizab district for a meeting to announce their support for the GoA, and elect a district chief of police.The combined force also attended the meeting May 1 to demonstrate their support for the people of Gizab and the GoA. The combined force was warmly received by the villagers and leaders who said they were grateful for the GoA's support. During the meeting, the dep. gov. placed a phone call to President Hamid Karzai, who spoke to local elders and leaders, and voiced his pleasure with the cooperation between the different elements, which ultimately removed 50 active Taliban fighters from the region."The villagers' decision to react was fueled by Taliban members routinely exerting their influence and control over the people in the southern district of Gizab," said Capt. Rebecca Lykins, a Combined Joint Special Ops TF spokesman. "Their reaction is a testament to their confidence in GoA's ability to protect and serve the populace."
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DVIDS
Afghan Women’s Affairs Center graduates trainees
DVIDS
Facing Danger, Overcoming Fear Photo by Cpl. Daniel Blatter
HELMAND PROVINCE - After his unit was attacked, April 14, while securing Salam Bazaar in Helmand prov., Staff Sgt. Robert Kesterson, the plt cmdr for 2nd plt, Co A, 1st Bn, 2nd Marine Regt, RCT 2, ignored intense flames and rounds cooking off inside a vehicle, to save the life of a fellow Marine. After their unit's lead vehicle hit an IED, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The situation intensified when heat of the fire began firing off friendly ammo inside the vehicle. Despite everything going on, and incoming enemy fire, Kesterson rushed inside the truck and pulled the burning Marine from the vehicle, throwing himself on top of him to put out the flames.
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IRAQI STORIES:
USF-I