Dear Interested Reader,
TF Dark Knight Soldier starts "The Rocket City Run Club" at FOB Salerno. ISAF contracting personnel meet with business community. NATO agrees to split of RC-S. Op updates throughout Afghanistan.
Iraq: U.S. Forces transfer JSS to IA. Raider Team out-lifts defending bench-press champions. Tripartite mission denies violent extremists support zones.
Joanna
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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
TF Dark Knight Soldier starts grassroots run club
Story and photos by Army Spc. Jonathan Allen
Staff Sgt. James Shelby (far Left), meets with members of the run club for an evening run, April 10.
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ISAF HQ Public Affairs
ISAF Contracting Personnel Meet With Business Community
Story by Staff Sgt. Lucelia Ball
Afghan vendors listen to a guest speaker May 19 as they attended the Afghan Local Procurement Workshop. ISAF contracting personnel discussed the contracting process for NATO common funding in support of ISAF.
KABUL – About 60 merchants attended the Afghan Local Procurement Workshop, joined by members of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce, the Afghan Investment Support Agency and the Afghan Industrial Union. "All were invited because they were registered with Peace Dividend Trust – Afghanistan, an int'l non-profit and non-governmental org., that helps streamline local procurement activities in order to strengthen the Afghan private sector." Lt. Col. Nathan Rump, ISAF head of contracting, gave an overview of the ISAF award process, which included the thresholds for quotes and compliance with NATO guidelines. "If you want to work with us, we're always happy to help guide you through the process," he said. Rump also discussed a new venture with NATO, the pending Afghan First initiative, which would allow the contracting office to make more extensive use of Afghan businesses. "Last year, 33% of our contracts went to local businesses," he said. "This year, we're up to 50%. We have some businesses that are performing very well on some small projects for us," he said. "Those people will probably be invited to bid on larger projects in the future." The group next listened to Robert Young, a rep of the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency, who explained the contracting process for his agency and how to register to get info on potential customer requirements. "I think this workshop helped me understand better how to pursue more business for my company," said Hashmat Saahil, the gen. mgr. of Mineral Water Company that has been in business for 4 years. "When we first started out, we got some contacts and sent some emails, but we had no luck getting a contract until we learned how to apply for contracts properly. Workshops like this one will help our businesses be successful." Another merchant was a staunch advocate of supporting local businesses. "When the military buys a water tank from a non-Afghan company, it can cost thousands of dollars to transport it from far away," said Muhmmad Arif, the executive director of the Afghan Industrial Union, and the director of a sports equipment company. The plan for the future is to set up multiple-day training sessions to guide merchants through the process. "We want to do everything we can to open the door for Afghan local procurement," said Young.
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International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs
NATO Agrees to Split of Regional Command South
AFGHANISTAN - On May 21, 2010, the North Atlantic Council in consultation with non-NATO ISAF Troop Contributing Nations, gave final authorization for the reorganisation of ISAF's RC- South and the establishment of an additional RC-SW. This new org. will be effective later this summer.
The new RC-SW will have responsibility for the Helmand and Nimruz provs and will be placed initially under the command of the U.S. RC- S, which is under the command of British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter, will retain the provs of Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul and Daikundi. The decision was taken upon the recommendation by Gen. McChrystal, cmdr of ISAF, to optimize the command and control of an RC that has grown exponentially since its transfer to NATO's command in 2006. With more than 50,000 ISAF troops and 8 ANA bdes operating in 6 different provs., the strain on the span of control would have been too high for RC-S in its present configuration. The new structure will ease the burden of RC-S, and enable more adapted and efficient counter-insurgency ops at the local level.
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Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs
Operational Updates throughout Afghanistan
A combined Afghan-ISAF captured another Taliban cmdr NW of Kandahar City, May 22. The man, who surrendered immediately when confronted, is believed to be responsible for ambushing CF, and other attacks in the southern Arghandab and Dand Districts. In other news, May 23: KUNDUZ PROVINCE -- A combined SECFOR seized materials used to build IEDs, following the search of a compound in the Chahar Darah District. LOGAR PROVINCE -- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents, and seized a weapons cache following a search of a compound in Charkh District. The cache included several RPGs, multiple automatic rifles, ammo, grenades, and notes on how to conduct suicide bombings. ZABUL PROVINCE -- A combined force searched a compound in the Shah Joy District and detained a suspected militant for further questioning. HELMAND PROVINCE -- A combined patrol was given permission to search a mosque in Musa Qal'ah District, where they seized a cache consisting of multiple AK-47s, 200-lbs of homemade explosives, pressure plates, and a pro-Taliban painting. -- Also in the Musa Qal'ah District, a combined patrol found a cache consisting of 550-lbs of opium, and 2 AK-47s with loaded mags. Two people were detained for further questioning.ZABUL PROVINCE -- A combined force detained a suspected insurgent, while searching a compound in Sha Joy District. BAGHLAN PROVINCE -- An int'l patrol discovered a weapons cache in the Pul-e Khumri District. Recent heavy rains uncovered the previously buried munitions discovered by local children. The cache, consisted of 20 82 mm grenades, 15 mines, and 7 artillery rounds. KANDAHAR PROVINCE -- An int'l patrol discovered a weapons cache consisting of 4 82 mm rockets, a machine gun and an RPG in the Panjwa'i District. -- A combined force destroyed an explosives factory with a precision air strike in Kandahar. The combined force was approaching a compound in a farming area in Zharay District, when they discovered the area was heavily mined to protect the building. Once inside, the force discovered a high explosives factory used by insurgents to produce IEDs and mines. The SECFOR called in the strike, which destroyed the building. FARAH PROVINCE -- In the Bala Baluk District, an int'l patrol found 8 detonation devices that link several charges to 1 initiator, 4 pressure-plate initiation devices, 20 meters of detonation cord, 5 remote control initiation devices, and 40 battery packs. BADGHIS PROVINCE -- In the Murghab District, a combined patrol found 2 pressure-plate IEDs.
KANDAHAR PROVINCE - Afghan and int'l forces captured a Taliban cmdr, May 23, and several insurgents in the village of Kukaran, after intel indicated insurgent activity there. The cmdr is believed to be responsible for leading Taliban fighters in southern Arghandab, coordinating attacks on CF and distributing rockets, IEDs, small arms and ammo to fighters throughout the area.
A combined Afghan-ISAF captured another Taliban cmdr NW of Kandahar City, May 22. The man, who surrendered immediately when confronted, is believed to be responsible for ambushing CF, and other attacks in the southern Arghandab and Dand Districts. In other news, May 23: KUNDUZ PROVINCE -- A combined SECFOR seized materials used to build IEDs, following the search of a compound in the Chahar Darah District. LOGAR PROVINCE -- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents, and seized a weapons cache following a search of a compound in Charkh District. The cache included several RPGs, multiple automatic rifles, ammo, grenades, and notes on how to conduct suicide bombings. ZABUL PROVINCE -- A combined force searched a compound in the Shah Joy District and detained a suspected militant for further questioning. HELMAND PROVINCE -- A combined patrol was given permission to search a mosque in Musa Qal'ah District, where they seized a cache consisting of multiple AK-47s, 200-lbs of homemade explosives, pressure plates, and a pro-Taliban painting. -- Also in the Musa Qal'ah District, a combined patrol found a cache consisting of 550-lbs of opium, and 2 AK-47s with loaded mags. Two people were detained for further questioning.
-- In the Kajaki District, an int'l patrol found a weapons cache consisting of 2 grenades, 2 mines, 6 smoke bombs ,and various explosive components. -- In the Washer District, a combined patrol discovered a weapons cache containing more than 1,200 machine gun rounds, 3 82 mm mortars and 4 120 mm mortars. FARAH PROVINCE -- A combined patrol confiscated a large weapons cache in a cave and tunnel complex in the Saji Valley. The cache contained 2 complete 82 mm mortar systems with extra tube and 34 mortar rounds, a 14.5 mm anti-aircraft gun with 200 rounds and 3 spare barrels, 2 82 mm recoilless rifle rounds, 7 RPGs, 175 mortar fuses, 14.5 mm and 12.7 mm ammo, and small-arms ammo. In May 21 ops: HELMAND PROVINCE -- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents while searching a series of buildings in Lashkar Gah District.
-- In the Garm Ser District, an ISAF patrol found 2 bags of ammonium nitrate, a common ingredient in IEDs. -- In the Now Zad District, a combined patrol found 2 IEDs, each with 10-lbs of homemade explosives. The devices were designed to detonate when stepped on.
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IRAQI STORIES:
USF-I
U.S. Forces Transfer JSS to Iraqi Army
Story by Staff Sgt. Ryan Sabin
Sameer Al Haddad, receivership secretariat for the GoI and Capt. Robert Parsons, cmdr of Co B, 4th Bn, 31st Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn Div, sign documents completing the transfer of JSS Cahill from U.S. Forces to ISF, May 17.
BAGHDAD – The transfer comes as ISF in the area, specifically 1-45 IA, have proven their abilities in providing security for the local population. They've contributed to a 59% decrease in insurgent activities throughout the Mada'in area of Baghdad in the past year."There's a level of trust between the people and the ISF in this area that didn't exist even 2 years ago," said Capt. Robert Parsons. "It's because of the professionalism and values of 1-45 IA Bn.""Our soldiers in this brigade will be the front against anybody who tries to destroy the security in the Mada'in area," said Col. Freyek, cmdr of 1-45 IA.
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DVIDS
Raider Team Out-lifts Defending Bench-press Champions
Story by Pfc. Mitchell Fosman
Pfc. George Fuller races against the clock to complete as many repetitions as he can in 4 minutes, during a 225-lb press-off competition at the Scorpion Gym. Fuller's team, Team Raider, won the competition with a combined score of 134 reps.
CAMP LIBERTY – Scorpion Gym filled with Soldiers who gathered around a bench, May 13, as 4 teams warmed up and readied themselves for a showdown of strength and stamina.Members of the 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID "Team Raider" waited anxiously to begin this month's 225-lb bench-press competition. Each team was comprised of 4 members. Competitors were allowed to swap out and return for more reps as often as they wanted within the time limit.The spotlight that day was on the Soldiers from 1192nd Engr Bn, who had won the top spot the previous month and came back to defend their title. "We're gonna strip ya'll's title," said Sgt. 1st Class Alfred Jackson, a member of Team Raider and the communications NCO-in-charge for 4th SBCT, as he sat on the bench before the event began."He's the one on the board for the 400-lb club," whispered one spectator to another about Jackson being one of the few individuals to have bench-pressed more than 400-lbs. Taking the bar first for his team, Jackson let loose with a burst of intensity, but like all the competitors, eventually the weight took its toll. "You've got to do as many reps as you can before you're tired," explained Pvt. George Fuller, from the 38th Eng. Bn., also with Team Raider. As fatigue began to set in, Team Raider members swapped places seamlessly, yelling encouragement to one another as they heaved the bar into the air.With fuel still in his tank and time running short on the clock, Lt. Col. Darron Wright, 4th SBCT, dep. comm. officer, stepped in to finish off the last 38 repetitions – more than any other single competitor. The only other competitor that came close was Jackson with 35."We came here to compete and we brought our best to take the title," Wright explained, still catching his breath while he waited for the announcement of the winner. In the end, Team Raider won the competition with a combined 134 repetitions. The defending champions trailed in second with a distant 117 reps.Covered in sweat, Jackson held his medal and grinned as the crowd faded from the gym: "Feels good to be the winner."
Sgt. 1st Class Alfred Jackson and Maj. William Voorhies, EO, listen to the rules being explained before participating in a 225-pound press-off competition.
While being spotted by Maj. William Voorhies, Lt. Col. Darron Wright bench presses his 38th and final rep.
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DVIDS
Tripartite Mission Denies Violent Extremists Support Zones
Story by Sgt. Tyrone Marshall
A tripartite force consisting of IA, Diyala IP, and 3rd Peshmerga Bde Soldiers, along with Soldiers from A Troop, 1st Sqdrn, 14th Cav Regt, 3rd Stryker BCT, 2nd ID, rehearse hot-load training on a CH-47D Chinook helicopter at COB Cobra in Salah ad Din province, April 24. The Chinook, piloted by a crew from 3rd Bn, 25th General Support Aviation Bn, TF Hammerhead, was part of an air assault for Op Chelan III.
TIKRIT – Tripartite is defined as "containing 3 parts, or involving 3 participants or elements." This definition perfectly describes the combined forces involved in the most recent air assault inserted by TF Wings. This tripartite force consisted of Iraqi army soldiers, Kurdish and U.S. forces.The Soldiers of TF Hammerhead; 2nd Assault Helicopter Bn, 25th Aviation Regt, TF Diamond Head; and 2nd Sqdrn, 6th Cav Regt, TF Lightning Horse, supported a tripartite force during Op Chelan III, April 24. The air assault into the Lake Hamrin region, near Jalula, in Salah ad-Din prov., was to deny violent extremist networks, logistical areas to stage attacks against the Iraqi people."Our objective was on the eastern shore of Lake Hamrin, which had been a support zone for violent extremist networks," said Maj. Whitney Gardner, CH-47D Chinook helicopter pilot and ops officer, 3/25th GSAB, TF Hammerhead. "It was a place where, in the past, extremists had established a very well hidden cache site for weapons and ammo. Extremists were staged there, smuggling a lot of weapons, ammo and explosive-making materials. They were smuggling those things in fishing boats across the lake."This mission was significant for 3/25th GSAB, TF Hammerhead, since it's the first time this aviation TF has been the lead aviation element for a tripartite mission. As Iraq continues to transition to stability ops, it's become increasingly necessary for the existing SECFOR to work together."It's absolutely vital that IA, IP and Peshmerga forces work together in common security ops," said Lt. Col. Gregory Baker, cmdr, 3/25th GSAB, TF Hammerhead. "The Iraqi nation is taking steps to overcome the disputed internal boundary question. Having the different forces work together is a way of building trust."The scope and size of this clearing op made aviation assets particularly critical during the mission. "The assault force wanted to get on the ground as quickly as possible and clear a fairly large area. I'd say about a 5-by-5 mile area is what they were planning to clear," said Gardner. "They were going in there to disrupt the extremists' ongoing efforts, and they wanted to find the cache sites and recover the materials that could be used against ISF in the near future."Baker pointed out some particular challenges in the area making aviation assets crucial. "Without our aviation assets, they wouldn't have been able to execute the op in the same manner. Our helicopters placed their forces in terrain they wouldn't have been able to access via ground movement. The lateral water obstacles, irrigation canals, marsh land, and river made the terrain nearly impossible to quickly ingress into. We made that possible using the vertical dimension.""This is the 3rd major op in the area in a really short amount of time," said Gardner. "We believe that the back-to-back ops are having a serious impact on the enemy's ability to store and stage weapons, explosives and bomb-making materials. I think that during the previous ops we forced the enemy out of this particular area. Altogether, I think the op has had a pretty dramatic impact on the enemy.""I've been very impressed with every element of the ISF since we've been here," said Gardner. "Are they ready to take over? Yes, without a doubt. They've demonstrated that over and over again. They'll be very effective combating the extremists that want to disrupt the govt."
A crew chief (center) from TF Hammerhead, gives last minute instructions to a tripartite force.
Maj. Whitney Gardner, CH-47D Chinook helicopter pilot and ops officer leads his crew during a review of the route for a tripartite air assault mission, during preparation at COB Speicher, near Tikrit, April 24.
A tripartite force are inserted by a CH-47D Chinook helicopter at a landing zone.
A tripartite force position themselves after conducting hot-load training for an air assault mission at COB Cobra, April 24.
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