Dear Interested Reader,
1-32 Cav ensures education for the young. Army Signal Corps celebrates 150 years. Omna district center in Paktika prov. gets resupplied. Op. Updates, June 18, 19.
Iraq: 156th Inf Regt accepts new mission at JBB. 278th medic treats local child. QM Soldiers erect flagpole, exercise traditions at JBB. USACE engrs help young rabies victim. TF Hammerhead celebrates 2 "millionth" gallon pumped at COB Speicher.
Joanna
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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
RC-East in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
1-32 Cavalry ensures education for the young
KUNAR PROVINCE – Army Spc. Andrew Dickerson, a radio telephone operator with 1st Plt, Charlie Troop, 1st Bn, 32nd Cav Regt, TF Bandit, greets arriving school children in the Shamshir village, June 14. Soldiers from FOB Bostick visit the school weekly to ensure the students and teachers are safe, and have basic school supplies.
Young Afghan students eagerly display their class work through a screened window.
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RC-East in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
U.S. Army Signal Corps celebrates 150 years
Runners at Bagram Airfield take off to compete in a 5-km race, held to celebrate the 150th birthday of the Army Signal Corps, June 21. (Photos by Army Sgt. Scott Davis)
The luncheon commemorating the Signal Corps’ anniversary was used as a forum to educate attendees on its history. “They can talk about us, but they can’t talk without us,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Hilfiker, Combined Joint TF-101 CJ6 (communications) Dir.
The Signal Corps’ mission is to provide and manage communications and info systems support for the command and control of combined armed forces. From the Civil War to present day, the corps has provided all forms of communication between military forces. “It’s good to know that what we've been doing for 150 years, we're still contributing,” said Spc. Nekia Reese, a CJTF-101 cable installer and maintainer.
Following tradition, a cake was cut by the oldest and youngest service members attending the luncheon. Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Vester, HHB, 101st AD, command sgt maj, and Pfc. Raphael Rush, a hub node mgr., got the honor. “It’s a good time to celebrate the good things we do, and to contribute to the fight in Afghanistan,” said Sgt. 1st Class Alex Pitts, hub node plt sgt.
1st Lt. Samuel Morse, a Soldier with Alpha Co, 1st Sqdrn, 172nd Cav Regt, receives a gold medal for being the first male to finish the five-km race. Morse finished with a time of 16:40.
Two Soldiers from Co C, 101st HHB, 101st AD, Pfc. Joseph Coine, and Spc. Tiere Williams, along with “signaleers” across Bagram Airfield, wait to participate in the race.
Capt. Mollie Keith, XO for TF Biometrics, looks back at the competition before crossing the finish line. Keith won 1st place for the females, with a total time of 23:10.
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RC-East in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
ANP and Coalition forces resupply Omna District Center
ANP officers, along with Soldiers with 3rd Bn, 187th Inf Regt, 3rd BCT, test fire a newly-emplaced heavy machine gun during a resupply op to the Omna District Center, June 18.
PAKTIKA PROVINCE – The op provided food, ammo, weapons, fire support, and a new group of policemen to help secure the district center. "The Omna District Center is in a difficult position to secure, since it's in a mountain plateau in a sparsely populated area," said Shahkhel Darwish, Omna AUP Cmdr. "Insurgents can attack the compound with indirect fire from the hills while remaining unseen," he added.The Paktika Provincial Police Cmdr, Brig. Gen. Khan, coordinated with TF Iron Rakkasan to help to resolve the security issues. Together, they brought a heavy machine gun and placed it into a defensive position.
"While dropping off the equipment and supplies, insurgents called the AUP over the radio and challenged them. In response, CF and the AUP took defensive fighting positions to deter insurgents from attacking in the future," said Darwish.
While most of the outgoing police loaded into the CH-47 Chinook helicopters to fly back to Sharana, 30 officers remained to conduct a 6-hour dismounted patrol to the Sharana Police Station. "This patrol identified an alternate means of re-supplying the district center," said Army 1st Lt. Payton Holtz, plt leader."The new police officers in the Omna District Center are eager to serve. They're happy to have a job, and are committed to protecting the people of Afghanistan and fighting insurgents," said Khan.
Afghan/Soldiers with 3rd Bn, prepare to fire mortar rounds at a suspected insurgent facility from the Omna District Center.
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Blackanthem Military News
Operational Update, June 19
By ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
KUNDUZ PROVINCE - An Afghan-ISAF killed a Taliban sub-cmdr along with a number of insurgents at a compound in Chahar Darah district, June 18. Mullah Abdul Razaq was responsible for moving suicide operatives throughout the eastern part of Kunduz prov., and was the Taliban military cmdr in Talaqwa Village. ANP in Kunduz confirmed the death. According to multiple intel reports, Razaq is suspected of being involved in an IED attack that killed 2 American soldiers in the vicinity of Isa Khan, June 16.
The SECFOR searched a compound east of Chahar Darrehchi, Chahar Darah district, where they were fired upon by individuals armed with automatic weapons and grenades. The combined force returned fire and secured the compound. During the search a civilian man came out of his home and told Afghan and CF that the Taliban use the road near the compound daily, and that they frequently stay in the mosque behind his home. The Taliban continue to use mosques as safe havens and weapons storage sites, knowing that int'l forces are not allowed to enter. A significant amount of automatic weapons, mags full of ammo, grenades and an RPG launcher with rounds were found on site.ZABUL PROVINCE - A separate Afghan-ISAF captured a Taliban cmdr and several suspected insurgents June 18. The cmdr is linked to IED attacks along the road connecting Zabul to Kabul. The SECFOR searched a series of compounds in a remote area of Shah Joy district, after receiving intel reports on the Taliban cmdr's whereabouts.HELMAND PROVINCE - Another Afghan-ISAF killed a suspected insurgent, detained several other suspected insurgents, and found IED material while pursuing a senior Taliban cmdr., June 18. As the SECFOR approached a compound in Lashkar Gah district, they immediately received fire from an individual outside the compound. The combined force returned fire killing him. After securing the compound, the assault force found 7 containers of home-made explosives, multiple initiators, and numerous amounts of materials for making IEDs.
LOGAN PROVINCE - A separate Afghan-ISAF detained several suspected insurgents while pursuing a Taliban shadow gov., responsible for attacks against CF, June 18. The SECFOR searched a series of compounds south of Karizeh Za'faran. During the search the joint force found a 25 Kilogram bag of ammonium nitrate, which is commonly used in the manufacture of the homemade explosives often found in IEDs, and is banned by the GoA. While preparing to depart the area, the joint force was fired on by an individual; returned fire killing him.BADGHIS PROVINCE - ANA Commandos assisted by U.S. Special Ops Forces killed a number of insurgents, while searching for an insurgent cmdr, June 17.
The Afghan-led force was in the village of Burrida, Morghab district, when they were attacked by a group of insurgents. The insurgents engaged the force with heavy small-arms, machine gun and RPG fire from fortified positions. The partnered force returned fire, and called in a precision airstrike killing many of the insurgents.
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Blackanthem Military News
Operational Update, June 18
By ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
ZABUL PROVINCE - An Afghan-ISAF captured a Taliban cmdr, June 17. The cmdr is responsible for coordinating and assisting in attacks against Afghan and int'l forces, and has also been involved in the procurement and emplacement of IEDs. The suspect was detained while the SECFOR searched a compound in the village of Ja'far-e Olya in Shah Joy district.KANDAHAR PROVINCE - A separate Afghan-ISAF detained 2 suspected insurgents, June 17, while pursuing a Taliban sub-cmdr responsible for coordinating IED attacks and ambushes against CF in Arghandab district. The combined SECFOR searched a number of compounds west of Senjaray, Zhari district.-30-
IRAQI STORIES:
Blackanthem Military News
3rd Bn., 156th Inf. Regt. accepts new mission
Story and photo by Sgt. Nathaniel Orphey
Soldiers with A Co, 3rd Bn, 156th Inf Regt, 256th IBCT, 13th ESC mount lights on a MRAP vehicle at Al Asad Air Base.
To help support its new missions, the "Bandits" have been assigned an additional company from the 256th. G Co, 199th BSB, permanently attached to 1st Bn., 141st FAR, will relocate to provide additional convoy SECFOR. The companies of 3rd Bn., 156th Inf. Regt. will be conducting their new missions from different bases across Iraq. "Having units work out of multiple locations is not a new experience for us." said Lt. Col. David Gooch, cmdr of 3rd Bn., 156th Inf. Regt. "Our bn is made up of units located at 9 different cities across western Louisiana, and we have quite a bit of experience operating out of separate communities, in support of state missions."
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Blackanthem Military News
278th ACR medic treats local child
Story and photos by Sgt. Michael Carden
Sgt. Diana McClure, a medic with HHT, RTS, 278th ACR, 13th ESC, clears a child's airway, June 16, during a UN inspection mission in Baghdad.
To begin treatment, McClure ensured the child's airway was clear, and then made sure that the boy was positioned on his side to help keep any fluid accumulations from blocking his throat. At one point, secretions built up in the child's throat and she had to manually remove them, she said. McClure directed other Soldiers to use cool water on the child's neck and face to bring the child's temperature down. "He probably had a past experience of seizures, but there was a lot of excitement with us being there and everything going on," McClure said. "He was running around and getting extremely hot. I'm sure that contributed to it."
McClure said she continued to monitor the child's vital signs while waiting for him to become lucid, making sure there wasn't any lack of oxygen, which could cause brain damage. While McClure treated the child, other Soldiers continued to monitor the area with IP to keep the scene safe.
"The IPs came over and started helping out," said Staff Sgt. Charles Smith, shift leader with HHT. "They were clearing out people, getting them away."
Even with attention on the medical emergency, the Soldiers kept to the mission of ensuring security to the U.N. inspectors at the Returnee Assistance Center. "To see what we rehearsed, what we've been trained on to see, and that everyone reacted accordingly, makes me feel good to know that when something does happen, everyone's going to do the right thing," Smith said.
McClure said the father seemed confused by the crowd around his child at first, but after the interpreter explained what was going on, he was relieved that the U.S. service members were helping.
Sgt. McClure provides medical care to a child having a seizure.
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Blackanthem Military News
QM Soldiers erect flagpole, exercise traditions
By 1st Lt. Herbert Karg
Sgt. Jonathan Rosenzweig (left), info mgt officer with the 716th Quartermaster Co., 13th CSSB, 3rd Sust Bde, 13th ESC, raises the American flag, while Spc. Dartanyun Harvey, an amnesty yard container team member salutes, June 20.
JOINT BASE BALAD - Soldiers with the co. will be able to send the flags home to their families with a certificate stating it was flown in Iraq. "We've wanted to get a flag pole since we first arrived in Iraq back in Nov.," said Capt. James Beck, cmdr. "Now that we have one, we're trying to fly a different flag every day, and also give our Soldiers the chance to raise and lower the flag. Many of them have not." "It's a great honor and privilege to be able to fly the Flag of the U.S. over Iraq," said Spc. Alvin Garcia, charge of quarters clerk. "I'm thankful and proud that I've gotten the chance to send the colors up the flagpole," he said.
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USF-I
June 22, 2010
USACE engineers step up to help young rabies victim
By Mike Scheck
Gulf Region District
Army nurses pose with an Iraq boy recently treated for rabies at the Army Tactical Medical Center (TMC) on COB Tallil. Also pictured are John Morgan, a construction rep at the Adder office, and Maj. Justin Tyree, officer-in-charge of the Adder Resident Office, both instrumental at arranging treatment at the facility for the Iraq boy. The staff at the TMC was able to administer the rabies vaccine to the Iraqi youth after his family was unable to locate the vaccine locally.
NASIRIYAH - The USACE is normally in the business of saving lives through its construction efforts in building hospitals and medical clinics in Iraq. To date, the Corps has served as the construction mgt partner for 133 new healthcare centers and 53 hospital renovations. However, a young boy from Nasiriyah is making a complete recovery from a disease that's all but eradicated in the U.S., thanks to the efforts of engrs from the Corps' Adder Resident Office.
The 11-year-old boy was bitten by a rabid dog near one of the Adder office's project sites. His family spent a week trying to track down the rabies vaccine in the Nasiriyah and Basra health depts.
Al Dujailly says the boy's family was very appreciative of the quick response by the Adder hospital staff. "The medical staff made the process very easy on the boy," Al Dujailly said. "Their staff members' accurate record keeping of the required immunizations will ensure he gets the proper treatment for the disease. They've saved his life."
In the rural and urban areas everywhere in Iraq, you can't help but notice the large stray dog population. There are dogs near construction project sites, and strays can be seen lying in the center median of major roadways. However, unlike in more developed countries that require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies, Iraq is in the early stages of a country-wide vaccination program for this deadly disease.
There were more than 17,000 dog bites and 22 reported rabies virus related deaths in Iraq in 2007. The Iraqi Veterinary Services has initiated an aggressive program of vaccination, animal control, post exposure control, and training to prevent the spread of rabies in Iraq.
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Blackanthem Military News
TF Hammerhead celebrates two 'millionth' gallon pumped
By Staff Sgt. Mike Alberts
COB SPEICHER - Soldiers of Co E, 3-25 General Support Aviation Bn, TF Hammerhead, rally behind a "Two Million Gallons" pumped ribbon, to celebrate TF Hammerhead's benchmark accomplishment at COB Speicher, near Tikrit, June 16. TF Hammerhead operates cold fuel ops at COB Speicher, and hot fuel Forward Arming and Refueling Point ops at COB Warhorse in Diyala Prov. The two millionth gallon of fuel was issued to an OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter at COB Warhorse, June 11.
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