Dear Interested Reader,
97th MP Bn walks the streets of Kandahar City. Changing the old cannery warehouse on Camp Nathan Smith. Paspajak patrol with Bulldog Troop. Soldiers conduct route clearance mission. Ops Update, June 26.
Iraq: Deployment reunites brothers after 17 years apart. Army's top enlisted Soldier visits USD-C. Kids play American games at JBB. Medics graduate EMT course at FOB Warrior.
Joanna
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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
DVIDS
Spc. Newton Carlicci travels dismounted while on his way back to his outpost from the village of Paspajak. Carlicci and his plt went to this village in order to check on conditions, by communicating with the locals.
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Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan
Soldiers Conduct Route Clearance Mission (Photos by Sgt. Derec Pierson)
FOB ABN - Army Staff Sgt. Michael Huff, Squad Leader, Route Clearance Patrol 45 (Bastards), 57th Sappers (ABN) Rough Terrain, 27th Engineering Bn, checks the turret, after his soldier loads the 50cal on the MRAP Carrier before rolling on the clearance patrol to COP Nerkh, FOB ABN, Wardak prov., June 9.
1st Lt. Chris Haviley, the PlT Leader, conducts the mission brief about the route the patrol is going to take to COPt Nerkh.
Army soldiers roll through a village on their way to the COP Nerkh to make sure the route is clear.
Soldiers pull into the COP Nerkh after they made sure the route is clear.
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ISAF Joint Command
Operational Update, June 26
LOGAR PROVINCE - An Afghan-ISAF force killed the senior Taliban cmdr., June 25. Intel sources tracked Ghulam Sakhi to a compound near the village of Qal-eh Saber, Pul-e 'Alam district, where the combined force went to apprehend him. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker and called for women and children to exit the building. As they were exiting, Sakhi came out with the group disguised in women's attire, and pulled out a pistol, a grenade and shot at the SECFOR. When Afghan and CF shot him he dropped the grenade, and it detonated, wounding a woman and two children. The assault force immediately evacuated the wounded for medical care. Sakhi, who is known by several aliases, was involved in IED attacks, ambushes and indirect fire attacks throughout the prov. He also kidnapped and killed a National Directorate of Security chief in Logar prov. After securing the compound the assault force detained several suspected insurgents for questioning. Afghan and CF realize women and children present during these offensive ops are often innocent bystanders to the insurgent activities taking place inside their homes. The SECFOR goes to great lengths to respect Afghan customs and protect them throughout their searches. ZABUL - An Afghan-ISAF killed several insurgents with a precision airstrike June 25, in continuing ops aimed at dismantling IED cells operating in the Mizan and Tarnak Wa Jaldak districts. The cells are directly responsible for multiple IED attacks along Highway 1, also known as ring road, resulting in the death or injury of Afghan civilians, Afghan and int'l forces. The combined SECFOR verified insurgent activity, and after careful planning in order to avoid civilian casualties and mitigate collateral damage, called in the airstrike on the insurgents, in the remote area outside the village of Mianehshakh in Tarnak Wa Jaldak district. After the air strike the combined SECFOR went to the area and found IED materials, including multiple blasting caps and an IED initiator, multiple automatic weapons, RPGs and launchers. According to a recently released U.N. report, there was a 94% increase in IED attacks in the first 4 months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
Kevin Bell, ISAF Joint Command PAO
LOGAR PROVINCE - An Afghan-ISAF force killed the senior Taliban cmdr., June 25. Intel sources tracked Ghulam Sakhi to a compound near the village of Qal-eh Saber, Pul-e 'Alam district, where the combined force went to apprehend him. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker and called for women and children to exit the building. As they were exiting, Sakhi came out with the group disguised in women's attire, and pulled out a pistol, a grenade and shot at the SECFOR. When Afghan and CF shot him he dropped the grenade, and it detonated, wounding a woman and two children. The assault force immediately evacuated the wounded for medical care. Sakhi, who is known by several aliases, was involved in IED attacks, ambushes and indirect fire attacks throughout the prov. He also kidnapped and killed a National Directorate of Security chief in Logar prov. After securing the compound the assault force detained several suspected insurgents for questioning. Afghan and CF realize women and children present during these offensive ops are often innocent bystanders to the insurgent activities taking place inside their homes. The SECFOR goes to great lengths to respect Afghan customs and protect them throughout their searches. ZABUL - An Afghan-ISAF killed several insurgents with a precision airstrike June 25, in continuing ops aimed at dismantling IED cells operating in the Mizan and Tarnak Wa Jaldak districts. The cells are directly responsible for multiple IED attacks along Highway 1, also known as ring road, resulting in the death or injury of Afghan civilians, Afghan and int'l forces. The combined SECFOR verified insurgent activity, and after careful planning in order to avoid civilian casualties and mitigate collateral damage, called in the airstrike on the insurgents, in the remote area outside the village of Mianehshakh in Tarnak Wa Jaldak district. After the air strike the combined SECFOR went to the area and found IED materials, including multiple blasting caps and an IED initiator, multiple automatic weapons, RPGs and launchers. According to a recently released U.N. report, there was a 94% increase in IED attacks in the first 4 months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
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IRAQI STORIES:
DVIDS
Deployment Reunites Brothers
Story by Pvt. Zach Zuber
Spc. Joshua Wagner, a cook from Bravo Co, 296th BSB, 3rd Stryker BCT, 2nd ID, renders a salute to his brother, 2nd Lt. Justin Wagner, an XO for Echo Co, 1st Attack Recon Bn, 1st Aviation Regt, CAB, 1st ID. The two were reunited at COB Taji, June 18, after 17 years apart.
DIYALA — “The best memory I had of my brother was going to the airport when he left to live with his dad when I was 4,” said Joshua. With his own father not around, Joshua was placed in a foster home for a year until he was able to return to his mother. He spent the years afterward in and out of foster homes, and learned to adapt to the new environments in which he was placed. While he moved, his younger brother and sister were separated and Joshua did his best to stay in contact and support them through their difficulties. This is a quality he may have gotten from his older brother, who demanded they stay together until the 2 were separated. “When I got done with school, I tried the whole college thing but couldn’t really stay focused, so I decided to join the Army, because I always liked to cook and figured I could get more experience there,” said Joshua. Meanwhile life for his brother, Justin was in many ways the exact opposite. Living with his father in Penn. provided a more regimented childhood filled with chores, curfews, and an emphasis on school work. “With my dad, there were a lot more rules on what I could do, which kept me from getting in trouble like we did when we were together,” said Justin. “It was a great childhood, but I still always missed the old lifestyle with him [Joshua].” As he got older, Justin wanted to help kids growing up in situations similar to what he and his brother faced. When he started college, his goal was to obtain a teaching degree, but later his focus switched to criminal justice. After he received his degree, he first worked in social services, but realized it wasn't what he truly wanted to do, and started considering the military. By this time the younger Wagner brother was a step ahead, working through the initial entry phase of his military career. Shortly after Joshua graduated from Advanced Individual Training, he learned that his little sister had reconnected with their older brother through MySpace. “When my sister and then my mom started talking to him about a year ago, I got his info because I just wanted to know how he was doing,” said Joshua. “I found out that he was about to graduate from college, and he wanted to know what my time in the Army was like.” Among many topics, the 2 discussed Spc. Wagner’s career in the Army, and whether or not it would be a good choice for his older brother. “At first I recommended he look into the AF, but I told him that with a college degree, being an officer in the Army would be great,” said Spc. Wagner. “After a couple months he told me that he signed up, which made me really proud.”
“When I found out he was coming here, I immediately went to my leaders to see if we would be able to meet,” said Spc. Joshua. “I never thought that I would be in Iraq when that happened, but my command said they would definitely try to make it happen.”Justin received a warm reception to the idea as well. “My superiors basically told me that they would do anything I needed to make sure that he could come visit me, or I could go see him,” said Justin. With the approval they needed, the brothers simply had to wait for an opportunity to reunite. After working with his command, Joshua was able to pack his bags and take a flight to his brother’s duty station at COB Taji. All those years separated didn't change the fact that these 2 share an obvious bond. Both have reserved personalities, but were beaming with excitement to see each other. Quickly the stories started spilling from each brother, conversations that were 17 years in the making. Those close to Justin continually made comments about how his younger brother acted just like him. Joshua had the same outgoing personality his older brother remembers from their childhood.It didn’t take much to get a smile from the siblings as they spent 2 days catching up on family, friends and work. Though it was only a short reunion, they were able to make plans for their next visit and agree to take a family vacation when they both return to the U.S..Now that the 2 have been formally reunited, this is just the first of their plans to stick together through the years to come. Soon Joshua will have a lot more to remember than just the day his brother moved away.
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DVIDS
Army’s Top Enlisted Soldier Visits USD-C
Story by Spc. Daniel Schneider
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston answers questions from USD Soldiers at Camp Liberty, June 24.
BAGHDAD – Senior leadership and some junior enlisted Soldiers met with the highest-ranking enlisted member of the Army to ask questions of Preston during multiple open forums, and hear his take on Army issues affecting them. During his open forums with the junior enlisted Soldiers, Preston pointed out where the Army is headed in the near future, emphasizing the new enlisted promotion policy in the works. “We want to make it so that Soldiers aren’t set back because they’re on a deployment,” Preston said. “A lot of times, a Soldier, when deployed, doesn’t have access to all the paperwork to successfully get promoted. Oftentimes, when they're out on distant FOBs, they don’t have access to attend a promotion board – either being too far away from where the board is held, or mission requirements deterring them from being able to make it.” Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Wilson, senior enlisted leader of USF – Iraq, offered advice to the NCOs in attendance. “We succeed as a team,” said Wilson. “If your junior Soldiers succeed, that means you succeed as an NCO. Never be afraid to grow future leaders, because when they get promoted, you get promoted.” Command Sgt. Maj. William Johnson, USD – Center senior enlisted leader, pointed out that Soldiers seeking promotion should concentrate on aiming for excellence in the performance of their jobs. Preston also took questions from the Soldiers. One Soldier asked Preston what he likes and dislikes about today’s Army. “Back in the old Army, you’d have people standing before a judge who would tell them, ‘You can go to jail or join the Army.’ Now, we have a purely volunteer force which I like a whole lot,” Preston said. “You all should be very proud of who you are. You're the cream of our society. Out of all people who try to join the Army, only 30% are even qualified to wear the uniform. I'm very proud of all of you,” Preston concluded. The sergeant major of the Army travels all around the world, visiting Soldiers roughly 270 days out of the year, said Master Sgt. Jason Shepherd, the public affairs advisor to Preston. He tries to travel to either Afghanistan or Iraq quarterly, alternating between the 2, and makes it a point to visit with all Soldiers regardless of rank. At the end of the open forum meetings, Preston presented approx 30 junior enlisted Soldiers from across USD-C with coins. Before departing, he reiterated just how proud he was of every Soldier for answering the call to serve their country.
Sgt. John Batemon, assigned to 45th Military Intel Co, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID, asks a question.
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Preston speaks to Soldiers from USD – Center during a lunch meeting at Camp Liberty’s Iron Oasis dining facility.
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DVIDS
Iraqi Kids Play American Games at Joint Base Balad
Story by Sgt. Chad Menegay
AF Senior Airman Claribel Najera-Torres, with the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engr Sqdrn (ECES) helps an Iraqi girl blow bubbles, June 19, during Kids Day at JBB.
JOINT BASE BALAD - Service members threw an American-style party with swimming, movies, video games, board games, burgers, potato chips and ice cream, for 77 Iraqi children at Morale, Welfare and Recreation-East. Defense Dept personnel, who work with locals in the villages that surround JBB, to build communities and help the sick and injured, have gained enough trust with parents to gather children from Albu Hassan, Albu Abbas and Al Bakir for the “Kids Day.” Capt. Tara Opielowski, with the 732nd coordinated the event and said that she filled her quota of 1 volunteer for each child within 2 minutes of her request. She still had to turn away about 400 people. Opielowski said she kept the itinerary very generic. “I wanted them to come here and interact with service members,” she said. “We told the volunteers to stay with their respective child, but to let them do what they want and have fun.” Most of the children started their day outside, playing in an above-ground pool, and kicking around a soccer ball. Boys wrestled around, and girls drew with chalk on the sidewalk. Service members demonstrated how to hula hoop and skip rope. Inside kids listened to music, took pictures, blew bubbles, played billiards, cards, table tennis and video games. “I love seeing them getting so excited and happy to get into the base,” said Spc. Nazha Likrik, a translator with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group and an Essouira, Morocco, native. DoD personnel said since Kids Day began in 2008 at JBB, the concept has spread to other bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. A previous event at JBB drew 219 kids. “Some children have been here 6 or 7 times already,” Likrik said. “They already know the place and what to do. They already know the processing at the gate.”“The kids are the future,” Opielowski said. “This is when it’s important to make the impact on them, and show we’re here to help not hurt. I think it’s good for the parents to see that we’re good people, and we want to do good things.”
Capt. Tara Opielowski, with the 732nd reads to an Iraqi girl.
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DVIDS
Iraqi Medics Graduate EMT Course Story and photo by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs
Capt. Jon Stubblefield, the primary instructor for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course presents a graduate with his medical brassard at the graduation ceremony on FOB Warrior, June 21.
KIRKUK - “Today marks a great day for the ISF and Medical Community of the prov. of Kirkuk,” said 1st Lt. Jonathan Metcalf. “Today, 9 IP, one IA soldier, and 9 ambulance aides will be certified as medics, trained to the full standard of an EMT.” “Over the past 5 weeks, these individuals have dedicated hundreds of hours in the classroom and practicing hands-on skills, that will not only enable them to save lives in their daily jobs, but enhance the organic medical capability of their various orgs,” said Metcalf.The ceremony was hosted by their ‘Battle Boar’ partners in 1st Bn, 30th Inf, 2nd BCT, 3rd ID out of Fort Stewart, Ga., and attended by TF Marne Comm. Gen., Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo; the dir. General of Health for Kirkuk province, Dr. Siddik Omar Rasool; TF Marne and Div. Surgeon, Col. Edward Michaud; along with other friends of the Battle Boar Bn. Before the ceremony began Maj. Gen. Cucolo took a moment to speak to the graduates to personally. “You're the future of Iraq and it's a very noble thing to learn to be a medic,” he said to the group. “I salute you for your bravery, because you're the ones who save lives.” Soon after this, the ceremony began with Michaud speaking of the high level of training the graduates received. "Now that each of the individuals has this type of training, all of their leadership expects them to assist these Battle Boar instructors in teaching the people of Kirkuk," said Michaud.
The dir. gen. of Health for Kirkuk prov., Dr. Rasool, presents a medic with a certificate of completion during the graduation ceremony at the Mtn Warrior Gym.
TF Marne Comm. Gen., Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, speaks to the graduates.
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