Dear Interested Reader,
Forces conduct air assault during Op Talon Purge. RCT-7 concludes historic deployment in Helmand. Operational Updates. Marksmanship techniques for policewomen. Army Gen. Dunwoody visits Camp Eggers.
Iraq: Raider Soldier, 1st Lt. Christopher Nichols on his way to recovery. Cory Brown, paramedic, committed to health care for 3rd-world-country nationals on Basra. ECAB Soldier wins USD-S competition on Basra.
Joanna
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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
DVIDS
Forces Conduct Air Assault during Op Talon Purge
Story by Staff Sgt. Bruce Cobbledick
A Paratrooper from Attack Co, 1st Bn, 503rd Inf Regt, 173rd ABCT speaks with village elders in Chak District, during Op Talon Purge, Sept. 24; the largest air assault op the Sky soldiers of the 173rd and their Afghan counterparts executed, since their arrival in theater.
WARDAK PROVINCE – The paratroopers of TFs Talon and Brawler, along with their Ana partners, conducted a clearing op in the Chak District. They planned the air assault mission in just more than 48 hours. The combined op involved more than 340 ANSF and TF Talon paratroopers. Ground forces were inserted using 4 CH-47 Chinook and 2 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from TF Brawler, at 5 landing zones across the Chak District in the span of 5 hours.“Due to the untiring efforts of the entire combined team, including multiple SOF, aviation and ground units, the TF was able to successfully execute a complex mission with minimal time for planning,” said Army Lt. Col. Matthew McFarlane, TF Talon cmdr. “The people of Chak Valley and Afghan govt leaders were pleased with the removal of key insurgents, and an increased ANSF presence in Chak.” McFarlane pointed out that residents in Chak witnessed their Afghan commandos and ANA fight and protect them. Wardak ANP and elements of the ANA increased their presence in Chak, to build upon the success of this op. In the coming months, TF Talon will continue to work with ANSF to increase their capacity for securing the people and GoA efforts in Chak. “The operation demanded a lot of the paratroopers, NCOs, and officers involved,” said Maj. Damien Fosmoe, the TF Talon ops officer. “The op was a team endeavor, and couldn't have succeeded without the efforts of all involved,” Fosmoe said.The results were felt by the enemies of the GoA. A senior insurgent leader in Wardak prov., and several of his subordinates were killed during the first day of the op. “It's one of those things that we came in, secured key locations, and fought it out with the insurgents without backing down,” said Sgt. Bradley Mora, squad leader with 3rd Squad, 2nd Plt., Attack Co. “They have to realize we can and will go into any area in this country, and defend the Afghan people’s ability to pursue democracy.”“This op has served as another reminder that I'm extremely fortunate to find myself in the company of the best our nation, and that of Afghanistan, has to offer,” said Capt. Kevin Ward, Attack Co cmdr. “I am humbled by the bravery, endurance, and abilities of the men of Attack Co, the attached 2nd Plt. from Battle Co, and our partnered Afghan forces. Down to the lowest level, every member of our element faced extreme danger, with no reservation or hesitation. With the unmatched dedication and effort of Soldiers and leaders such as this, there is no mission too difficult, and no opposing force that can stand against them.”
A Paratrooper from Attack Co takes time to talk with children in Chak District.
Paratroopers of Attack Co provide overwatch from a fighting position overlooking Chak Valley.
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DVIDS
RCT-7 Concludes Historic Deployment in Helmand
Story by Lance Cpl. Benjamin Crilly
HELMAND PROVINCE — 9-28-10 - Last year, Now Zad was a ghost town. Helicopters and vehicle convoys purposely avoided the Taliban safe haven of Marjah. Nobody ventured as far south into Helmand prov’s village of Safaar.That changed once Regimental Combat Team 7 arrived. After a full year of conducting counterinsurgency (COIN) ops in support of the GoA and Afghan forces, the Marines and sailors of RCT-7 are returning home to Twentynine Palms and Camp Pendleton, Calif.“It feels great coming off a yearlong deployment, knowing that we made significant impact and changes within the ops here,” said Sgt. Esequiel Romero, a plt sgt for HC, RCT-7."As a whole the regt understood that their biggest expectation was going to be seizing the Taliban stronghold of Marjah, said Capt. Brad Whited, an ops officer. “The facts speak for themselves. A lot of people like to point to the negatives of Marjah, and all the kinetics that are still ongoing,” said Whited. "Now we have Marines, ANSF and GoA officials inside of Marjah. We've schools that have been established, some clinics, and we're making progress.”
In Sept., the regt witnessed the provincial elections, and helped open the doors to the first day of school throughout the Helmand River Valley. “We’ve seen the atmospherics in Nawa and Garmsir improve over the year,” said Whited. “Those districts in particular have become less kinetic, and we've made great strides to help those people and those villages understand who we are, and why we're here.”“When we came out here we set out to do a number of things,” said Col. Randall Newman, the comm. officer of RCT-7. “The overarching one was to improve the security that we provided to the Afghan people, and also with that security, enable the governance, reconstruction, development and economic development of Afghanistan to progress. We just finished up the Safaar Bazaar, achieving what we felt was the last tactical objective we needed to address before we left,” said Newman.Marines understand why they were here for a year, and can see how far they've come since their arrival in October 2009. “What we see is progress throughout each of our portions of our area of ops, that equate to an operational success throughout,” said Newman. “The Afghan people are taking advantage of the bubble of security, to really redirect their life towards a direction they haven’t seen in 30 years, where they call the shots.”"RCT-7 used to mean the bns of 7th Marine Regt, but that's no longer the case," Newman said. Marines need to remember that there're many people reflected when they use the term RCT-7, including the Marines, sailors, soldiers, civilians, and ANSF who've made this deployment a success. “None of what we've done in the year would have been possible without all those guys contributing,” said Newman."When the Marines of RCT-7 head home, they need to remember that this fight is not done, and will be carried on by other units for the years to come," said Newman. They can look back and see how far the regiment has come over the past year, and take pride in their accomplishment.
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IJC Public Affairs Advisory Team- Regional Command North
Operational Updates: Sept. 30, Sept. 25
URUZGAN PROVINCE - Multiple intel sources and tips from local civilians led ANSF and ISAF to detain an insurgent leader, during a combined op Sept. 30. The insurgent was a key leader and facilitator who commanded an insurgent cell that was responsible for the manufacture and emplacement of IEDs in the Mirabad area, and who had been trained in Pakistan. The joint force knocked at the door of the home he was reported to be staying at. They were invited in, and arrested the insurgent leader and another man without incident.
HELMAND PROVINCE - Afghan and CF detained several suspected insurgents, Sept. 25, while in pursuit of a dual-hatted Taliban civil and military cmdr for Lashkar Gah and Nahr-e Saraj Districts. The recently-appointed cmdr was forced to take over the role of military cmdr., after his predecessor was captured earlier this month.
Intel reports led the SECFOR to a compound in the village of Mohammad Jan Kalay to search for the cmdr. As the SECFOR approached the targeted compound, several individuals ran out, and were pursued and detained peacefully.At the targeted compound, Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully, and then the joint SECFOR cleared and secured the area. After initial questioning at the scene, additional suspected insurgents were detained.
TAKHAR PROVINCE - Afghan and CF detained 2 insurgents and killed 4, Sept. 25, while in pursuit of a Taliban facilitator involved in attack planning. The facilitator is associated with several al Qaeda, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and Taliban leaders operating in Baghlan prov.Based on intel tips, the SECFOR targeted a compound in the village of Marzek, in Ishkamish district, to search for the facilitator. As the SECFOR approached the targeted compound, insurgents immediately threatened them from several areas outside the targeted compound. The SECFOR engaged from the ground and from CF aircraft, killing 4 insurgents.After the area was secure, Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully, and then cleared and secured the compound. After initial questioning at the scene, 2 insurgents were detained.Additionally, the SECFOR discovered a weapons cache inside a building with automatic weapons, pistols, 50 mortar fuses, 9 IEDs, an anti-tank mine, and a remote detonator.
KABUL PROVINCE - Afghan and CF detained several suspected insurgents Sept. 25, while in pursuit of a mid-level Taliban cmdr operating in Tarnek wa Jaldak District. The cmdr coordinates and participates in attacks against GoA officials. Based on intel tips, the SECFOR targeted a compound in the village of Ramazi Kalay, in Tarnek wa Kalay District to search for the cmdr.
Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully, and then cleared and secured the compound. After initial questioning at the scene, 3 suspected insurgents were detained.
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DVIDS
Marksmanship Techniques for Policewomen
Photos by Chief Petty Officer Brian Brannon
KABUL - Afghan uniformed policewomen prepare to practice marksmanship techniques at Kabul Military Training Center, Sept. 29, 2010.
A policewoman practices marksmanship techniques with help from Italian Carabineri, from NATO Training Mission Afghanistan.
An Italian Carabineri officer scores a policewoman's marksmanship.
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DVIDS
Army Gen. Dunwoody Visits Camp Eggers
Photos by Staff Sgt. Laura McFarlane
KABUL - Dr. Jack Kem, dep. to the cmdr, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan/Cmdr, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, greets Army Gen. Ann Dunwoody, Army Materiel Command comm. gen., before a briefing, Sept. 29. Gen. Dunwoody was briefed on the NTM-A/CSTC-A mission; the progress made so far, and current obstacles.
Dr. Jack Kem addresses Dr. Malcolm O'Neill, Asst Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics and Technology, and Gen. Ann Dunwoody.
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IRAQI STORIES:
DVIDS
Raider Soldier on His Way to Recovery
Story by Pfc. Jared Eastman
Army 1st Lt. Christopher Nichols (left), a plt leader with Co E, 3rd Bn, 69th AR Regt, 1st AAB, 3rd ID, being visited by Brig. Gen. Kevin Mangum, deputy comm.-central gen. for USD – Center, in July, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., to check on his progress.
BAGHDAD — 9-29-10 - For one soldier of 1st AAB, the road to recovery has been a long one, with many obstacles. An IED injured 1st Lt. Nichols, April 21, while on a convoy south of JSS Ur, severing an artery in his leg, and causing a fracture.For his family, the journey has had many ups and downs. “We’re fine now,” said his mother, Donna Nichols. “We’ve had some really rough weeks. They warned us from the very beginning that there’d be ups and downs. The infections cause just as much damage as the explosions from IEDs. But, time heals, and he’s actually starting to take a few steps.”Brig. Gen. Kevin Mangum visited Christopher in July, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, as well as Spc. Matthew Corlew, with B Troop, 5th Sqdrn, 7th Cav Regt. “I started visiting Walter Reed in 2003,” Mangum said, “You can’t go to Walter Reed, and not be inspired by both the care the Soldiers receive, and the strength of the unit that shows support for the Soldiers who are there. 1st Lt. Nichols was fighting infection, but getting much better when I visited him.”“He’s had a really rough few months, but he’s in a good part right now,” Donna said. They started trying to reconstruct the leg, which meant fixing the artery in his leg because it was severed, then putting hardware in the bones, and then tissue reconstruction. The problem is that he got a couple infections along the way, and so they had to take out the metal rods and bolts they had put in, and that’s really what has caused such a long rehab. But, he kept his spirits up.”“He was in the hospital for almost 4 months, and just got released to the Malone House,” Donna said, “He goes back and forth every day for his appointments. His doctor at Walter Reed has just done so much; we actually took our son to a university in Maryland, also for consult, because his case was getting pretty complicated. They told us there that the work that had already been done at Walter Reed was pretty impressive, so I know his doctor has taken great strides to save his leg.”Donna said she was also grateful to Spc. Aaron Topolinski, a medic with E Co., 3rd Bn., 69th AR Regt., who tended to her son after the IED blast. “I’m just so thankful for his medic,” she said, “We thanked him by e-mail, and we haven’t been able to talk to him in person, but I talked to his mother. He says he was just doing his job, but for me, I know he saved my son’s leg, and I feel like he saved my son’s life really, because he did have a severed artery. There aren’t any words; you are just so grateful.”According to his mother, Nichols never anticipated being away from his soldiers for more than a couple of weeks. “He’s anxious to get back. Ever since he left, he wanted to go right back to Iraq,” Donna said. "In fact, when he first called me from Baghdad he said, ‘Well, mom, I’m probably going to come home for a little while; then I’m coming back.’ I don’t think he realized the severity of his injuries. He told me that it was just a broken leg. He wants to get back to his guys; he loves his platoon. He has a long road ahead of him, but he’ll get there. He’s strong and he’s done everything that he’s put his mind to so far.”
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DVIDS
Cory Brown, Paramedic Committed to Health Care on Basra
Story by Spc. Raymond Quintanilla
Cory Brown administers an anti-inflammatory medication to Murali Veau, a native of Hyderabad, India, and a housekeeper employee for one of the contractors in Basra, Sept. 23. Brown is a civilian paramedic, providing medical and health care services to third-world-country nationals who are employed on post.
BASRA – Arriving in a foreign country with limited medical supplies and equipment, one nurse, no facility, and a number of unforeseen obstacles, one man pressed on to create a professional medical op., and provide health care to the hundreds of non-U.S. employees living on Basra Air Field.“It was just a dirt lot,” said Cory Brown, a civilian paramedic who traveled thousands of miles. “Last year, this facility was not here. It wasn’t adequate enough to treat someone in an acute status,” Brown said explaining conditions, before a working facility was established. “We had a bed, a cardiac monitor and some minor drugs then.”“It’s grown tremendously. We have an emergency room, lab and x-ray room now,” Brown said. “We have more medical supplies to treat multiple people, from minor to serious injuries or illness.”“There’s a staff of 6, including an Iraqi doctor,” Brown said. “It's been a complete turnaround.” Over the year, Brown has developed a more personal relationship with his patients. “It’s not only the Iraqi people. There’s Pakistanis, Indians, people from Nepal and Bangladesh, that never had any form of medical care,” Brown said. “We’re not only treating them, but we’re teaching basic proper hygiene, health care, and dental care, so that they can live a healthy lifestyle, and they really appreciate it.” “You’re not trying to change them or their culture. You teach them the basics,” Brown said. “Just things they never knew, just as they’re teaching me about their culture I never knew.”A trained paramedic, Brown feels there's only so much one can learn in a classroom, and to make a bigger difference one must put head-to-hands, go out in the field, and get a better grasp of the profession. “You’re given the tools to treat someone, but do you have the tools to be empathetic and sympathetic towards these people?” Brown asked rhetorically. “I don’t see race or ethnicity; I treat these people as though they were my own relatives.”Leaving the comforts of home, and all the luxuries life has to offer in his hometown, Brown finds higher reasons for being in Iraq, and feels the people deserve more. “I treat them because everyone deserves respect, and to have their dignity protected,” Brown said. “Maybe they can take away something from us; maybe their view of American people or culture or what we are as a country, could be changed by one instance.”Brown understands that many of the patients from third world countries don't have large incomes, but he'll not turn them away. “For once, it’s not about the money; it’s really about the people,” Brown said. “We’re going to do everything we possibly can to see them get better, to see their well-being is always protected.”Although he does not wear the uniform, he feels that he serves for similar reasons as service members. “They’re sacrificing all of their freedom their entire tenure of service,” Brown said. “Maybe it’s not the same cause of fighting for a nation, but you have to have the same mindset, that you believe in what they’re fighting for. If you don’t, then you're out here for the wrong reasons.”
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NewsBlaze
CAB Soldier Wins USD-S Competition
By Spc. Roland Hale
Staff Sgt. James Balog, a Black Hawk door gunner assigned to the ECAB, 1st ID, sprints to the finish of a 3-mile run in full combat gear, during a USD-S competition in Basra. Balog took first place in the NCO category of the competition. (Army photo by Sgt. Jason Kemp)
BASRA - Soldiers serving in Iraq faced off Sept. 8 in a quarterly competition, designed to challenge Soldiers' military skills. The competition was held on COB Basra, and included tests of physical endurance, weapons proficiency, and military knowledge.
Balog won by achieving the most points for performance in events, including a race through an obstacle course, and even a weapons challenge involving an old fashioned bow and arrow. "Every second of every event was challenging," said Balog, "and it made you work either physically or mentally."
Balog prepared rigorously for the competition, which he attributes to his competitive nature, and a desire to stand out above his peers in the Army's competitive promotion system. "I kept a log for a month of how many miles I ran, and it totaled out to 93 miles," said Balog. "For the mental part, I dug into Army study guide note cards that had to be a thousand cards deep."
Balog is serving his 3rd deployment to Iraq. He was encouraged by his superiors to participate in the competition, after he won his unit's NCO of the Quarter board recently. He's now also planning to compete in his unit's NCO of the Year board, Sept. 29. "I want to be the guy standing in front one day," said Balog. "This is part of the road to success for me, and if I can set a good example at the same time, I'm all for it."
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