Dear Interested Reader,
In Parwan, chickens came first. TF No Slack engage with Goshta leaders. Spartan Soldiers inspect carpet factory. FOB Joyce Soldiers patrol in Dewagal Valley. Marines patrol, keep Kajaki Dam safe.
Iraq: 'Ready First' sets standard for excellence. Married couple share love of cooking. A new dawn for girls' education in Diyala.
Joanna
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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
DVIDS
In Parwan, Chickens Came First
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Peter Ferrell
Rod McSherry, ministry director with the U.S. Dept of Agriculture in Kabul, meets with a rep from the Parwan Dept of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) chicken farm, Sept. 22.
PARWAN PROVINCE – Bobby Ritchey, asst. dep. dir., Doug Berman, dir. of fragile materials, and Paul Trupo, all USDA employees from Washington, and Rod McSherry, were led by Army Lt. Col. Roger Hamm, the Kentucky ADT team leader.One purpose of the visit was to view firsthand the progress made at the chicken farm, since 800 chickens (600 hens 200 roosters) were purchased. In addition, Shamir Amiri, Parwan Dir. of DAIL, visited to see how the local farmers are doing. There has been solid progress at the chicken farm, as the chickens are producing up to 4,000 eggs a week. The next step is to take some of these eggs and incubate them to produce more chickens, which will then be distributed to the farmers.The other part of the visit was to meet with Amiri at the DAIL compound. The group of visitors discussed the needs and issues of farmers. “Irrigation, cold storage and dehydration for the fruits and vegetables, and trellises for the grapes,” said Amiri about the current needs for farmers in the area. Other issues discussed were the packaging and transportation of the farmers’ produce to sell in Pakistan. In addition, Hamm was told that there are currently 500 farmers growing soy beans in the area. Overall, the meeting was another example in using technical experts from the U.S. to assist the local people, by improving the agribusiness of Parwan.
Lt. Col Roger Hamm meets with Bobby Ritchey, Doug Berman, and Rod McSherry, to discuss the agribusiness situation of Parwan.
The Parwan DAIL farm has 800 chickens (600 hens and 200 roosters).
Lt. Col Roger Hamm meets with Shamir Amiri and Rod McSherry. The DAIL covers 10 districts in the prov.
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DVIDS
TF No Slack Engage With Goshta Leaders Photos by Spc. Richard Daniels Jr.
NANGARHAR PROVINCE - Army 1st Lt. Dan Konopa, platoon leader with 1st Pt, Co D, 2nd Bn, 327th, Inf Regt, TF No Slack, talks with an Afghan leader about a project proposal in the Goshta District. TF No Slack met with local leaders to discuss current and future projects within the Goshta District, Sept. 26.
Staff Sgt. Lewis Rashad, weapons section sgt., directs an MRAP all-terrain vehicle, while pulling security during a Sept. 26 key leader engagement.
Sgt. Christopher Dixon, section sgt., pulls security.
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DVIDS
Spartan Soldiers Inspect Carpet Factory
Photos by Spc. Albert Kelley
NANGARHAR PROVINCE - Capt. Klayton Barrows, a platoon leader, inspects a water pump at a newly built carpet factory, in Chek Nawar Village of the La Por District, Sept. 23. The quality assessment and quality control inspection ensured that 90% of the project was completed before the Nangarhar PRT paid the contractor.
Pfc. Eric Holmes, a forward observer radio telephone operator with 2nd Plt, Co D, 2nd Bn, 327th Inf Regt, TF Spartan, uses a Dagger, a GPS device, to ascertain a grid coordinate of his platoon’s location.
Spc. Travis Smith, a saw gunner, provides security during a quality assessment and quality control inspection of a carpet factory.
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DVIDS
FOB Joyce Soldiers Patrol in Dewagal Valley
Army photos By Pfc Cameron Boyd
Army photos By Pfc Cameron Boyd
FOB JOYCE - Army Spc. Mark Harris looks up on a hill side, while on patrol in the Dewagal Valley, in the Chawkay prov., Sept. 28.
Spc. Andrius Sepe prepares to return fire in the Dewagal Valley.
Spc. Tam Dang patrols up a mountain side to pull security.
Spc. Vergil Droumer pulls security.
Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Field pulls security from a mountain side.
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DVIDS
Marines Patrol, Keep Kajaki Dam Safe
Story by Sgt. Dorian Gardner
Lance Cpl. Bryant Wahlen, a field artillery cannoneer crewman, and designated marksman with India Btry, 3rd Bn, 12th Marine Regt, RCT 2, sights in on enemy activity across the Helmand River, Sept. 28, while patrolling the Kajaki Dam. Although the 25-year-old didn’t engage the enemy on this encounter, the constant Marine presence serves to force the enemy away from the dam.
KAJAKI – Constantly tested by enemy forces and IEDs, the Marines of India Btry., make sure insurgents know they're not welcome at Kajaki Dam.As insurgent activity grew in the region, civilians were routed from their homes. Being brought in to protect the area, Marines at FOB Zeebrugge have been keeping a keen eye on the dam, and a steady finger on the trigger. “The villages here are completely abandoned; the only time people go in there is when they are planting IEDs,” said Capt. Thomas Kearns, the EO. The afternoon of Sept. 28, a platoon-sized element of Marines moved from FOB Zeebrugge, to place themselves in areas known for being scattered with IED’s and enemy fighters. The mission of India Btry Marines is to protect the Kajaki Dam and force the enemy back. The Marines set out to do just that. They patrolled along the Helmand River searching for IEDs, suspicious activity and insurgents.Recent info was passed to the Marines that insurgents were using the ratlines and abandoned villages near FOB Zeebrugge to slowly move in on the dam, as well as conceal weapons and IED-making materials. “A ratline is a known path that offers cover and concealment, so that someone moving through can’t be easily seen,” said Kearns, 26. “We often see them using these routes at night,” he added.“The enemy has never really experienced the fight found in a U.S. Marine. They try to get gutsy every now and then, using mortars and RPGs, and sometimes IEDs, but with our constant presence and aggressive tactics, I think they're beginning to realize that they shouldn’t be coming around here,” Sgt. Christopher Farias, squad leader, concluded. Taking the fight to enemy, the Marines continue to keep the Kajaki Dam secure from insurgent control, establishing a foundation of security for the local population to safely return, and reclaim their villages surrounding the dam.
Lance Cpl. Colby Rice, 21, a field artillery cannoneer crewman, patrols alongside the Helmand River, to deny the enemy freedom of movement.
Cpl. Clayton Foss, 22, a field artillery cannoneer crewman, abd asst squad leader, looks through his optics.
Marines take a knee and sight in on enemy activity on the opposite side of the Helmand River.
Cpl. Matthew Lucas, 22, a field artillery cannoneer crewman, crosses over a make shift bridge along the Helmand River.
Marines patrol the area alongside the Helmand River, to ensure the safety of the Kajaki Dam.
Marines patrolling.
Lance Cpl. Colby Rice, 21, a field artillery cannoneer crewman, crosses a ladder bridge along the Helmand River, while on a patrol to investigate enemy activity.
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IRAQI STORIES:
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