TROOP SCOOP: Daily Afghan-Iraq Update/10-13

Dear Interested Reader,

Air assault op proves successful in Khost. Joint SF conduct op in Kandahar. 4th Int'l AgFair held in Kabul. Marines conduct clearing op in Gowragi. Helmand Dep. Gov. condemns poppy trade.

Iraq: "Black Seven" preps for exit. Iraqi SWAT team learns to train own. Fighting Eagles train Maysan IP CSI training.

Joanna

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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:

DVIDS

Air-assault Operation Proves Successful in Khost

Story by Sgt. Brent Powell

Army Pfc. Seth Zimmer, an M203 gunner, assigned to Troop A, 1st Sqdrn, 33rd Cav Regt, keeps an eye out for insurgents, during a joint air-assault mission with ANSF in the mountains of Khowst prov., Oct. 8. The successful op resulted in the location and destruction of 2 insurgent weapons caches, containing recoilless rifle rounds, RPGs, small-arms ammo, and a machine gun.

KHOWST PROVINCE – The op, named War Old Coffee, came after weeks of intel gathering, planning, and mission rehearsals by Soldiers of Apache Troop, with assistance from their ANA partners.

“We'd previously gathered intel, from many sources, on a cache site located along logistic supply routes that we knew the insurgents were using,” said 1st Lt. Paul Corcoran, 1st Plt leader for Apache Troop. “We developed a mission plan with our ANA partners, and then we used an air-assault to execute the plan and move on the objective.”

The troops were transported to the site by CH-47 Chinook helicopters, using a technique known as a pinnacle landing to off-load them high in the mountains. The special type of insertion allows troops to immediately claim high ground and gives them a tactical advantage over insurgent forces.

Once off of the helicopters, the joint forces climbed even higher, fighting their way over sharp rocks, up steep inclines and around potentially deadly cliff faces. “One of the biggest challenges of this mission was definitely terrain,” said Corcoran. “Terrain is always an issue during any type of mission here in Afghanistan. It was tough, but we overcame it.”

After making their way through the unforgiving terrain, the soldiers arrived at their first objective, a bunker complex of wood and dirt, located along a winding mountain trail. The soldiers established security on the site and then moved in. After quickly clearing the objective and ensuring no enemy forces were present, they searched the bunkers and found what they were looking for – a recoilless rifle, RPGs, a machine gun, ammo, clothing, sleeping bags and various cooking items.

A thorough inventory was conducted, and then an EOD was called in to destroy the items. The clothing and sleeping materials were brought outside and burned, to prevent future use by insurgent forces.

“After successfully clearing the first weapons cache, we received intel of another cache in the area,” said Corcoran. “Being flexible, we were able to adjust our mission and move on that objective as well.”

The determined forces picked up their gear and began the trek to their next target. They hiked down the side of a mountain, traversed a deep wadi, and marched nearly a mile across open ground, before reaching a heavily wooded and secluded area.

In a completely inconspicuous looking dirt area, an Afghan citizen, whom the troops brought with them, pinpointed the spot he said contained insurgent weapons. Lt. Col. Stephen Lutsky, comm. officer, began the search by digging for the suspected cache with the only tool he had, a sharp rock.

Others quickly joined in, digging with their hands and anything they could find. After a few minutes, their exhausting efforts paid off in a big way. Hidden under about 2' of dirt, the team located more than 40 recoilless rifle rounds, 3 RPGs, nearly 20-lbs of powdered explosives, 2 pressure plates, medical supplies, ID cards, clothing and various paperwork. After inventorying all the items, EOD again stepped in to destroy them with high-explosives.

After destroying the 2nd cache, the joint forces called in air support to transport them back to Camp Clark, finally allowing them to relax and reflect on the success of the mission.

By working together, the U.S. and ANSF sent a powerful message to insurgents.

“The message we sent today is that CF are able to work closely with the ANSF, allowing us to effectively move on these areas,” said Corcoran. “There really is no safe place for insurgents to hide their weapons or info from us. We've the upper hand right now, and we plan to keep it.”

Soldiers from Troop A watch a CH-47 Chinook helicopter conduct a pinnacle landing.

Sgt. Phillip Curran, alpha team leader, makes his way down the side of a steep incline as an ANA soldier maintains security from above.

Pfc. Seth Zimmer, an M203 gunner, keeps an eye out for insurgents.

Army soldiers walk down a narrow mountain road.

EOD techs take recoilless rifle rounds out of a weapons cache.

Soldiers watch as explosives detonate inside an insurgent weapon cache.

Pvt. Matthew Kozlow, infantryman, uses a metal detector to search for a hidden weapons cache.

Staff Sgt. Michael Wade, company intel support team member, inventories items found buried at a weapons cache.

Army soldiers cut open plastic cases containing recoilless rifle rounds.

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DVIDS

US and Afghan SF Conduct Joint Ops

Photos by Spc. Daniel Shook

KANDAHAR PROVINCE - An ANASF soldier looks on as another soldier converses with Afghan civilians regarding Taliban presence in the area, during a patrol, Sept. 24, 2010, in Khakrez District. The ANASF has taken a lead role for security in the area.

A young Afghan girl observes from a doorway as a patrol of ANASF and U.S. SF, with Special Ops TF - South, conduct a patrol of her village.

A pair of Afghan boys look on as a joint patrol walk by.

An Afghan man serves tea for a group of village elders and U.S. SF soldiers, during a village shura. Afghan civilians and CF hold shuras on a regular basis to voice concerns and establish solutions.

A U.S. Army Civil Affairs team leader attends a shura with Afghan village elders.

A group comprised of Afghan village elders, ANASF soldiers and U.S. SF soldiers approach a local village to conduct a shura, Sept. 28, in Khakrez District.

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DVIDS

Fourth International AgFair Held in Kabul

Photos by Chief Petty Officer Jason Carter

KABUL - Fresh fruits and vegetables from Afghan farms on display in front of proud farmers, at the 4th In'l AgFair, Oct. 7, 2010. Afghanistan is home to one of the fastest growing agricultural markets in Central Asia, and the fair was a great opportunity for Afghans to show and sell their products.

Two Afghan women knit different articles of clothes.

Three Afghan women spin wool into yarn.

An afghan farmer hands one his customers a bag of nuts he purchased.

Several different canned products on display.

The circular pavilion at Badam Bagh Fairgrounds was the sight of the 4th Int'l AgFair.

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DVIDS

Marines Conduct Clearing Op in Gowragi

Story by Sgt. Mark Fayloga

Lance Cpl. Peter Choi, a team leader with the Combined Action Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marine Regt, talks with an Afghan man during a clearing op, Sept. 29, 2010. The clearing op was followed by a sustained presence in the area.

GOWRAGI - In the past, Marines have had little presence in the area where the op took place, making the info gathered beneficial in helping to paint a clear picture of Gowragi. “It’s important to get a pulse of the area and the people there,” said Capt. Jason Armas, the comm. officer of HC, 3/3. “It’s a good area of influence for us.”

Lance Cpl. Kyle Lamoreaux, a squad automatic weapon gunner, holds security while on patrol.

ANA soldiers and Marines leave a compound after searching it, during a clearing op in Gowragi.

Lance Cpl. Michael Balch, a designated marksman, searches a pile of hay for caches.

Farid Ahmad, an ANA squad leader and Marines watch Afghan women and children walk out of the room of a compound, so his fellow ANA soldiers can search it during a clearing op, Oct. 1, 2010.

ANA Rahman Ullah, a squad leader, and Marines search the room of a compound in Gowragi, during a clearing op, Oct. 1, 2010.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeff Stuart, a Marine corpsman pauses while on patrol.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeff Stuart walks by a stream.

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DVIDS

Helmand Deputy Governor Condemns Poppy Trade

Story by 1st Lt. Alex Lim

MARJAH - The dep. gov. of Helmand prov. tackled the region’s problem of narcotics during a shura, including more than 100 local elders, at the district center, Oct. 3. “Where there are drugs, there's no peace, and where there are no drugs, there's peace,” said Dep. Provincial Gov. Mirzakwal. “I’m telling you, this is a proven formula.” As he continued to speak, the gov’s assts. posted anti-poppy posters along the walls of the district center.

According to Mirzakwal, there are 3 ways to implement counter-narcotics: raise public awareness that drugs are against Islam, give farmers an incentive to cultivate other crops through the Food Zone Program, and enforce the FZP with law.

“It's against the Islamic religion,” Mirzakwal continued. “I’m telling you, if we get rid of drugs and narcotics, we'll have security throughout Helmand.” To reinforce his statements, Mirzakwal gave a quick overview of FZP, and gave examples of the repercussions for farmers who cultivate poppy.

Starting in 2007, the FZP was the provincial gov’s method to minimize farmers’ dependency of opium poppy cultivation by issuing wheat seed, vegetable seed, and fertilizer. In 2009 with the help of FZP, Helmand reduced poppy cultivation by 33%, which was the largest decrease ever in the prov.

ISAF has partnered with Afghanistan in recent FZP efforts. Second bn, 9th Marine Regt distributed carrot, cauliflower, potato, wheat, corn, radish, onion seeds, as well as fertilizer to Afghan farmers in Marjah, Sept. 20. Seed distribution is an ongoing project for Afghanistan in partnership with ISAF.

“Seeing one flower does not mean it’s summer; likewise, it's going to take more than just the governor to make the change that is necessary in Helmand,” Marzakwal concluded.

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DVIDS

Joint Aviation Group Welcomes New Commander

Photo by Sgt. Deanne Hurla

CAMP LEATHERNECK - Royal Navy Capt. Paul Shawcross, the new cmdr of U.K. Joint Aviation Group, shakes hands with Royal AF Capt. Nick Laird, the former cmdr of JAG, Oct. 7. On June 1, the JAG integrated with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) uniting the U.S. and U.K. aviation forces that operate in RC (SW). The JAG brought more than 30 rotary-wing aircraft to 3rd MAW (Fwd)'s collection of aviation platforms. Both forces now contribute everything from light attack helicopters to cargo and troop transport aircraft, in order to support the ANSF and coalition service members throughout the provs.

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IRAQI STORIES:

NewsBlaze

"Black Seven" preps for exit

Story and photos by Sgt. Chad Menegay

Staff Sgt. Randy “Black Seven” Christenson, the M1A1 tank combat advisor with the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission (ITAM) - Army at the Besmaya Combat Training Center (BCTC), interacts with one of his students during training at the BCTC, Oct. 6, 2010.

BAGHDAD – “Black Seven” is a problem solver. He wakes before “zero-dark-thirty” every morning. He crosses the street from his containerized housing unit, to the IA training site. He talks with the Iraqis, and is neighborly in his approach. He jokes; he listens to problems, and offers advice. Sometimes he stays well into the black night for tea with his counterparts. It’s a unique job, but for him it’s routine.

Christenson works to improve efficiency at the BCTC, and to develop a professional and competent Iraqi ground defense force.

The incoming “Black Seven,” Staff Sgt. James Jaramillo, who volunteered to work for ITAM-Army as an advisor, echoes the sentiment that his job is a privilege. “I’m able to engage, and get out and meet the Iraqi people – see the people that we're helping to train,” Jaramillo said, referring to the training he’s received from Christenson. “These last few days I’ve learned how to talk to them, and how to engage them on problems. Christenson is a good teacher and has good leadership skills," he added. “Especially when talking to the IA – he has a friendship with them and a good demeanor that works well with the Iraqi people.”

IA Lt. Col. Diwan, the senior M1A1 cadre officer, and cmdr of the West Wing Baghdad Armor School, said that Christenson has a very strong personality, but he also showcases objectivity. “In his meetings with me, he’s asked a lot of questions to get a better understanding of the most common issues that students face during training,” said Diwan. “I give what I think is the best solution; he listens; and when he thinks it’s a good idea, he takes it to his superiors.”

The role of the U.S. advisor is to transfer his experience to the IA, doing his best to provide the IA with the best info on technology. “The advisors have been so helpful, and the IA Soldiers all have a lot of appreciation for the advisors,” Diwan said, explaining that without the U.S. advisors, the training would not be near the level that it is.

"Trying to help his counterparts reach their potential as good NCOs and officers is challenging, and the most effective method of leadership is by example," Christenson mused. “I feel like I’ve made a difference in my time here,” he said. “I’ve tried to be an NCO who is easy to get along with; who knows what he's doing; who's serious when needed, yet is also more than willing to joke around with these guys, at any time of the day. My personal mission here was to do my job, and leave an impression on these guys … I wasn’t going to shrug them off. I wanted them to have a positive outlook of Americans.”

Often, to solve a problem, “Black Seven” has gone beyond his job description as an advisor. Christenson has advised Iraqis “on everything,” including personal issues like what to do when a child is sick back home. He said he helps them come up with options.

One thing in particular that Christenson has helped the Iraqis in the M1A1 training program with is formations. "That’s the foundation of discipline," he said. "It forms them, starts them from the very beginning, dress-right-dress. It establishes the standard right off the bat, because if you just allow those guys to show up and they’re gaggled, that sends a different message, than if you put them in a formation. Now they know – there’s no doubt in their mind – ‘I’m here to train.’”

"Helping the Iraqis be consistent is ongoing," Christenson said. But, he’s seen improvement. He’s noticed that students and cadre are on time more often, and NCOs are staying on top of their Soldiers, and correcting them on the spot more.

“That’s huge,” Christenson said. “That’s one of our number-one goals: to empower the NCOs.”

As for the future of the IA M1A1 tank program, Christenson said that the Iraqis have been given the tools and training needed for success. “They can be successful, if they sustain what we’ve given them as far as training, as long as they stay focused on becoming experts on the number-one deterrent for the IA, which is the M1A1,” he said. “I told them: ‘don’t waste all this training you’ve received.’ They understand, and say that they’re going to continue.”

Jaramillo looks forward to Iraqis coming to him with problems, and he doesn’t even mind waking up before 3:30 a.m. each day, either.

Staff Sgt. Christenson (left), speaks with his incoming replacement, Staff Sgt. James Jaramillo, at the BCTC.

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NewsBlaze

Iraqi SWAT team learns to train own

Story and photo by Sgt. Cody Harding

Sgt. Kent Marshall, a tanker with Co C, 1st Bn, 68th AR Regt, instructs a member of the Basrah SWAT team on engaging a target, during a joint training session, Oct. 4, 2010.

BASRAH – The only markers on the range are the burnt craters where vehicles were once parked. Steel cable juts out of the ground, rusted and frayed as it sticks up from under the sand. There are no buildings in sight, and only a rough road gives any sense of direction in the desert. For the Basrah SWAT team and the U.S. Army trainers, it’s the perfect place to train.

Ten Iraqi SWAT team members went to the Normandy Range Complex to practice training their fellow Iraqis on close quarters combat tactics. The Basrah SWAT team has trained with various SF units, including the Navy SEALs, and the British SAS, and every bit of training counts.

The 10 Iraqi SWAT members will go back to their unit able to train other policemen, said Capt. Christopher Thompson, Co C cmdr. “What we’re hoping with these 10 is that we set the training model that these guys will use from here on out,” said Thompson. “Once we’re gone, these guys will train future generations of SWAT.”

Sgt. Kent Marshall, a tanker with Co C and one of the trainers, said that the progress of the team has been noticeable, since they began their week-long training. “For the most part we’re not trying to implement our tactics on them. We just want to make sure they've the capabilities to train their new guys,” said Marshall.

“We’ve done missions with these guys already,” Marshall said. “We’ve seen them in action, and they excel. We just want to make sure they have the fundamentals down, to get their guys up to par.”

Mohammad Kareem, a member of the Basrah SWAT team, said that the training is going a long way in allowing the Iraqis to protect their country. “We believe the American forces and the experts try to do their best to have the ISF trained, so they can take over all of the responsibility in the future, and can attack and face the terrorists and militias in Iraq,” Kareem said.

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NewsBlaze

Fighting Eagles Train Maysan IP in CSI Training

Story and photos by 2nd Lt. Benjamin J. Schmidt

An NCO from the Maysan Provincial IP Academy teaches a class on secure site exploitation, to a group of police trainees, Oct. 9.

CAMP GARRY OWEN – The Fighting Eagles Soldiers of 1st Plt, Co B, 1st Bn, 8th Inf Regt, 3rd AAB, 4th ID recently trained students in Al Amarah, in the basics of secure site exploitation and crime scene investigation techniques.

The training was organized and supervised by Civilian Police Training Team advisor Jim McElreath, and conducted by Sgt. Ben Cannon, team leader, and Staff Sgt. Justin Borders, squad leader.

This event was part of an ongoing training program conducted with and through the Maysan Police Academy to help improve the ability of local police to collect and secure evidence to be used in the prosecution and detention of criminals and terrorists.

CSI TRAINING: “The purpose of the training is to teach and encourage the IP to both preserve the integrity of crime scenes and learn to look past what may seem obvious. We want them to analyze evidence, not make decisions based on the face value of the crime scene,” said Borders.

The overarching purpose of the training program is to demonstrate the necessity of secure site exploitation, and crime scene investigation, as it applies to the criminal prosecution process. “This has historically been an issue with Iraqi law enforcement. Developing them in their ability to analyze and preserve evidence would be a huge success in their prosecution efforts.” said Capt. Ryan Snedegar, EO, Co B.