Sgt. Casey Leadbeater, an infantryman, 1st Sqdrn, 172nd Cav Regt, 86th IBCT, clears a room in a village in the Koh-e Safi District, Oct. 18, during an air assault op conducted with members of the Macedonian Rangers, ANA, and ANP.
During the op, the troopers recovered 2 land mines, an RPG, bomb-making materials, ANA uniforms, a possible VBIED, and detained 4 suspects for questioning; one of which tested positive for potential explosive residue on his clothing.
"We wanted to ensure that the insurgency here isn't able to regain any momentum following some of our other successful air assaults,” said Capt. Jack Lehneman, cmdr. So far, C Troop has conducted 5 air assault ops. These are large-scale ops that use helicopters for the element of surprise, and are conducted to search for insurgents, weapons, and munitions. “They've been dealt some serious blows in this prov., and we aim to disrupt their re-organization over the winter months. This will allow for an expansion of the security footprint in the prov., which will lead to increased stability," added Lehneman. In addition to demonstrating their ability to disrupt insurgent activities, this op also proved the respect C Troop earned among not only the civilian population, but their enemies as well. As soon as the Soldiers approached the first building, where they later found bomb-making materials, 3 individuals ran out of a house and surrendered. “I believe the insurgents both fear and respect the abilities we bring to the fight. This has become apparent in the fact that the insurgents flee or surrender at the arrival of C Troop, and during encounters they've continuously broken contact or surrendered, rather than stand and fight,” said 1st Sgt. John Digby, C Troop 1st sgt. “These ops are the capstone to the shaping ops that we've been conducting all year. The inter-agency cooperation between CF, ANA, and ANP is a shining example of General Petraeus' guidance for combined action, executed in real-time,” said 1st Lt. Scott Mathewson, a plt leader with C Troop.
In the reflection of a Qulat (Afghan home) window, Macedonian Rangers can be seen standing guard on a rooftop, during an air assault op.
Spc. Andrew Stallings searches for bomb-making materials. The wires, which can be used for IEDs, were among other bomb-making material they confiscated.
Sgt. Casey Leadbeater documents wires that were found.
RC-East, Bagram Media Center
ANA soldiers Mohammed Qasim and Seenatullah, study during the literacy block of the Team Leader Course on FOB Thunder, Oct. 17. The first week of the Team Leader Course is dedicated to literacy and basic education, a first opportunity for many ANA soldiers.
Mohibullah, the new cmdr of the Team Leader Course, who like many Afghans goes by only one name, keeps the note as a reminder of what can happen when uneducated soldiers are given an opportunity to learn.
The 4-week Team Leader Course is unique among the 3 NCO training courses, under the auspices of the ANA’s 203rd Thunder Corps. Unlike the Battle Course, the Team Leader Course is not designed for ANA soldiers who have experience as NCOs, and unlike the 1U Course, it does not assume the students have had any prior education. Much like the Warrior Leader Course in the U.S. Army, the Team Leader Course is designed to prepare enlisted Afghan soldiers for their first taste of leadership. ANA officers choose 10% of their soldiers to attend the Team Leader Course at regional training centers like FOB Thunder. Upon graduating, the soldiers are eligible for promotion to sgt., and eventually, higher NCO ranks. “We’re not just training NCOs, we’re creating them from Afghan soldiers,” said Lt. Col. Gary Smith, a training officer with the Indiana NG’s Regional Corps Training Team 2, who oversees the training at FOB Thunder. “It’s very analogous to what we do in our Army: same type of discipline standards, attention to detail, and basic squad-leading skills,” Smith added. The Team Leader Course retrains ANA soldiers on basic soldiering skills, such as weapons qualification, and introduces them to NCO skills like responding to an ambush, as well as conducting searches of houses and vehicles. The 1st week is dedicated to literacy. The literacy block consists of 36 hours of classroom training taught by retired ANA officers, rehired as civilian instructors. The block includes instruction on the alphabets and basics of both Pashto and Dari, as Afghanistan contains millions of speakers of both languages. The instructors also teach basic math in the literacy section. The block is particularly significant to soldiers like Tajudin, son of Imamqul, who was forced to withdraw from school several years earlier due to economic problems. “This course is very important for us. It teaches us how to read and write,” said Tajudin through an interpreter. “A man who can’t read or write can’t read signs to know where he's going; if it's the right way or the wrong way. He doesn’t know his name or his father’s name. Now, we can write our names, and know what way is the right way, and what way is the wrong way.” With UNICEF reporting a literacy rate in Afghanistan of about 30%, Tajudin is not alone. "Many hard-working ANA soldiers are among the illiterate because they're often in the field, and unable to take advantage of the literacy programs offered by their units. Others are more fortunate, so, soon after their arrival the students divide into 3 sections based on ability," Mohibullah said. At the end of the 1st week, all students are tested with their section. Mohibullah said that many of the students do not pass the test, but they're all given passing grades for the literacy section nonetheless. He justifies this policy on the basis that in Afghan culture, brutal honesty so early on would discourage, rather than help soldiers who've still not received enough education. “One week is not enough,” he said. "Fortunately, the test is only a formality, and book learning continues informally throughout the duration of the course. Since the training day is only about six hours, many troops take the initiative to study, sometimes with the assistance of the instructors," Mohibullah said. “Our soldiers are good,” said Mohibullah, who recently transferred from the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC). “I visit them during the evening, and see that they're reading and writing. I saw one soldier reading from a newspaper, and another soldier writing down what was read. I did not see such a soldier at the KMTC.” Mohibullah said that Tajudin is among those who have shown great diligence in their studies. “He was very excited to get the opportunity, so we'll help him out,” Mohibullah said. “If he keeps up his good attitude, we can help him.”
An ANA soldier enrolled in the Team Leader Course, answers a mathematics problem.
Story and photos by Army Sgt. John Sklaney III
Pfc. Derek Gamlin, a TF Bastogne info mgt officer with HHC, TF Bastogne’s communication shop, fixes an internet cable, Oct. 19.
“We provide them with information; provide them with connectivity … between fiber [optic cables], category 5 [cables], tactical satellites, switches, routers, hubs, communication security, radios and batteries,” said U.S. Army Spc. David N. Harrington of Norford, Va., frequency manager noncommissioned officer in charge, HHC, TF Bastogne. “If there are electronics in it, we have something to do with it.”
One difficulty FOB Fenty S6 faces, is coming up with innovative ideas to solve new problems. “Without us, the brigade and battalions would not function as efficiently,” said Spc. Sarek Kirby. “We currently try to assist them at getting programs they need, to make their jobs more efficient.” One of Kirby’s jobs is to assist the brigade with software, programs, and user accounts. He ensures that Soldiers and civilians can access them, and that they work properly. For Spc. David Harrington, frequency mgr., NCO-in-charge, this is his second deployment, but 1st time in Afghanistan. He said that his experiences here are a lot different from what he did in Iraq. The shop is comprised of several military occupation specialties that work together to complete their overall mission. From signal systems support specialists to cable systems installer-maintainers to multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainers and assistance from civilian field support representatives; each provide their unique role in ensuring the brigade and her battalions keep the communications up and running. “The biggest thing I enjoy about my job is the freedom that it gives me to think freely,” said Harrington. The freedom offers Harrington the opportunity to explore different approaches to solving communication problems. It also offers another benefit for Harrington. “I’m in a very unique position as a signal support systems specialist, because I get to do a lot of manual labor, get out of the office; I'm not stuck behind a computer. I get to set up antennas, radio systems, and communications. I get out and about a lot,” he said. “It affords me the opportunity to also dabble in everybody else’s job.”
Pfc. Derek Gamlin fixes an internet cable.
Spc. Sarek Kirby talks to a customer about a computer issue, and how to solve it.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Jacqueline Riner, Kunar PRT communications dept officer-in- charge, and member of FOB Wright’s Female Engagement Team (FET), introduces herself during the women’s shura, Oct. 20 in Asadabad. The meeting, led by the Kunar Women’s Affairs Dir. Nasima Sadat, allowed Afghan females to identify issues, and discuss solutions directly with members from the PRT, the Iowa NG’s 734th ADT, and reps from the local battle space owner.
The patrol included 18 females and a few males, most of them members of FETs at the district and provincial levels from TF No Slack. Members from the Army, Navy and AF represented, for the first time, a large joint effort that was put together to address women’s issues in Asadabad.
"I think women's affairs are probably the highest priority out here,” said Army Maj. Mary Parmenter, the Iowa NG’s 734th ADT ops officer, and a member of the FOB Wright FET. “Education of women and children is what's going to change the future of Afghanistan.” Around 50 Afghan women joined the females from No Slack, leaving standing room only, as they crowded into the Women’s Affairs building, right next door to the Fatima Girls' School.“Their biggest concerns are the lack of female-ran businesses, training, and of course their education level,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Christina LeMond, the Kunar PRT civil affairs NCO-in-charge and member of the FOB Wright FET. “Kunar is very, very traditional. The women are not as free to do the things that other provinces are. Security is an issue, and women’s abuse is also an issue.” Many programs are already in place to address these issues. There is an established pen pal program with local girls schools, connecting both the students and teachers with other females in the U.S.USAID has sponsored many gender development programs in the area. One of these is the World Food Program’s Food for Education, which gives families of young girls who attend school, oil as an incentive to further their education. Education is also being addressed with the construction of new girls' schools throughout the prov. Another large concern for the women in this area is how to provide care for their livestock. They expressed a desire to take animal care classes, and also asked the ADT to provide high-quality seed for their small farms. Parmenter made no specific promises at the shura, but she said that the ADT is currently assessing the effectiveness of existing women’s agricultural programs in Kunar, and evaluating the feasibility of proposals aimed at giving the women agriculture related micro-business opportunities. Those proposals include small-scale poultry, dairy and honey production, as well as carpet weaving. In addition, the women of Kunar are making strides on their own. In Sept., they published the first women’s magazine in the prov., named Loopata, which means Shawl. “The purpose of the magazine is to express the voice of women and their requirements,” said Brishna, the dir. for Loopata Magazine. “It's very important, because the magazine raises the voice of the women.” It includes novels, poetry and informative articles specifically aimed at women. It’s free and distributed throughout the prov. At the end of the meeting, the FET members from FOB Joyce handed out scarfs and the PRT members distributed radios. As the FET members headed back through the streets of Asadabad, they assured the ladies that this would not be the last time they saw them, and as they continue to work together, they promised better things to come.
Army Sgt. Latoya Winham, a human resources sgt. with the 64th MP Co, 205th MP Bn, and member of FET, listens as women introduce themselves at the women’s shura.
Teenage girls in attendance at the women’s shura compare photos taken with an instant camera.
PAKTIKA PROVINCE – E. Anthony Wayne, the U.S. dep. amb. to Afghanistan, U.S. Embassy Kabul, walks through the Sharana bazaar surrounded by provincial govt leaders, Oct. 19, in the provincial capital of Sharana. Wayne came to the province to meet with govt and CF officials, and tour several downtown Sharana projects currently under construction by the Paktika PRT. “I chose to come to Paktika Prov. today, because I continue to hear about the great things the GoA is doing for the people, and had to see it for myself,” said Wayne. The ambassador made several stops in Sharana to include the Sharana bazaar, where he spoke with several shop owners about their businesses; the provincial courthouse, currently under construction, where he spoke with the chief prosecutor regarding rule of law development in the prov.; and the provincial library, also under construction, where he spoke with the Provincial Director of Information and Culture about ongoing info efforts.
E. Anthony Wayne speaks with local children, regarding extracurricular activities available to them at the provincial park, in the provincial capital of Sharana.
E. Anthony Wayne greets provincial govt leaders at the governor’s compound.
Sgt. Maj. Bill Sutton said, "the story of the run wasn't who finished first, but who just plain finished. "There were people I never thought would enter," Sutton said. "There's a specialist, not a runner at all, but she started the deployment with the goal of running a half marathon, and here she is on track after finishing a 10-miler."
Despite having a portion of her collar bone removed, continuing respiratory problems, and pain she has to live with, English said that she wants to do more. "I feel the pain when I run, but not as much as when I'm doing push-ups," English said. "We had one Army Physical Fitness Test here, and I didn't pass, so I worked on it and worked on it."
"As I kept doing the run, I started to do better and I passed the next test, and now it's just a matter of building up, and I don't want to barely pass."
When English arrived in Basra in Jan., she signed up for the Basra Running Series, a series of monthly road races that are getting progressively longer throughout the year, culminating with this month's 10-miler, and a half marathon in November.
"I see her out there when I run about 5 in the morning, running alone, and she's come a long way," said Sutton. He added that if he's helped English and the other Basra Soldiers develop as runners, it's been through motivation and not formal teaching.
"I'm definitely not the model of how to train, because running just comes natural to me," Sutton said. "I don't know if it's just genetics or growing up with 3 older brothers, running for my life from them. I'm just using the gift given to me."
"It's motivating, showing these younger Soldiers, that if I can still get out there and do it, there's no reason they shouldn't be able to do the same," Sutton said. "I honestly believe everybody has the potential to run."
English said that her hometown bishop has also helped her along the way. "She always told me that I can do anything I set my mind on," English repeated the bishop's encouragement, "'You're just as strong as anyone else, and you need to tap into this strength.'"
"Whenever I can finish a run, I always think about what she saw in me." English said that she was overcome with emotion as she neared the finish line. "When I got to where I could see the finish, oh my God, I wanted to cry," English said. "I had made the 10 miles. For someone who didn't think she could run at all, that's a blessing. For me, it's never about a time, it's about the finish."
-30-
NewsBlaze
IA Conducts Historic Training of Border Enforcement Medics
The DBE workers completed an intense 3-week medic course, and most are scheduled to continue training through early Nov., for certification as basic medic instructors. "This is the first time that the DBE and IA have worked together from a medical standpoint," said Maj. Casey Carver, the medical evacuation and plans officer for the 1st ID.
"Medical training is particularly important for the DBE. Unlike the IA or IP, DBE personnel are stationed away from cities where there are advanced medical care facilities," Carver said. "If something happens to them, they can't get to a hospital or medical facility real quick," Carver said.
"The course teaches us skills that will help save lives," said Hesham Ahmed, a DBE student. "We learn things from giving basic aid for cuts and burns, to giving IVs and stitching up victims." Ahmed said that the course also made him and his fellow students look at their health differently, by teaching the importance of hygiene, and maintaining a clean and sterile working environment.
"The U.S. provided the training center with some course materials," Carver said, "and will continue to give recommendations on how the DBE can get the basic medic course set up in different regions of Iraq. That would be the ultimate goal," Carver said. "We'll leave the DBE with something sustainable that they can continue to build on over the next few years. Getting the basic medic course going in all the regions of Iraq, will be one of the lasting impacts that the U.S. will have on the ISF."
-30-