GHAZNI PROVINCE - Navy Cmdr. Philip Kapusta turned the reins of control over to Navy Cmdr. John Doolittle in a ceremony marking the transition from the outgoing PRT to the new team. Polish Brig. Gen. Reudowicz presided over the ceremony which was rich in naval tradition.
Distinguished visitors included provincial Gov. Khan, and many of the province’s district govs. and provincial council members. Attendance by more than a dozen members of the local press corps, emphasized the importance of the PRT’s presence in the prov.
Gov. Khan addressed the audience in English focusing on 3 enemies of Afghanistan: illiteracy and the lack of education, poverty and unemployment, and the insurgency. He spoke of his desire for strong cooperation between CF and the provincial SECFORs. He finished with his wish of success and safety for the incoming team.Reudowicz echoed the governor’s focus on the 3 enemies of Afghanistan and added, “You guys on the PRT are doing the greatest job in Afghanistan. That’s how we can change the situation in this country, and provide people safety and security.”Both the outgoing and incoming cmdrs delighted the audience with speeches delivered in Pashto. Kapusta offered “hope that Afghanistan and Ghazni will have a good future.” He remembered those, such as Andar police chief Col. Patang, who sacrificed their lives towards that goal.After the ceremony, a light buffet was available, as guests mingled and had the opportunity to make introductions, which all hope will lead to cooperation in the building of a safe and secure Afghanistan.KUNAR PROVINCE – ANSF and Soldiers from 1st Bn, 327th Inf Regt, conducted an air assault into the eastern Pech River Valley, in continued pursuit of militant fighters, Nov. 12. Acting on info of Taliban activity and fighters in the area, the combined force moved into the Watapur Valley, clearing the region of insurgent fighters as well as searching for weapon caches.
Paktya PRT has worked throughout the prov. for nearly 7 years, and integrating GoA and ANSF has been a key factor in their successes. The main purpose of the PRT is to help the Afghan govt increase its legitimacy in the eyes of its people. The Paktya PRT accomplishes this mission through the integration of Afghans, at all levels, in development and security ops.
“The Afghan govt and SECFORs must be in the lead with everything we do,” said AF Lt. Col. Marchal Magee, Paktya PRT cmdr. “This is their nation, and their people must build that connection and trust in their govt. The Afghan military is growing into an effective and capable force, and we're just here to mentor and aid them where they need our help. Continued partnership with the ANSF will build the mutual trust and respect this nation needs to ensure their future.”The first joint op following the Nov. 4 meeting took place Nov. 9, and consisted of a humanitarian aid delivery for distribution to Afghans living in the Waze Zadran District. ANA soldiers loaded the food and blankets into cargo trucks, and delivered the supplies jointly with the Paktya PRT to COP Wilderness the following day.“ANA forces are critical to the PRT mission, to help bolster our security and provide that local understanding of the security situation and culture, not inherent in our own forces,” said Magee. “ANA forces, over the next year, will be vital to our escort and development mission throughout the prov.”Following in Grandfather's Footsteps
A member of the Navajo tribe from Chinle, Ariz., Teddy Draper, Sr., served in the Marine Corps over 60 years ago, using the Navajo language, or Diné Ke'Ji, to transmit coded messages, as a code talker. Code talkers were the Native Americans who served in the Marines from World War I to Vietnam. Used to transmit coded messages over radio and telephone, the languages they spoke were unwritten and undecipherable by the enemy. Draper grew up very close to her grandfather, hearing of his service as a code talker during World War II.
From the peaceful wind chimes of Chinle, Ariz., to the swirling heat of Maysan, Iraq, the connection between grandfather and granddaughter remains a strong and vital force in Draper's life.
"Lost" NCO Hawaiian Resident Lives His Dream
Staff Sgt. Tim Burton, a professional photographer as a civilian, Nov. 3.
The 37-year-old Burton, a freelance professional photographer, who settled in Hawaii more than 20 years ago, appeared as an extra on the television show 'Lost' for the last 3 seasons. The former air defense artillery soldier and photo journalist said that he never had any interest in pursuing acting. He just stumbled on the job as an extra for the show, while doing some photography work for a modeling and acting agency.
As a professional photographer who spends most of his time behind the camera, at times photographing celebrities from the likes of Bob Hope, John Denver, Jackie Chan, and Jennifer Love Hewitt, Burton got a glimpse in front of one. "I was quiet, just took directions, stayed out of trouble," Burton said. "Many extras chase acting as a career, and are always trying to get camera time. I guess by doing the opposite, the director asked me to return for a 2nd role on the same day. That's rare."
As humble as they come, Burton also works as an official National Football League photographer, and has travelled to approx 20 different countries. If his plate was not full enough, Burton chose to work part-time for Hawaiian Airlines, which complements his travel photography. He loves nature and travel photography. He thought it would be great to fly, shoot in someplace like San Francisco, then fly back for free.
While on active duty, Burton was part of a team attempting to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records by executing push-ups for 24 hours. "We were on the news, published in 'Muscle & Fitness' magazine, and got a great experience from the whole thing. I can't remember the exact number of push-ups we did, but it was shy of 10,000," he said with a smile.
For over a decade, he has captured images of celebrities, fashion shows, accepted magazine assignments, and shared his experience with the world through his eyes. Bu, Burton proudly serves in the Army with 19 years under his belt, all a part of his dream.
His current assignment isn't nearly as glamorous as hanging out on the set of "Lost," but Burton considers it just as fulfilling. He spends at least 12 hours a day, 7 days a week helping U.S. units in southern Iraq with the paperwork needed to complete essential construction and development projects for the Iraqi people.
He believes that "Being an extra on 'Lost' was just living another chapter of his life. What he's doing now, serving his country, being a photographer, traveling, living adventurously, has always been his purpose in life, 2nd to family. "Chasing my dreams; I love living life," said Burton proudly.
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NewsBlaze
Mission Complete for Riverines after Five Years
Less than a year later, Riverine Sqdrn One was formed and deployed to patrol the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Their mission included smuggling interdiction, counterinsurgency (COIN), and the defense of trade routes, hearkening back to their missions in Vietnam; the last major conflict the Riverines took part in before they were disbanded.
In his speech, Gibbs spoke about some of the criticism the riverine sqdrn faced from the Navy and Marine Corps at the beginning on their effectiveness. "The riverine forces proved their skeptics wrong," Gibbs said. "By the end of their 9-month maiden deployment, they had captured more than 100 insurgents, discovered over 75 significant caches, and provided strong combat support from the water for marine ops," Gibbs added.
During the end of OIF and in OND, the riverines trained the ISF to take their place in protecting the waterways of Iraq. The unit was tasked to train the Iraqi Coastal Border Guard, which led to them training 11 different units from several service branches.
Navy Cmdr. Craig Hill, cmdr of RSO, and Senior Chief Petty Officer Bruce Diette, an intel ops chief, cased the colors in front of their sailors, marking the end of their mission in Iraq. Diette said that the ISF trained by the riverines are ready to take on the mission of defending their country, which made the riverine mission a success. "We accomplished all of the tasks on time. All the Iraqis that we've trained are ready to stand up and take that mission, and support their goal," said Diette.
Hill said that the mission, though successful, had unique challenges, from dealing with the language barrier, to the level of water in the rivers during the summer. "But, they worked together, and they overcame those challenges," said Hill. "I'm watching sailors who came out of the fleet, used to the grey hull, going out and succeeding at what some would consider the job of a ground-pounder," Hill said. "It's very, very rewarding."