The presentation also provided an opportunity for Reudowicz to discuss several issues with Khan, such as the importance of the reintegration program, and Ghazni PRT projects. The construction of a wind power station, and other means of providing economical electricity were mentioned as priorities for Khan. In addition, the gov. and cmdr discussed further cooperation and training of ANP in the prov.
Nasir Ahmad opened a local-goods store, while Rafi Ullah opened a barber shop. Both owned businesses in the past, but were eager to open stores on the coalition military base, to provide services for the servicemembers residing on the remote FOB.
Nasir was a mechanic in Kabul prior to coming to Ghazni. He owned an auto repair shop for the past 2 years, and was a shared owner for 8 years prior to that. “Owning a goods shop is not very different from owning a mechanic shop,” said Nasir. “The basic fundamentals of business still apply. You have to provide goods the people want, if you want to stay in business.” The former mechanic decided to move his work onto a military base, because he wanted to serve the servicemembers. He always liked the idea of having Afghan stores on military FOBs, and was very eager to begin work on FOB Andar. His shelves are filled with DVDs, hygiene products and other items servicemembers need during a deployment. Rafi Ullah owned a barber shop for several years. He worked as a barber in Kabul and Jalalabad for 12 years. Cutting hair is a family business for Rafi Ullah, and he said he enjoys doing it. The job provides him with a moderate living so he can support his family. Opening stores in Afghanistan can be very difficult for most because landowners require 9 to 10 months of rent paid in advance. On military FOBs, no rent is necessary, making it an ideal location to get started. Rafi Ullah says he can use the money he saves on rent to buy all of the equipment he needs, which totals more than $550. When asked about his business methods, Rafi Ullah referred to the traditional saying of 'you have to spend money to make money.' “A business can be started with a small investment,” said Rafi Ullah. “But, if you want a good business, you have to be willing to put more money into it. Drop by drop makes the river.” In honor of the grand opening, Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Johnson received the first haircut. Johnson wanted to make sure the new shop would provide servicemembers with a haircut in accordance with military standards. Afterward, he showed his satisfaction by saying, “Rafi did a great job."During their deployment, TF Brawler conducted more than 100 ground-combat plt ops, responded to 151 troops-in-contact situations, and performed 498 medical evacuations. Also, TF Brawler conducted countless general support and refueling ops, and numerous sensitive site exploitations.
Ault told his Soldiers that their story will be retold by generations of Afghans and Americans alike, that they prevailed regardless of their circumstances, and that they should return home, with their shield, in honor. He told TF Knighthawk leadership the fight is now theirs and to carry on.
Lt. Col. Lars Wendt, TF Knighthawk cmdr, congratulated TF Brawler for the tremendous job they did. He said that their area of ops is a different place, because their efforts, tactics and success truly changed the lives of the Afghan people. “While true success must be achieved by, with and through the Afghan people, TF Brawler has certainly played an integral part by assisting and laying the groundwork for a transition to the Afghan govt, in what has been described as one of the most challenging environments in the world,” said Wendt. “Have a safe trip home, and thank you for making this such an easy transition.”
Wendt said the TOA ceremony is “a tribute to the service, commitment and sacrifice of all the great Soldiers of TF Knighthawk.” Since redeploying to Fort Drum from an OIF rotation only one year ago, he said that they conducted more training than most units do in twice that time, to prepare for this deployment.
“This meant not only sacrifice on their part, but that of their Families as well,” said Wendt. “They did this all without hesitation, and truly demonstrated the resolve and desire to be the absolute best the Army has to offer. “They are the finest our country has to give, making our nation safe, by fighting terrorism and helping the citizens of Afghanistan be free and safe within their own country,” he said.
Capt. Gregory Gabel, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, also managed to bring some Wildcat spirit to his deployment. Gabel went on his R & R leave during the heart of the university's football season, and went to 3 games before returning to Iraq. "I graduated in 2001, went to flight school, and spent a few years at other military bases," said Gabel, "but, I still definitely bleed purple."
Capt. Jonathan Spikes is also serving with the brigade as a Black Hawk pilot. Spikes completed a 2-year masters program at K-State. During his time in ROTC there he "decided to become a medical evacuation pilot," he said. "I thought that being a medevac pilot would be the coolest thing in the world, and it's been pretty awesome so far."
Spikes shadowed a medevac team leader from the brigade on Fort Riley in 2006 before graduation. He now flies with some of the same pilots he met then. "It's definitely been full-circle, with a lot of great people along the way," said Spikes about his transition from the university to the bde.
Capt. Ryan Cooley, a logistics officer, graduated one class ahead of Spikes and Indermuehle. Since his time in ROTC, Cooley has been at full-speed in the "real Army," he said. During his 2 deployments Cooley has performed duties ranging from fueling and arming aircraft, to managing unit budgets. "It's been a privilege serving with the historic 1st ID, and living in a community that is overwhelmingly supportive of the military."
Capt. Donald Indermuehle puts his Wildcat pride on display in the cockpit of his aircraft.
JOINT BASE BALAD— Excited, smiling children gathered around the back of a white pickup truck, Nov. 6, near the east entry control point to receive a new pair of sandals. More than 500 pairs of sandals were donated by Laura Mayer’s 6th-grade class at Northwood Elementary in Rochester, N.Y., as part of “Operation Flip-Flop”.
“Operation Flip-Flop” began with a conversation on Skype between Romansky and his mother, Pat, a secretary at the school, talking about a mission he went on where he saw Iraqi children outdoors, barefoot, in the heat of the Mesopotamian summer. His mother’s co-workers overheard the conversation and decided to take some action.“To us, it’s just a flip-flop, but to them it might be much more,” said Romansky. Romansky distributed more than 100 pairs of sandals at Iraqi Kids Day, Nov. 6, and the rest will be donated to an Iraqi orphanage by JBB’s Provider Chapel.