Dear Interested Reader,
Thanksgiving celebrated at FOB Morales-Frazier, and at FOB Smart. New era begins for village in Helmand. Working to shape health, education in western Afghanistan. Taliban leader detained in Uruzgan. Afghans meet new cav. troop cmdr.
Iraq: Garry Owen snipers ready IA Soldiers for markmanship competition. The "Golden Lions," "Thunderhorse" Soldiers spread Eid goodwill.
Joanna
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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
Blackanthem Military News
Kapisa PRT celebrates Thanksgiving
By 2nd Lt. Ashley Skillman
French Army Brig. Gen. Jean-Francois Hogard, comm. gen. for TF La Fayette, gets turkey placed on his plate during a Thanksgivings celebration for U.S. personnel, Nov. 24. Members of Kapisa PRT make up a large portion of the U.S. personnel at FOB Morales-Frazier. The mission is to help facilitate the local and national govts., working together to help provide for the development and security needs of the Afghan people.
AF Senior Airman Gilberto Rodriguez eats his Thanksgiving dinner.
AF 2nd Lt. Ashley Skillman, PAO for Kapisa PRT, video tapes Eric Jacob, Rep for USAID, as he wishes a Happy Thanksgiving to friends and family back home, before going to a Thanksgiving celebration for U.S. personnel.
Whipped cream is spooned onto apple pie.
Sgt. Harley Herron, food service specialist for HSC, 101st AD, pours sauce over sweet potatoes while preparing a Thanksgiving celebration.
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Blackanthem Military News
PRT Zabul celebrates Thanksgiving
By Brian Ferguson, PRT Zabul
Staff Sgt. Ivan Velazquez, left, and Senior Master Sgt. Michael Snyder, both with PRT Zabul, mix what will soon be gravy, as they prepare Thanksgiving dinner, at FOB Smart, Zabul province, Nov. 25. More than 200 soldiers, airmen and civilians are stationed here.
Various deserts wait to be served as Thanksgiving dinner is prepared.
Trays of food wait to be served as Staff Sgt. Ivan Velazquez, PRT Zabul, prepares Thanksgiving dinner.
Staff Sgt. Ivan Velazquez lifts the foil on 2 turkeys.
Senior Airman Bryant Davis, PRT Zabul, fills a pot with water as he prepares Thanksgiving dinner.
Army Capt. Harry Yoon, PRT Zabul, cuts fruits and vegetables for decoration in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner.
1st Lt. Raymond Gobberg, and Senior Airman Michelle Pecjo, both with PRT Zabul, serve themselves Thanksgiving dinner.
Senior Master Sgt. Michael Snyder, PRT Zabul, carves a turkey.
Pvt. Carlos Ortiz, PRT Zabul, walks from the serving line with his Thanksgiving meal.
Airmen, soldiers and civilians enjoy Thanksgiving dinner.
Maj. Shane McCauley enjoys a bowl of ice cream, a rare treat. during Thanksgiving dinner at FOB Smart, Zabul province, Nov. 25. More than 200 soldiers, airmen and civilians are stationed here. McCauley is assigned to PRT Zabul.
Spc. Kevin Vo, PRT Zabul, also enjoys a bowl of ice cream.
Capt. Ryan Weld, PRT Zabul, dishes up a bowl of ice cream.
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Blackanthem Military News
New era begins for Zarghun Kalay village in Helmand
By Combined Joint Task Force 101
DG Habibullah Shamalani Outreach Shura held in Torjan, Nov. 22.
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Blackanthem Military News
Working to shape health, education in western Afghanistan
By ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
Omar Azize, rep for the Minister of Education, speaks to provincial govt reps from all 4 western provs., and govt reps from Kabul and from across western Afghanistan, at Camp Arena, Nov. 24. He discussed needs, problems and strategies, focusing more on specific regions. Relevant PRTs, made up of Italian, Spanish and U.S. servicemembers, also attended the shura. (AF photos by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace)
"Hundreds of schools in Farah don't have electricity and access to drinkable water," said Rosouli. "Our children cannot receive a proper education with these shortcomings." According to Azize, as a nation, the education system in Afghanistan has come a long way in the past decade. Nine years ago fewer than one million boys were enrolled in a total of 3,400 general (or public) schools. There were only 20,700 teachers nation-wide.
"The education system was not responsive to the needs of the population," said Azize. In addition to a 7-fold increase in enrollment, the number of teachers expanded 8-fold, bringing the number of educators into the public school system to about 170,000. 30% of those teachers are female. Nearly 65,000 students are also studying in 24 higher-education institutions, also a rare sight in years gone by. "What's astonishing is that more than 90,000 students graduated from the 12th grade in 2009," said Azize. "27% of those were female."
Govt reps from Kabul and from across western Afghanistan meet at Camp Arena to discuss issues related to health care and education in the western provs.
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Blackanthem Military News
Combined forces detains Taliban leader in Tarin Kot
By ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
URUZGAN PROVINCE - ANSF and ISAF detained a Taliban leader in the Tarin Koṯ district, Nov. 24. The leader was known to have planned, coordinated and executed indirect fire and IED attacks. He's also a key suicide bomber facilitator. He's been directly involved with senior Taliban leaders hiding in Pakistan in the requesting and moving of suicide bombers into Afghanistan. Multiple intel sources and tips from local citizens led the combined SECFOR to the Taliban facilitator’s location. The force also discovered numerous automatic weapons and IED components. After initial questioning at the scene the SECFORs detained 2 men, and after further questioning, the Taliban leader identified himself to Afghan authorities.
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
Afghans meet new cavalry troop commander at Pul-e Sayed
Photos by Army Spc. Kristina Gupton, TF Wolverine
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IRAQI STORIES:
TF Ironhorse News
Garry Owen snipers ready IA Soldiers for marksmanship competition
Story and photos by Pfc. Angel Washington, U.S. Division-North
Pfc. Sam Forsyth, a sniper, assigned to HHC, marks his Iraqi counterpart's shot group during marksmanship training.
JSS INDIA — The crack of multiple 5.56 rounds echoed through the morning air at a rifle range just outside the gates of JSS India, announcing the training and preparation IA Soldiers are undergoing with their partners from the U.S. Army.
Snipers assigned to HHC, 2nd Bn, 7th Cav Regt, 4th AAB, 1st Cav Div, mentored soldiers of the 2nd IA Div commando unit, Nov. 18. "We're experts on our weapon systems," said Staff Sgt. Michael Tice, the sniper section sgt. "We're passing on the skills that we've developed to make them more proficient."
Groups of IA SF combat team instructors have been training with the "Garry Owen" Soldiers, to enhance their basic rifle marksmanship skills with the rifle, for an upcoming IA marksmanship competition in Baghdad.
"Before this training the IA soldiers had never touched an M16," said Tice. “We've taught them how to zero and shoot from various positions. About a week ago their shot group was within 3 inches, but now they're within a half inch."
Each Iraqi loaded their weapon, focused on their targets and used the 4 basic principles of marksmanship, to obtain the best possible shot group. Breathing steady, applying the proper trigger squeeze, and holding a proper sight picture on assigned targets, the IA Soldiers fired their weapons, improving their skills during the training.
From standing to kneeling, and at times lying in the prone position, Soldiers consistently shot accurately at their targets. "It's been a great experience," said Spc. Ahmed Aoda, an Iraqi SF combat team instructor. "We've become more proficient at zeroing, and on the fundamentals of marksmanship."
Pfc. Royce Applegren, a sniper assigned to HHC, said that it felt good to coach the Iraqis, both improving their skills and brushing up on his own. “Once we're done training, they're going to be able to go train their Soldiers everything we've taught them,” said Applegren. “I'm confident they'll do well in Baghdad."
After the IA Soldiers complete their marksmanship competition, they'll continue to receive additional training from the 2nd Bn. Soldiers throughout the next year.
Spc. Mohamed Mohamed, an SF combat team instructor zeroes his weapon during marksmanship training.
Snipers assigned to HHC, work alongside IA's 2nd Division commando unit during marksmanship training.
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TF Ironhorse news
‘Golden Lions,’ ‘Thunderhorse’ Soldiers spread Eid goodwill
Story and photos by Spc. Kandi Huggins, USD-N
An IP officer dons the “Lion of Kirkuk” costume, before handing out candy and playing with children at a playground in Kirkuk City, during the 2nd day of the Eid holiday, Nov. 17. The "lion of Kirkuk," the mascot of the elite “Golden Lions” Combined SECFORs, was joined by IP from the Domies District Police Station, and ‘Thunderhorse’ Soldiers of the 2nd Bn, 12th Cav Regt, from Fort Hood, Texas. The “Thunderhorse” cav troopers are attached to 1st Advise and Assist TF, 1st ID.
COB WARRIOR – ISF, with the assistance of “Thunderhorse” Soldiers, distributed small gifts and candy in and around Kirkuk, to celebrate the Eid holiday, Nov. 17. The “Lion of Kirkuk” joined in the festivities, and was very popular with the local children. The "Lion of Kirkuk" is the mascot of the Combined SECFOR, an elite unit composed of IA, IP, Kurdish Peshmerga, and American Forces integrated down to the squad level.
"The cavalry troopers of 2nd Bn. were proud to be part of the Iraqi goodwill effort," said Spc. Nathan Howe, a combat medic assigned to HHC, 2nd Bn. “I had a great time being out there,” said Howe. “You can tell the children were not expecting it, but when they realized what was going on, oh boy, you could not get them to leave.”
The ISF distributed more than 1,000 pieces of candy during their day-long effort in Kirkuk.
"'Thunderhorse' Troopers are proud of the partnership that the IP in the city of Kirkuk have with us," said Lt. Col. Joe Holland, cmdr, 2nd Bn., which is responsible for advising, training, and assisting ISF in and around the city of Kirkuk. "This was a great way for the IP to build goodwill with the people whom they serve, and for our Soldiers to show the citizens of Kirkuk that we'll assist the police at every opportunity."
“'Thunderhorse' is a vital part of our team,” said Col. Eric Welsh, cmdr, 1st AATF. “They’ve built a strong relationship with their Iraqi partners, and enabled the IP to take the lead in all ops within the city.”
The “Lion of Kirkuk” bids farewell to a group of children, as he walks towards the Domies District Police Station.
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