Story and photos by Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Matson, TF Red Bulls
Spc. Robert Kemler, infantryman, loads a belt of rounds into a .50 caliber machine gun, Dec. 26 at COP Najil, in preparation for a mission in the nearby village of Ghaziabad.
LAGHMAN PROVINCE – Whenever someone moves into a neighborhood, it’s traditional to go meet one’s new neighbors. In a sense, that’s what Co A, 1st Bn, 133rd Inf Regt and ANA soldiers were doing when they conducted a key leader engagement (KLE).
“This was the first time we had been to this particular village. We really didn’t have any info on it,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin Ott, infantryman, who is also trained in civil affairs and performs that role on missions. “We went there and introduced ourselves, and tried to identify the key leaders of the village. They always try to feel you out on the first visit.”
"The mission was a joint patrol between ANA and their coalition counterparts," said 1st Lt. John Dundee, 1st plt leader, who led the mission from the coalition side. He said that the mission is typical of a daily patrol the units conduct together. Dundee said that while the village of Ghaziabad has not presented any problems for Afghan or CFs thus far, Watangatu, a nearby village, has been a haven of enemy activity.
“We also wanted to talk with the people, and find out what they know about insurgent activity in the area, or the IEDs that have been detonated a mile or so away from them,” said Dundee. “We try to gather as much info as we can. They gave us a lot of points on where the enemy goes to, or, where they come from.”
The town is about 6 miles south of COP Najil, where Co. A has been deployed since Nov., and is one of several small villages on the way to Mehtar Lam, the next large village. Prior to the coalition’s presence in the area, the route to Mehtar Lam had been unpaved.
Khir Mohammed, one of the elders who spoke with Ott, expressed gratitude from the townspeople to the Afghan and CFs, saying "the paved road cuts the trip time from Ghaziabad to Mehtar Lam from a full day’s travel, to an hour trip. This helps thousands of our people.”
Mohammed also expressed concerns of his townspeople. Though Ghaziabad is large and well-developed compared to many other towns, Mohammed said "the town would like to eventually put in a school of their own, because many of the children go to school in Watangatu, a dangerous area." Mohammed also expressed concern over the distance between the town and medical facilities.
Ott said that it was important to go to Ghaziabad to show the people that the ANA and CFs are there to help secure the area. “We don’t know what the villagers have heard about us, and unless we go there, we can’t tell them who we are, and what we’re about,” he said.
Dundee also said he was pleased with the mission, as the villagers were very open and receptive to the Soldiers, whereas in the past, getting people from a village to speak openly may take several visits. Though it was only an initial meeting, the Afghan and CFs opened a line of communications with another village in the area.
1st Lt. John Dundee (left), 1st plt leader and ANA Lt. Rastum (right), talk with a citizen of Ghaziabad.
Pfc. David Feldman (right), an infantryman, photographs one of the citizens of Ghaziabad.
An ANA soldier pulls security, watching the mountainside with his Draganov sniper rifle, outside the village of Ghaziabad.
Staff Sgt. Robert Ott (left), talks with village elder Khir Mohammed (right). Ott and the other Soldiers of Co. A conducted a KLE with the ANA to assess the villager's needs and opinion on the coalition.
An Afghan girl watches as Soldiers talk with people of her village.
Staff Sgt. Brian Barr (right), talks with children of the village of Ghaziabad.
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
TF White Eagle, Afghan partners conduct cordon, search op Written by Artur Weber, TF White Eagle
A TF White Eagle soldier provides security for ANP members, while they search houses during a 12-hour cordon and search op in a village near Ghazni City, Dec. 22. (Photo by Army Sgt. Justin Paul Howe)
GHAZNI PROVINCE – Shortly after 3:30 a.m., the combined force surrounded compounds in the village to cut off any potential escape routes for insurgents. ANSF members searched the village for weapons and other dangerous materials, while TF While Eagle soldiers conducted security.
“We can't carry out such ops without the presence of our Afghan partners. Whenever we plan such an op, we always cooperate with the ANSF,” said Polish Lt. Jakowiec, Battle Group Alpha, TF White Eagle.
The op was made more difficult by the structure of the compound and terrain. The buildings are built as closed compounds, surrounded by high earthen walls. Most of the buildings are connected by underground corridors, which could provide insurgent hide outs and illegal cache storage.
ANSF members gained useful info from village residents, and passed the info along to CFs.
A Polish soldier searches a resident.
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
Soccer brings Afghans, coalition together on Christmas Story and photos by Army Spc. Brian Glass, TF Patriot
Lt. Col. Phillip Chambers, cmdr of 3rd Sqdn, 89th Cav Regt, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div’s TF Slugger, kicks the ball into play during a soccer game between TF Slugger and members of the Turkish PRT, in the Maiden Shahr soccer stadium, Dec. 25. In the spirit of friendship, Wardak Provincial Gov. Fidai invited TF Slugger and the Turkish PRT to participate in a tournament with Afghan civilians from the prov. in celebration of the Christmas holiday for CFs.
WARDAK PROVINCE – The games came together from a simple challenge no one wanted to turn down. “Governor Fidai challenged us to a soccer game, and we began a banter that is associated with good friends talking back and forth,” said Lt. Col. Phillip Chambers. “It kind of grew a little bit bigger and included the Turkish PRT. “He wanted to use Christmas as a gesture, a friendship gesture,” continued Chambers. “He went all out with the trophies and medals, and all the hoopla he has going on.”
Fidai, having already invited Chambers and some guests to his compound for Eid celebrations, viewed the soccer games as another opportunity to broaden relations and friendships with CFs.
“There was a plan in the works about this specific game. We had meetings and discussions with American and Turkish friends before the holidays came,” said Fidai. “I think it's a very good opportunity that we share entertainment with our friends; and it brings more attractions, more good partnership, not just political, but also things that all human being share with each other.”
The participants shared the game of football, or soccer as it's called in America. Coalition soldiers didn’t have much time to prepare for the game, but welcomed the opportunity to have fun, relax and enjoy the day, whether they won or not.
Cpl. Italo Macchiavello, liaison to Wardak Prov., assigned to the Nevada ADT, was excited to play soccer with people he works with, and enjoy the atmosphere. “Sharing a day of relaxation and being able to just forget about everything going on in our areas, to participate with our Turkish PRT friends, the CFs that we've here, and GoA officials who we're close with, means a lot,” said Macchiavello. “Having a day where we can just relax and be friends, instead of having business work to do; that’s a huge difference for us.”
It was no accident the games took place on Christmas Day. Fidai understands that it's important for nations to share and respect each other countries’ cultures. “Every nation has its own holidays,” said Fidai. “We have certain holidays, and I think these holidays are opportunities for us to share our happiness, and also show the respect for each one’s culture.”
The games started with coalition members playing against the Turkish PRT, with the winner getting an opportunity to play the Afghan civilian team in the final. Despite losing the game against the Turkish PRT, Chambers said he enjoyed playing in the game. “I had a blast. It’s unfortunate we didn’t score a goal,” said Chambers. “We’ll have to practice a little more.”
The Afghan team beat the Turkish PRT to win the tournament in the final match, and received a team trophy and gold medals. Despite not winning, Pfc. Enoch Acheamalog, member of TF Slugger, said he considers more than just who won or lost. “It’s good to enhance our friendships with the local nationals over here,” said Acheamalog. “So when we go around their villages, they see us as friendly, and can help to make our mission here a success.”
Wardak Provincial Gov. Fidai (left), joins the excitement as a young Wardak resident and soccer fan kicks a soccer ball in the Maiden Shahr soccer stadium, Dec, 25. Wardak citizens, young and old, came to the stadium to see local Afghans play soccer games against CFs, and children interacted with U.S. Soldiers, Turkish PRT members, and Afghan players on the sidelines during the games.
Maiden Shahr residents cheer on their local soccer team.
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
Demo farm planned near Sarkani District Center Story and photos by AF Capt. Peter Shinn, 734th ADT
AF Chief Master Sgt. Don Kuehl (left), AF Staff Sgt. Bennett Groth, and an interpreter talk with 3 farmers planting alfalfa at the proposed site of a demo farm near the Sarkani District Center, Nov. 22. The farmers told Kuehl that a total of 8 farmers worked the roughly 2 acres of land, to grow forage to feed their livestock.
KUNAR PROVINCE – The Iowa NG’s 734th ADT is concerned about the potential impact a 2-acre demo farm could have on the Afghan farmers currently using the land at the proposed demo farm site, near the Sarkani District Center.
At home, Kuehl works with U.S. farmers nearly every day in his role as a crop insurance broker, and he felt strongly about minimizing any negative impact the demo farm might have on the Afghan farmers he met. “We want to make darn sure we’re not doing more harm than good,” Kuehl said, “so I wanted to help the farmers and the Sarkani District officials come to an agreement, about using a portion of the proceeds from the demo farm to offset any losses the farmers might have.”
Dec. 27, Kuehl, Sub-gov Shah Mahmood, and Sarkani District Agriculture Extension Mgr., Mangal Khan discussed the structure of the proposed demo farm, and agreed on the size and placement of 2 separate greenhouses. Mahmood and Khan were especially enthusiastic about the prospect of growing fresh vegetables during the winter.
“The farmers here don't know how to grow vegetables, but they bring a much higher price during the winter,” Khan said. “With these greenhouses, we can teach them how to grow vegetables they can take to market for more money.”
After discussing outstanding irrigation issues confronting the district, Kuehl agreed to consider underwriting the rental of an excavator to clear the intake of a major canal. However, he insisted Mahmood get 3 bids for the work first. Mahmood readily agreed, noting “when we shop, we go to 3 stores before we buy anything.”
Mahmood also expressed gratitude for the ADT’s help in improving agriculture in his district. He shared a vision of the future, involving the ADT’s return in a more leisurely role. “I hope you provide us enough help, so you can leave here and return to your country,” Mahmood said. “Then, you can come back here in a few years as tourists.”
“I was very encouraged by the district leaders as to getting the demo farms and greenhouse established, and I anticipate getting tremendous results from the training of both the district officials and the Afghan farmers,” Kuehl said. “That way we can accomplish what we set out to do: help the maximum number of people here improve their life.”
AF Chief Master Sgt. Don Kuehl says farewell to Sub-Gov. Shah Mahmood, following a meeting at the Sarkani District Center, Dec. 27.
Soldiers from the Iowa NG's 734th ADT establish a security perimeter around the edge of a proposed demo farm.
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
TF White Eagle seize munitions Written by Artur Weber, TF White Eagle
Soldiers from TF White Eagle and Army Co A, Sappers, 86th BSTB, 86th IBCT, conducted a joint op in a small village near Ghazni City, Dec. 27, which resulted in the discovery of an illegal weapons cache. (Courtesy photo)
GHAZNI PROVINCE – The joint forces were transported by Mi-17 helicopters to gain the element of surprise, and to prevent insurgents from destroying or moving munitions stored in the village.
During the op, soldiers discovered more than 20 mortar rounds and many more artillery rounds of different types and calibers. The cache was later destroyed by CFs.
The op was successful in weakening insurgent activity in Ghazni Prov. Since the current rotation of Polish TFs arrived in Oct., TF White Eagle has seized more than 12 tons of explosive material, and more than 175 kilograms of illegal drugs in the prov.
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IRAQI STORIES:
DVIDS
Australian Embassy Visit for Xmas Dinner
Photos by Pfc. Jared Gehmann
BAGHDAD - Col. Russell Johnson, who serves as the rear area ops center cmdr of FOB Prosperity visits with Maj. Shaun Richards before eating Christmas dinner.
Maj. Shaun Richards, of Darwin, Australia, comm. officer of the Australian Army's 17th Security Det (left), enjoys a Christmas dinner with the rear ops center command sgt. maj. for FOB Prosperity, Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Sykes, at the Australian Embassy, Dec. 25.
The rear ops command group for FOB Prosperity visit with the Australian Ambassador to Iraq, Robert Tyson, after eating Christmas dinner. The dinner was held as a means to improve relationships between the Australian Embassy personnel, and the U.S. soldiers in the area.
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USF-I
NTM-I graduates 749 Iraqi Federal Police
BAGHDAD - Members of the IFP and Zerevani, Kurdish regional govt police forces, graduated from a specialized NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) training course, Dec. 19, at the Federal Police Special Training Academy at Camp Dublin. They join more than 9,400 members of the IFP that have graduated since its initiation in 2007.
"While violent extremists continue to launch attacks, the police have maintained their professionalism and Iraq's internal security," said Dep. Cmdr of NTM-I, Maj. Gen. Angelelli. "It's
no wonder why the ISF remains the most trusted govt institution in the country."
Following a pass-in-review for assembled dignitaries who included USF-Iraq leaders and school administrators, the students demonstrated skills they acquired during the 8-week course, including crowd control, hostage rescue and hand-to-hand combat.
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DVIDS
Interacting with children of Baghdad
Photo by Capt. Brian Cotter
BAGHDAD - Capt. Robert Fry (left), chaplain with 1st Bn, 7th FAR, 2nd AAB, 1st ID, hands out a stuffed animal, and shares a laugh with children Nov. 23.
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