Story and photos by Army Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, TF Bastogne
A Soldier from Bushmaster Co, 1st Bn, 327th Inf Regt, TF Bulldog takes a short breather on a mountainside at about 7,000 feet, as the sun rises over the Pech River Valley, Nov. 23. The Soldiers teamed up with members of the ANA, during a month-long series of ops to clear some of the most dangerous parts of TF Bulldog’s area of ops.
KUNAR PROVINCE – On a mountainside plateau 7,500 feet high in the Taliban-infested Pech River Valley, something moved in the night. It wasn’t the wiry Afghans who reside in the mountains. They know when night falls to retreat to their homes.
It was Army Staff Sgt. Lucas Kammerer with Bushmaster Co, navigating the treacherous terrain in the dead of night. “There’s a myth, I think, amongst us CF and ISAF that there are some places we can’t go,” said Army Lt. Col. Joseph Ryan, TF Bulldog cmdr. “That's absolutely and unequivocally untrue. We can go anywhere we want to go. We've the technology to support it, but most importantly, our infantrymen are tougher, stronger, more capable, and better trained than the enemy is,” Ryan added.
Dispelling this myth, Bushmaster Co. Soldiers joined forces with ANA soldiers to complete the final phase of Op Bulldog Bite, Nov. 22. After conducting an air assault onto the high ground, Kammerer and his troops moved out. “Picture the rockiest, crappiest terrain you can think of at 7,500 feet, with 75 lbs on your back, taking you down the mountain,” said Kammerer, a squad leader.
As they began the trek down, an AH-64 Apache helicopter screamed overhead, and fired a volley of missiles a few hundred yards away. “About 30 seconds after we landed, the Apaches lit somebody up in the caves we were next to, which is a disconcerting feeling, but it’s all part of it,” explained Kammerer, as the joint patrol moved toward its first objective.
"The area has been a stronghold for quite some time, and the Soldiers were finally glad to be up into the same mountains that overlook their COP" Kammerer said. “It’s frustrating because our base is just south of here, and we get attacked all the time, so we know they’re up here,” explained Kammerer.
As dawn approached, the separate elements arrived at their objectives. Resting on rocky outcroppings that overlook tiny villages perched on the mountainside, the Soldiers were sweating and cursing the terrain.
“It was 600 to 700 meters to reach our first objective, and the terrain was loose, rocky and steep,” said Kammerer. “Our objective was to clear the villages of enemies, caches or weapons.” Silently, the joint patrol moved out and cleared multiple locations at the same time, just as the sun was beginning to silhouette the jagged mountains.
“It doesn’t matter for us and CF about the mountains,” said ANA 1st Lt. Din, an infantry plt leader. “We're always going where the enemy is. Our message to them is to come down and turn themselves in and their weapons, and we will negotiate. We always approach them peacefully, but if they don’t, then we'll come get them.”
As the soldiers moved into the villages, they spoke with the locals and searched every possible hiding place for anything suspicious. “When we started the op, we joined together to search the houses,” said Din. “But, we don’t want to have the villagers look at us with bad eyes, so before we search, we tell them we're here for their security.”
In order for the ANA and U.S. forces to succeed, they need to let the people know that they're here for them. “The large majority of people in this area are essentially indifferent to the fighting between us and the insurgent groups,” said Ryan. “They don’t take sides; they live with it, and have to deal with it day in and day out. They’re farmers, landowners and ranchers essentially. So, we obviously take that into account when we conduct ops such as Bulldog Bite.”
One message ops such as this are trying to send to people, is that even if U.S. forces leave, ANSF will always be here to protect Afghans. “We use this as an opportunity to talk to the people with our coalition brothers,” said Din, who has wanted to serve in the ANA since childhood. “We can’t let the outsiders influence the people to help the enemy. We want to fight their propaganda, and tell them that if we lose one soldier, then there'll be 3 more ready to replace him.”
Ryan agreed and stressed that the ANA are getting more proficient each day, because of their desire to see their country succeed. “Though they may not be technologically or organizationally prepared for the job they have down the road, the willingness is there and the heart is there,” said Ryan. “They’re willing to stand side-by-side with us, and fight for their country.”
After spending a few hours searching the village and talking to Afghan males, the soldiers pressed on. For the next 2 days, they moved at night, and appearing in doorways at dawn, the ANA and U.S. soldiers established a rhythm of pulling security, searching and resting.
“I felt pretty exhausted after resting for a few hours, but I kept going,” said Kammerer. “We don’t have a choice. It’s our job over here. That’s why they call us grunts. It’s supposed to suck, and it’s supposed to be hard. We’re supposed to be dirty, tired and hungry. That’s the way it’s always been, and that’s what we do.”
Carrying essential water, food and clothing on their backs, they had to ration out each meal, and control their impulse to replenish the hundreds of calories burned during every hour.
Though the work was intense and painstaking, the joint patrol cleared every building on the mountainside, taking few breaks.
“I don’t remember where we slept … it feels like a week ago. Where were we?” said Kammerer. “I remember sleeping for an hour and 52 minutes … But, it says to the enemy, ‘Look, we’re not afraid to get up here, walk around and duke it out with you.’ From that aspect, it’s a good thing.”
Ryan echoed those thoughts, but doesn’t underestimate his foe. “I give the enemy full credit. A lot of cases he’s willing to stand and fight; stand and fight and die, but stand and fight,” said Ryan. “I don’t take anything away from his capability or his willingness to fight for his cause. But, we want what’s best for the large majority of the population of Afghans in the Pech. He wants what’s best for a very extremely small minority of Islamic fundamentalists, that see this area as a potential safe haven down the road.”
"Taking away the enemies’ ability to hide themselves and protect themselves in the craggy mountainside, is one of Bushmaster Co. Soldiers’ specialties," said Army Capt. Thomas Whitfield II, co. cmdr.
During the 3rd day, Whitfield and his team wanted to talk directly to the village elders, to let them know their suspicions of Taliban in the area, and to hear their concerns. “We told them we’re not there to disturb their harmony, but if they allow the enemy to use this area as a staging ground or sanctuary, then they’ll be responsible for whatever happens,” said Whitfield.
The villagers nodded solemnly, and added that U.S. and ANA soldiers were easier to deal with than Taliban, because they didn’t beat the villagers and threaten them into making food for them. While the meeting was happening inside a house, the vigilant soldiers peered into the shadows of the mountains. “They’re out there,” said Whitfield, “but the enemy couldn’t find an opening in our perimeter, because of our posture and our ability to provide security.”
Throughout the different phases of Bulldog Bite, the enemy has probed the joint forces’ defenses, resulting in minimal causalities. Yet, the overall mission has produced more than 150 insurgents killed, 2 training camps revealed, multiple weapons caches, and an invaluable intangible.
“Confidence,” said Whitfield. “It gave our guys confidence, because it reminds them that we can go anywhere. The best thing you can have is a confident infantryman, especially a confident Bushmaster, and that’s the worst thing for the enemy.”
The sun went down, and the moon wasn’t over the mountains yet. It was dark again and a few house lights spotted the mountainside. Calm blanketed the Pech River Valley and nothing, almost nothing moved, except for a joint patrol snaking it’s way down to the valley floor.
Pfc. Martin Hauge, an infantryman, pulls security at a window, while his fellow Soldiers and ANA counterparts clear a village during the final phase of Op Bulldog Bite.
An Afghan girl clutches a box of food with one arm and her baby brother with another, at a small village outcropping on a mountainside, overlooking the Pech River Valley. Soldiers cleared this village, and handed out food to this girl and her siblings.
Soldiers clear another village.
Staff Sgt. Dustin Campbell (middle), a squad leader, points out a possible egress route to Capt. Sean Hinrichs (right), a plt leader, and Sgt. Nathan English, a forward observer.
Pfc. Thomas Kappler, a radio operator, gets a closer look at a village.
Peering through a window, an Afghan man is searched for weapons by Spc. Nathan Willett, an infantry team leader.
An ANA soldier takes a quick break from talking to a villager.
A Soldier displays different types of ammo found while clearing a house.
Staff Sgt. Lucas Kammerer climbs down after searching a cave for weapons. “We’re just doing our jobs,” Kammerer said. “We’re not doing anything extraordinary or anything simple; we’re just doing what we do.”
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
ANA soldiers learn to speak English, bridge gap
Story and photos by Army Spc. Brian Glass, TF Patriot
Spc. Robert Dodson (left), psychological ops specialist assigned to 307th Psychological Ops Co, and an interpreter (second from the left) teach English to ANA soldiers on COP Sayed, Nov. 23. Dodson teaches the class 6 days a week to all ANA soldiers in Sayed Abad who want to attend.
WARDAK PROVINCE – The Afghan soldiers understand the significance of constructing the building blocks of fundamental communication. “It’s so important for everyone here; for the armies because we have ops and activities with the U.S. Army,” said ANA 1st Sgt. Louqman. “It makes the U.S. and Afghan armies work closer together. We’d like to attend more classes in the future too.”
“They’re never going to be in Chicago and order a pizza, so we did tailor it to make it relevant for them,” said Spc. Robert Dodson. “So, we’ve been able to come up with vocabulary lists or catch phrases.”
Dodson said that he doesn't just stand up in front of the class and teach. He makes sure the ANA soldiers participate in the class. This method of instruction gives him running assessments of how well ANA soldiers are grasping the English language. “What we do is create scenarios, and then pair them up and let them do their thing,” Dodson said. “I definitely try to gear it toward me doing less talking, and them doing more.
The ANA soldiers understand the importance of learning English to work with CF. ANA 1st Lt. Afzal, ANA religious officer in Sayed Abad, speaks 3 languages, and said that he still realizes the impact that learning English has on him and his men.
“I know 3 languages: Pashtu, Arabic and Dari; but right now, I think English is a global language,” Afzal said. “In this situation, the Afghan Army needs to learn English, so that they can solve problems by themselves and not call an interpreter when they need help. If they know the English language, they can solve problems and misunderstandings.”
Cpl. Neil Jones teaches the class with Dodson. Jones believes basic dialogue is the way of making relations easier between ANA soldiers and CF. “My focus in the beginning is to make sure they can introduce themselves to any American,” Jones said. “It’s a ‘Hello, my name is _______. It’s nice to meet you.’"
“We also started off with basic conversation. For us to be able to do that for them, that also bridges the gap for us,” Jones continued. “When you watch the body language of the U.S. Soldier when they're able to greet them, you see the shoulders drop and relax. You see that they're relaxing and they start to smile, because they’re trying. That’s all we’re asking for is an effort. That effort goes for miles.”
When it comes to conducting joint patrols with CF, ANA soldiers understand the need to communicate effectively, especially if they receive enemy contact. Knowing where they are, and where to shoot is critical to mission success.
“We’re teaching them to speak cardinal directions - north, south, east and west. We’re teaching them how to react to an IED, and to react to contact - indirect as well as small-arms,” Jones said. “When you tell them distance in English they'll understand that. When you say the enemy is 500 meters behind cover, you need them to be able to understand that, as an integrated team.
“I can’t imagine being in a country where someone is yelling at you in a foreign language, and you're trying to figure out which way to go,” Jones continued. “We’re just trying to get them on the same sheet of music.”
Everything Jones and Dodson do to teach, combined with the ANA soldiers’ willingness to learn, shows signs for great improvement in the future. They're excited about what they can learn next.
“I see a big difference right now," said ANA 1st Sgt. Louqman. For example, in 2005 in a meeting, I was asked to bring a radio from one of the U.S. guys. At the time, I didn’t know any English. I didn’t get what kind of radio was wanted, and I didn’t know the name of the radio. Since I’ve been attending this class, they've taught me a lot. I can solve my own problems by myself. It’s very important to have classes for all my soldiers to know English.”
ANA soldiers read over notes and listen during English-speaking classes. The ANA soldiers learned basic grammar, numbers and phrases in the class that day.
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
187th takes fight to the enemy
Written by Army 1st Lt. R.J. Peek, TF Rakkasan
GHAZNI PROVINCE – On a patrol that started off as a meeting with the elders of a local village, 2nd Plt, Co C, 3rd Bn, 187th Inf Regt identified and killed 2 insurgents, Dec. 3.
The patrol began with a key leader engagement (KLE) in Khani Kala Village. Soldiers walked to a home in the village to meet local elders. To guard the meeting, the patrol placed Soldiers on the roof of the house. During the meeting, Co. C Soldiers validated the concerns, when Soldiers from 2nd Plt. identified 2 insurgents with an RPG launcher moving to a historical ambush location.
Soldiers carefully moved into position and initiated an engagement against the 2 armed insurgents, killing them both. Further investigation of the 2 insurgents revealed that they were also carrying an IED, 3 hand grenades, and 2 pistols.
While maneuvering, Soldiers of 2nd Plt. moved through the home of a local villager in order to establish a position to support other Soldiers by direct fire, if needed. To the Soldiers’ surprise, the villager was trying to hide an AK-47, ammo carrier, 6 mags of ammo, and a radio in his home. The ANA captured the weapons and detained him for further questioning.
As U.S. forces moved back toward FOB Four Corners, they learned of additional insurgents in the area. “There were 2 other insurgents in the village who observed how quickly SECFORs eliminated the first 2 combatants,” said Army 1st Lt. Christopher Grauel, plt leader of 2nd Plt., Co. C. “These hidden insurgents dropped their RPGs and ran away.”
Grauel’s platoon captured an RPG launcher and RPG munitions.
“This past week we’ve been very successful in identifying and initiating contact with the enemy before they were able to ambush us,” said Capt. Justin Quisenberry, cmdr of Co. C, 3rd Bn., 187th Inf. Regt. “Today’s fight was at close range, and we eliminated at least 2 more insurgents from the battlefield.”
“It was clear they'd come to do harm to U.S. Soldiers, as well as the villagers,” said Grauel. “The quick response of the American Soldiers prevented any innocent Afghans from being harmed.”
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RC-East
Operation Iron Blade II targets insurgents in Ghazni Province
Written by Army 1st Lt. R.J. Peek, TF Rakkasan
Soldiers from Co A, 3rd Bn, 187th Inf Regt, 3r BCT, 101st AD watch from an observation post as air assets are dropped on insurgent positions during Op Iron Blade II, Nov. 28. Three infantry companies from 3rd Bn. 187th Inf. Regt., along with ANSF units conducted the op to deny enemy safe havens. (Photo by Army Lt. Col. David Fivecoat)
GHAZNI PROVINCE – Soldiers conducted Iron Blade II, a bn-level op against a large cluster of villages in the Brimzi area that insurgents used as a safe haven for the last several years.
Afghan Uniform Police (AUP), and ANA units combined with TF Iron’s 3 organic infantry companies to attack the safe haven, in a pre-dawn op. In addition to human-gathered intel, the attacking forces employed remotely piloted vehicles (RPV), close-air support, and other aerial detection platforms to find, fix and finish the insurgents.
During the initial phase of the op, Soldiers from Co C, 3rd Bn., 187th Inf., identified a 40-lb IED, and safely destroyed it with the help of a route-clearance package, and a U.S. AF EOD team. Soldiers on the ground continued to move under the cover of darkness to their respective blocking positions, when Co. C struck a 2nd IED, which caused no injuries.
By morning, 3 companies had maneuvered deep into an insurgent safe haven, enabling ground forces to employ air assets to hunt the enemy. Using a combination of “eyes in the sky,” TF Iron identified and tracked multiple groups of insurgents.
Army Staff Sgt. Erik Padilla, for the 3rd Bn., 187th Inf. Bn., personnel security det plt sgt, worked alongside A Co. “A Co. was very tactically sound,” Padilla said. “They communicated and maneuvered very well amongst themselves, and with the air assets.”
As Co. A moved through its objective, the insurgents began to flee. With help from Army Capt. Edward Peskie, Co. A cmdr, an RPV identified one insurgent with an AK-47 and military binoculars. After maintaining positive ID, attack aircraft engaged the position with aerial munitions, eliminating the insurgent and destroying his motorcycle.
Later, the RPV identified and eliminated 2 more insurgents on a motorcycle, carrying AK-47s and RPGs. Additionally, the aerial detection platforms employed during Op Iron Blade II allowed TF Iron to identify several possible cache locations, and insurgent safe havens to target in future ops.
“The RPV was a huge contributor to the success of today’s op,” said AF Tech. Sgt. Ryan Horton, 3rd Bn, 187th Inf., joint terminal attack controller. “The ground forces flushed the insurgents out, and the RPV finished them. The asset was outstanding at tracking the insurgents and feeding info back to the Soldiers on the ground. This was definitely one of the best coordinated ops I’ve worked.”
"The ANSF and CF searched houses, talked to key leaders, detained an insurgent, and seized 3 RPGs. The combined efforts by all elements of TF Iron made the op a tremendous success, and greatly disrupted insurgent ops in eastern Ghazni," said Army Lt. Col. David Fivecoat, 3rd Bn, 187th Inf., cmdr.
Deh Yak’s AUP Chief, Haji Mohammad, agreed with Fivecoat’s assessment of the mission’s success, and its importance to the people of eastern Ghazni prov. "We had a good and successful mission in Aziz Godale," said Mohammad. "Everyone is pleased that we have Americans in our district. They've brought increased security, by working alongside of the AUP and ANA here."
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
Khowst PRT trains for medical emergencies
Photos by AF Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lohr, Khowst PRT
KHOWST PROVINCE – Navy Lt. j.g. Timothy Harmon, Khowst PRT senior medical officer, demonstrates components of warrior aid and litter kit, during a mass-casualty drill at FOB Chapman, Nov. 28. This is ongoing training to ensure members stay current on combat medical skills.
The Khowst PRT medical staff conducts a mass-casualty drill for fellow members and their Afghanistan counterparts.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Prayot Bunmeema, a hospital corpsman, trains fellow Khowst PRT warriors on triage, treatment, and patient evacuation procedures.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Bunmeema demonstrates how to retain body hea, and prevent hypothermia.
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IRAQI STORIES:
Blackanthem Military News
Cavalry unit quickly assumes mission on COB Delta
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Garrett Ralston
Pfc. Kao Lee and Pfc. John Webb, both cav scouts from Troop F, 2nd Sqdn, 3rd ACR, inventory optical equipment on COB Delta, Nov. 27, 2010. Soldiers of Troop F recently joined the regt.
WASIT PROVINCE - Troop F arrived Nov. 26, to begin conducting missions in support of Op New Dawn. Soldiers of the Army's "Only Armored Cav Regt," are deployed across southern Iraq, conducting advise and assist missions with ISF, and are now joined by their fellow Soldiers of Fox Troop.
"Fox Troop is here to train and work alongside the Wasit IP Forces, and enable our Stability and Transition Teams," said Capt. Gerardo Menal, cmdr of Troop F. "Past deployments were more of a kinetic fight."
The troop was brought forward to provide more support to 2nd Sqdn's mission in Wasit Prov. Once given the order, Fox Troop gathered its Soldiers and equipment, and after only hours in an airplane, the unit had arrived, ready to get started.
Early the next day, Soldiers began unpacking all the equipment they had brought on the flight. A wide range of tactical vehicles and other equipment had to be inspected and signed over to Fox Troop from those already on COB Delta.
"We've a lot of preparation and setup to do right now," said Pfc. Zephaniah Martinez, a cav scout, deployed for the first time. "I like it so far, and I'm proud to be here with Fox Troop."
Fox Troop has been at the center of combat ops in Iraq for years, and now takes on this new mission with the same professionalism and dedication.
"This is my 4th deployment with Fox Troop to Iraq," said 1st Sgt. Gary Villalobos, 1st sgt of Troop F. "We're here now in a strictly support role. Before we leave, we have to ensure that the Iraqis have a good hold on things."
Despite having only been in Iraq for 24 hours, the Soldiers of Fox Troop were motivated and getting into the swing of a new mission in a new environment. "Fox Troop will assist ISF, so that they can operate on their own," said Menal. "There'll be an Iraqi presence attached to everything we do."
Soldiers of Troop F, "Brave Rifles", conduct inventories.
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USF-I
37 RGB Soldiers graduate Intelligence School
BAGHDAD -Thirty-seven Regional Guard Bde Soldiers successfully completed the IA Intel School at Camp Taji, Nov. 15.
The 37 RGB Soldiers accompanied 268 IA Soldiers in graduation ceremonies, capping off the 1st-ever class to integrate RGB Soldiers jointly into intel training in the school's specialty courses.
"The purpose of the joint RGB and IA Intel training is to ensure that RGB intel capabilities
are interoperable with IA Div Intel capabilities," said Peter Fischer, dir., Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Intel, who oversees the school's training under the USF-Iraq's joint partnership with the Iraqi Military.
Upon graduation, these students take with them the ability to exploit captured media; assemble analysis reports based on multiple sources; and an understanding of the fundamentals of terrain analysis and map reading. These skills are critical in fulfilling their mission of better informing operational cmdrs to assist them in making informed decisions.
Furthermore these graduates are expected to serve as role models for future students, with several more integrated training cycles set for January and February 2011, that are projected to produce an additional 100 NCOs and 30 officers. Of those courses, 16% of
NCO class seats are reserved for RGB students, and 6% for RGB officers.
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Blackanthem Military News
Soldier meets favorite author
Story and photo by Sgt. Raymond Quintanilla, USD-S PAO
Staff Sgt. David Thomas, a chaplain asst NCO-in-charge for the 3rd Bde, 4th ID meets his favorite author, David Morrell, author of "First Blood," a novel that inspired the blockbuster series of Rambo movies.
BASRA - A Soldier in southern Iraq got the chance to meet his favorite author, courtesy of a USO authors tour, billed as "Operation Thriller." Staff Sgt. David Thomas grew up reading the works of David Morrell. "My father was a big fan of his, and he got me started reading Morrell's books," Thomas said. "I've read almost everything he's written."
When Thomas heard Morrell would be visiting Basra Airfield along with 4 other novelists (Andy Harp, Steve Berry, Douglas Preston, and James Rollins), he got permission to fly the 100 miles from Camp Adder to Basra, and meet him in person.
"I haven't been this excited about anything in a long time," Thomas said. "He's the pinnacle of everything I really like. I've met several writers, but he's the one that I've never been able to meet, and the one I've wanted to meet the most."
Morrell said he was surprised by Thomas, who has been exchanging emails with him since 2003, during the Soldier's first deployment to Iraq. "I was stunned when he said he was the person," Morrell said. "The story is an interesting one. He'd gotten in touch with me during the early years of this war."
"When I was here in 2003, I emailed him, asking if he would sign my books if I'd sent them," Thomas said. "He wouldn't. About a month or so later I received 10 of his favorite books he had written, autographed to me," Thomas said.
Morrell said he rarely mails books to fans, but something in Thomas's e-mail made him do so. "I think it was 10 books I sent," said Morrell, "which in itself was very unusual. I remember vividly going down the post office and sending it to him."
On his 6th deployment, and his 4thh away from his wife, Thomas said it was the best thing that has happened during his current tour. For Morrell, going on the USO-sponsored tour is a chance to give back to a segment of the population he has always admired, and perhaps gain some inspiration for a future novel.
Morrell cited retired Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, whose book ‘On Killing' has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, as the source of his personal motto. "He says, ‘surround yourself with people of quality and substance'," Morrell said. "That's the way I feel about the U.S. military. They have a degree of selfless commitment, responsibility and professionalism; a stable structure I find admirable."
"There's something powerful about people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for others; it's rare."
