“The Taliban stole the carpet inside the mosque and did damage to the façade,” said 1st Lt. Josef Patterson. “With funds we delivered on behalf of the district gov., the Mullah can now pay young kids to make the repairs, so the children are not seeking jobs offered by the Taliban.”
After a very successful meeting with the Allikozai village elders, the patrol continued to push down Route 611. For nearly 300 meters of roadway, the village was filled with dozens of friendly children, smiling and asking for “Chocolate! Chocolate!” After dispensing all of their sugar-filled ‘ammo’ to the children, the Marines left the main road into an area described as “friendly and hostile.” As the 2nd team crossed the invisible “line in the sand,” the mood of the patrol shifted.
Children had surrounded Albright and the patrol moments before. Now they were no where to be found. With Castillo and the other half of the squad already in place, Albright’s team pushed ahead with the second phase of the patrol. “The other point of the patrol was to go into an area that we really haven’t had a foot print in, and dis-rupt any Taliban sympathizers or Taliban themselves in that area,” said Patterson.
Before the 2 teams could reunite, the patrol had to get through a maze of mud compounds and alley-ways, cross many dangerous areas open to enemy fire, stop and search suspicious vehicles, all the while keeping their eyes to the ground for the threat of stepping on a deadly IED.
The patrol also covered all doorways and windows, but were extra keen to watch for minute openings in the walls, they refer to as “murder holes.” These punctures in the mud walls are just large enough to fit the muzzle of a rifle through. One of the dangerous areas the teams had to pass was physically marked with 2 white Taliban flags, both flying over compound walls riddled with murder holes. Patterson and his Marines took fire here recently, but today they didn't take the bait. They were able to bypass the possible ambush site and push further into “Taliban country.”
“I respect the enemy we're fighting here in Sangin. They're extremely aggressive and legitimate fighters,” Patterson added. “The biggest problem I have with them is when they use women and children to hide behind. We refuse to shoot at kids.”
Once the squad linked up in an Afghan compound, they identified a building to use as an overwatch position. With daylight burning, Castillo and his lead element wanted to act fast and seize the vital compound, but something didn't seem right.
“There were too many danger areas and countless murder holes,” said Castillo. “I also had to factor in the potential need for casualty evacuations routes, and it didn't add up.”
After assessing the situation, Patterson and his team leaders decided on another route to bypass the danger area. Only moments after departing the compound, the patrol returned. While Lance Cpl. Nathan Peyton, a combat engr with 3rd Plt., and point man on the patrol, was sweeping for IEDs, he noticed a slight difference in the texture of the dirt. Brushing away the dirt by hand, Peyton discovered an IED!
“This IED was a directional ‘frag,’ so instead of blasting upward, it was set up to blast the length of the alleyway,” Castillo said. “Peyton’s alertness probably saved 4 to 5 lives -- an entire fire team.” After calling in the coordinates of the IED to their EOD Team, the patrol had reached an impasse for the day. Covering each other like the brothers they are, the U.S. and Afghan team members bounded back, until they safely returned to PB Fulod.
“The patrol was extremely successful. We confirmed a village elder’s credibility; found an IED; no one got hurt, and we pushed the lines in the sand further than ever -- nearly 150 meters,” Patterson said. Castillo, Albright, Peyton and all the Marines and sailors of 3/5’s Dark Horse and their ANA partners will continue to push the lines in the sand, taking away the enemies’ will to fight. “For 14 years, I have loved the Marines Corps. After serving here in Sangin, now I can say, ‘I love Marines!’”
As part of his speech, Petraeus said there was a time when security in the Arghandab District was thought to be unattainable. However due to the soldiers’ resilience and heroism – that is now a reality. “Years from now, we'll all be able to look back on the surge that was completed by the soldiers, as an historical accomplishment,” said Petraeus.
These accomplishments are made possible by soldiers from units like 2nd Plt, 1st Bn, 320th FAR, 101st AD, currently assigned to 1st BCT, 4th ID, and their Afghan counterparts, who conduct joint patrols on a daily basis.
As the ANA soldiers exited the front gate, on one accord with their ISAF counterparts, everyone was in good spirits. The patrols are designed to build rapport with the local population, and evaluate the area’s current security level, as well as mentor the ANA to be able to take full control of security without assistance.
“By conducting daily patrols, we’re able to build relationships and ensure the villagers’ security,” said 1st Lt. Timothy Hopper, a plt leader for 1-320th FAR. “Our intention is to build a long lasting relationship with the local population.” Upon entering Khoshr Owolya, the troops immediately met with a local villager on his way to a nearby mosque. He spoke to the patrol about how the security in the area had greatly improved since their arrival. With a grin on his face, the villager expressed his gratitude for not having to walk around the Khoshr Owolya area for fear of IEDs, which was the case before ANSF arrived with their U.S. partners.
“Not everyone has the opportunity to see the difference they’re making in a person’s life,” said Spc. Calvin Gilkey, intel. “Regardless of the sacrifices I make by being away from my family, I enjoy having the opportunity to make a better life for all of our families.”
The driver has the ability to make on-the-spot changes to how the new roller operates from inside the vehicle. They can manipulate a variety of settings, and change how SPARKS II interacts with the environment within moments. "One of the most useful features of the new system is the ability to change distance from the vehicle to the roller, which can also be done without having to leave the vehicle," said Tilford Briscoe, site mgr for R4 Inc., the company in charge of fielding SPARKS II.
“It keeps the enemy guessing,” said Briscoe. "With this, the moment we see something suspicious, we can change how we operate. I would trust my daughter riding in this thing.” Another useful feature is the ability to detach SPARKS II from the vehicle at anytime from inside the cab. This allows service members to continue on with their mission or get to safety if the roller gets damaged and becomes a hindrance.
"The ability to remain protected while under attack is sure to save lives," said Army Spc. Steven Hanni, combat engr and driver for 469th Engr Co, 863rd Engr Bn. Hanni’s unit, which is deployed to Kandahar Airfield, is one of the first to field SPARKS II. Even though they've not experienced an attack with the roller, Hanni praised the new features. “If something was to happen, and we didn’t have to leave the vehicle and step into a fire fight – that would be the most amazing thing ever” said Hanni. “It’s incredible.”
First enlisting in the Army in 1981, and later in the Army NG, Staff Sgt. Pharris has more than 14 years of service in a variety of assignments. Primarily serving as an infantryman, he has also served as a drill sgt and recruiter. After leaving military service in 1997 and experiencing an 11-year break, Staff Sgt. Pharris rejoined the Missouri Army NG in 2008, after he learned that an infantry unit was being formed. “I surprised my son by having him show up at my re-enlistment ceremony. He had no idea I was re-enlisting,” said Staff Sgt. Pharris.
Cpl. Pharris, also on his first deployment, with a Mississippi Army NG unit that assumed the responsibilities of Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan, October 17. “As a Marine individual augmentee, I had no idea I was coming to a NG unit. It’s been a great experience so far, and I want to continue to learn and do well,” said Cpl. Pharris.
Military tradition runs deep in the Pharris family with generations of the Pharris family having served. In addition to Cpl. Pharris’ father, his mother, grandfather, and great-grandfather served in the military. His great-grandfather served in the South Pacific during World War II.
Cpl. Pharris recounts one of his childhood memories solidifying his decision to join, “When my mom received an award on the parade field, I knew that I would serve. The only question that was left unanswered for quite some time was which service I would join.” Cpl. Pharris enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2007 after completing high school early.
Staff Sgt. Pharris is fully supportive of his son and said, “I’m proud as hell of him and what he’s accomplished. He’s done very well, and I’m looking forward to his promotion to sgt. He’s continued the family military tradition with the same pride in service carried on.”
When asked if he had any goals during this deployment, Staff Sgt. Pharris said, “I came to Afghanistan to make a tangible difference. Hopefully, 20 years from now, someone will remember an American who was here, and be thankful their life is better.”
Photo by 1st Lt. Andrew Adcock
Photo by Pfc. Michael Vanpool
BAGHDAD—One of the major efforts of the U.S. advise and assist mission in Iraq has been the development of a strong and capable NCO corps. On Dec. 18, the senior NCOs began the process of fostering a strong relationship with the NCOs in their partnered unit.
“Historically, the Iraqi military has been in the Soviet—officer-centric—mold,” said Command Sgt. Maj. William Bauer. “Now, with the U.S. working with them, we’ll see if that changes. Their officers have to see what their NCOs are capable of.” While enthusiastic about the potential of the 1st FP’s NCOs, Bauer said they have a long way to go in their development as leaders within their org.
Along with Bauer, several other senior NCOs from 1st Bn., 7th FAR, attended a dinner—a way for the U.S. and Iraqi leaders to get to know each other—hosted by Iraqi Sgt. Maj. Maky Mansor.
“The command sgt. maj. is the key link in the NCO corps,” said Master Sgt. David Rogers, info ops coordinator. "With the Iraqi military and police so focused on leadership from its officer corps, attempting to enhance the stature of senior enlisted personnel will be a challenge," Rogers said.
“For IP, seeing the interaction between their senior NCOs and ours will have a great effect,” Bauer said, emphasizing the effect the relationship with American senior leadership can have on reinforcing the credibility of the FP’s NCOs. Bauer said that as far as he's concerned, these effects can already be seen in the reputation Maky now holds in the 1st FP Div. “Maky seems to wield an unlimited amount of respect from his policemen, and has a strong leadership presence,” Bauer said.
Moving forward, the senior NCOs said that they hope to build on the relationship established over their first dinner with Maky. The importance of that relationship is not lost on Bauer. “I plan to visit Sgt Maj. Maky at least 4 or 5 times a week,” Bauer said. His efforts, along with those of his fellow NCOs, will be critical in leaving the 1st FP Div. with a capable and competent force, upon which the Iraqi people can rely.
Story and photos by Sgt. Coltin Heller
COB SPEICHER - The charitable org., collected approx 6,300 pairs of shoes, donating and shipping 3,500 pairs of footwear to the 4th ID, to be distributed to local Iraqi communities during their deployment.
Sgt. Glenn Shannon, automated logistics NCO, said that he coordinated with Iraqi civilians who run the orphanage, to hold the Children's Day at COB Speicher, where the Iraqi children enjoyed pizza, made crafts, and played games donated by the Families of 394th CSSB Soldiers. "We wanted the kids to have the things they needed, and we wanted to see them smile," he said.
Shannon said that he looks forward to holding another Children's day with the Iraqi children early next year, especially during the warmer weather when they can play outside.
Soldiers greeted 28 children with cheers as they entered the MWR center, joining the Iraqi youth as they drew with crayons and coloring books and played board games, ping pong and air hockey.
Staff Sgt. Travis Hill, the logistics NCO-in-charge, spent time passing a soccer ball back and forth with the children wearing their new shoes. "It's good to see them smile," said Hill. "It's not every day that we can help the kids in Iraq."
The children also took home plastic hats, balloons and other toys and party favors provided by the Families of the 394th CSSB Soldiers. Sgt. Jeremy Stover, an automated logistics NCO, said that he saw a side of his Soldiers not often seen during the day-to-day routine of a deployment. "This really helped the morale of the Soldiers as well as those of the children," said Stover, who helped plan the event.