To further strengthen this working relationship between French and U.S. Forces, TF Lafayette coordinated a joint training exercise at FOB Morales-Frazier, Jan. 22, for approx 20 members of TF Phoenix, 10th CAB, 10th Mtn Div; TF 10, and the 5th Combat Helicopter Regt.
The intent of today’s training was really twofold, explained U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Bonenfant, TF Phoenix, AH-64 Apache pilot and aviation liaison for TF Lafayette. “On one hand, we wanted to foster face-to-face time between the JTACs (Joint Training Advisory Councils) and pilots. On the other hand, the training also served as a great opportunity for everyone to fine-tune small challenges we sometimes encounter, while working together on the battlefield, including language barriers and different tactical methods and procedures,” said Bonenfant.
To provide the best training possible, a real-life scenario was created in order to put all rotary wing assets and JTACs to the full test. “This particular scenario was based upon a theoretical insurgent attack against FOB Morales-Frazier,” Bonenfant said. To defend the FOB from the attack, French and U.S. JTACs worked together to call in close combat support, provided by a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache, a U.S. Army OH-58 Kiowa, 2 French Army AH Tigres, and a French Army OH Gazelle.
“We were kind of able to feed off each other,” Bonenfant said. “They’re trained in France, and we’re trained primarily in the U.S., so there are lessons to be learned from both sides. We all do stuff differently, and we can learn from that.”
Another key aspect of the training was a battle handover drill between the French and U.S. rotary pilots, which often occurs during real-life combat, when aircraft need to refuel or resupply. During the handover, the outgoing group of aircraft is replaced by another, in order to maintain support for ground forces.
This proved to be particularly useful to French Army Capt. Cedric Pruvot, cmdr of the Tigre helicopter sqdn. “Most of the time we only need to speak with French JTACs or pilots, but today’s battle handover required us to communicate closely with U.S. pilots, which is something we don’t often have the opportunity to do,” he shared.
“This event was really just the baseline,” Bonenfant said. “With this exercise, I was able to create a rotary range and a set of exercise procedures, that others can use for similar training or test-fire purposes in the future. I expect that when I come back to FOB Morales-Frazier in a few years, this range will still be active, and people will still be using it to train.”
However, at FOB Kalagush, the first medical provider an Afghan sees is Habib Khan, an ANA NCO, and a medic from Kunar Prov. The Nuristan PRT medical team has been training Khan in clinical duties for several months. He's up to the challenge. “Sgt. Khan is a good student and learns pretty quickly,” said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joy Lewis. “Once you show him something, he can do it by himself.”
The gates of the FOB had just opened, but Ramal wasn’t Khan’s first patient of the day. He met the father and son, and listened. He looked down at the dirty bandages. He heard the story about the accident from 2 weeks earlier, and of burns that wouldn’t heal.
Treating a child’s burns was not something Khan learned in the 4 days of medical training he received, before coming to FOB Kalagush – skills critical in treating wounds on the battlefield. But medicine is much more than just combat life saving, and Khan wants to learn as much as possible.
“Khan is genuine and passionate and doesn’t require a lot of supervision,” said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve David, corpsman. “He only asks for help when something is outside his scope of practice.” He didn't ask for help verbally. He turned to his American colleagues and smiled a smile that said, “I don’t want to make a mistake here, so if you wouldn’t mind, just a little more instruction please.”
“Here I'm learning about headaches and body pain, and changing dressings for deep cuts and burns,” said Khan. “I'm very happy and thankful for the PRT to make it possible for me to learn.”
Little Ramal needed to have the bandages changed, and they stuck to his skin. The boy whimpered, but didn’t cry. Lewis showed Khan how to use sterile water to help remove the old bandages. She completed the first foot, then it was Khan’s turn on the second foot. He took the scissors and went to work.
“He assesses the patients, does an initial physical exam, and comes up with a treatment plan,” said Dr. (Navy Cmdr.) Harold Groff, PRT medical provider. “We observe him, and it seems that with every patient he learns something new.” This clinical experience not only benefitted the Afghan men, women and children who travel to this tiny, remote clinic desperately seeking care. Khan’s training benefits his unit, both on and off the battlefield.
The enlisted medics assigned to Kalagush heaped praise on Khan’s work ethic, and eagerness learn. However, the soldier with 2 years of experience, who joined to be a medic was characteristically humble. “I appreciate their patience, because I'm asking many questions,” Khan said. “They always answer all of my questions.”
Fortunately, Ramal’s wounds were not infected, and with proper care, should heal well. Hazarat was given instructions on how to properly care for his son, some cream to help with pain mgt., and clean materials to change the bandages. He was thankful for the treatment his son got at the American clinic, but he knew an Afghan soldier helped his little Ramal.
Master Sgt. John Bali, USACE construction rep at FOB Airborne, is overseeing the construction. Bali likes what he sees regarding what the ANP is procuring, to train their new patrolmen. “This is supposed to be the premiere site for all of Afghanistan,” said Bali. “They're actually going to close their other training sites to focus on this facility. This will produce almost 3,000 students at one time.”
The facility has weapons qualification ranges, barracks for all the patrolmen, an auditorium, 3 dining facilities, gym, soccer field, parade field, sewage and water treatment plants, and 8 classroom buildings, each with a capacity to teach 250 students. “It looks like a city within itself,” Bali said.
The center will bring major advantages to the ANP, and how they train. The ANP training center will provide another benefit to the local economy as well: desperately needed income to the area, with approx 2,000 Afghans employed at the center once it is fully operational, according to a USACE estimate.
“We will train the ANP here, and we've spent a lot of money here. It's very important to us. We want to take care of this place,” said Khalil. “I want to make the academy the best in Afghanistan. I want each young man to come here and train here right; that's my object.” Along with the ANP, the training center will also house ANA soldiers, and an int'l compound for CF who will work there, such as French forces.
“CF will maintain a presence in an advising role,” said Bali. “The Afghans will train the Afghans. In the scheme of things, in the plan of turning things over to the Afghans, I think it’s huge, because this is a premiere training facility, and we can’t get it done quickly enough,” said Bali. “I’m very proud to be a part of it.”
GHAZNI PROVINCE – More than 70 people gathered for a successful agriculture shura, hosted by Ghazni Gov. Khan, Jan 27. It was the first one conducted in the prov., and was designed to build on the momentum from the Nov. 2010 National Agriculture Shura, to bring focus of key agricultural issues to the provincial and district level, according to TF White Eagle reps.
Topics presented throughout the day included a Ghazni Prov. agriculture overview, top 10 effective agriculture practices for agriculture extension agents, plant protection, security and reintegration program, project development strategy, and a discussion on water, dams and irrigation. The primary themes were the importance of developing an effective agricultural extension service and water resource mgt.
“Ghazni agriculture is reflective of the rest of Afghanistan,” said U.S. Dept of Ag. rep. Michael Clayton. “It's very capable of growing good quality grains, fruits, and vegetables, with water being the limiting resource from year to year.” The lack of water and drought conditions were a key theme throughout the shura. In opening remarks Khan stressed the need for dams and water infrastructure throughout the prov.
“The prov. will experience a shortage of available water from winter snowfall, if it does not receive significant snowfall in the next 30 days,” said Ghazni ADT-IV Agriculture Team Leader, Maj. John Davis, a member of Texas Army NG. “It's imperative that the provincial leaders establish a water and irrigation working group to address this issue. This group must include reps of the DAIL, the Dir. of Energy and Water, as well as implementing partners. The intent will be to develop consolidated strategies to address the broad implications of the water shortage.”
Ghazni agriculture extension agent Mohammad Ali spoke about effective extension agent practices in Ghazni Prov., giving the other agriculture extension agents present at the shura, advice on key character qualities needed to become successful in their positions. “You must be assertive, and teach the farmers of your districts,” Ali said. “Many farmers have continued farming practices taught to them by their fathers and grandfathers, and are reluctant to change. Educating the farmers in modern practices can be achieved through interaction, radio programs, and establishing demo farms in your districts.”
Chancellor of Ghazni University Dr. Rafiki continued to stress the importance of education for the agricultural extension agents. “Agriculture extension agents face many challenges due to budget restraints, but good extension begins with the University,” he said. Sultan Hussein, DAIL dir., gave each agriculture extension agent an in-depth extension handbook to use as a teaching guide and reference, to increase their knowledge and effectiveness in their positions.
Expressing his desire to continue the momentum of the shura, Khan said, “I encourage you, the agriculture extension agents, and district governors, to hold similar seminars in your districts.” The day’s events concluded with a press conference held by several members of the local Afghan press corps.
“The Ghazni Agricultural Shura was an excellent example of the growing capacity and capability of the Afghan govt,” said Texas ADT-IV cmdr., Lt. Col. Brian Stevens. “The participation and interaction by the gov., provincial line directors, district govs., and the agriculture extension agents, will ensure that agriculture growth is at the forefront of future GoA initiatives.”
"While Soldiers on both sides are rebuilding renewed confidence after the incident, Iraqi and U.S. Forces still have mutual trust and will endeavor to drive on," he said. Winski also offered condolences to the Soldiers’ Families, and the extended Family and friends within 4th AAB. “We share their grief and the incredible loss of these 2 warriors,” Winski said. “Their Family is part of the Long Knife Family, and they always will be.”
Unit leaders and friends offered solemn eulogies and fond memories during the service, followed by a 21-gun salute and the echo of “Taps” from a lone bugler outside. “Two of our country’s greatest sons gave the ultimate sacrifice, for what I believe historians will look back on, as one of the most important steps toward Iraqi autonomy, since the beginning of the war,” said Capt. Thomas Herman, cmdr. “Sgt. Michael Bartley and Sgt. Martin “Mick” LaMar embodied the warrior spirit; the spirit they instilled in the Iraqis they trained, and the spirit they showed when they gave their last full measure of devotion to this ideal,” Herman said.
Rifles stood next to empty boots, dog tags hanging from the helmet-topped stocks, as fellow Soldiers offered a final goodbye to Bartley and LaMar. “They're brothers that haven't been lost, but moved on to carry every single one of us, as a guardian through our missions ahead,” said Sgt. James Meegan. “These memories will be carried on, the good and the hard, for the rest of our lives.”
CAMP TAJI - In the months leading up to the redeployment, the brigade's unit ministry teams are ramping up their efforts to provide the returning Soldiers with the skills they need to battle a new type of enemy. "The chaplains are primarily concerned with preventing suicide, and helping Soldiers work through social issues commonly associated with returning from a deployment," said Chaplain (Capt.) Al Rivera.
The chaplain's preparations are in keeping with the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF) program, which focuses on strengthening service members' physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and family health. In addition to religious services, they're holding suicide prevention training, resiliency training, divorce recovery counseling, marriage counseling, and financial counseling.
Rivera's ministry team has trained 22 new "gatekeepers," Soldiers taught to detect and prevent suicide within their unit, as well as given refresher courses to about 40 existing gatekeepers. Ministry teams from the rest of the brigade are following suit with similar training.