CAMP DWYER – “A CLP is the lifeline of the warfighter on the front line,” said 1st Sgt. Jose Molina, 35, 1st sgt, Motor Transport Co A. “Day after day, Marines from both motor transport companies put their lives on the line, to ensure that the vital supplies and logistical support needed by their brethren, get to their destination expeditiously.”
The motor transport companies have driven a combined total of 126,383 miles throughout the past 3 months in the vast and rugged terrain of Helmand prov. They've become accustomed to the unknown hours and difficult routes on CLPs, but aren't letting the monotony overcome their vigilance. “No matter how long you go out or how many missions we go on, we try to go into every one of them like it was our first,” said Cpl. Robert Helin, 22, an electro-optical ordnance repairman and gunner for 1st Plt. “I try to take in as much detail as possible.” Some of the Marines might be counting down the days until they're home, but they all know the only way to ensure that they all make it back unharmed, is to continue to excel in their jobs, and remaining alert as they traverse the deserts of Afghanistan. “As Marines, we know mission accomplishment comes first,” said Sgt. Jose Pimienta, 31, chief dispatcher for Motor Transport Co A. “Our families are waiting, and by continuing excelling and staying alert we will all soon be together again.”
“It’s key to have governors who use a systematic approach to development,” said Petraeus, while discussing the development of sustainable Afghan systems. Azizi explained to Petraeus that he was very grateful for the PRT, ADT and TF’s partnership in building a better Laghman, and that they've all exceeded his expectations.
“We want to raise your expectations and continue our progress,” said Petraeus in response to Azizi. Laghman Prov. was one stop for Petraeus during his tour of eastern Afghanistan, designed to gain a better understanding of the potential in the region.
Gen. Petraeus speaks with Gov. Azizi about development of a sustainable Afghan system.
Gen. Petraeus and Gov. Azizi speak with students from the Mastoori Girls School, near the governor’s compound.
Gen. Petraeus walks with Gov. Azizi to the governor’s residence for lunch.
Pilots from Alpha Troop, TF Shooter don their Stetsons before pre-flight, to remember the pilots of Adversary 11 and Adversary 22 who died Jan. 25, 2009, in Kirkuk Prov. From left, Capt. Scott Wohlford; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Justin Popp; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Filip Dziembowski of Warsaw, Poland; Chief Warrant Officer 5 Timothy French; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Sascha Wellenreuther.
“One side of my brain feels it happened 2 years ago, while the other side seems to think it happened only yesterday,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Timothy French, the senior OH-58D Standardization Instructor Pilot of TF Shooter. “I really miss them.”
In the early morning hours of that tragic day, Adversary 11 and Adversary 22 were shot down during a combat op. The 4 aviators who lost their lives were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Phillip Windorski, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua Tillery, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin Todd, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew Kelley. All were OH-58D Kiowa pilots of Bravo Troop, 6th Sqdn, 6th Cav Regt. Commemorating the 2-year anniversary of their loss, brings many memories to those who served with them. One of the fallen pilots made a lasting impression on a young officer and new pilot. “Phil was one of the first instructor pilots I met, as well as the first I flew with when arriving to the unit,” said Capt. Zachary Valentine. “He was a professional in and out of the cockpit. He was a very hard worker, and most importantly, a family man.” To others, each of them had unique attributes which benefitted the unit. The loss of which made it difficult to rebound. "A tragedy that massive was almost impossible to deal with,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bobby Guffey, a Kiowa pilot with Bravo Troop. “With Phil's leadership, the troop was strong. With Josh's comedy, we all found good memories. With Ben's quiet professionalism, we held it together. And with Matt's faith, we found God." The current Bravo Troop cmdr highlighted the heroic legacy the fallen pilots left behind. “Remembering our fallen comrades is difficult,” said Maj. Luke Schmidt, the current Bravo Troop cmdr., “but it's important to never forget the blood, sweat and tears they shed for our country, and the ultimate sacrifice they made in maintaining our freedom, and a better way of life for the Iraqi people."-30-
RC-East, Bagram Media Center
Ghazni PRT Civil Affairs Team members and engrs. assess a well with an elder in the Touheed Abad Village, Feb. 6. More than 25 wells were built throughout the village over 2 years ago by non-govt orgs. Now, only 5 are in working condition. The PRT suggested that the community come together to help keep their village in working order.
“All projects the PRT facilitates, whether we sponsor directly or work with an NGO to fund, are tracked and followed up on,” said Navy Lt. Alex Dietrich, an engr for the Ghazni PRT. “We don’t build a project and then walk away. We make sure they're maintaining and keeping the project secure, after the Afghans have agreed to sustain it.”
“What are they going to do when we leave,” she added. “Our work shouldn’t be focused on the projects, but rather on the process. They need to stop looking to the PRT or CF for help, but instead utilize their Provincial Council, the Afghan govt, for guidance. That’s why we’re here, to strengthen and empower the GoA.”Navy Lt. j.g. Shane Coss, Ghazni PRT info ops officer, spoke with individuals while passing out calling cards for the Guardians of Peace GoP program. “This program allows them to take ownership of security,” said Coss. “By using the hot line on the card to report suspicious activity, it helps them improve their situation.” With a high illiteracy rate in the village, another way of passing important info is through the radio. “Villagers will be able to hear official programs from both the U.S. and Afghan govts,” said Coss. “The use of the radio gets the info out to the people and gives them a chance to hear what the govt has to offer.” More than 10 radios were given to the elders during this visit.
Navy Lt. j.g. Shane Coss hands out calling cards for the GoP program to children, during a village assessment. Coss also gave out radios to village elders.
A local man walks the empty, snowy streets of Touheed Abad Village. Power lines are draped all over the village, but many villagers still do not have electricity. While electricity is a concern among the residents, fixing water issues is their main priority.
Ghazni PRT members walk among the locals, engaging in conversation.
Haji Gull, a prosperous fruit producer, explains the improvements he has already made to a proposed orchard training farm site he owns, to Master Sgt. Bill Dunbar, value-added processing specialist for the Iowa NG’s 734th ADT, Jan. 26. Gull signed a land use agreement with the ADT, Feb. 1, to develop the site north of Asadabad into an orchard training farm, and says that his greatest desire is to teach high school students how to be productive in life.
“When we went out to the proposed site the first time, Hazrat showed us the well, cistern and irrigation system he had already installed at his own expense,” Dunbar said. “It wasn’t cheap, either. We estimate he spent more than $12,000 of his own money to put those improvements in.”
According to Gull, he wants the ADT’s help in developing his land as a teaching aid, so that the young people of Kunar can emulate his success. “After this orchard is planted, I want to conduct training here for high school students in Kunar on fruit production,” Gull said. “If the people of Kunar are ever going to improve their situation, they must be able to produce things of value that others wish to buy from them,” he added. To Dunbar, Gull represents “the best of Kunar agriculture,” and among “the best of people” in general.“Here’s a guy who’s already done plenty without us,” Dunbar said. “When he told me that he wanted to help high school students do what he’s done, I figured we could find a way to help him.”"The plan for the orchard site," Dunbar explained, "is to provide Gull with fruit saplings and a greenhouse to develop additional saplings. At the same time, the ADT will work with Kunar educational officials to create an orchard training program at the farm. However," Dunbar noted, "the training will begin immediately. I’m anxious to get the first trees, because planting those will be the first educational activity for high school students at the farm,” Dunbar said. “The sooner we get going on this the better.”
Haji Gull prepares to sign a land use agreement. (Photo by Army Sgt. Tessa Poppe)
Master Sgt. Bill Dunbar and Haji Gull, shake hands Jan. 26, following a survey of a proposed orchard training farm site north of Asadabad.
KUNAR PROVINCE – Army Cpl. Jerry Derrick (foreground), a sling-load inspector, and Spc. Angelina Billings, a truck driver, both assigned to Troop D, 1st Sqdn, 32nd Cav Regt, TF Bandit, prepare a load for delivery at FOB Bostick, Feb. 6. Over the last 9 months, these Soldiers have helped sling load everything from supplies to humvees to howitzers.
Sgt. 1st Class Harry Wetz, a plt. sgt., uses a radio to communicate with his Soldiers preparing supplies for a sling load on FOB Bostick. This deployment is Wetz’s first time working with sling-load ops.
Cpl. Jerry Derrick (right), and Spc. Andrew Aupperlee, a truck driver, tie down a load before helicopters arrive at FOB Bostick. The Soldiers work a rotating schedule, operating 24 hours a day.
Using headlights to guide him through the night, Spc. Kurt Munroe, a truck driver, deftly steers a forklift carrying supplies at FOB Bostick. Munroe also graduated from the sling load inspector’s course.
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Officers of KRGB, completed their training with “Bushmasters” Soldiers. The officers concluded the training by conducting a simulated clearing op. The platoon broke down into 3 squads entering one building at a time, as they cleared a training site. The lead squads maintained security, as the other squads progressed, stacking on a wall before they entered a building and cleared the rooms.
The Bushmasters created the training program, consisting of both classroom and hands-on instruction to teach officers basic skills, such as movement formations and techniques; how to create and execute ops orders; military ops in urban environments; direct fire control measures; and squad and plt-level drills.
“It’s important for the officers to understand what they’re doing, and their role as they train their soldiers,” said Staff Col. Jamil, cmdr, 4th Bn., KRGB. “While there are still some minor things we can improve on throughout the training, the officers have become better and faster in combat areas, and have gained a better understanding of what their role is and what they're doing,” Jamil said.
Lt. Col. Gregg Athey, cmdr of 1st Sqdn, 3rd ACR, and IA Col. Adnon, cmdr., sign the official transfer documentation, that will provide ISFs a new compound on COB Kalsu, Feb. 5.Planning for the compound began in Nov. 2010, and a piece of ground within the COB was selected and prepared for the layout of the site. Hundreds of barrier walls have been placed to provide force protection, making it safe for the ISF to operate within the perimeter. Within the compound, the ISF will have insulated living quarters, complete dining facilities and the space necessary to sustain an effective SECFOR. The compound sits near the center of Kalsu, a convenient location for the force to work with USF counterparts. “This new site will allow for an increase in training and missions between USF and ISF,” said Capt. Joseph Marshall, cmdr. of the 89th Chemical Co., 3rd ACR. “Our partnered missions will be much easier when we live right next door to each other.” Once settled in, the Iraqi bn will have a convenient staging base to operate in key areas between Kalsu and other outlying checkpoints. Jackson said that the move would allow the Iraqi brigade to expand its area of op, and greatly improve their security efforts in the area.