Charity organizer visits FOB Shazni to thank Polish, US Forces. ANA Sgt. Maj. lifts NCO Corps to new heights. More than just a pallet, in Herat (video too). Preventive Medicine Team teaching ANA at FOB Thunder. Soldiers rebuild damaged roads in Nangarhar. New Marine Maintenance Chief at Camp Leatherneck.
Iraq: 'Vanguard' Bn Soldiers vie for membership in prestigious SAMC. Sgt. Parsons part of MTT providing classes at FOB Atruz.
Regional Command-West Public Affairs
ANA sergeant major lifts NCO Corps to new heights
Story by AF Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
ANA Sgt. Maj. Ahmadi, ANA Basic Warrior Course (BWC) sgt. maj., Camp Zafar, entertains an interview about his tactics to revolutionize the status of NCOs in the ANA, Feb. 22, 2011. (Navy photo/Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class John Pearl)
HERAT PROVINCE – ANA Basic Warrior Course recruits gazed with mixed looks of admiration, fear and respect, as their polished sgt. maj. marched across the training grounds. Stopping with his eyes fixed in one trainee’s direction, Sgt. Maj. Ahmadi didn’t need to utter a single word, the trainee already knew he was wrong, and quickly squared himself away.
Though NCOs have been around since the start of the ANA, increased status and responsibility of a credible NCO is new, and Ahmadi is elevating it to a level never seen before. "The NCO Corps is transitioning from a period where an NCO was a more-experienced Soldier, to an era where an NCO is not only experienced, but a front-line leader, trusted and respected by ANA officers," said Ahmadi.
"A motivated enlisted corps, valid and professional NCOs, and an officer corps who’s not only educated and trained, but who places trust in their NCOs, is key to the ANA’s future," said Ahmadi.
In the 2nd month after being promoted to sgt. maj., Ahmadi created NCO counseling and evaluation forms. "Prior to that, there was no official tracking for an NCO’s performance," he explained. “I counseled each NCO monthly, which included positive and negative comments, and those 1st sgts. evaluate the NCOs junior to them," said Ahmadi. “Every 6 months, all NCOs at the basic training compound were evaluated based on these counseling forms, which enabled promotion based on merit.”
"Prior to that, promotions were sometimes based on family status or favors," explained Ahmadi, who said that he’s hard-line against corruption in the enlisted corps. Since the NCO evaluation program is still in its infancy, Ahmadi continues to oversee the entire process, and reports his findings to the basic training cmdr, Col. Wardak.
Wardak lauded Ahmadi's initiatives. “NCOs are executive power,” said Ahmadi. “When Col. Wardak or any officer makes a plan, we need strong NCOs to execute.” A strong NCO Corps is not the only thing the ANA currently lacks. “As we continue to develop, we’ll need modern equipment, more literacy classes, and more instructors to further develop our NCOs,” said Ahmadi.
A more-polished NCO Corps was apparent when 4 of Ahmadi’s NCOs accompanied their ANA capt., 2 U.S. Army mentors, and hundreds of recruits to an outside-the-wire Military Ops in Urban Terrain scenario, near Camp Zafar.
The capt. laid out his plan to the 4 NCOs on site. The ranking NCO, a sgt.1st class, seemed to have contrasting views on parts of the plan, and the capt. accepted his feedback. The 2 discussed the issue, and came to a conclusion. This would not likely have been the case in the past, before Ahmadi elevated the status of NCOs at BWC.
Next, the sgt.1st class rallied his 3 fellow NCOs, and prepared to execute the plan. Soon thereafter, hundreds of recruits broke up into 5-man fire teams equipped with M-16 rifles and blank ammo. One team at a time brought the fight to their simulated enemy. Every Soldier knew their place – top to bottom.
During training, one U.S. Army mentor relished the efficiency. “This is very close to how American Soldiers are trained,” said Spc. Dale Dillahunty. “It's exciting for them. Some groups get more interactive than others, but their curiosity builds excitement, as they watch the groups ahead of them go through the course.”
CF will continue to patrol by foot and mounted convoys with ANA during real-world missions, and often into hostile territory. They’ll put their lives in the hands of their well-trained comrades. Moreover, the ANA will protect Afghanistan for the foreseeable future, and beyond the day when the coalition leaves.
With more NCOs like Ahmadi leading the enlisted force, the ANA will be better suited to serve their people, on and off the battlefields.
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Regional Command-West Public Affairs
More than just a pallet in Herat
Story and photos by AF Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
Italian AF Maj. Andrea Quaglia, 46th Air Bde, Task Group Albatros cmdr. (left), and Italian army 1st Cpl. Maj. Ida Greco, 186th Parachute Regt “Folgore,” inspect pallets prior to them being loaded onto an Italian C-130J Hercules at Camp Arena, Feb. 25, 2011. The following day, the C-130 crew airdropped cargo pallets to FOBs in Badghis and Farah Provs.
HERAT PROVINCE – I’m a high-grade composite metal pallet specially constructed to be dropped out of high-flying aircraft, and parachuted to a wide-array of various landing zones. I’m quite certain there are many pallets just like me at Aeronautica Militare (Italian AF) bases across Italy, and other coalition nations.
However, I relish in the knowledge that I’m a special pallet, because I'm currently being used in Western Afghanistan, and will soon be loaded with vital life-sustaining supplies, and dropped out of a C-130J Hercules to 8th Alpini Regt (Italian mtn.), and U.S. 7th Sqdn 10th Cavalry Regt Soldiers, at remote FOBs and COPs.
My mission is a grand one, because I’m the artery that pumps vital supplies to servicemembers at isolated locations. Merely days ago I was empty and piled along a wall with fellow pallets, at a hanger on Camp Arena.
Then my time came and I answered my nation’s call, when 1st Cpl. Ida Greco, moved me to the hanger’s center, and began loading me with food and other supplies. “We provide logistic materials to the local population, and Soldiers on the ground,” said Greco, who said that her unit prepares for airdrops every week.
Though rolling out of the back of a C-130 and falling to the ground scares me, I believe the Soldiers here are dedicated to their task and prepared me properly. “Our job is difficult, because we must take every precaution to properly pack pallets, and get them airdrop ready,” said Italian Cpl. Matteo Felli. We not only supply my army, but Americans and Afghans rely on us for food, medicine and gasoline.”
Once I was loaded with supplies and the contents were secured, soldiers placed me on a transport device they called a “K-Loader,” which they used to move me from the hangar directly to the rear of the C-130. There, the soldiers worked together with Italian airmen and secured me, along with 11 other pallets, into the aircraft.
Italian Maj. Andrea Quaglia, explained the joint process. “My crew will check it, make sure everything is collected properly, and then all together we will upload the airplane,” said Quaglia. “When everything is done, we're almost ready for the mission.”
Quaglia then described the challenges of flying an airdrop mission. “The most difficult thing is the location of the FOBs, because they're inside valleys, and it’s challenging to fly the airplane with cargo free to move – you have to maneuver to line up, to put the stuff on the point of impact,” said Quaglia. “Wind direction and intensity narrows the margin of error.”
That night I remained packed in the C-130 parked on the flighline. I relished in knowing that my day in the limelight would soon come, as the following day at around 5 a.m., air crews would be back to prepare the C-130 for flight.
Though the crews flew 2 airdrops Feb. 26, 2011, I was on the mission to a FOB in Bala Murghab Valley, Baghdis Prov. The other mission was to a FOB in Gulistan, Farah Prov.
As we cleared the mountains and entered the Bala Murghab Valley on approach to the drop zone, the loadmasters finished preparing us for the drop, by removing the cargo straps securing us in place.
Then, in mere seconds, the loadmaster pulled the final strap using a cable device, and we quickly found ourselves rolling at high speeds to the tail of the plane, then out into the open skies, with a parachute slowing our fall.
As I fell to the ground, I saw Italian and U.S. Army Soldiers below, preparing to recover me. I knew that in the coming days, the contents packed upon me would be delivered to one of the 16 nearby COPs, and provide the Soldiers there much-needed supplies.
I felt my purpose was fulfilled.
Though I’m merely a high-grade composite metal pallet on the surface, I was just part of sustaining coalition and Afghan lives, and I can scarcely think of anything more important.
On the final seconds of my fall, I recalled what Quaglia said the previous day, about my role in supporting the ISAF mission.
“We’re delivering and transporting stuff all around Afghanistan, as part of the ISAF coalition mission,” said Quaglia. “It looks like we're just supporting our FOBs, but the job of FOBs is that of ISAF, to support Afghanistan people and make sure they can live inside their own country more freely.”
110226-F-WU507-001: Gravity takes hold and pulls cargo pallets out of the back of an Italian C-130J Hercules above an FOB in Farah Prov.
An Italian soldier uses a forklift to move cargo pallets from a hanger to a ‘K-Loader’ at Camp Arena.
Italian soldiers and airmen prepare to load cargo pallets.
Loadmasters push a cargo pallet into place aboard their Italian C-130J Hercules.
Parachutes attached to cargo pallets begin to open, and slow the pallet descent as they fall toward an FOB in Badghis Prov.
Fourteen cargo pallets are airdropped from an Italian C-130J Hercules to resupply an FOB in Farah Province.
(Joanna: The following is a video of the above story that makes it come alive!)
John Pearl, MC1, USN
Preventive medicine team combats spread of bacteria, disease
Story and photos by AF Staff Sgt. Christopher Hummel
Spc. Anthony Collins discusses proper sanitation procedures in the kitchen, at the 203rd ANA Corps’ dining facility, at FOB Thunder, Feb. 22.
PAKTYA PROVINCE – Infectious disease accounts for the largest number of noncombat-related casualties in the ANA. The 71st Medical Det field sanitation team out of Grafenwoehr, Germany, is doing its part to remedy this, while teaching at FOB Thunder.
Spc. Anthony Collins, a sanitation trainer, works with Afghan soldiers to demonstrate the relationship between sanitary conditions and illness. “There's just a fundamental difference in hygiene culture that we’re trying to shed light on,” said Collins.
During a 3-day course, U.S. and Afghan troops worked together with a train-the-trainer mentality. The 14 Afghan students from the 203rd ANA Corps will be their units’ voice of sanitary reason once training is complete. The overall goal is to reduce infectious disease casualties, which now sits at more than 1,000 per month, by properly training the ANA with preventative techniques.
AF Maj. Del Lofton facilitated the training for the ANA, and provided oversight for the training team for the duration of class. “This team has come down to help improve the cleanliness of the dining facility, water facilities, and also assist with providing knowledge on pest control,” said Lofton. “Non-battle casualties remain high as a result of poor hygiene, coupled with unclean food preparation methods and serving practices.”
Many Afghan soldiers are unaware of the relationship between hand washing, food temp., and disease. “Overall, preventive medicine and basic sanitary practices will extremely reduce the number of noncombat-related injuries in the 203rd Corps,” said Sgt. 1st Class Dina Pang, a native of Singapore, and the 71st det sgt. “Our hope is to come back and help facilitate future preventive medicine training, and help them make these improvements habitual.”
During a tour of the Afghan dining facility, the training team discovered a lack of soap, bleach, and other basic materials needed to promote a healthy environment. “We then took the students to the American dining facility, and showed them the difference in cleanliness and sanitation procedures; it really opened their eyes,” said Collins.
Afghan Sgt. Khan, one of the students, highly approved of the training. “This course was very valuable for us, and we can now teach our soldiers how to keep clean, which will help improve our society,” said Khan. “Every aspect of training was important to us, and to me, specifically. I, one day wish to be a doctor, and this training is a very good start in that direction.”
Reflecting on her students’ success, sanitation trainer Spc. Maria Gutierrez said, “I honestly thought that because of our cultural barriers, that this training was going to be very difficult. I was pleasantly surprised at their eagerness to learn.”
Spc. Anthony Collins explains to the ANA how to keep a kitchen clean, at the American dining facility at FOB Lightning, Feb. 22.
Chlorine sanitary test paper is displayed to ANA students learning to use them to determine the proper amount of bleach to use when cleaning.
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
Soldiers rebuild damaged roads
Written by Army Spc. Richard Daniels Jr., TF Bastogne
The 1430th Engr Co, horizontal construction engrs, and the 744th Engr Co, 54th Engr Bn, in cooperation with the GoA and ANSF, begin the process of rebuilding the roads in Khogyani and Sherzad Districts, Feb. 8. (Courtesy photos)
NANGARHAR PROVINCE – The process begins by tearing up the old surfaces damaged by frequent roadside bombs. The damaged roads made travel to Jalalabad difficult for those living in the area. The job of tearing up the old road falls to Capt. Jason Rolling, cmdr. of the 1430th. In addition to offloading equipment, his team also looks for and removes command wires or detonation cord, that could be attached to old IEDs.
“That’s the intent of this ripping, to get down deep enough to find these wires, to find this detonation cord,” said Rolling. Rip it all up, grade it back out, and pack it all down.”
Members of the 1430th and the 744th perform route clearance patrols and complete the road repair, while Soldiers from the 1st Bn, 61st Cav Regt provide security.
"That cooperation and combined effort are a big part of the project," according to Lt. Col. William Johnson, sqdn. cmdr. for TF Panther.
“The local people have already expressed appreciation for the work we’re doing,” said Johnson. “They're very excited about having a better road that will hold up in the rainy season, that won’t wash out, that’ll prevent insurgents from putting bombs in the road, so it’s safer for travellers.”
The ANP and ANA will provide security on the road, with checkpoints, patrols, and continued interaction with the locals. “In addition, police in the Memla area will continue to do local patrols, and provide security in the area when the roadwork is finished, and continue to over watch the route, while the Afghan contractors come in to do the long-term paving,” he continued.
The project is scheduled to be completed mid-March. “I’m also proud to have such motivated and dedicated Afghan forces to partner with, to take responsibility for their own security in this area, and improve things for their own people,” said Johnson. “They're a great team, great partners to work with, and I look forward to continuing to work with them.”
The 1430th and the 744th, in cooperation with the GoA and ANSF tear up and rebuild the routes in eastern Afghanistan’s Khogyani and Sherzad Districts.
A 1430th Engr Co’s horizontal construction vehicle grades the land in preparation for the next step in road repairs.
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DVIDS
Marine Maintenance Chief Deploys to AfghanistanStory and photo by Lance Cpl. Marco Mancha
Maintenance Mgt. Chief, Staff Sgt. Martha Avellanet inspects a recently repaired MRAP vehicle, February 23. Avellanet is taking over as the maintenance mgt. chief for 2nd Marine Div (Fwd), and will soon be responsible for millions of dollars worth of ground combat equipment throughout Helmand and Nimroz provs. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Marco Mancha)
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province – “Basically, we make sure all equipment for the units is ‘good to go,’ and fixed when it needs to be fixed,” said Avellanet. She understands the difficult mission ahead, as the turnover between the units in Afghanistan is conducted.
“If I don’t ensure the equipment is readily available for the troops, it could cost lives,” explained Avellanet. “For example, if a vehicle isn’t working properly or broke down, it would not get there in time for resupply of necessary items, like ammo, food and water.”
She will support infantry and non-infantry units by monitoring the equipment readiness of their ground assets in Afghanistan, to include tanks, MRAP vehicles, and satellite dishes for communication. For instance, if a vehicle requires extensive repairs, the unit would report it to her, and she becomes the liaison between that unit and the motor transportation unit conducting the repair.
“She can expect a full, long year with lots of challenges to be met,” explained Sgt. Gavin Jenkins, the maintenance mgt. chief for 1st MarDiv (Fwd). “The turnover is going well, and she’s picking it up quickly. I’m sure she'll do great during her deployment.”
Avellanet is committed to providing the best service possible, opting for a yearlong deployment in lieu of a 6-month option, to gain more experience and help maintain continuity between her and the units she supports.
Happily married with 2 children, Avellanet knew her decision would affect her and her family, but she has prepared herself, both mentally and physically, for the long deployment ahead.
“I love my family and husband very much, who is also a Marine. He supports me in all that I do, but now my mission is here,” Avellanet said with pride. “The lives of the Marines and sailors of 2nd MarDiv (Fwd,) and helping the people of Afghanistan are my biggest priority.”
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IRAQI STORIES:
DVIDS
‘Vanguard’ Bn Soldiers Vie for Membership in Prestigious SAMC
Story by Sgt.1st Class Jonathan DeLong
Staff Sgt. Glenn Ballantyne, a plt. sgt. with Co C, 1st Bn, 18th Inf Regt, 2nd AAB, 1st ID, competes in the pull-up portion of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) selection board at Camp Taji, Feb. 15, 2011. The SAMC is an org. that recognizes the best among the NCO corps, and requires candidates to pass a stringent selection board, that tests their leadership abilities, physical fitness, military knowledge, and tactical and technical proficiency in order to be admitted into the ranks of the SAMC. (Photos by Staff Sgt. E.D. Lee)
BAGHDAD — Four NCOs from 1st “Vanguards” competed to be among the newest members named to the SAMC, which recognizes the best of the best among the NCO corps.
Named after one of the most famous NCOs in Army history, the SAMC was created in 1986 at Fort Hood, Texas, by Lt. Gen. Crosbie Saint and Command Sgt. Maj. George Horvath to honor Murphy’s service to the nation, and to create a group for the finest NCOs Fort Hood had to offer. By 1994, it had spread Army-wide.
Murphy served with great distinction with the 15th Inf Regt, 3rd ID during World War II, and fought with his unit in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. He was the recipient of 33 awards and decorations, including the Medal of Honor, and is widely regarded as the most decorated NCO in the U.S. Army.
The bn-level competition was developed and conducted by Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Evans, command sgt. maj. of 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt. Evans himself was inducted into the SAMC in 1999, as a sgt. 1st class. “Being inducted into the SAMC is a significant accomplishment for any NCO within the formation,” Evans said. “It's a time for inductees to set themselves apart from their peers, accept the challenge and get after it.”
During the evaluation, the nominees were given a physical training test in which they had to score at least 90 points, on a 100-point scale, in each event. After completing this, they conducted an 8-mile foot march to a rifle qualification range, where they conducted a “stress shoot,” or a firing while tired and under pressure, to qualify with their assigned weapon.
Their next tasks consisted of evaluations of their ability to conduct first aid, read maps, operate a radio, submit an unexploded ordnance report, and conduct weapons and vehicle maintenance.
After these evaluations, the NCOs appeared before a board, which was chaired by 1st sgts. from within the bn, SAMC members, and Evans. The board covered all aspects of leadership and military knowledge, as well as the history of Audie Murphy, and of the club. “I studied with other plt. sgts., and the 1st sgt. in my company, who are members of the SAMC,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Thorpe, a plt. sgt. with Co F, 1st Bn, 18th Inf Regt.
“The soldiers who attended the board today are the true champions,” Evans said. “They accepted the challenge to rise to the top.”
Sgt. Dylan Peterson, a squad leader with Co B, finishes the 8-mile foot march portion.
Staff Sgt. Glenn Ballantyne, a plt. sgt. with Co C, prepares to qualify with his weapon.
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DVIDS
Sgt. Parsons part of MTT provides classes at FOB Atruz
Photos by Sgt. Shawn Miller
FOB ATRUZ - Sgt. Danny Parsons, an instructor from the Mobile Training Team (MTT), 2nd AAB, 25th ID, provides feedback to Iraqi commandos, following a training event, Feb. 17, 2011. U.S. mentors from the MTT provide classes to Iraqi soldiers in a train-the-trainer model, to create sustainable training regimens for ISF.
Sgt. Danny Parsons teaches a class on small-unit infantry tactics. The Iraqi commandos attended short classes conducted by MTT instructors, before participating in practical exercises led by Commando Co. officers and NCOs.
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