“Upon graduation, they will receive chickens to take home, and spread that knowledge to farmers in their villages,” said Ali. “The training is important to Afghans. “Spreading knowledge is something Afghans can take pride in and continue to spread, even after the U.S. has departed.”
Spc. Crystal Sims, a project mgr. for the ADT, asked about the students’ progress in the class which began a week ago, and will graduate in 7 weeks. “The students will learn the various breeds of chickens in Afghanistan,” said Sims. “The training will cover the entire life cycle of chickens; from birth to full grown, to egg production, and finally through processing the chickens for consumption.”
"At the end of the training, the graduates will receive 20 chickens, one watering container, a bag of chicken feed and a chicken coop," said Sims. The ADT will continue to monitor their progress with follow-up visits.
While the poultry assessment was ongoing, Sgt. 1st Class Billy Payne, senior project mgr. for the ADT, inspected a gate being constructed at the school. “The gate should be completed in a week,” said Payne. “The gate will allow easier access to the agricultural training center, located on the school grounds.”
In addition to the poultry training and gate assessment, the ADT also distributed school supplies to Ali. The supplies were donated from several sources in the U.S., and specifically Oklahoma. “We're grateful for all the ADT gives to support education in Zormat,” said Ali.
The ADT is coordinating with Zormat officials for additional sustainable agricultural projects. According to the ADT, using sustainable farming methods is critical to the U.S. efforts in helping build the relationship between the Afghan govt and its citizens.
Paktya Gov. Hamdard shared Safi’s sentiments. “The presence of security personnel deters the enemy, and will make them think twice about committing acts of violence,” said Hamdard.
Safi noted the recent desperation demonstrated by enemy forces. Taliban and Haqqini network attacks have killed scores of innocent women and children in recent weeks. On Feb. 26, a single IED attack killed 6 members of the same family.
“As the peace process continues, the enemy is killing the innocent, and conducting bad activities to disrupt the peace process in the provs.,” said Safi. “We're monitoring several people, but we're not willing to arrest them without the proper evidence,” said Safi. “We know everything about them. When we've gathered all the evidence we need, we'll make the arrests.”
Rule of law is a new concept in some remote areas, but Afghan leaders are determined to bring the population under its sphere of influence, and create greater stability throughout the country.
According to Safi, operational coordination centers are the key to organizing SECFORs, and responding to threats. Coordination centers like the Operational Coordination Center-East (OCCR) organize a myriad of Afghan orgs. under a single umbrella, in order to respond to threats or national emergencies. “The OCCR should coordinate security agencies,” said Safi. “The OCCR is the lead. If there are any security problems, the OCCR should respond to them.”
Lt. Col. Michael Kelley, OCCR-East senior adviser, offered to take the concerns and suggestions of attendees to his counterparts throughout the region. “We're working with the MoD to increase manning at OCCRs throughout the region. I'll take the issues discussed here to the national conference,” said Kelley.
“Jordan Byrd gave his life to protect a wounded Red Currahee,” said Lt. Col. David Womack. “His selfless actions will never be forgotten by his brothers and our nation. I can't imagine a more appropriate name for a building that houses those who care for our Soldiers.”
“This emergency op center is located right off the MEDEVAC helipad, and is side by side with Medical Co, 801st BSB, TF Currahee),” said Capt. Roger Beaulieu, cmdr of the 934th Forward Surgical Team out of Salt Lake City. “This facility is 60% larger, with more space and more equipment, and is capable of providing faster emergency care to up to 8 casualties at one time.”
“Byrd demonstrated grace under fire and a focus-on-the-task attitude,” said Beaulieu. By placing his name on this center, Byrd’s legacy of selfless service and care for his fellow Soldiers is brought to life.
“We had classes on medical training, how to use radios, and how to use and clean our .50 cal machine guns,” said Sayed Bahdar, the RCC’s 1st Plt. cmdr.
“We gave them some of the same training we received before we left Fort Campbell, Ky.,” said Sgt. James Potter, a team leader. “We trained them on how to stop bleeding, how to administer an intravenous line, how to do a personnel search, and how to scan for IEDs.”
Although the RCC’s equipment may not be as sophisticated as the Sappers’, they've dedicated themselves to learning how to use and maintain it properly. “They've definitely become more proficient with their weapon systems,” said Lemmerman. “They used to leave the weapon on the vehicle in the rain, because they didn’t know how to put them back together again.”
New to the field and area, the RCC have shown they're eager and ready to learn. “We need to learn as much as we can from the U.S. Army,” said Bahdar. “We're in a new army, so it's important for our success to learn from what they've been doing, that has made things so successful here so far.”
“These guys are very enthusiastic about learning everything we can teach them,” said Lemmerman. “If you teach something to one, he will go back and teach it to his entire group.”
“I'm very comfortable with their abilities,” said 1st Lt. Brian Bogenschutz, plt. leader. "I think they definitely will soon be ready to start clearing routes on their own.”
Story and photos by Navy Chief Mass Communication Specialist Maria Yager
"We teach them everything they need to know for duty inside the Detention Facility in Parwan (DFIP)," said Spc. Miguel Alvarado. "They're good people, and they seem very interested in the topics we present."
Like U.S. guard force members, the ANA students receive training on standards of conduct for duty in the DFIP. The training emphasizes safe, secure, humane care and custody of detainees and prisoners, in accordance with int'l standards and Afghan law. The Soldiers also receive training in daily housing unit ops, including manning over watch stations, searching cells for contraband, escorting prisoners to and from appointments, and overseeing recreation, daily hygiene and meal service for prisoners.
The design of the DFIP accommodates detainee reintegration efforts, and enables Combined Joint Interagency TF 435 to better align detention ops, with the overall strategy to defeat the extremist insurgency in Afghanistan. Guard force members receive training on the implementation of COIN efforts in the DFIP, and how this strategy can help Afghanistan.
The largest class to date, Cohort 7, is scheduled to graduate from Phase 1 training, March 2. The ANA Soldiers said they're excited about the skills they've learned, and eager to serve their country. "I like being an MP and I'm excited to do my job in the DFIP," said one student who joined the ANA 6 months ago. "It's my duty to help my country."
In January, TF Spartan began the Train-the-Trainer program to train experienced ANA MPs to return to help instruct future guard force members. "At the end of their training program the students are evaluated, and if they do well, can be recommended for instructor duty," said Alvarado. Nine ANA MP Soldiers joined the instructor cadre so far.
TF Spartan is assisted by Navy Sailors from Task Group Trident, and linguists who provide language support.
King said his primary responsibility was to advise the instructors, assist with planning, and supervise training. “We need this training in all the centers throughout the city, but for now I’m thankful we have proficient members of the ISF to promote this city’s safety and security,” he said.
"The Iraqi emergency service personnel received good training, that will make ISF more proficient in providing the city with security and safety," said Brig. Gen. Kawa, Dean of the Police Training Center. “I'm thankful to Gen. Jamal for his advice and cooperation, as well as the CF for this training,” said Kawa.
Kawa continued his praise of the graduates who received hands-on training from the U.S. forces, and the joint cooperation between the various ISF, who work to maintain the peace in the city of Kirkuk. “We're all here to help our families and our community,” explained Kawa in both Arabic and Kurdish. “What you’ve learned, pass it on to the public—to our brothers and other members of the IP.”
Concluding the ceremony, Kawa and King presented the EMT graduates with certificates of completion, and combat lifesaver bags, complete with fresh medical supplies.
During the ceremony, King thanked the instructors for their dedication, and the new EMT graduates for a job well done.
JOINT BASE BALAD – Two days before the 5th anniversary of the bombing of Al Askari “Golden” Mosque, the security barriers protecting one of the holiest Shia shrines in Iraq came down.
After Iraqis rebuilt the mosque, the T-walls (tall expediently emplaced concrete barriers) remained, blocking pilgrims from the once vibrant marketplaces, which colored the streets leading to the holy site. ISF required visitors to be escorted through blockaded T-wall channels to and from the mosque, a process which drastically impaired the tourism-based economy of Samarra.“We've been working so hard on this project for so long, it's hard to believe it's finally happening,” said Lt. Col. Ghayath, director of the Samarra Joint Coordination Center, a site designed to synchronize the security efforts of U.S. forces, IA, IP, IFP and the SoI.
“The people of Samarra wanted this for a very long time, and the SECFORs made it possible,” said Ghayath, who serves as the primary liaison between U.S. forces and the Samarra Ops Center. ISF will maintain the re-established security in Samarra, using additional police, security cameras, X-ray machines, and better control of the site," he said.
Although the combined planning team primarily focused on security for pilgrims, local citizens, and the mosque, other issues played an important role. “One of the biggest problems we faced in Samarra was the lack of available employment,” Preston said. “No matter where you are in the world, people with no money and no prospects are more likely to turn to crime and violence, than those who have the ability to make a way for themselves legitimately. Re-opening these markets by taking down the T-walls will provide that legitimate opportunity.”
“I wish I could see the faces of Lt. Col. Sam Whitehurst and Lt. Col. Eric Timmerman when they hear the news,” Preston said of the cmdrs. of the last 2 U.S. units in Samarra—both personal friends. “I know that they truly cared about the people of Samarra, and that they'd love to be able to celebrate with their old friends.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Berk Parsons, senior enlisted leader of Task Force 2-11, conveyed the significance of the T-wall removal, as an indication of progress in Samarra in terms of security. “The city of Samarra holds a significant place in the history of Iraq,” he said. “Unfortunately, what most know about the city's role is its contemporary history, specifically concerning its connection to the sectarian violence.”
“The progress of the Samarra govt and the ISF set the conditions which allow the city to begin its return to its former prestige,” Parsons said. “The removal of the T-walls is a tangible symbol, and a phenomenal progression towards the city's restoration.”
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