"God made a path to the Army," then a "path to peace." Corpsmen, Marines save lives, earn local support. Shindand: AAF soars to new levels, great video; 298th CSSB takes command, great video. Using words as a weapon in Kunar. 1,400 ANA graduate basic training in Herat.
Iraq: A 'Devil' Soldiers remarkable fight of firsts at COB Warrior. 3rd ACR maintains maximum-security facility on Camp Cropper.
Joanna
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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
DVIDS
"God Made a Path to the Army," then a "Path to Peace"
Story by Capt. Michelle Lunato
Michigan native Army Spc. Kendall Jackson (a Pfc. when photographed), a chaplain’s asst. with the 86th ESB, spends his first deployment at Kandahar, March 7.
BAGRAM AIR FIELD - No one asks for stress and hard times in their life, but for one soldier, he's deeply thankful for the darkest moments of his life. Without those bleak, hopeless days, he wouldn't be on the path he is today.About 5 years ago, Spc. Kendall Jackson, said he was struggling with just about everything. He was in and out of jobs and health, fighting with his wife, having bad dreams, and on the edge of a breakdown until he prayed to be cursed – “cursed with blessings.” The blessings came, but Jackson didn’t quite recognize them at first, he recounted. After Hurricane Ike, Jackson was laid off and out of work yet again. Desperate, Jackson said he started reading his Bible, looking for answers, but everything he read talked about fighting in the Army. While he was out looking for work “with everyone else,” a stranger approached him, touched his shoulder, and said, “Do what God has told you to do.” Jackson shook off this odd encounter. Then, after a loud, verbal fight with his wife, which was interrupted by investigating police, Jackson said the officer talked to him about the Army. "The Army was coming at me from everywhere," said Jackson. “It was like He closed doors to squeeze me into this direction. I started to feel like I didn’t have to go out and find the answer; it kept coming to me.” Even at the recruiter’s office, Jackson felt like he was pointed to a direction he had not considered. "The recruiter and I discussed a lot of jobs with bonuses, and then he mentioned the chaplain’s asst. job, since I had mentioned God," said Jackson. It didn’t offer a bonus, but, according to the recruiter, it hadn't been open for a couple of years, he said. “I kept thinking that I can’t serve God AND money, so I chose the chaplain’s asst. job.” However, during his first year on duty, Jackson still wasn’t sure he'd made the right decision. “I kept thinking…I can’t believe I'm in the Army. I don’t even like weapons.” And, life was still difficult for him. His wife and their 4 children, were about to be evicted out of their apartment. Before that happened though, the Army was his answer again, said Jackson. “The next thing I knew, I'm getting blessed with all this stuff.” His unit and other military people heard about his crisis, and helped his family with money, furniture and a vehicle. “They practically furnished my entire house. I couldn’t believe this was happening. No one gives people furniture and trucks, except Oprah,” laughed Jackson.Now after only 2 years in the Army, the 31-year-old is serving on his 1st deployment in Kandahar, and giving inspiration to other soldiers. "We all get overwhelmed by our problems at times, so I try to help others realize that there is hope," said Jackson. “I tell them to not get blinded by their struggles. It's only a season, and it will pass.” Of course, this is all easier said than done, but since Jackson has lived hard times, he said it allows him to speak with more conviction, letting other soldiers know they can survive too. “Every experience, whether good or bad, builds character, and those experiences will either make you better or bitter.” Nevertheless, all this experience overcoming adversity didn't make leaving his family to come to a heavily-rocketed combat zone any less easy. But, after a few months in country, Jackson said he realized there was not much point to worrying. “I don’t fear as much anymore, because I don’t feel like the Lord has brought me this far just to take me out in the desert. I feel like I'm here to be a rock and foundation to other soldiers. Regardless of what your job and experiences are, you just have to have faith sometimes," said Jackson. “We can be trained and ready, but how much can you fight against a mortar?”Through all his experiences and military service, Jackson said there's still a lot to learn. “Wisdom doesn’t come with age. It comes from doing what's right.” He says this not only because of his history, but also because he sees a lot of connection between the Army values and the Old Testament. “Everybody can preach the values, but not everybody can live them.” By trying to learn and live those values, Jackson said he has learned a lot about leadership. “Everything is a transition. Everyone is a follower and a leader, just at different times.” By following God’s signs to join the Army, Jackson feels he's leading his family by serving time away from them. “It’s a sacrifice of time, because you're away from your loved ones, and what you're used to. But, outside of that, it's NOT a sacrifice. We volunteered to serve. So, it's more like an offering.”And through his gift of time and service, Jackson thinks the path that brought him to a combat zone will be the same path that gives him serenity. “A lot of people see the Army as a door to war, but for me, it was a door to peace.”
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Blackanthem Military News
Corpsmen, Marines save lives, earn local support
By GnrySgt. Bryce Piper
Marines and corpsmen with 3rd Plt, Co I, BLT 3/8, RCT 8, medically evacuate an Afghan civilian Ghamay Ghilgi, brought to 3rd Plt's patrol base (PB) in Kakar village, March 7, onto an ISAF helicopter. Ghamay, a local farmer, was injured by an insurgency IED. The Marines and sailors see locals approaching them for help as a positive sign of eroding support for the insurgency. (Photos by Lance Cpl. Kevin Hassett)
HELMAND PROVINCE - This was the second civilian medical evacuation from the village in 3 days. The victim, Ghamay Ghilgi, arrived at a PB in a van crowded with relatives and friends, according to Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Moccia, a corpsman, who first treated Ghamay.
Ghamay suffered wounds to his legs and feet, including lacerations and a broken femur. Moccia, assisted by fellow corpsmen Petty Officer 2nd Class Jermiah Helms and corpsmen Charles Cruce, treated Ghamay and determined he'd need medical evacuation to survive. "He was bleeding profusely," said Moccia. "There was lots of blood on the blanket they had him wrapped in. He was in shock. He had an open fracture, which could mean femoral artery damage. Originally he had no pulse in his wrist and only a faint one in his neck. He was out of it originally, unresponsive. We pushed IV fluid into him and got him talking while treating his wounds." As Afghan interpreters struggled to explain to the family both what the corpsmen were doing and that Ghamay would need to be evacuated, squad leader Sgt. Eric Rasmussen and his Marines secured a nearby field to use as a landing zone. Ghamay was evacuated to Camp Bastion for treatment. Only 2 days prior, Afghans from a nearby village brought a man for treatment who suffered from 2 gunshot wounds. While Marines on scene were unable to get a clear and full story of how the man was shot, corpsmen treated him without reservation, and medically evacuated him to Camp Bastion as well. The Marines and sailors most attribute the recent shift in local outlook to a community health initiative (CHI) conducted in Kakar, March 1. During the CHI, Afghan Dr. Gul from Gareshk Hospital, BLT 3/8 Surgeon Navy Lt. Kurt Eifling, and corpsmen from BLT 3/8 examined and treated villagers, while distributing vitamins and medications. They conducted a second CHI in Aminollah Kariz village, March 2. "One of the big things that started the surge in seeking medical care was the CHI," Moccia said. In addition to the health initiative, they've gone to great lengths to win trust and confidence in Kakar and surrounding villages. EOD techs attached to Co I's 3rd Plt made Kakar safer for residents by clearing it of IEDs, Feb. 14, including 7 main charges, 3 pressure-plate devices, and a command-pull device. Insurgents later returned to the village, planting several more IEDs, one of which injured a Marine attached to Co I. The Marines then established a PB in Kakar to maintain security. "When we first got here it was supposed to be short term," explained Moccia. "But, we cleared IEDs here and set up the PB, did the medical day, and followed up with them. We've been going down there and been level with them, and that has yielded benefits." "Constantly checking on them and interacting with them has brought really positive benefits," agreed Rasmussen. "Living in the village and interacting with residents on a daily basis, allows the Marines to know who belongs and who is an outsider," he said. This knowledge helps the Marines keep insurgents attempting to hide among locals at bay. "We're constantly asking them, 'How can we help you?'" said Moccia. "I mean, we're neighbors with them. We tell them, 'we'll do what we can for you. If you need medical care, come to us.'" Apparently it's working. "Any day you come here the villagers tell us, 'Making your post here and living with us is a good thing,'" said Farhad, an interpreter with 3rd Plt.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Moccia (center left), treats Afghan civilian Ghamay Ghilgi.
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Regional Command-West Public Affairs
AAF soars to new levels at Shindand
Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
Airmen from the Afghan air force (AAF) and Aeronautica Militare (Italian AF) work together to erect an antenna at Shindand Air Base, Herat Province, Mar. 6, 2011. CF advise the training.
SHINDAND - Afghan airmen are frequently seen soaring through the skies of Herat Prov. in AAF MI-17 helicopters. However, at Shindand Air Base they've discovered it takes more than pilots to keep their AF moving forward, and are learning valuable self-sustaining support skills.
"AAF officers and NCOs are teaching new AAF airmen and NCOs a wide-array of skills to eventually support their own air base," said Italian Aeronautica Militare Col. Girolamo Iadicicco, Provider Team cmdr. Iadicicco works hand-in-hand with U.S. Airmen from the AF's 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group.
Some skills that AAF airmen are sharpening are: POL (petroleum, oil and lubricant) maintenance, refuelling, SECFORs, computer ops, fire dept ops, antenna and communications systems, medical, vehicle ops, and administrative.
“We're working with the U.S. AF to help extend AAF capabilities,” said ITAF 1st Lt. Marshall (equivalent to an American warrant officer) Emilio Poli, POL advisor. “These Afghan airmen are very motivated and thirsty for knowledge.”
Meanwhile, removed from the flightline and tucked away in a newly-built medical clinic, ITAF Dr. (Lt. Col.) Alberto Autore, flight surgeon, advises an AAF doctor, 4 NCO techs and an airman, on medical issues relating from routine clinic work like flight physicals, to more-extreme issues like responding to aircraft mishaps and mass casualty scenarios.
“We're at ground level in standing up an AAF medical clinic,” said Autore. “We currently support roughly 300 AAF airmen and about 400 ANA soldiers. However, we need to grow to a much larger capacity, as in the future, the Shindand clinic will likely support several thousand Afghan troops.”
The AAF doctor agreed and said he will need fellow doctors, more NCOs, and definitely more airmen to sustain future ops without coalition assistance. Dr. (Maj.) Shah said his team is fortunate to have an Italian flight surgeon and other coalition mentors on hand to help facilitate training, as his team continues to see actual patients.
Nearby, at the Nato Training Mission-Afghanistan fire house, U.S. AF Master Sgt. Matthew Hansen and 2 ITAF advisors train Shindand's first 2 AAF firefighters on responding to a downed helicopter. With lights flashing and sirens wailing, AAF firefighters Abdull Fatho and Asis Ahmed moved at high speeds toward an old Russian helicopter, Mar. 6, Once on scene, they egressed their fire truck, and as Fatho extinguished the simulated flames, Ahmed entered the helicopter, simulated turning off the fuel system, electrical power, and pulled a simulated pilot out of the blaze.
“This is important, because we can rescue a downed pilot and save lives,” said Ahmed, who recently completed the 4-month basic fire academy in Kabul. “If I don't extinguish a helicopter quickly and turn off the power and fuel supply, a downed helicopter can quickly become a gigantic bomb,” said Ahmed.
Coalition AF leadership are pleased with the rate AAF airmen sponge up training, and have high hopes for the AAF’s future. “It’s an honorable mission to advise the AAF at its infancy,” said Iadicicco. “Someday this AF and these airmen will be responsible for protecting their homeland, supporting ground soldiers and securing their skies.”
AAF firefighters Abdull Fatho and Asis Ahmed practice responding to a downed helicopter.
An AAF airman moves tactfully, as a fellow airman watches his sector of fire during SECFORs training, provided by U.S. AF Airmen.
Afghan Air Force airmen, in partnership with coalition forces, are learning all the skills necessary to stand up an effective Airbase. View video
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RC-W
298th CSSB Takes Command in Shindand
Story and photos by Navy Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class John Pearl
529th CSSB and 298th CSSB soldiers stand side-by-side during a transfer of authority ceremony in Shindand, Mar. 12, 2011. The 298th CSSB is only the second CSSB to be deployed to RC-W, and is relieving the 529th CSSB. From Philadelphia, Mississippi, the 77 298th soldiers are charged with logistical support of forward deployed soldiers in RC-West, and will be in Shindand for nearly a year. The 529th soldiers will return to their NG unit in Virginia.
SHINDAND - Incoming Bn Cmdr., Lt. Col. Clifton Pippen, thanked his soldiers for being ready when called and the professionalism they displayed during turnover. Pippen also reminded his soldiers that while the coming mission will be difficult, their dedication to being the best they can be, no matter what they do, will have a lasting impact on Afghanistan and it's people.
"I think what's most exciting is I see American soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen all making a difference, and helping the people of Afghanistan take their country back. I see a very diverse incorporation with the coalition and Afghan forces all together as one team. I'm very excited about that dynamic. It's very evident it will be a big part of this mission," said Pippen.
In 2004, the 298th was deployed to Iraq in support of OIF. The bn was created in 1943 as a tank bn. They participated in the European Campaign of WWII. In 1968, the bn became a logistics unit and has been so since.
The outgoing 529th, and its 86 soldiers' accomplishments include the following: command and control for 500,000 miles worth of convoys, managed infrastructure and humanitarian aid projects, increased supply yard capacity from 48 to 150 customers, quadrupled size of available line items for forward deployed troops, improved facilities of Shindand Airbase, created a training program for the ANA in vehicle maintenance/supply ops, and managed $25 million in contracts throughout the bn.
Of these accomplishments, 529th bn cmdr. Lt. Col. Michelle Rose says that the soldiers interactions with the Afghan population were among the most rewarding. "We put in 8 fresh-water wells for the Afghans, and helped improve the underground canal that also provides water. There are many widowed women here, so we started a vocational training project for widowed Afghan women, so they could support themselves and their families. It's those type of projects that really make a difference in making Afghanistan better," said Rose.
Additionally, Rose said without teamwork between other U.S. units, CF, contractors and Afghans, the mission would have been impossible, and she encouraged the incoming bn to foster and grow those partnerships started by the 529th CSSB.
Lt. Col. Michelle Rose and CSGM Ronald Smith Jr. of the 529th “case” the colors, marking the ceremonial end of the 529th deployment.
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DVIDS
Using Words As a Weapon in Kunar
Story by Sgt. Katryn McCalment
KUNAR PROVINCE – March 3, 2011 - Throughout the conflict in Afghanistan, local individuals have been risking their lives to help CF bring peace, stability and equality to their country. The simple act of speaking to CF can often get individuals targeted by insurgents, putting their families at risk as well. One man is not only taking the risk, he believes it’s his duty to his country to do so.
Ish, 26, comes from a large family of 21. In the Afghan tradition, his father has 2 wives, and between them he has 19 children: 12 boys and 7 girls. Before Ish was born, his family moved to Pakistan to escape the Russian invasion of Kunar prov., the place he considers home. During his time in Pakistan Ish and 4 of his brothers learned to speak English in school. In 2001, Ish returned to Jalalabad, the largest city in eastern Afghanistan. “When I got to Jalalabad, I saw that there were no English schools in the city,” said Ish. “There are so many people here, and they have to drive to other cities to go to school. It doesn’t make sense.”So, with the support of his family and for the good of the people, in 2003 Ish opened an English institute in Jalalabad, and became an English teacher. In the beginning, the institute was very successful, but only had male students. It didn’t take long before girls were interested in taking classes too. Initially, it was only 2 or 3 girls trying to enroll, but paying a teacher to teach just 3 students wasn’t financially feasible to the still growing school.“So, I thought to myself ‘why don’t I join the classes?’” said Ish. Joining boys and girls into one class goes against traditional Afghan customs, where females are still fighting to be seen as equals to males. They often have to get permission to attend school, and be escorted if they go, so Ish met a lot of resistance from parents and the community. Knowing in his heart that putting the children into one class would ultimately be to the benefit of everyone, he set out on a mission to get each parent to agree.Over the next 3 years, Ish met with every parent of his hundreds of students, sometimes calling them more than 10 times before getting a response. "Resistance was the norm," said Ish; his most popular response was “it’s not going to happen.” But, he was persistent, and eventually succeeded in convincing the parents that the boys and girls in the combined classes would become like brothers and sisters.In fact, Ish discovered that the mixed classes do better than classes that aren’t integrated. “The boys don’t want to be beaten by a girl; to them it’s a matter of shame if a girl is better than them. And, the girls try harder to not be beaten by the boys, so all the students are doing better, because they're competing against each other,” he said.With the success of the school under his belt, Ish still felt there was more he could do. In 2007, Ish became an interpreter for the U.S. Army in Khowst prov., leaving his brothers to run the institute. “The Americans can’t speak Pashtu; the Afghans can’t speak English. I connect the 2 sides to help them make the future of Afghanistan better.”After a couple years with the conventional Army and other govt agencies, a family member suggested Ish for an interpreter's slot with U.S. Special Forces in Kunar prov. Today, Ish works on a small firebase, where American military and Afghan local SECFORs live, work, and fight together. The unconventional living arrangement suits Ish just fine. “There's a huge impact when the U.S. and the Afghans live together, and are shoulder to shoulder,” he said. “The security in this area is very good, because the people know that the Special Forces is here to help them. And, because the 2 groups have become like brothers, the Afghans in the area trust them.”Even with his primary job as an interpreter, Ish refuses to stop being a teacher. Each night after the 2 groups share a traditional dinner of rice, bread and beans, they clear the plates and sit together, while Ish teaches a 30-minute class: 15 minutes of Pashtu, 15 minutes of English, and then the 2 sides try to have conversations with the language skills they’ve just learned.“Education is everything, but peace is needed first,” he said. Ish is also very aware of the danger posed by working with CF, but feels he has an obligation to his country to do his part. “I take a risk just by being here, but these guys [the USSF] are also taking a risk. If they're doing it for us, then we must do it too. They can’t be the only ones trying to help our country.”Ish says that the institute is still doing well, with more than 700 students, and that classes will remain a mix of boys and girls. He will continue to work with CF for as long as he can, and has also gotten one of his brothers a job as a terp with him at the firebase in Kunar. “I like my job. I get to help my country, and provide money for my family,” he says. “And, I get to improve my English,” he says with a laugh.
(Joanna: For security reasons I've decided not to include Ish's last name or his photo)
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Regional Command-West Public Affairs
1,400 ANA graduate basic training
Story by AF Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
HERAT PROVINCE – More than 1,400 Afghan National Army soldiers graduated Basic Warrior Course (BWC) at Camp Zafar, Mar. 9. Some ANA soldiers will soon report to their units, and others will continue with more-advanced technical training.
Soldiers join the ANA for a variety of reasons. One graduate summed up his reasons as patriotism. “I want to serve my people, and earn money for my family,” said Isa Asmaill, a graduate who will soon enter medic training.
Like coalition nations’ basic training, BWC had its ups and downs, according to Asmaill. “Most of my training was enjoyable, like learning to engage the enemy, and I liked the discipline,” said Asmaill. “However, training in the snow and freezing weather was very tough.”
Of the varied curriculum they learned at basic training, one portion was Military Ops in Urban Terrain (MOUT). During MOUT, an American advisor lauded the ANA recruits. “This is very close to how American Soldiers are trained,” said Spc. Dale Dillahunty.
Many of the soldiers may see combat first hand, as winter gives way to spring. According to Asmaill, these 1,400 soldiers are ready.
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IRAQI STORIES:
USF-I
A ‘Devil’ Soldier’s Remarkable fight of firsts
Story and photo by Pfc. Alyxandra McChesney
Spc. Natalie Alcee, a human resources specialist assigned to 101st BSB, 1st Advise and Assist TF, 1st ID from Fort Riley, Kan., manages the readiness, health and welfare of all 1st AATF Soldiers, and provides postal and personnel accountability support.
COB WARRIOR – “I watched from my office as people made the decision to burn or jump from the World Trade Center windows on 9\11,” described Spc. Natalie Alcee, who once worked at a law firm a few blocks down the street from the 2 towering buildings.
“That day I knew I was going to serve for what our nation stands for, our freedom,” said Alcee. Sitting in the conference room of 101st BSB, Kirkuk, Feb. 24, Alcee shared her life experiences; illustrating the events that gave her the ambition and desire to continuously broaden her knowledge and fight for our nation.
With a rigid New York accent, Alcee described the struggles of being a teenage parent, and how she overcame obstacles to obtain her goals and dreams. “I had a beautiful daughter at the age of 16,” explained Alcee, “and there was a time when I wanted to give up—not finish school. One day I woke up and realized that I didn’t want to be a statistic; that I was going to make something of myself.”
Alcee not only completed high school with her graduating class, but also received acceptance to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In just 3-1/2 years, Alcee graduated with a BS in Legal Studies with a double minor in English and Law, while maintaining 2 jobs and raising her daughter.
Glistening pools filled the corners of her eyes as she pounded her fist on the table to every first she achieved in her life, emphasizing the importance of those accomplishments. “I was the first person in my Family to go through high school here in the U.S.; the first to go to college and graduate, and the first to serve my country,” said Alcee.
“I always wanted to join the service and I knew I was going to, but as a mother I had obligations to wait until my daughter was of age before I could join,” she said. Alcee said she wanted to dedicate her service to those who died during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and to the men and women who dedicated their lives to ensuring that Americans can live in freedom.
In 2009, Alcee enlisted in the Army with a 4-year contract as a human resources specialist. Aside from fulfilling her daily duties as a Soldier, she manages her time to continue expanding her knowledge. Attending Trident University Int'l online, with a focus in Business Admin., Alcee hopes to receive her first master’s degree in Business Mgt., and graduate with a 3.9 grade point average.
“Even though I have a full-time load at work, I manage my time to study, complete homework, and still have the time to sit back and relax,” said Alcee. Her story inspired her peers, and motivated her leaders to strive for excellence beyond the call of duty.
Inspired to broaden her educational horizons, Alcee’s mentor, Staff Sgt. Erica Ortiz-Burgado, a native of Puerto Rico and military intel sgt., assigned to 101st BSB, 1st AATF, enrolled in online classes. “Her motivation is contagious,” said Ortiz-Burgado. “She pushed me to stop talking about my dreams, and to get up and make those dreams reality.”
Ortiz-Burgado explained her feelings of how Alcee is a great asset to the Army, and to 101st BSB. “As a Soldier she has accomplished so much, and as a person she has accomplished even more,” said Ortiz-Burgado. “She's always striving to better herself, and in the process she inspires the people around her to do the same.”
Ortiz-Burgado said Alcee is a perfect role model for civilians and Soldiers, because she is living proof that anyone can accomplish anything if they set their mind to it. “If you want something, you have to be hungry,” said Alcee. “You have to fight for it and never stop fighting.”
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DVIDS
3rd ACR Maintains Maximum-security Facility
Story by Staff Sgt. Garrett Ralston
Date: 03.04.2011 Posted: 03.09.2011 03:51
Sgt. Raymond Pasay, an armor crewman with E Troop, 2nd Sqdn, 3rd ACR, fires his M4 rifle from a simulated catwalk, during training on Camp Cropper, Oct. 2010. E Troop assumed responsibility for the Theater Internment Facility (TIF) last year, and underwent extensive training before operating inside the prison.
BAGHDAD – The TIF on Camp Cropper is home to some of the most dangerous prisoners in Iraq’s recent history. U.S. Forces are currently responsible for security of the compound, until Iraqi officials decide upon its future, and those housed there.“Our guys have adapted to a mission they really weren’t prepared for,” said 1st Lt. Sid McMath, a platoon leader with E “Eagle” Troop. “So far, we've been tremendously successful both internally and externally.” The unit was initially moved to Camp Cropper to bolster security of the TIF, after a security breach identified the need for a stronger force. The troops arrived and immediately began training to assume their new role.Every soldier who works inside the walls of the facility has had first to undergo a gauntlet of training before being certified. Soldiers trained with a wide array of non-lethal weaponry including employment of tasers, tear gas, and shotguns that fire “bean bag,” or rubber rounds. Additionally, each soldier must be subjected to the taser and pepper spray in order to be certified.“Having to do the taser and the spray was one of the worst experiences ever,” said Spc. Rasean Williams, a logistics specialist working in the TIF. The soldiers work 12-hour shifts and man observation towers, catwalks, and assist in the movement of inmates throughout the compound. Members of the 40th MP Co, from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., assist them in their daily duties.“Currently we run 2 shifts, day and night, every day,” said Spc. Matthew Jackson, an armor crewman. “The job is brutally monotonous, so we fill the time with a lot of extra training to stay sharp on our skills.” The soldiers working on each shift are divided up to man all the posts, and to cover the Internal Reaction Force. The IRF is set up to quell mass noncompliance situations should they occur.“My guys are trained to take actions based on escalation of force and conflict,” said McMath. “Here its de-escalation we have to react to. We have to calm a situation before it gets out of our control.”“Knowing what a lot of these guys are in here for, and the destruction they’ve caused, makes you realize how vital our role is,” said McMath. “We make sure they stay here where they belong, so they can't interfere with the stabilization efforts in this country.”
Soldiers of E Troop conduct training with tear gas launching riot guns. on Camp Cropper Oct. 2010. The troop is responsible for maintaining the internal and external security for its some 200 inmates, many of which are former Al-Qaeda operatives.