Dear Interested Reader,
SF, ANCOP expand security to villages in Panjwai. AAF graduate pre-undergraduate flight indoctrination course. Respected plt. sgt. ends 25-year career. Afghan forces resupply troops with food, ammo. American Muslims shoe drive benefits children. TF Duke Soldier honors father with continued service.
Iraq: Reservist at JBB turns to technology to secure dream job. "Dragonslayers" partner with Iraqi forces at COB Adder.
Joanna
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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
DVIDS
Special Forces, ANCOP Expand Security to Villages in Panjwai Photos by Sgt. Benjamin Watson
KANDAHAR PROVINCE - A U.S. Special Forces (SF) intel sgt. provides security overwatch as a SF engineering sgt., both assigned to Special Ops TF–South (SOTF-S), climbs over an irrigation wall during a security patrol, March 8, in Panjwai District. The SOTF-S SF team in the area conducts regular patrols in order to bolster security, as well as to meet with area villagers to assess development projects.
An Afghan village elder speaks with a SF team leader.
A SF weapons sgt. scans the horizon for threats.
A SF engr. sgt. provides security overwatch.
Sgt. Sayeed, a policeman with the 1st Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) Bde, takes a moment to rest and speak with an Afghan villager, while the villager’s son plays nearby. Sayeed and other ANCOP are partnered with a SOTF-S SF team in the area.
A U.S. Cultural Support Team (CST) service member, assigned to SOTF-S, keeps an eye out for threats. CST members meet with females in the area in order to build relationships, bolster economic activity, and help facilitate a better quality of life for Afghan families.
A SF intel sgt. scans the area for threats.
An Afghan village elder and his son speak with a SF team leader.
Sgt. Ajiim, a 20-year-old ANP scans the area for threats while conducting a security patrol with a U.S. SF team.
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DVIDS
AAF Graduate Pre-Undergraduate Flight Indoctrination Course Photos by Capt. Robert Leese
KABUL - Lt. Col. Matiuallah, the chief of staff at Pohantoon-e-Hawayee (PeH), speaks to the 15 members of the AAF who graduated from the pre-undergraduate flight indoctrination at PeH, the AAF's "Big Air School," on the AAF base in Kabul, March 10.
Lt. Col. Ryan Nichols, cmdr. of the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Sqdn, speaks to the 15 graduates.
A member of the AAF proudly presents his graduation certificate to the audience.
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DVIDS
Respected Platoon Sergeant Ends 25-year Career
Story by Staff Sgt. Ryan Matson
Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Ihns, an infantry platoon sgt., Co B, 1st Bn, 133rd Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 34th ID, visits with an Afghan boy at the gate at FOB Torkham Gate, in December 2010. Ihns, one of the unit's most respected leaders, will be retiring at the end of the deployment, after 25 years of service in the Army.
NANGARHAR PROVINCE – The 25-year Army veteran may not talk much about himself, but those around him, especially the soldiers he leads, will tell you all you need to know. “To get a compliment from this guy is just like Christmas,” said Pfc. Richard Reichardt, an infantryman in Ihns’ platoon, March 13. “Being in 1st platoon, you want to strive to do better, because of Sgt. 1st Class Ihns; you don’t want to let him down.”Ihns, 44, does not look like someone who has been in the military for a quarter of a century. With 6 deployments under his belt, he's still leading side-by-side with his soldiers. “He motivates me - he still kicks; he’s still going,” said Pfc. Scott Suhr, another infantryman. “I would have never thought he was in 20-some years.”“If I was in 20 years, I would pray just to be half the soldier he is,” Reichardt added. The soldiers in his platoon said they see Ihns as the type of guy who has been through any situation imaginable, and who always remains calm. “I try to impress on them to always take a second to think before they do something,” Ihns said. “A lot of time when something happens, your first reaction is to do whatever you’re going to do fast. Sometimes that’s not the best idea.”The soldiers in his platoon said they look up to Ihns so much; the worst thing they can imagine is disappointing him.
Ironically, when it came to this deployment, it was Ihns who said that he was the one who didn’t want to disappoint. Ihns could have retired already. He did not have to go on the deployment, but he didn’t want to let his soldiers down. “There are a lot of good young guys here, who are here for the right reasons,” Ihns said. “I talked about whether or not I would retire beforehand, but they were friends with my daughter and graduated with her, and I wouldn’t have felt right bailing on them, knowing they’re going when I could have went with them.”Ihns originally enlisted in 1985, and had a short break in service after his first three years, when he said he was a young guy who “thought he knew everything.” He missed the people and camaraderie, and came back 14 months later, and since deployed to Panama, Saudi Arabia twice, Sinai, and is on his 2nd deployment in Afghanistan. He has been a sniper, and has spent all but a year-and-a-half of those 25 years as an infantryman.“It’s where the rubber meets the road,” Ihns said of being an infantryman. “You’re it.” The youngest of 6 children, Ihns said he knew from an early age he wanted to be in the Army. His father also served as a heavy equipment operator. Ihns said that his favorite time in the military was serving as a squad leader. “Squad leader’s the best job, because you’re still more of a doer,” Ihns said. Reichardt said Ihns has taught him the value of loyalty. “What makes him stick out is he actually cares about his Soldiers,” Reichardt said. “He’s very loyal to his platoon. If another sgt. comes up and tries to mess with us for something we’re not responsible for, he’ll be the first one to come up and be like, ‘hey, if you have a problem, come to me.’ Most people would be like 'whatever, I don’t care.'”Suhr and Riechardt said that Ihns is always there to point out a better way of doing things, without humiliating them. “If you’re willing to learn, he’ll teach you everything he knows,” Reichardt said.
Ironically, when it came to this deployment, it was Ihns who said that he was the one who didn’t want to disappoint. Ihns could have retired already. He did not have to go on the deployment, but he didn’t want to let his soldiers down. “There are a lot of good young guys here, who are here for the right reasons,” Ihns said. “I talked about whether or not I would retire beforehand, but they were friends with my daughter and graduated with her, and I wouldn’t have felt right bailing on them, knowing they’re going when I could have went with them.”Ihns originally enlisted in 1985, and had a short break in service after his first three years, when he said he was a young guy who “thought he knew everything.” He missed the people and camaraderie, and came back 14 months later, and since deployed to Panama, Saudi Arabia twice, Sinai, and is on his 2nd deployment in Afghanistan. He has been a sniper, and has spent all but a year-and-a-half of those 25 years as an infantryman.“It’s where the rubber meets the road,” Ihns said of being an infantryman. “You’re it.” The youngest of 6 children, Ihns said he knew from an early age he wanted to be in the Army. His father also served as a heavy equipment operator. Ihns said that his favorite time in the military was serving as a squad leader. “Squad leader’s the best job, because you’re still more of a doer,” Ihns said. Reichardt said Ihns has taught him the value of loyalty. “What makes him stick out is he actually cares about his Soldiers,” Reichardt said. “He’s very loyal to his platoon. If another sgt. comes up and tries to mess with us for something we’re not responsible for, he’ll be the first one to come up and be like, ‘hey, if you have a problem, come to me.’ Most people would be like 'whatever, I don’t care.'”Suhr and Riechardt said that Ihns is always there to point out a better way of doing things, without humiliating them. “If you’re willing to learn, he’ll teach you everything he knows,” Reichardt said.
Ihn’s influence on people extends outside the Army. “He and his wife are always volunteering with things around town, like youth wrestling,” said Staff Sgt. Jacob Downs, a supply sgt. with Co B, who lives near Ihns, and works with him at the armory. “His kids are older, but he’s still there to help the young kids out. That has extended to his son, too; now he comes down and helps out, also.”“You’re not going to find a better guy than him,” said Spc. Lance Weiskamp, a mortarman with Co B. “He’s the kind of guy you want leading you into combat.”
Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Ihns, left, on patrol in the village of Torkham, in December.
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DVIDS
Afghan Forces Resupply Troops With Food, Ammo
Story and photos by Spc. Richard Daniels Jr.
(From left) Pfc. Ashley Bell, an administration specialist with HHD, 728th MP Bn; AF Capt. Drew Walters, a pilot advisor with 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Sqdn; and Sgt. 1st Class Paula Jennings, a det. sgt. with HHD, 728th, load ammo onto an Afghan helicopter to resupply Afghan troops in Kunar prov., March 10.
NANAGARHAR PROVINCE - Afghan soldiers from Zone 1 with assistance from their ISAF partners, held their 2nd resupply mission for Barge Matal at FOB Fenty. The combined forces loaded the ANA aerial vehicles with crucial supplies, which included food and ammo, needed for the ANA to keep fighting insurgents along the Pakistan border. “We got together today with our foreign advisors to supply about 9,000 kilograms of food to Barge Matal and Naray, through our AAF personnel,” said Col. Sadati, ABP Zone 1 rep. Since soldiers from the 1st BCT, 101st AD, TF Bastogne, cleared Barge Matal of insurgents nearly 6 months ago, it has remained an ANP post. Previously, the post was primarily resupplied by ISAF, due to the threat in the area.“ISAF units and AAF units are working together to complete a resupply and troop rotation,” said Capt. Joyce Louden, brigade provost marshal with 1st BCT, 101st AD. “Shortly hereafter, as the AAF gains more confidence in their abilities, they’ll take on the mission themselves along with the MoI.”Sadati said the resupply mission depends on the needs of the soldiers, and occurs every month or 2 through the Jalalabad Airfield. “This is a major combined op for them, with a total of 6 Mi-17s helicopters and 4 Mi-35s helicopters, also supported by our own AH-64 Apache helicopters,” said Louden.“Each step forward, especially when we start doing more operational-type missions with them, is a boost of confidence for them,” said Col. Jim Sturgeon, chief of the Int'l Joint Command Air Ops Control Center. “This is a good first step.”
An Afghan National SECFOR Mi-17 Afghan helicopter lands at FOB Fenty, to load supplies for Afghan troops stationed at Barge Matal and Naray.
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DVIDS
State-side Shoe Drive Benefits Afghans
Story and photos by AF Staff Sgt. Christopher Hummel
A housekeeper of the Paktya Regional Medical Center chooses shoes for his children, March 13, after U.S. military members organized a state-side shoe drive called "Stewart’s Soles."
PAKTYA PROVINCE – Service members of FOB Thunder recently delivered shoes to a group of Afghans. The drive was the brain child of PAO Capt. Kenneth Stewart, 17th PA Det., who witnessed children walking around barefoot. “I contacted the local Mosque back home, and organized a donation list, hoping to put shoes on the feet of these children” he said. “I am blown away at the response by our American Muslims and their friends.”Since Feb., "Stewart’s Soles" received 9 boxes of shoes. Stewart expects 6 more boxes to arrive within the month. AF Maj. Suzette Barber, helped Stewart find suitable recipients for the shoes - housekeepers of the Paktya Regional Medical Center where she worked. “These people are very much in need. They make $70 a month,” said Afghan army Col. Totakhil, dir. of the medical center. “To these folks, money has to be spent on food and rent and healthcare.”Capt. Stewart shares Totakhil’s sentiments; giving the shoes to the housekeepers was the obvious choice. “These guys see things like shoes as a luxury item, and not a necessity. Most American’s can’t imagine being that poor,” Stewart said. “It’s such a blessing to be able to give to these hard workers and their children.The center’s housekeepers weren’t the only recipients. Participants paid a special visit to 9-year-old patient Hanzadeen Kiyamadeen, who was recently admitted due to complications of an infection in his throat. After receiving shoes, toys and other gifts, Hanzandeen managed a drowsy whisper, “Tashakur," which is Dari for thank you.
Capt. Kenneth Stewart fits Hanzadeen for shoes.
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
TF Duke Soldier honors father with continued service
KHOWST PROVINCE – The closing scene from “Field of Dreams,” shows Kevin Costner’s character enjoying a game of catch with his father. It’s a ritual enjoyed by countless fathers and sons over the years, that's fondly looked back upon not only as a game, but also a bonding experience. For Staff Sgt. Brian Reddington, it will likely remain a joyful and precious memory, but one forever tinged with sadness.
Reddington, an air traffic controller, is currently on his 2nd deployment. Like many Soldiers, he continued the legacy of military service inherited from other family members. Reddington’s inspiration came from the stepfather who helped raise him and his younger siblings, from the time Reddington was 6 years old.
Sgt. 1st Class John Stephens, a combat medic, and the man Reddington considers his father, was killed in action March 15, 2007, in Tikrit, Iraq, when a shaped charge was thrown at his convoy traveling back to FOB Speicher. A veteran with 21 years of service, he was on his 2nd deployment, and assigned to HHC, 1st Bn, 16th Inf Regt, 1st BCT, 1st ID. Reddington was stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala., when he heard the sad news. “You can never prepare yourself for something like that. It happens to other people,” he said. The last time he saw his father was 2 months before Stephens deployed from Fort Riley, Kan. Despite the loss of a father who had been so influential in raising him, Reddington chooses to remember the many timeless memories and lessons passed along. Through them all, the one constant was always the old American pastime. “Baseball,” said Reddington. “That’s what we did. He was always my coach up until my junior year.” Reddington smiled as he remembered one of his baseball games when, as a 14-year-old, he was pitching for a team coached by his father. After being hit hard early by the opposition, his father/coach was on the verge of taking him out, something undoubtedly hard to stomach for both parties involved. “Just give me one more inning,” Reddington recalled saying, wanting one last chance to work his way out of trouble by himself. His father ultimately left him in; Reddington pitched his way out of the jam, and the game ended happily. But, like many aspects of life touched by baseball, the greatest lessons had nothing to do with the final score or individual statistics. “It was the first time in our relationship that he really trusted me,” Reddington said, noting that it was perhaps that moment when a father finally saw a son’s confidence and abilities able to overcome the odds against him. His father and mother had married shortly before Reddington turned 6. A younger brother and sister completed the family growing up and, while his father’s military service was something he looked up to, it was never a foregone conclusion that he would join. Once decided, however, the choice was clear. “When I decided to join, it made the Army the only option,” he said. With 9 years of service now under his belt, Reddington is leaning toward making the Army a career. It will undoubtedly be talked about at length with his wife, Tina, as was his reenlistment decision after his father died. “It was an eye-opener to what could really happen. Ultimately it was continuing what he started,” Reddington said. “I reenlisted because I wanted to follow through.” With leave slated for June, Reddington is looking forward to seeing his wife and their three children: 6-year-old Grace, 5-year-old Caleb and baby Jacob, who was born March 9. The children will never get the chance to meet their grandfather, but it doesn’t mean that his legacy won’t be passed on. After all, it stands to reason that the same timeless advice he heard from his dad, that remains with him to this day, is something Reddington looks forward to sharing with his own children. “The thing I carry with me from what he said is, ‘No matter what you’re doing, do it to the best of your ability.’” As to what he would like his own children to remember about their grandfather, Reddington paused a moment, finally paying the ultimate compliment. “He was a great father.”-30-
IRAQI STORIES:
DVIDS
Reservist Turns to Technology to Secure Dream Job
Story by Senior Airman Tong Duong
Staff Sgt. Joanna Boyd, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Ops Sqdn contingency aeromedical staging facility, deployed from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., applies make-up to Staff Sgt. Vincent Avila, 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Sqdn F-16 crew chief, during a recent mass casualty rehearsal. Sgt. Boyd recently interviewed and was selected to attend next year’s Physicians Assts. (PA) program at Western Michigan University (WMU), all through Skype, an internet-based voice and video communication tool, Feb. 26.
JOINT BASE BALAD - With a downturn economy and dream jobs a rarity, one airman interviewed from halfway around the world for a opportunity. Staff Sgt. Joanna Boyd was like many who were indecisive in a career, but a chance encounter changed all that.“I met a physician’s asst. in the spring of 2009, after transferring to my unit. I shadowed him and knew in my gut it was what I wanted to do,” said Boyd. “I was 25 years old at the time, and it felt good to finally know ‘what I want to be when I grow up.’ ” The first physician’s assts. school was established at WMU in 1972. Listed in the top 10 percentile for PA schools in the states, more than 1,200 hopefuls applied this past year. Only 100 people were selected for interviews, and 40 were offered a spot in the next class. Sgt. Boyd was the first student to be selected for an interview via Skype.Despite having more than 4,000 clinical hours through the military, as well as a 3.8 grade point average in her undergrad in health science and mgt., Sgt. Boyd felt she had a small chance of getting selected. “I felt in my heart that if I could get an interview and sit down in front of someone, they would know how badly I wanted a spot in the class,” she said. The PA profession started in 1965 for military medical personnel who had a lot of experience, but no career on the civilian side to accommodate. "Now physician’s assts are highly sought after, because they're a cost effective way of working with our aging population," Sgt. Boyd said. While the program is 24 months long with minimal breaks, she's extremely motivated because of the "amazing and bright career" ahead of her. Upon completing next year’s course, Sgt. Boyd will also finish her masters in physician assistance studies. “As a marathon runner, I kind of compare this entire journey to it,” she said. “Getting here was the training, which is hard, and some days you feel like you're a failure. The next day, you pick yourself back up, lace your running shoes, and head out the door again. “There are days where you want to settle, but somehow you keep pushing yourself to find out what the best thing is.”Sgt. Boyd credits the AF for her good fortunes. “I love the military and our country,” she said. “Since joining I've met some of the most amazing and influential people, who have truly taught me life lessons. If it weren't for the military, I would have never met the physician’s asst. It's amazing how things work out.”CASF flight cmdr., Lt. Col. James Neblett, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group was elated to hear of her acceptance. “I think it's fantastic that Sgt. Boyd was admitted to a program via a Skype interview,” who's deployed from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Marietta, Ga. “She has a firm working knowledge of physiology and patho-physiology.”
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DVIDS
Dragonslayers Partner With Iraqi Forces
Story and photo by Pfc. Amy Lane
Lt. Col. Nicole Balliet, 224th Sust. Bde, 103rd ESC, signs a tenancy agreement with an IqAF official, March 2 at COB Adder. The agreement, which turns over approx 18 buildings to the IqAF, will allow them to expand.
COB ADDER — As American troops prepare to withdraw from Iraq, they're passing more and more responsibilities on to the Iraqi forces. An important part of this is providing space and facilities for them to expand. In preparation for the expansion of the IqAF, the 224th turned over part of COB Adder.“This is an important milestone,” said Capt. Kevin Coo of the 224th. “This is a major part of the process in passing the base over to the Iraqis.” Iraqi forces must pass an inspection by the MoD in order to complete the eventual base turnover. One requirement to pass is acquiring more facilities.Lt. Col. John Hickey, cmdr. of the incoming STB, 4th Sust. Bde, 103rd ESC, was present at the signing. “This is the beginning of our partnership with Iraqi forces, as we prepare for our transfer-of-authority from the 224th,” said Hickey.
“And, it signifies the beginning of what will ultimately be the complete transfer of the base, when we complete the mission,” he added.
“And, it signifies the beginning of what will ultimately be the complete transfer of the base, when we complete the mission,” he added.
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