A corpsman with 1st Plt, Bravo Co, 1st Bn, 5th Marines, talks with children in Sangin, Helmand prov., while on patrol, July 14. The plt. escorted Female Engagement Team (FET) members Lance Cpl. Jacqueline Veres and Sgt. Juanita Towns, so the team could talk to local women about schools, medical care, and training midwives.
“We conducted a blocking position, which would catch all of the locals that were trying to get out of the coordinate search that was conducted by Charlie Co, 1/5 and the ANA,” said Sgt. Juanita Towns, the FET 13 team leader. “1/5 and the ANA’s mission was to disrupt the enemy of movement, so they could try and catch some known Taliban fighters in the area. FET was to search local females, and to do engagements with the women, to find out what was unusual in the area.”
“We’re the voices for these women. They're over 50% of the population,” Towns explained. “We try to decide what’s going to benefit them without disrespecting their culture, as far as education for the little girls, giving them schools, or as far as putting a woman in a govt position." Throughout the day the 2 Marines patrolled through the mud, creeks and cornfields in over 100 degree temps. They went from home to home, talking to local women, and asking what FET could do to improve their lives. “We help the 1/5 and ANA guys by searching the women, because they can’t touch or speak to the women,” Veres explained. “Every single person we talk to, we try to build a relationship with them. Then when we go back to them later, they usually remember us, and they know we’re friendly and we’re not there to hurt them. Patrols like this are good for building trust with the locals.” While Towns and Veres were with 1st Plt., their sisters-in-arms, Petty Officer 2nd Class Amanda Richeal, and Lance Cpl. Chandra Francisco, both with FET 15 in Sangin, patrolled with 3rd Plt., Alpha and Bravo Element, 1/5., and ANA soldiers. The 2 teams combined talked to more than 100 women and children throughout the day. “The women in that area said they don’t see that many female Marines, so they need to get more accustomed to us ,so they know we’re here to help them.” Francisco said. “I hope they come out to shuras we have, because they seemed very open and friendly to working with us. I think we could definitely build really good, long lasting relationships, that FETs to come can build off of.” Building trusting relationships with the locals of Sangin has proven to be particularly important for FET teams in Sangin. While other FET teams located throughout Helmand prov. are involved in projects such as building schools, teaching Afghan women how to generate income in ways such as sewing, and generally helping Afghan women get their voice out in the public. It's a different story for the teams in Sangin. "The current mission for CF in Sangin is to secure the district center. Until the town is secure, progression and growth will be a slow and steady process," Veres explained. With security still being the main mission for Marines within the Sangin area of op (AO), the FET team works closely with local women to gain their trust. Through the trust they gain, they obtain info about how many schools can be built in the area, or how they can best teach local women to make their own income. Patrols such as the one FET, 1/5 and ANA soldiers recently did are just one way CF are moving toward securing Sangin. “CF found spliced limp cords, a pressure cooker with a battery pack inside, that can be used for IED making materiel, and Charlie Co found a few IED’s that were detonated,” Towns said. “Finds like this save the lives of the Marines, and the locals. “The day was a success. They detained local national IED emplacers, found IED making material, detonated IED’s and FET got to interact with the local women. All of these things are part of the [counterinsurgency] COIN mission.”Lance Cpl. Jacqueline Veres (right), patrols through a cornfield with other Marines, and ANA soldiers. Veres went on the patrol to talk to locals about how FET can help improve their way of life.
Sgt. Juanita Towns sits down for a short break during a 9-hour patrol.
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CAMP LEATHERNECK – In recent weeks, troops with TF Belleau Wood have encountered IED strikes. To counter this, the Marines conducted much of the op dismounted from their vehicles, to search compounds of interest alongside ANA soldiers.
"There was concern about possible insurgent activity in the mostly unpatrolled area, due to recent attacks," said 2nd Lt. Edward Arrington, a plt. leader for Charlie Co, 2nd plt. Though the Marines didn't detain any locals during their compound searches, they did discover IED making materials, such as battery carbons, wiring and circuit boards. Marines also took time during the op to meet with and build stronger relationships with locals in the area. Several locals said that they were pleased to see the Marines, and felt more confident and safe when Marines are close by. One particular local also told the Marines that he appreciates what they're doing, and he is happy peace is being brought to the region."By conducting the op, the Marines hoped to filter out and deter any insurgent forces which might remain a threat to the nearby coalition base at Camp Leatherneck," said William Yale. “The op sends a message that we can push out to other areas, and prevents insurgents from planning attacks against coalition movements,” said Yale. “The goal is to keep insurgents as far away from Leatherneck as we can.” Marines with the bn said that the day-long op should let insurgents know that using Habib Abad as an area to take cover and launch attacks from, will not be tolerated.Cpl. Daniel Loya, a vehicle cmdr. with Charlie Co, shakes an ANA soldier’s hand during Op Frank Jr.
Marines patrol toward a compound of interest.
Cpl. Jorge Franco, an MRAP vehicle driver, posts security after dismounting a 7-ton vehicle.
Lance Cpl. Tye Jackson, a machine gunner, stands inside a compound during a compound search.
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Regional Command Southwest
Point Man Leads Way for J Company, 42 Commando in Helmand Province
NAD’ALI DISTRICT, Helmand prov. — Imagine how much courage it takes to be a point man in Helmand prov., where insurgent attacks and IEDs are a common occurrence. Now, imagine your specific mission is to detect and locate IEDs as the point man for a patrol. For Lance Cpl. Martin Simmons, this isn’t imagination - it’s reality.
Simmons, 21, from the U.K., has been a point man and Vallon metal detector operator for J Co. on several IED route-clearing missions, since his team deployed to Nad’Ali district in March. “I like being the point man, because it allows me to help the Marines do what they have to do, without worrying about IEDs,” said Simmons. “It’s stressful, but it’s rewarding as well.” “Being point man on IED route-clearing missions takes skill, determination and resolve,” said Sgt. Maj. Andy Place RM, J Co., Sgt Maj. “It’s a job that requires him to be highly responsible, and have tremendous personal courage,” Place said of Simmons. “I’m proud of the lad for his dedication and fortitude during these missions.” “He’s approached his duties with cheerful determination and loyal discipline,” added Maj. Aaron Fisher, J Co.’s officer commanding. “He has demonstrated all the qualities of a Royal Marine.” On the company’s most recent mission, Zamrod Pak 10, the Marines found and disposed of 12 IEDs along a route from Loy Mandeh Kalay south to the provincial capital at Lashkar Gah. “The overall mission was very successful,” said Simmons. “I’m glad to have been part of a mission that improves the security of this region of Afghanistan for the Marines and Afghan citizens.” As if the danger of his mission never occurred to him, Simmons explained that he was a little disappointed that insurgent forces didn’t put up much resistance to the clearance op. “I was expecting to see some more action,” Simmons said with a shrug. “But, I’m happy none of our guys were injured. That’s the most important thing when we go on missions.” During his free time, Simmons enjoys other adrenaline-inducing activities such as rock climbing and snowboarding. “I like excitement and doing things that require me to overcome my fears,” he explained. “I think it makes you a stronger person, when you do things that seem dangerous.” After his military service is completed, Simmons hopes to move to the U.S. and work in law enforcement. “I’d like to be a SWAT officer for a police dept,” Simmons said. “I think being in law enforcement would be an exciting way to serve the public.”"These service members set the bar high for themselves, and inspire their peers to exceed their own expectations, and Simmons’ character and dedication has done just that for his fellow Marines of J Co.," said Fisher. “He’s a natural leader,” said Fisher. “He’s proven to be an invaluable asset to this team. We’re very lucky to have him with us.”"Being exceptional means just being part of the team," said Simmons. “Being part of J Co. means a lot to me,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for the guys I work with. I just want to be able to measure up to the expectations they have for me.”Garmsir Police recognized for exceptional duty
GARMSIR DISTRICT, Helmand prov. -- In late May, members of the ANP detained 4 members of insurgent forces. Two of those detained were high value individuals wanted by both the ANP and 1st Bn, 3rd Marine Regt. Police Maj. Gen. Khil, the deputy regional chief of police of the 707th AUP Region, and Garmsir District Gov. Fahim awarded the policemen at the District HQ Building, July 3. More than 100 local elders, shop owners and community members attended the ceremony.
The policemen captured and detained the insurgents while conducting vehicle checkpoints in the desert, to the east of the district. Along with the detainees, 2 of which were local insurgent leaders, the police found IED material and weapons. There was enough material to make roughly 20 IEDs.
For Capt. Jason Hoffman, the ceremony had a bigger meaning than awards. Hoffman, the comm. officer of the Police Advisory Team for 1/3, said that the success of his Afghan brothers-in-arms gives him a sense of pride. He admires their continued hard work, and is encouraged to see the public's recognition of local security efforts. “These guys are working hard out here,” said Hoffman. “They're standing up and defending their country. They face IEDs and ambushes, and volunteer for it; you have to respect that.” Hoffman also realized the threat that would still affect everyone in the district if not for the efforts of the policemen. “By taking the insurgent leaders and IED material off the street, these policemen have saved a lot of lives,” Hoffman said. “It was a real good catch.”CAMP LEATHERNECK – Command duties of the Regional Support Command-SW were officially transferred to Col. Matthew Redding, from Col. Michael Borg, in a change of command ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, July 10. When Borg first arrived at Camp Leatherneck, he was the 7th member of, what was then, a 7-member Regional Support Command. At the time, the RSC operated out of a tent, the runway at Camp Leatherneck, as well as the sites for what would be the Regional Military Training Center at Camp Shorab, and the Regional Training Center in Lashkar Gah which was little more than flat, unpaved dirt.
In the year of Borg’s command, RSC-Southwest moved into its own permanent facility. He also led the command in establishing permanent training facilities for the ANA and the ANP. In total, RSC-SW provided mgt. to 262 facilities. “I watched him on a Friday, when no one else was working, with his field-grade officers digging a ditch,” said Brig. Gen. Tom Cosentino, dep. cmdr. “That was his dedication. Now, every one of those facilities is a dagger in the heart of the enemy.” Prior to the ceremony, Jayme Sutton, the RSC-SW dep. cmdr., was awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Non-Article 5 medal, Bronze Star Medal, and was promoted to the rank of colonel. Borg was awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Non-Article 5 medal, and the Legion of Merit, immediately following Sutton’s ceremony. Several of the ANA officers from the Regional Military Training Center attended the change of command ceremony, including Col. Zazai. Maj. Gen. James Mallory III, dep. comm. gen., NTM-A/CSTC-A, was the first speaker at the ceremony. The RMTC graduated its first Regional Basic Warrior Training class of 850 recruits on June 2. The facility is currently training its second wave – a group of 1,350 recruits. The RSC-SW has also provided training oversight and development of the AUP at the RTC, and the Joint Sustainment Academy SW in Camp Leatherneck. The RSC-SW also oversaw the development of ANA NCOs at JSAS.However, what may prove to be even more important than what the RSC-SW has done in the past year under Borg, is the way ahead under Redding in the next year. After announcements made by Pres. Obama to start withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan, a much greater emphasis will go towards building, training and sustaining the force rather than facilities. The objective for the ANSF is to build its legitimacy amongst the people of Nimruz and Helmand provs. These were 2 provs. that were once notorious for being insurgent strongholds. “What we’ve done here in the last year is created the foundation that the SW needed, so that it will never, ever, go back to what it was before,” Borg said. “Brighter days are coming for Afghanistan. Sir, this is Michael Borg, signing off the net.”Brig. Gen. Tom Cosentino called the facilities constructed through facilitation by the RSC-SW in the last year, "a dagger in the heart of the enemy."
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ISAF Joint Command
ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update, July 17, 2011
The SECFOR received several intel tips indicating the Taliban leader and his associates had taken over a building in the area, as a staging location. While the Afghan-led SECFOR moved to conduct an assessment of the building, they were engaged by insurgents using machine guns, RPGs, and AK-47 rifles.
The SECFOR moved to conduct the assessment following the initial engagement, when additional armed insurgents initiated fire from inside the building. The Afghan-led SECFOR, using native languages, called for the insurgents to exit the buildings peacefully. The insurgents remained non-compliant, and continued their assault on the SECFOR.
As Afghan members of the SECFOR attempted to clear the building, they were met with continuing insurgent fire. As a force protection measure due to the continuous attack, the SECFOR called in an air strike, and destroyed the building.HELMAND PROVINCE -- In Nahr-e Saraj District, an Afghan-led SECFOR detained several suspected insurgents, while searching for a Taliban leader yesterday. The leader participates in roadside bomb and small arms attacks against ANSF.
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Blackanthem Military News
Story and photos by Spc. Kandi Huggins
Specialist Jun Zhao, food service specialist assigned to Troop B, 1st Sqdn, 9th Cav Regt, 4th AAB, 1st Cav Div, stands next to one of his fruit creations. Zhao, a native of China, enlisted in the military 4 years ago with skills acquired from working previously as an executive chef at a large restaurant. “My job is to take care of Soldiers by preparing their food. I take whatever criticism I get and apply it to improve my cooking skills,” said Zhao.