“I thought the war was going to happen on American soil,” recalls Cumber. “I lived in D.C. and remember seeing the smoke rising from the Pentagon. I knew we were under attack, and I thought the war was beginning right then.” Cumber remembers attending her friend’s funeral. “So many people came to the funeral, even the town Mayor,” she said. “None of us could believe it. Not only was Asia gone, but she had been killed in a terrorist attack. It was so crazy to try and understand.”
Now, 10 years later, Cumber helps to mend American Soldiers and Afghans injured on the battlefield, in her job as a medical officer. “Sometimes it gets hard, and I wonder why we have to keep fighting against this enemy that never seems to go away,” said Cumber. “But then, I just think of Asia and the fact that she never got to live her life. I think about her parents on the day of her funeral, and I remember how sad they were. It helps me to remember what it's all for, why we fight, and I can continue to put one foot in front of the other.”
N.Y. native, Sgt. 1st Class Bradley, was serving in the N.Y. NG, when he heard the news that the towers had been attacked. “At the time I was a specialist, and all me and my buddies wanted to do was get over here, and destroy the entire insurgency network,” Bradley said.
Many Soldiers who serve in Afghanistan today also served in some capacity at Ground Zero, directly after the attacks. These Soldiers are haunted by what they experienced in the aftermath. “I served as security at Ground Zero, while the fire fighters and volunteers conducted recovery,” said Capt. Paul Whelan, currently with 2nd Bn, 27th Inf Regt, 3rd BCT, 25th ID, TF Bronco, but was part of the N.Y. guard when he served at Ground Zero. “It was very surreal. Every time a victim was recovered, they would ring a bell. I will always remember the sound of that bell, echoing in the darkness as I stood there guarding Ground Zero into the night.” Despite the time that has passed, Whelan is still answering the call to eliminate terrorism 10 years later. “I was there then, and now I’ve come halfway around the world to continue to try and do my part to eliminate insurgency,” he said.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Wolf was a volunteer fireman from Penn., when he heard of the attacks. Although he saw his share of sorrow, and things he's hesitant to discuss, what sticks with him is the way the American people came together during tragedy. “At 7 a.m., the morning after the attacks, I left and stopped at a local store where a customer recognized my fire gear, and asked if I was heading to one of the sites,” said Wolf. “When I informed her I was, she contacted the local radio station, and bought a few cartons of smokes and 2 cases of soda. The radio station made a public announcement, and within an hour the entire bed of my pickup was filled with non-alcoholic drinks. I had to stop on interstate 78 at a truck stop for gas, and the fuel attendant made an announcement over the intercom, and truck drivers came from everywhere and filled the rest of my truck with flashlights, batteries, tools, gloves and gum. They basically cleaned out the truck stop.”
Wolf was also instructed to make a stop at the truck stop’s sister station in New Jersey, where the bed of his truck was filled with ice to keep the drinks cold. At the New Jersey turn pike he received a hug from the toll booth attendant, and was waved through without paying the toll.
When Wolf arrived on site, he and the other volunteers worked for days. “I don’t know exactly how long I was there, but it seemed like years,” he said. After days of serving at Ground Zero, a police officer approached Wolf, and told him he wasn't looking too good, to go home and see his family. “As I crossed over the George Washington Bridge, heading home, I started to cry,” recalls Wolf. “It just rushed over me and I couldn’t control it. I had to stop several times on the way because I couldn’t see to drive.”
Wolf decided then to join the service, and fight against what had caused so much destruction and pain. Wolf is now on his 2nd combat tour. As one decade passes after the events of 9/11, the memories of that day are still clear in the minds of Americans. For the Soldiers who experienced it first hand, all share the same sentiment, and express it time and time again...”We will never forget.”
The farm is currently growing spinach, mung beans, okra, radishes, olives, eggplants, okra, and several varieties of corn, grapes and rice. Khan said that researchers at the farm use crop trials to compile data on the most successful plant varieties. That data will then be pushed out to agriculture extension agents, who will use it to educate farmers throughout their districts.
“We do research on different varieties of rice, for example,” said Khan. “This lets us know what varieties are good for Kunar and which ones are bad. We provide the info to the extension dept, and they give the info to the farmers.” Spc. Alan McFalls, of Ill., forestry expert with the 1-14th ADT, said that he was impressed by the overall mgt. of the farm. “For its size, the farm had a pretty wide variety of crops,” said McFalls. “There were more varieties of vegetables here, than a lot of the other places we visited.” McFalls said, "in addition to providing data about which crops to plant, specific practices used on the farm would make it an excellent training facility. “The Ministry of Agriculture could use this farm as a facility to teach farmers good planting and harvesting practices,” said McFalls. “Farmers would be able to see the direct benefits of planting in rows, maintaining good irrigation canals, properly preparing planting beds, and being proactive in solving pest issues.” After completing their tour of the Asadabad Demo Farm, ADT Soldiers travelled by foot to a nearby tree nursery. The nursery, which has been in operation for approx 20 years, has recently partnered with the USAID through a program called Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives –North, East and West. The program is intended to provide licit agricultural alternatives in areas of Afghanistan that are prone to poppy production. The nursery functions as a research facility, experimenting with approx a dozen varieties of fruit, nut and upland trees. It also acts as a mother-stock facility, providing seed and root stock to private nurseries throughout Kunar Prov.Employees of the farm said that the fruit and nut trees are sold for commercial use, while the upland species are typically used for small-scale reforestation and watershed mgt projects. Capt. Robert Cosgriff, of Mont., forestry expert with the 1-14th ADT, compared the nursery to a botanical garden, growing a large variety of tree types, but with a limited number of trees within each species. “Compared to other nurseries we’ve visited, they definitely focus their production on quality and not quantity,” said Cosgriff. "While the nursery doesn't produce the quantity of trees needed for large-scale reforestation projects," Cosgriff said, "the ADT gained valuable knowledge about successful nursery mgt. techniques within the prov. “Ideally, we'll take advantage of the knowledge and experience here to train other nursery mgrs., who'll be geared more toward mass production,” said Cosgriff. “This type of knowledge is really what we’re looking for.”
Reilly, an infantryman for 23 years, transitioned from the Marine Corps to the Army in 2001. He's currently on his 3rd deployment since joining the Army.
“We’re lucky to have a leader like 1st Sgt. Reilly as part of Team Paktya,” said Lt. Col. James Forand, PRT Paktya cmdr. “His dedication to the military and our team, has set a shining example for others to follow.”“We were moving toward the downed aircraft when I got shot,” said Moore. “Bullets were flying, but you never think – don’t want to think – about one hitting you. It’s a reality check when you get hit.” The unit’s medic applied a pressure dressing, tourniquet and intravenous fluids. Moore then had to walk more than a mile to a casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) point, while taking fire. From the CASEVAC point, he was flown to a nearby base, and the following day he was evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany.
After about a month of physical therapy, Moore was given a choice to go to the U.S. to recover, or to return to his unit to continue physical therapy at the FOB Shank medical facility. Moore said he knew he would no longer be able to go on missions with his pathfinder plt. Nonetheless, it was important for him to return and finish the deployment with his fellow Soldiers. Moore’s comm. officer commended his Soldier’s determination and decision to return. “Moore had to move more than a mile down steep terrain, across a river, and he never complained,” said Capt. Joseph Lang, a Hawaii native and Pathfinder Co. cmdr. “First reports were that Moore wanted to come back even though he knew he couldn’t go on missions; it says a lot about him.” Moore returned to FOB Shank May 13, and although he isn’t going out on missions, he's able to spend time with his former comrades daily. He was assigned to TF Knighthawk’s medical evacuation plt., where he provides added security on certain missions, and escorts non-coalition patients. “He’s an excellent asset; a great guy to have around,” said Capt. Julian Gilbert, a Wisc. native and MEDEVAC plt. leader with Co. C, TF Knighthawk. “He serves as an additional security asset for us. Sometimes when we must land in areas where there aren't a lot of U.S. forces present, Spc. Moore will pull security outside the helicopter.” Moore said he finds his new role to be very rewarding and interesting, especially since he’s able to contribute to the mission alongside his plt. “I’m glad I came back,” he said. “I consider it an honor to come back and serve my country.”Moore received the Purple Heart Medal and Combat Action Badge, June 16.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province – On the eve of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, then Maj. Gen. James Mattis described his Marines as “no better friend, no worse enemy.” Cpl. Jibbou epitomizes this description with his generosity, tenacity and honor.
Jibbou was born and lived in Morocco for 14 years where his father, a Moroccan army soldier, forged the foundation of his core values. The relaxed attitude of Moroccan culture, complemented his disciplined upbringing, to fashion a balanced and focused Marine. "One of my earliest memories was when 2 English-speaking tourists were being hustled by a salesman. My dad stepped in and took them away from the guy, who was trying to sell them fake items. He told them because they were new here, they could come and live with us and enjoy their stay. They told my dad it was the best time they had visiting another country. It was just a good gesture.” From that point on Jibbou strived to be like his father, balancing quiet kindness with a formidable sense of honor. Jibbou’s grandfather served in the French Foreign Legion during World War II, and he remembered his father always in uniform when he was home. It was obvious to him at a young age that serving in the military was important to his family. Jibbou’s father, who spent long periods of time deployed, or on different humanitarian missions throughout Africa with the Moroccan army, never spoke much about the military when he was home. Instead, preferring to leave work at work and home at home. However, he taught his son about proper physical training, and the importance of being in top physical condition. “We always went on runs and hikes together,” said the 22-year-old Jibbou. “He was trying to prepare me and show me how to be a man. I always laugh that I did more hiking with him, then I have in the Marine Corps.” Jibbou’s father also taught him about the value of military bearing, showing him how to conduct himself in a professional manner, and how to toughen up at an early age. “One time I was trying to race my father to the top of a hill. I grabbed a branch, it snapped off, and I went sliding down the hill; rocks messed up my knees,” said Jibbou. “I was sitting there bleeding, crying, and he came over and said, ‘Shake it off.’ I said, ‘What?’ He repeated himself, ‘Shake it off,’ and I just got up like it was nothing; all the pain was gone. He taught me how to deal with pain. From then on whenever I got a scratch or bruise I just looked at it like it was nothing. “My father was an inspiration,” said Jibbou. “I look at him and he seems flawless; he never really seems in pain. One day he was training and he broke his arm, came home like it was nothing, and kept working. He said he was still the man of the house and had to do his duties. I want to be like him – I’m trying, but I haven’t reached that point yet.” Jibbou took all of the knowledge gained from his father and moved to the U.S. with his mother when he was 14-years-old, to pursue a better education settling. “In Morocco I didn’t think about the future much; it was very laid back,” Jibbou explained. “I lived day-in and day-out, meal-by-meal. When I got to the states I realized people are non-stop, and I needed to think about the future and start planning ahead. I went to the Marine Corps recruiter and he said, ‘We’ll see if you can pass.’ All the other branches told me I just had to fill in the paperwork and I was in. Getting into the Marines was a goal, an accomplishment, and not everyone can do it.” The Marine Corps was a perfect fit for Jibbou, who learned the Corps’s values at an early age. He excelled physically, and has since learned new skills as a range coach and artillery mechanic. He's currently deployed with 2nd Combat Engr. Bn, splitting his time between working as an administration clerk, and posting security at the bn. armory. “He’s a good worker, a really good person to be around,” said Ky. native Cpl. Levi Carroll, a co. clerk with the bn. who works with Jibbou. “He’s so task oriented; you give him something to do; it doesn’t matter what; it’s going to get done, and in a prompt time.” Jibbou’s first enlistment is drawing to a close, but he said he intends to re-enlist, hoping to become a recon Marine or work with Marine Special Forces. He credits his father for giving him a solid foundation, upon which he has begun to build a successful Marine Corps career. “He made me what I am today,” said Jibbou. “He told me a man has responsibilities and things he needs to handle, like family and a job. He taught me to help out as much as I can, and if I see someone in need, help them and always try to do good things for others.”ZHARAY DISTRICT – ANSF, partnered with CF, conducted a 2-day air assault op Sept. 8-9, to disrupt insurgent networks in the area, while seizing a large cache of homemade explosive (HME) material and IED components, destroying an enemy tunnel network, and detaining 2 insurgents.
Upon reaching the objective near the villages of Salim Aka and Mongeh Kalacha, in southern Zharay district, soldiers conducted a thorough search of several compounds, and discovered approx 250-lbs of HME material, 8 Russian-made hand grenades, 2 82mm mortar rounds, blasting caps and detonation cord, handguns, and other explosive device components. Two suspected insurgents at the scene were detained for further questioning by CFs. The Afghan and coalition forces also found an underground bunker that was well-hidden in a pomegranate field, and believed to be a bed-down location for insurgents, or a storage area for weapons. The bunker and its connecting tunnel to a compound were both destroyed by explosives. On the rapid op, approx 40 ANA soldiers, partnered with 160 soldiers from Combined TF Spartan’s 2nd Bn, 87th Inf Regt. The cmdr. of 2nd Bn., Lt. Col. Greg Anderson, said that the 2-day mission left lasting effects with insurgent cells operating in the area. “We were able to detain insurgents operating in the Pashmul Seam, and destroy a HME lab,” Anderson said. “As a result, insurgent ops in the Pashmul Seam are severely degraded, and with the fighting season coming to an end, the insurgents won't be able to recover fast enough to have lasting effects.” An air assault op is a swift military insertion by helicopter, which denies the insurgents freedom of movement throughout Zharay and Maiwand districts of Kandahar prov., while also finding and detaining their leaders and destroying supplies.Troopers with Blackfoot Troop, 5th "Longknife" Sqdn., 4th Cav Regt, 2nd AABe, 1st ID, and Polish Soldiers with the NATO's Training Mission - Iraq, take a break during a card game, Aug. 18, 2011 at FOB Rustamiyah. Referred to as "West Point on the Tigris," Rustamiyah has been the location of a NATO enclave which trained Iraqi officers, and closed in late August with support from Longknife Sqdn. troopers. (Army photo by Spc. Justin Reed)
BAGHDAD — Over several days during the week of Aug. 15, the Longknife Sqdn. secured the helicopter landing zone, provided security around the base, and acted as a quick-reaction force, during the transfer of the enclave. In addition, the sqdn. transported several NATO personnel back to Victory Base Complex in its convoy after the handover.
In 2009, much of FOB Rustamiyah was signed over to GoA authority, but a small NATO presence remained to advise officer trainees with the IA. For many of the Sqdn’s Troopers, this was their first experience with NATO allies.
“We got to talk with the NATO personnel on a daily basis, and see a different perspective from the British, Polish and Lithuanian forces,” said Spc. Douglass Gilmer, with B Troop, and a Ga. native. “The brotherhood of arms hails from many different traditions, and it was great to hear their origins.”
The NATO force was a diverse collection of member nations—American, British, Lithuanian, and Polish officers and senior NCOs. When Blackfoot Troop arrived at Rustamiyah, the NATO personnel welcomed them with a barbeque.“Like any good host, our NATO allies made us feel welcome and integrated into their unit,” said 1st Lt. Brian Peters, a plt. leader with B Troop and an Ohio native. There was still work to do, and Blackfoot Troop and the NATO personnel worked together over the following days to ensure that the withdrawal of personnel from the base went smoothly. On the night of the final withdrawal, the combined rehearsals paid dividends, as the allies secured the landing zone quickly and quietly. Laying in wait, the tension grew until the distinctive whirring of helicopter blades signaled safety and reassurance. Moments later, CH-47 Chinook helicopters touched down, taking the NATO team to their respective countries’ follow-on missions. As the whir of the blades faded into the distance, the Longknife Troopers prepared for their own follow-on mission at daybreak. Rustamiyah’s closure was an op that included weeks of planning, preparation and coordination, culminating in decisive moments of execution. Blackfoot Troop conducted multiple joint rehearsals and briefings so the op could proceed in an organized and timely manner. “For 2 elements that hadn't worked together prior, it was truly a privilege to witness the spirit of cooperation that enabled the success of the op,” said Peters.
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