PAKTIKA PROVINCE -- To the U.S. infantry Soldier north-eastern Afghanistan is unforgiving on many levels - extreme weather, isolation and xenophobic tribes, but the true suffering begins and ends with the rugged, soul-sapping terrain. It is a country of severe alpine landscapes that seem to go on forever in merciless, jagged waves of cliff faces, boulder fields and stony hillsides, and yet somehow life took root here eons ago, and never gave up its hold.
Sgt. Carmen Benson, a horticulture specialist, came up with this training program for a seed germination class at the DAIL compound in Maiden Shahr district, Sept. 21. The Georgia ADT continues working toward building the economy.
WARDAK PROVINCE -- The seed germination class at the DAIL is a result of local farmers expressing concerns about what seeds are good and bad for growing. Sgt. Nathaniel Smith, an NCO-in-charge for Georgia ADT, and Ga. native, helped put this event together to address those concerns.
WARDAK PROVINCE -- The Soldiers already conducted the class in the Jalrez district, which local villagers came to in good numbers. So, it seemed to be a no brainer to bring the class to Maiden Shahr. "We mostly used it [the class] as a way to establish a connection with the people," said Sgt. Jacob Miller. "We realize agriculture is the driving force in the lives of people here."
Miller, who grew-up with an agricultural background, was the primary instructor for the class in Jalrez. He came to Maiden Shahr to teach the people what they would need to be successful. "We built an apple press to show them methods to save apples that normally spoil," said Miller.
Miller said that the economic benefit for villagers in Maiden Shahr is too great an opportunity for the locals to pass up.
"Several tons of apples go to waste inside the valley, and giving them options to be able to sell these apples, and still have a product that is marketable for them, will improve their way of life," said Miller. "Selling this apple juice and cider at their local shops will bring in money, and also shorten their hunger season."
Once Miller began demonstrating how to use the apple presser, the locals became interested in seeing how it worked first hand. "Every class starts out the same way, with the Afghans being very stand-offish," Miller said. "Then, their interest takes over, and before we know it they're out there grinding out and pressing apples."
One local famer was excited about the possibility of having an apple presser for all the apples he has. "This is very important, this apple presser," said Ahmed Khalil, a local farmer in Wardak. "I want to make one for my home and use it for my apples."
"The apple presser is easy for the local farmers to make at a low cost to them," said Lt. Col. Steve Kistler, Georgia ADT Wardak provincial cmdr., and Ga. native. "They have the wood," said Kistler. "Some local farmers are carpenters, and can do a better job than we can at putting it (apple presser) together."
Sgt. Nathaniel Smith, NCO-in-charge for the Georgia ADT, and native of Ga., said local farmers can obtain materials for building apple presses themselves, and don't need the ADT to acquire such items. "All we give them is a step by step class on how to build this apple presser."
Once the demo was over and local farmers sampled the apple cider, the villagers came to Miller with questions about how to capitalize on the opportunity. "One of the villagers said he can produce one ton of apple juice from all his bad apples that aren't going to be worth selling whole," said Miller. "He wants to know how he can bottle them, package them, and where to sell them."
That question gave Miller an idea for the next training class he will teach to Afghan farmers. "This class will extend into canning and pasteurizing training," said Miller. Miller and other Georgia ADT personnel walked away from the class confident in the hope their training will help turn around the economy in Maiden Shahr, and keep local farmers from siding with insurgents.
Story and photo by Cpl. Brian Adam Jones
CAMP LEATHERNECK - The CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest helicopter in the U.S. armed forces. Sgt. James Hayes III has to duck when he enters it. “I constantly hit my head walking into the aircraft,” said Hayes, a 6-foot-7-inch native of Calif.
“I like to challenge myself,” said Hayes. “It's important and rewarding to ensure that Marines are properly paid and receive the awards they deserve, but there’s nothing like the feeling you get when you drop a pallet of water or food to a group of Marines in a FOB.” As an aerial observer, Hayes’ responsibilities include operating the weapons systems on board the aircraft, communicating with pilots on what's going on in the rear of the aircraft, and assisting with loading and unloading.When Hayes checked into MHHS 462 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., in Jan., as an administrative specialist, he immediately volunteered to become part of the aircrew. Seeking even greater challenges, he then volunteered to join MHHS 464 and deploy to Afghanistan. Hayes passed up scholarship offers. He wanted to be a U.S. Marine. “I always wanted to be in the military,” said Hayes. “I wanted more discipline, and to serve my country.” Hayes entered with plans of becoming a parachute rigger, but a shoulder injury at the Army Airborne School in Fort Benning, Ga., forced him to switch to the administrative field. Hayes now proudly wears a set of gold jump wings, a glistening reminder of a challenge overcome. To earn jump wings, a service member must complete 10 static-line jumps. To earn the navy and Marine Corps parachutist insignia, or gold jump wings, a Marine or sailor must complete 5 more. Hayes left Fort Benning having executed 63 static-line jumps. “It was an honor to experience the rich history of the Army jump school,” Hayes said. “I got paid by the Marine Corps to get an adrenaline rush and jump out of airplanes.” Hayes said he's honored to be in Afghanistan and serve with what he described as a great group of Marines, but he misses his children – Natalie, 6, and Garrett, 4.
Story and photos by Sgt. Earnest Barnes
MARJAH DISTRICT, Helmand Province — Local reps of the GoA, and service members with 3rd Bn, 6th Marine Regt, hosted a medical clinic recently. Dr. Habivulah, along with a midwife, 2 ANA medical sgts., and several navy corpsmen with 3/6, assessed and treated residents.
“The health initiative allowed local residents to gain trust in their local physicians. Medical education was a little slack during the rule of the insurgency, so a big problem that medical providers have is that the people feel the doctors aren't well educated,” said navy Lt. Robert Sklar, a N.Y. native, and the bn surgeon for 3/6. “What we do with these medical initiatives is get them set up, advertised, and out to the people. Local residents come for the free health care, and they get introduced to the doctors. They see that these doctors are able to treat them; it helps them build trust in their own govt and medical system."The AnA soldiers, members of the ALP, and the Marines directed the men, women, and children into their respective waiting areas. Corpsmen from 3/6 assessed each patient, and one-by-one they were directed to one of the medical providers. “One medic was the director showing people where to go, and the other was with the corpsmen, and was the adviser,” said Ali Abass. “My medics want more experience, so they worked with the corpsmen to gain experience. We get a lot of experience when we work together as a team.” Another group of care-giving service members that helped with the clinic was the Female Engagement Team (FET) serving 3/6, who screened females and children prior to them receiving care from the midwife. Additionally, the FET gave hygiene classes to the children, to teach them how to properly brush their teeth, and care for their bodies. The children were all smiles when they left with new toothbrushes and small hygiene items.“There were a lot of gastrointestinal complaints, acid reflux, muscle pains, and aches,” said Sklar, a 2009 graduate of the N.Y. College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old West Berry, N.Y. “We had one child that was struck by a car 4 days ago and had testicular trauma. Hopefully he moves up to a higher echelon of care. We cleaned it up, but he needs to get to a hospital, and his father was well aware of that.” Sklar said some of the patients with more serious cases were evaluated, and then recommended to seek more advanced medical care at the hospital in Lashkar Gah, Helmand prov., due to the limited medical supplies and lack of advanced medical equipment available on site. "The clinic brought to light the importance of seeking medical attention when needed, instead of allowing any condition to grow worse," added Sklar. “This has got them started with the health care they need. It helps them with their education in realizing their health care is important, and helps them realize what needs to be followed up on, and what does not,” said Sklar. “They're gaining awareness and trust in the local doctors.” The residents were grateful for the treatment they received and let all involved in the medical clinic know how much they appreciated the care. Abdul Halik, a resident of Marjah, said clinics like this help, because people are too poor to afford medical care. “This is very good to help us,” said Abdul Halik. “We're very happy. This is good process for us.”Sgt. Niamuttllah, an ANA medical sgt., calms an Afghan child after applying burn ointment and bandages. The child had 3rd degree burns on her face when she arrived at the clinic. Sgt. Niamuttllah, with the help of a navy corpsman, treated the child’s wounds, and provided the family with medical supplies to continue treatment.
Dr. Habivulah takes the blood pressure of a local resident.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry Cates, a Fla. native, and a navy corpsman, sorts medical supplies prior to the opening of a medical clinic.
ISAF Joint Command Operational Update, Sept. 30, 2011
JOWZJAN PROVINCE – A combined Afghan and coalition SecFor detained a Taliban facilitator during a security op in Faizabad district. The facilitator planned and conducted attacks against Afghan forces, as well as distributed weapons to subordinate fighters. Additionally, he provided reports to senior Taliban leaders, following attacks in the region.
Multiple weapons were confiscated to include an RPG launcher and grenades. The SecFor detained 2 additional suspected insurgents.
NANGARHAR PROVINCE – A combined Afghan and coalition SecFor patrol detained 2 insurgents, during an op targeting an insurgent network in Kuz Kunar district, yesterday. The insurgent network is known to facilitate lethal aid used in attacks against ANSF and CF.
SouthKANDAHAR PROVINCE -- In Zharay district, yesterday, a combined Afghan and CF discovered and seized a weapons cache consisting of 84-lbs (38 kg) of homemade explosives, 5 pressure plates, and 6 60 mm mortar rounds.HELMAND PROVINCE -- In nahr-e Saraj district, a combined Afghan and coalition SecFor discovered and seized a weapons cache consisting of 7 81mm illumination mortars, 2 81mm mortar rounds, 3 40mm grenades, several rounds of ammo, along with 30 IED components.
ZABUL PROVINCE -- An Afghan and coalition SecFor patrol detained 2 insurgents during an op in Shinkai district, yesterday. The op also seized an IED.IRAQI STORIES:
DVIDS
A Diverse Force in Steel Dragon
COB ADDER – With the sun still low in the sky, soldiers of 2nd Bn, secure the structures of the excavated city of Ur, Dhi Qar prov. This mission: to provide security for a tour of the ancient site. Although originally trained as a personal security detachment, these “Steel Dragons” have performed a variety of missions outside of the safety of COB Adder.
"The force is composed of soldiers from different military jobs, but during this deployment, they've taken on tasks usually reserved for combat troops," said 2nd Lt. Christopher Molaro, 1st plt. leader. The plt. has completed more than 250 missions, including humanitarian and medical assistance, key leader engagements (KLE) with local sheiks and ISF, counter IED, and counter indirect-fire missions.
HB are not shy of accomplishments. "They've delivered tons of flour, rice, beans, sugar, tea, and milk formula to Iraqi villages in need," said Molaro. In July, they uncovered a series of 6 daisy-chained explosively-formed projectiles, and IEDs designed to pierce military armored vehicles. In August, Pfc. Thomas Adgate, a medic with 1st plt., provided medical aid to an Iraqi child who suffered from 2nd and 3rd degree burns, during a humanitarian aid mission."Despite reposturing of U.S. forces in Iraq, the unit stays sharp and doesn’t suffer from complacency," said Staff Sgt. James Bryan Moffat, 1st plt. squad leader. “Until the last day, we're constantly trying to improve our position.” Moffat and Molaro agreed that their soldiers have greatly developed, while fulfilling a versatile role during the deployment. “It’s working with my soldiers,” Molaro said of the greatest benefits of his mission in Iraq; “seeing them grow since the first day we got here, and working with our Iraqi partners, the IA, the IP, building connections more than 6,000 miles from where I live.Cpl. Kristine Tejeda provides security for a tour of the ancient city of Ur in Dhi Qar prov., Sept. 24.
Second Lt. Christopher Molaro provides security for a tour of the ancient city of Ur.
Cpl. Kristine Tejeda and Pfc. Thomas Adgate climb the steps of the Ziggurat of Ur, to provide security for a tour of the ancient city. Soldiers of Steel Dragon have provided security for more than 20 tours of the ancient city of Ur, since December 2010.
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DVIDS
‘Black Knight’ Battery Assists in Closing JSS Loyalty
BAGHDAD — As part of a bn.-wide effort, artillerymen with Btry A’s 2nd Plt. conducted multiple joint force protection patrols, and assisted with property removal during the base’s last few days, and even hours, of USF to Iraq control. All the work culminated in the timely and safe relocation of the First Lightning Bn into other operating locations within USD-C.
“I’m very proud of the way our soldiers responded to the challenge of maintaining a full schedule of combat force protection patrols, while also being able to focus on the extra tasks necessary to sign over the JSS to Iraqi control,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Becker, a plt. sgt., and an Ohio native. These extra duties included hours of loading excess equipment and property onto convoys leaving JSS Loyalty, as well as providing security for and supervising contracted workers conducting vital closeout tasks. The transfer of authority at JSS Loyalty was a significant milestone in a year-long deployment for the soldiers of Btry A, and the First Lightning Bn. as a whole. “Finishing the mission at JSS Loyalty was a proud moment for me, as a cmdr., as we're one step closer to the completion of a successful deployment for the battery and the battalion,” said Capt. Brian Cotter, a R.I. native. “We closed that chapter of the deployment and opened another.” Since the outflow of personnel from JSS Loyalty began weeks before the final closure, many of Btry A’s soldiers and leaders enjoyed reuniting with comrades that they'd not seen in some time. “I’m glad we've the entire battery together again,” said Sgt. Richard Mcnulty, a section chief with 2nd Plt., and a Penn. native. “Now we can move forward together.”-30-
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