From the Front: 06/30/2008

News and Personal dispatches from the front lines.

In their own words:
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd): ‘Purple Foxes’ add fourth deployment to squadron history books - AT-TAQADDUM, Iraq (June 13, 2008) – Currently on their fourth deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), provides important services to Marines and service members throughout the Anbar Province. As the only CH-46 Sea Knight squadron operating in country, the “Purple Foxes” provide key support functions such as command leader transports, troop inserts and extractions and cargo transport. “On previous deployments the squadron has been the primary means for casualty evacuations, but we’re not doing that anymore,” said Sgt. Brian Dinning, a CH-46 crew chief with HMM-364. (READ MORE)

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd): ‘Say hello to my little friend’; Scarface assets keep Baghdad streets safe - BAGHDAD, Iraq (June 10, 2008) – Soaring hundreds of feet above the capital city of Iraq, Marine attack helicopters poise ready to respond at a moments notice. Directly supporting U.S. and Iraqi Army units, the UH-1N Huey and AH-1W Super Cobra circle the Baghdad sky, keeping a watchful eye on ground operations on the streets below. Armed with a variety of weapon systems, this security detail is a frequent mission for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). (READ MORE)

A Major's Perspective: Pakistan and its Anti-Taliban Actions - For the past few weeks I have been writing about insurgencies and what they need to be successful and to grow and prosper. Within the Taliban and Al-Qaeda movement in Afghanistan the absolute decisive point of their operation is to be able to move back and forth across the border regions with Pakistan and enjoy a safe haven there within Pakistan. This safe haven within Pakistan gives them the opportunity to rest, to train more fighters, to recruit, to receive weapons and equipment and to broadcast their message of hate and intolerance to the world. President Karzai and numerous other leaders have made this a point in the past about this issue with the ill-managed Federally Administered Tribal Areas and North West Province of Pakistan. It seems that Pakistan may finally be taking steps in the right direction to dealing with this issue though. (READ MORE)

Paul Fanning: Remembering the fallen - A memorial ceremony was held Friday for eight U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix who were killed last week as a result of combat operations in Afghanistan. “These young men are soldiers, sailors and Marines in the finest military tradition,” said Col. Brian K. Balfe, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, to nearly 300 U.S. and coalition service members and distinguished guests in attendance. “All volunteered for their own reasons. The Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps each lost true warriors. All served. All sacrificed,” (READ MORE)

Courage Without Fear: Sand is an equalizer - Sand is an equalizer. When there are storms, none of us can see. Good guys, bad guys and other guys. The local peoples are used to the sand. It's part of them. Their clothing, their homes, their animals, their possessions are all "sand-proofed" in a way that makes it easier to deal with the sand storms. I hesitate to say "easier." But compared to us and all our technology, machinery and moisture-wicking-flame-resistant-high-speed-low-drag-clothing, the Kuwaitis and Iraqis have it easier when dealing with the weather. We always worry that when we're not moving, troops aren't getting the supplies they need and the bad guys are getting time to plot against us. But no, not so much. (READ MORE)

Doc in the Box: Running on Fumes - One thing that is good about being out at war is that I don't have to fork over a large pile of money to fill up my gas tank. That's all going to change before too long and I'll be back in the land of pumping gold into that tank. In fact, I'll be paying more then most because I drive a diesel. I remember back in the early 90's, if I wanted to make a weekend road trip to Arizona, 20 bucks worth of gas would get me there and I would have enough gas to drive around for most of the weekend. Even being an E-3, it wasn't a strain on my budget, my biggest bill was the cost of insurance. Fast forward to now, with the current gas prices, the same trip one way at 25 miles per gallon costs 68 dollars. (READ MORE)

Fearless 1st Marines’ blog: Ramadi rebuilds as region recovers from violence - RAMADI, Iraq (June 19, 2008) – Ramadi was regarded by many to be one of the most violent cities in Iraq for much of the last five years. The thought of rebuilding the troubled city during that time was improbable, the risks were too high. Now, Ramadi is much safer and rebuilding the city is no longer just an impossible idea but an everyday reality in the recovering region. The country is now transitioning from violence and fighting, to healing and freedom. The focus in Ramadi, and all of al-Anbar Province, is no longer on warfare but on reconstructing the region’s damaged infrastructure. “Ramadi is at the point now to where it’s secure enough to rebuild,” said Staff Sgt. Earl Lucas, a platoon sergeant with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1. (READ MORE)

IN-iraq: Band of brothers in Samarra - In the Infantry your brother understands you. He might be your squad leader, your bunkmate, the guy you went to basic with. He's the guy you’ve been through the most with, the one who you sometimes feel closer to than your family. He sees what you see, does what you do. He is the one you trust your life with. Brett Slaughter, 20, of Sullivan IN, shrugs when I ask him why he joined the infantry. He figured it would be the best way to be right up there in person. “It sounds cheesy,” he said, “but I always knew I wanted to come here (to the 101st Airborne) after watching Band of Brothers.” (READ MORE)

Mohammed and Omar Fadhil: Where is the Middle East heading? - It’s probably one of the most difficult questions to answer. One of the main factors that make it very difficult to understand the Middle East especially for Westerners is that the region has been moving on an opposite course to that of Europe when it comes to socio-political evolution. Europe’s evolution took it from religious monarchies to nationalism-based states through socialism until it finally became the secular democratic mass that it is today. But the Middle East moved from constitutional monarchies a century ago to communism then to nationalism and now the growing trend appears to have been religion. What makes it very difficult to understand and predict the future stops of this backwards movement is that change from one system to another was virtually never a genuine change from within, but largely a result of influence from without. (READ MORE)

IraqPundit: The Iran Question - Middle Easterners are wondering about the possiblity of an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear installations. When John Bolton said that Israel might strike after the U.S. elections in November, few knew what to think about Bolton's comments. Now the Economist magazine says an Israeli strike is more likely than we thought. People in the region are beginning to worry seriously. And that concern will probably spread. Israel, who might act in place of the U.S., has been conducting exercises. That has the leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Mohammad Ali Jaafari, threatening to interfere with oil shipments in the Straight of Hormuz. And Gulf states such as Bahrain and Qatar are seeking assurances from the United States. They know that if Iran is attacked, they will be hit in response. (READ MORE)

James Aalan Bernsen: "I'm leaving...And I'm taking the rat with me!" - Finally, at long last, the end came. It took a while though. My last few days seemed to slow to a crawl. My work had been parcelled out to my colleagues and I was shifted from the night shift to days. My boss told me he only needed to see me once a day to prove I was alive, and outside of that, I was free. Free? What does that word mean? At least in Iraq, it really means little. There are precious few things you can do to enjoy your freedom, and since all your friends are still tied to work, you're not really free to do anything but wander around the base alone and think. And with the weather topping off around 120 degrees, wandering around just isn't a good idea. (READ MORE)

Bill Roggio: Pakistani military advances in Khyber - The military operation in Pakistan's tribal agency of Khyber completed its second day. The military said the operation is limited in scope, while the Taliban have again threatened to attack the Pakistani government. The Pakistani paramilitary Frontier Corps are reported to have cleared a region run by the Lashkar-e-Islam. Paramilitary forces occupied the high ground and cleared the sub-district of Bara, a stronghold of Lashkar-e-Islam and Haji Namdar's radical Islamist group. One commander of the Lashkar-e-Islam was reported killed. The operation is said to be directly targeting the Ansar-ul-Islam, Lashkar-e-Islam, and Namdar's forces. The government has refused to name the specific targets of the operation, but Ansar-ul-Islam, Lashkar-e-Islam, and Namdar's group have been officially banned by the government. (READ MORE)

Bill Murray: Relative peace in Baghdad remains fragile as troops carry out counterinsurgency plan - BAGHDAD, IRAQ: It’s near noon on a Friday in Northeast Baghdad and the neighborhoods the U.S. military calls Muhallahs 535 and 734 are quiet. It’s the weekend, and many adults are at the local mosques for worship, leaving the streets filled with dozens of adolescent boys, yelling, kicking and raising minor havoc on bicycles, soccer balls and the unlucky stray dog. As U.S. Army Specialist Luis Garza and 2nd Lieutenant Jonathon Logan patrol the neighborhoods, they remember these streets during a less docile time. Both men nearly died near here in the past two months, and the possibility of violence erupting in these environs remains in the front of their minds. (READ MORE)

Matel-in-Iraq: Water, Water Everywhere but Not a Pipe to Link - Below are solar street lights in Rutbah, a CF project. They work okay, but are not, IMO, aesthetically pleasing. The Regional Engineer of Rutbah is a modern man with little patience for religious extremists or excessive tribalism. He hates what Saddam Hussein did to his country. He told me that in some towns essentially no new schools were built between the end of the 1970s and the liberation, despite big population growth. As an engineer, he decries the general lack of maintenance. Instead of building infrastructure, Saddam bought in expensive weapons systems from the Soviets, French & Chinese. The fruits of big buying spree litter the deserts around here, MiGs that never fired a shot in anger, tanks that never went anywhere. They decided it was better to abandon them than to fight a real enemy. (READ MORE)

Dale Manry: Makhmur Police Headquarters Visit - Today I visited one of our current projects rebuilding the police headquarters near the town of Makhmur. The original site was devasted by an SVBIED (car bomb) in May 2007. The project includes two buildings, the police headquarters building and a traffic police station building. The project is managed out of the Erbil Resident Office, where Gary York is the Resident Engineer running the office. Gary has been with USACE in Erbil since March 2005. We farewelled Tiffany in Mosul on Friday night. I sent out a picture of Tiffany with her embroidered Engineer flag, our standard departure gift. Gary replied to the email saying he liked the flag and that he was jealous. I told him he could get one of his own if he ever actually left Iraq! (READ MORE)

Major John: Stonehenge - When living at Basrah COB (Contingency Operating Base) one sleeps in a "Stonehenge". The Brits took so much rocket fire at this base, even the beds are surrounded by brick and steel and sandbags... And yeah, it can be disconcerting to sit up in the middle of the night and whack your head against a steel plate...And, yes, I did go around quoting This is Spinal Tap. (READ MORE)

One Marine's View: “Its HOT, you don’t understand!!!" - This picture is what 117 degrees looks like when you glance straight up at the sun (kids, dont try this at home). It reminds me back in Afghanistan when a Lt and I were talking about a particular tactic on a mountain side and he knelt down on one knee in the heat, donning full battle gear as we shot the shit. He began to wipe his sweat covered head. You ok Lt. I asked as he scrunched down and folded up like a bug. He said, yes Sir, I’m just trying to get into my own shade. We laughed but in all reality, that’s what he was really trying to do. That’s what 117 degrees is like. “Its HOT, you don’t understand!!!" We departed our friendly lines early. It was still warm. Those in Arizona know how we feel in the morning and it’s in the high 90s. Its warm, you are a bit uncomfortable but like we all have been “warm” before, you ignore it until you make a comment like “For the love of God it’s hot” and you go inside to get cooled off with a nice cold drink. (READ MORE)

Something on the staff: Leave - After much waiting and worrying, I went on leave. The Army sends all Soldiers away from Iraq for 15-18 days, depending on the length of their tour in Iraq. We can go just about anywhere, so long as we have a passport. I left my lovely patrol base and waited at Baghdad International Air Port for a flight to Kuwait. There was a great deal of ‘manifesting,’ which means showing up for a roll call, and then learning that we have to show up for another roll call in three hours. I had numerous formations into the wee hours of the morning, ending with an early morning C-17 flight to Kuwait. Kuwait is as I remember it. There’s nothing there but sand and prefabricated buildings. We’ve heard fairy tales about “Kuwaitis,” natives to the sandy country. I’ve seen plenty of Pakistanis and Americans, but never a “Kuwaiti.” The entire country is a giant sand dune with oil pipelines. (READ MORE)

Up Country Iraq: Baquba - This is from early June. Hello everyone, I have spent several days at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Warhorse, which is in the city of Baquba. Baquba is located northeast of Baghdad in Diyala province. Diyala is one of those provinces in the north that is still somewhat volatile. Having said that, just about 18 months ago, Diyala was more than just volatile – it was a massive killing field. As the US surge began, Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) began heading north out of Baghdad. As they moved north, they set up slaughter houses all throughout Diyala. Diyala is a mixed Shiite/Sunni province, and it is split with about 50% of each sect living there. Baquba is the largest city in the province, and it is also split evenly between Shia and Sunni. AQI was obviously targeting Shiite victims, and the Shiites began to go after Sunnis in return. Over 100 people per week were being murdered in Diyala during parts of 2006 and 2007. (READ MORE)

Big Tobacco: You Do A Little Dance And Then You Drink A Little Water - I did not smoke while composing this. Why am I standing here with my eyes on fire? Oh, that’s right. Change of mission. We are infantry, but not infantry. We are pressed into service to do one of the most critical jobs in Iraq today. My company won’t be on The Road after all. “Open your eyes,” the instructor says. I open them. It’s not that bad- SHIT! A gust of wind blows a handful of sand in my eyes. I promptly squeeze them shut. “Open your eyes!” “I think I got sand in them.” “No, you’ve got sand in your pussy!” The instructor said, using the pejorative for soldiers who were acting like wimps. “You’re fine; it’s just the pepper spray. Open your eyes!” (READ MORE)



Back and still writing:
LT. Nixon: Iraq News (30 June) - The Good: The security responsibility of Diwaniyah province is set to be turned over today from Coalition Forces to the Iraqis, which will make it the tenth. The security has been mostly provided by the Poles and other members of the coalition, and has seen some level of Shi'ite extremist activity from the Mahdi Army. Interesting story about a chaplain at FOB Falcon in Baghdad at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Ambassador Crocker is saying that more talks are possible with Iran, now that much of the illicit militia activity has subsided. The Bad: A truck bomb has killed 7 north of Baghdad. (READ MORE)




News from the Front:
Iraq:
Iraqi Security Forces Five Year Plan: An updated projection - In August 2007, the Projected Iraqi Security Forces Five Year Plan (end-2012), a rough estimate of the end-state for Iraqi forces, was published. Additional information and details have since become available to clarify Iraqi Security Force (ISF) development and probable plans, however, the same rule applies: What follows is heavy on speculation, estimation, and extrapolations. If sixty percent proves accurate, the estimate will be considered good. Many of the decisions that affect what is being projected here have not been made yet. Changes from previous factors and basic assumptions are underlined in this portion and should be kept in mind when reviewing this update: (READ MORE)

Widespread operations strike al-Qaeda networks - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed six al-Qaeda terrorists and detained 22 suspects during operations targeting various networks within the terrorist group in Iraq Sunday and Monday. Using information from an operation May 21, Coalition forces conducted several operations Sunday targeting members of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell that operates in the Tigris River Valley. During one operation near Balad, Coalition forces identified two terrorists in a vehicle. The driver ignored Coalition forces’ warnings to stop, including warning shots. Coalition forces perceived hostile intent and engaged the vehicle’s occupants, killing both. Inside, they found a weapon and military-style assault vest. (READ MORE)

National Police seize nearly 200 weapons (New Baghdad) - BAGHDAD – Iraqi National Police seized nearly 200 weapons during search operations in the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad, June 29. At 11:30 a.m., police from the 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division reported confiscating about 150 weapons during a clearance operation of Muhalla 733 in the Mashtal area of New Baghdad. The weapons included 133 AK-47 rifles, four AK-22 rifles, three SKS rifles, a bolt-action rifle, two air-gun rifles, an MP-5 sub-machinegun, an RPK machinegun and six pistols. (READ MORE)

Iraqi forces detain AQI member, prevent attacks (Udaim) - BALAD, Iraq – Baqubah Emergency Response Force detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq member in Udaim, approximately 112 kilometers north of Baghdad, during an operation in which two structures rigged with explosives were destroyed, June 28. ERF conducted the operation to disrupt AQI’s movement and decrease their intimidation attacks on the local Iraqis in the Udaim River Valley area. They detained the suspected terrorist, because he is believed to be part of a mortar and rocket cell that targets Iraqi Security and Coalition forces, and local citizens. (READ MORE)

British, Iraqi Army Soldiers build camaraderie through soccer (Basra) - BASRA, Iraq – Members of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and members of the 4 Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland teamed up to take on Iraqi soldiers from the 14th Iraqi Army Division in a friendly soccer game in Basra, Iraq June 26. The soldiers spend most of their days sweating it out in vehicles or on checkpoints in various parts of Basra, but the game gave them a chance to sweat it out in a less stressful environment and have some fun together. The event drew a large crowd of spectators made up of officers and enlisted soldiers from both forces. (READ MORE)

MNF-I CG visits, recognizes outstanding warfighters in MND-N - TIKRIT, Iraq – Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of Multi-National Force-Iraq, visited Mosul, Iraq, June 28. During his visit, Petraeus personally recognized the tremendous work done by 18 servicemembers stationed at Forward Operating Base Marez and Diamondback. He presented each with one of his commander’s coins. “Today, the honor is to give you my coin, with my thanks, which reads; ‘not just for excellence, but for excellence in combat,’ because that is what you have all demonstrated,” the general said. (READ MORE)

NPs, SoI, MND-B Soldiers seize weapons, munitions in Baghdad - BAGHDAD – Iraqi National Police, Sons of Iraq, and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers seized a series of weapons and munitions in Baghdad June 28. Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers with the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, seized 13 hand grenades, M-4 magazines, and 5.56 mm tracer rounds and armor-piercing ammunition in Adhamiyah at approximately 1 p.m. after the cache was reported by a SoI member. (READ MORE)

Coalition forces destroy Al-Qaeda in Iraq safe haven, financing - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces destroyed an al-Qaeda in Iraq safe haven when they seized money, destroyed weapons and detained nine suspected terrorists during two operations in the Tigris River Valley ending June 26. Reporting indicates al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives used the area to build car bombs, facilitate foreign terrorists and provide safe haven for key leaders. During patrols near Tikrit, about 160 kilometers north of Baghdad, Coalition forces discovered a weapons cache that included firearms, more than 3,500 rounds of ammunition and bomb components. (READ MORE)

Al-Qaeda’s propaganda network thwarted - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces battered the terrorist propaganda network in Baghdad Saturday and Sunday, killing two terrorists and detaining 15 suspects while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq associates around the country. Coalition forces surrounded a location in Baghdad Saturday targeting a leader of an al-Qaeda in Iraq propaganda cell. Coalition forces engaged and killed one man who drew a weapon when they entered the target building. They engaged and killed another suspected terrorist when they perceived hostile intent from his failure to follow Coalition forces’ instructions. (READ MORE)

ISF arrest seven suspected IED bombers - BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces arrested four suspected Special Groups criminals and three other suspected criminals around central Iraq, June 24-26. The 6th Iraqi Army Division arrested two suspected Special Groups criminals in the Hurriyah area of Baghdad, June 24. The criminals are believed to be Iranian surrogates responsible for improvised explosive device, explosively formed projectile and indirect fire attacks against Iraqi Security and Coalition forces. One of the criminals is said to be an expert IED builder responsible for killing Sunnis. The other suspect is an Iranian-trained sniper and weapons facilitator for the Special Groups. (READ MORE)

Iraqi forces detain AQI member, prevent attacks - BALAD – Baqubah Emergency Response Force detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq member in Udaim, approximately 112 kilometers north of Baghdad, during an operation in which two structures rigged with explosives were destroyed, June 28. ERF conducted the operation to disrupt AQI’s movement and decrease their intimidation attacks on the local Iraqis in the Udaim River Valley area. They detained the suspected terrorist, because he is believed to be part of a mortar and rocket cell that targets Iraqi Security and Coalition forces, and local citizens. (READ MORE)

National Police find weapons cache in Rashid - BAGHDAD – Police from the 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, uncovered a weapons cache June 28 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. At approximately 2 a.m., the police found six rockets, 10 boxes of plastic explosives, three improvised explosive devices, 40 AK-47 assault rifles, approximately 5,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, one 120 mm mortar round, two rocket propelled grenades, a PKC machinegun and a sniper rifle. (READ MORE)

'Team Metallica’ Helps Rebuild Rusafa - FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY — Although, they are not who most people would call average war fighters, their mission is just as vital for survival. They conduct patrols, but their primary mission is not combat related. “Team Metallica” is charged with assisting local governance to provide for the welfare of Iraqi citizens throughout the Rusafa security district of eastern Baghdad. The team consists of 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Soldiers specifically selected to handle reconstruction efforts. (READ MORE)

Task Force Gold Brings Golden Opportunity - BAGHDAD — Task Force Gold, considered a turning point for Operation Iraqi Freedom, focuses its efforts to revitalize the war torn and impoverished neighborhoods of the Sadr City District in northern Baghdad. Beginning in May, the mission of Task Force Gold is to bring peace to the Sadr City District and improve the quality of life for its residents. In only a few short weeks Task Force Gold has achieved astounding results. (READ MORE)


Afghanistan:
Marine receives Bronze Star for bravery - In a ceremony Friday at Camp Pendleton, Marine Cpl. Francisco J. Valles received the Bronze Star for bravery and leadership during an attack by Iraqi insurgents Aug. 2. When his patrol was ambushed, Valles helped pull a wounded Marine to safety, provided emergency aid to several others, and killed a suicide-bomber who was dashing toward the Marines. ''I shot him in the chest and he blew up," Valles said matter-of-factly. On his wrist, Valles wears a bracelet with the name of his best friend, Lance Cpl. Christian Vasquez, who was killed in the attack. "He was with me that day, he'll always be with me," he said. (READ MORE)

New PRT program provides needed ANP training - KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (June 28, 2008) – Sixty Afghan men were trained by the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team recently to become part of the Afghan National Auxiliary Police force in Kunar province, Afghanistan. The Police Training and Advisory Team program was developed as a training-and-mentoring program for the ANAP. The three-week course conducted at Camp Wright, near Asadabad, is the only one of its kind in Kunar province. The trainees come from every district in the province and are housed at the Asadabad Police Headquarters during their training. “Many of the police trainees arrive at the ANAP course with poor discipline.” said Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos A. Ramirez, Kunar PRT. (READ MORE)

Ag. Center provides unique type of security in Herat province - SHINDAND AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (June 27, 2008) – U.S. Special Operations warriors serving in western Afghanistan’s volatile Herat province have a unique security-enhancing capability in their own backyard and it involves neither bullets nor bombs. The Shindand Agricultural Experiment Station, which is located within the perimeter of the Shindand Air Field, is an attempt to provide desperately-needed agricultural skills to Afghans and an effort to jumpstart agricultural production in the Shindand District. “The agricultural center has many positive effects for the both the troops and the local population,” said a U.S. Special Forces Civil Affairs team leader. “This allows us to build a rapport with the villagers through education and employment; therefore, they are given a reason to think twice about allowing the anti-Afghan forces to step in and influence their lives in a negative way. (READ MORE)

Coalition forces provide aid, medical care to village in Oruzgan province - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (June 23, 2008) – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces provided medical care and humanitarian aid to Afghan villagers in Tarin Kowt District, Uruzgan province, June 27. ANSF and Coalition forces spoke with village elders after a stop during a reconnaissance patrol. The elders requested medical assistance and humanitarian aid for their community. ANSF and Coalition medical personnel treated approximately 60 people for various ailments and also distributed food and school supplies. (READ MORE)

32 Insurgents killed in Khas Oruzgan - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (June 28, 2008) – A total of 32 militants were killed by Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces in two separate engagements in the Khas Oruzgan District, Oruzgan province, June 26. The first engagement occurred when the combined element was on a security patrol and received small arms fire and RPGs from insurgents in a heavily vegetated area. The ANSF and Coalition soldiers returned fire and moved to an area from which they could direct air strikes, killing three militants. Soon after, the militants again attacked the patrol using small arms and RPGs. ANSF and Coalition forces defeated the attack, killing 29 insurgents. (READ MORE)

ISAF base targeted in cross-border attack - FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan (June 27, 2008) – Extremists fired rockets from locations in both Pakistan and Afghanistan on an International Security Assistance Force base in Paktika province earlier this morning. Four rockets landed in the vicinity of the base. ISAF responded in self defense by firing artillery at the launch site, which was determined to be approximately 400 meters inside Pakistan. An airstrike was carried out on the launch site identified in Afghanistan. The engagement started at approximately 3 a.m. local and the Pakistan military was notified when ISAF forces came under fire. No ISAF casualties were reported. (READ MORE)

Two civilians killed, 11 wounded in Kunar province - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (June 27, 2008) — Two civilians were killed and 11 others wounded in two separate attacks in Kunar province Friday. In the first attack, one round of in-direct fire struck an International Security and Assistance Force base in the Asmar District, while the majority of the other rounds struck a village nearby resulting in the death of one civilian and wounding seven others. A second attack attempted on an ISAF base in the Asadabad District when three rockets were fired at the base and missed, hitting a civilian populated area instead. One civilian was killed and four others were wounded in the attack. Three of the wounded were moved to the Asadabad hospital for medical treatment. (READ MORE)

Munitions found in village in Zabul province - KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (June 27, 2008) – An Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and Coalition forces joint patrol found a cache of munitions in a village in the Mizan District, Zabul province Tuesday. Surveillance of the village and a local bazaar revealed suspicious activity prompting further investigation by the patrol. The joint patrol confiscated six 82-mm mortar heads and numerous sharpened Soviet-style bayonets during a search of the village and its outlying compounds. (READ MORE)