News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
In their own words:
A Battlefield Tourist: Wounded Iraqi “Terp” Gets New Home and New Leg - Here’s a great story I had the privilege of working on today. I think you all will really enjoy it. Meet Hayder Kharalla, an Iraqi who joined US forces as an interpreter in 2003. It was in that year, during an ambush, Hayder braved enemy fire to try to rescue a fallen US soldier. The soldier died and Hayder took a round through both legs; a wound that eventually forced doctors to remove his right leg. Hayder would eventually move to Jordan after his family was threatened with death. Earlier this year, Hayder and his family were part of the largest wave of Iraqis allowed to immigrate since the start of the war and they settled in Roanoke, Virginia. Coverage of Hayder’s story by WSLS-Roanoke (NBC) led to the donation of two prosthetic limbs that he hopes will help him fulfil his American dream. (READ MORE)
A Battlefield Tourist: US Confirms Ground Forces Used in Pakistan - The Associated Press is reporting that US officials acknowledge that US ground forces carried out a helo-borne attack on Pakistani soil. In recent months, suspected US missle attacks have rocked the frontier but Wednesday’s attack marks a true escalation in the on terror. Previous US incursions into Pakistan have been in “hot puruit” of Taliban fighters whereas this assault appears to have been a direct assault on a known target more than a mile beyond the border. Sources in Pakistan put the death toll between 15-20, including civilians. One report says a twin-rotor “Chinook” helicopter was the assault craft that landed soldiers who attacked several compounds, shooting the males as they went. (READ MORE)
A Battlefield Tourist: Coalition in Afghanistan Hunts Down Leaders of Deadly August Ambush - The US military says coalition forces have hunted down and killed at least two of the leaders of the deadly ambush, August 18, that claimed the lives of ten French paratroopers. The attack happened in Sarobi district, Kabul Province, just 40 miles from the capital itself. The two Taliban “sub-commanders” (as described by the US military) were killed August 30 when coalition forces attempted to search a compound in Nijrab district, Kapisa Province, but came under sustained small arms and grenade fire. Air strikes were called in leaving Ahmad Shah and Mullah Roullah, plus six other militants, dead. Both leaders were known terrorist facilitators in both the movement of fighters, as well as arms, into the Tag Ab Valley of Kapisa Province and surrounding areas. Since the attack on the joint French/US/Afghan patrol, coalition forces have been aggressively seeking out those responsible. (READ MORE)
Collabman's Thoughts: Complicated... - Evening...How many more hump days do we have and are you counting? Did you glance at the calendar over the holiday weekend? Not much news on the wire about the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. However, I did stumble across an article from the Stars and Stripes on the continued efforts of 3rd Squadron, 2nd SCR in the Diyala province. Complicated...read the article below and note the words of LTC Coffey. Make no mistake, Diyala remains a tough area. Who better or more seasoned to work this area than the 2nd SCR? Enjoy the article... Chris, we continue to pray for you and your teammates. Stay focused, stay alert, stay strong. I love you son! Be safe! (READ MORE)
Matt Dupee: Coalition: Senior Taliban leaders killed in Kapisa province - Coalition forces have positively identified five significant Taliban subcommanders killed in recent fighting in Kapisa province, a volatile area 70-kilometers north of Kabul. Two of the commanders were behind the Aug. 18 ambush against French and Afghan forces in eastern Kabul Province that reuslted in 10 French soldiers killed and 21 wounded. Coalition forces killed Ahmad Shah and Mullah Rohoullah durign a raid on a compound in the Nijrab district on Aug. 30. Coalition forces took heavy small-arms fire and volleys from rocket-propelled grenades, and called in airstrikes to destroy the compound. Shah, Rohoullah, and six other Taliban fighters were killed in the attack. (READ MORE)
Matel-in-Iraq: Infrastructure in Iraq - I got an invitation to speak to the American Society of Civil Engineers at a meeting in Arlington, VA on November 18 about infrastructure in Iraq. They still wanted me to speak even after learning that I was not an engineer. I think it will be interesting for me and I hope for them. There is a general misconception that Iraq is being rebuilt from war damage from the CF invasion in 2003. The problem is older and deeper.
In their own words:
A Battlefield Tourist: Wounded Iraqi “Terp” Gets New Home and New Leg - Here’s a great story I had the privilege of working on today. I think you all will really enjoy it. Meet Hayder Kharalla, an Iraqi who joined US forces as an interpreter in 2003. It was in that year, during an ambush, Hayder braved enemy fire to try to rescue a fallen US soldier. The soldier died and Hayder took a round through both legs; a wound that eventually forced doctors to remove his right leg. Hayder would eventually move to Jordan after his family was threatened with death. Earlier this year, Hayder and his family were part of the largest wave of Iraqis allowed to immigrate since the start of the war and they settled in Roanoke, Virginia. Coverage of Hayder’s story by WSLS-Roanoke (NBC) led to the donation of two prosthetic limbs that he hopes will help him fulfil his American dream. (READ MORE)
A Battlefield Tourist: US Confirms Ground Forces Used in Pakistan - The Associated Press is reporting that US officials acknowledge that US ground forces carried out a helo-borne attack on Pakistani soil. In recent months, suspected US missle attacks have rocked the frontier but Wednesday’s attack marks a true escalation in the on terror. Previous US incursions into Pakistan have been in “hot puruit” of Taliban fighters whereas this assault appears to have been a direct assault on a known target more than a mile beyond the border. Sources in Pakistan put the death toll between 15-20, including civilians. One report says a twin-rotor “Chinook” helicopter was the assault craft that landed soldiers who attacked several compounds, shooting the males as they went. (READ MORE)
A Battlefield Tourist: Coalition in Afghanistan Hunts Down Leaders of Deadly August Ambush - The US military says coalition forces have hunted down and killed at least two of the leaders of the deadly ambush, August 18, that claimed the lives of ten French paratroopers. The attack happened in Sarobi district, Kabul Province, just 40 miles from the capital itself. The two Taliban “sub-commanders” (as described by the US military) were killed August 30 when coalition forces attempted to search a compound in Nijrab district, Kapisa Province, but came under sustained small arms and grenade fire. Air strikes were called in leaving Ahmad Shah and Mullah Roullah, plus six other militants, dead. Both leaders were known terrorist facilitators in both the movement of fighters, as well as arms, into the Tag Ab Valley of Kapisa Province and surrounding areas. Since the attack on the joint French/US/Afghan patrol, coalition forces have been aggressively seeking out those responsible. (READ MORE)
Collabman's Thoughts: Complicated... - Evening...How many more hump days do we have and are you counting? Did you glance at the calendar over the holiday weekend? Not much news on the wire about the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. However, I did stumble across an article from the Stars and Stripes on the continued efforts of 3rd Squadron, 2nd SCR in the Diyala province. Complicated...read the article below and note the words of LTC Coffey. Make no mistake, Diyala remains a tough area. Who better or more seasoned to work this area than the 2nd SCR? Enjoy the article... Chris, we continue to pray for you and your teammates. Stay focused, stay alert, stay strong. I love you son! Be safe! (READ MORE)
Matt Dupee: Coalition: Senior Taliban leaders killed in Kapisa province - Coalition forces have positively identified five significant Taliban subcommanders killed in recent fighting in Kapisa province, a volatile area 70-kilometers north of Kabul. Two of the commanders were behind the Aug. 18 ambush against French and Afghan forces in eastern Kabul Province that reuslted in 10 French soldiers killed and 21 wounded. Coalition forces killed Ahmad Shah and Mullah Rohoullah durign a raid on a compound in the Nijrab district on Aug. 30. Coalition forces took heavy small-arms fire and volleys from rocket-propelled grenades, and called in airstrikes to destroy the compound. Shah, Rohoullah, and six other Taliban fighters were killed in the attack. (READ MORE)
Matel-in-Iraq: Infrastructure in Iraq - I got an invitation to speak to the American Society of Civil Engineers at a meeting in Arlington, VA on November 18 about infrastructure in Iraq. They still wanted me to speak even after learning that I was not an engineer. I think it will be interesting for me and I hope for them. There is a general misconception that Iraq is being rebuilt from war damage from the CF invasion in 2003. The problem is older and deeper.
Above is a kid swimming in the Euphrates. Notice the old and picturesque bridge ruins in the background. I don't know when that bridge fell down, but it was not recently. Below is a recently built bridge. Notice the narrowness and temporary nature. We were afraid out MRAP would fall through. The bluish tint is because I took the picture through the MRAP window. We did not fall through.
If damage from the 2003 war was our problem, the place would be much farther along. (READ MORE)
LTC Rich Phillips: I Belong on the Front Line! - I found this article interesting. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/royals/article1621770.ece Even Prince Harry says he belongs on the front line of the war on terror. Here's someone with the best of everything at home, and everything in the world to live for, but he still expresses a desire to go back to Afghanistan and live in an austere, demanding environment doing a tough and dangerous job. I had another conversation with an Army Reserve Soldier friend of mine who served with me in Afghanistan. We had not seen each other in a few months and early in the conversation he said, "I really miss Afghanistan". And like a lot of us he's looking for an opportunity to go back again. While I was in Afghanistan the hardest thing I personally did was prepare fallen heroes for the journey home. I did the same for many Afghan National Army Soldiers and Afghan civilians, but the toughest by far was sending a fallen US Army Soldier home. (READ MORE)
Two Brothers, Two Countries, One Army: Life As We Know It - I have read Jeremy's posts and I have been thinking a lot about what he has said. I can tell that boredom is starting to catch up to him. When you are away from friends and family and you are basically a prisoner, the little things that you miss really start to eat away at you. Although we are on compounds designed to keep others out, it feels like we are the prisoners. You are not allowed to venture out and see your surroundings with out 210 rounds of 5.56 hanging from your IOTV (these two alone at a size Large weighs about 50 pounds; strap something on and see how it feels to where that all day), not to mention your Advanced Combat Helmet, you 17 pound M16A2, and any other gear that is required that day. The little things like being able to get away for the day will drive you crazy. When you have time off, it is spent watching movies, going to the gym (that is what I did for over 2 hours today so I was not sitting in the room)... (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
Congressman fights to post pictures of the fallen - U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, whose North Carolina district includes three Marine bases, is fighting the House leadership over his determination to post pictures of fallen Marines outside his Capitol Hill office, the Marine Corps Times reports. Jones, a seven-term Republican, has posted pictures of 42 Marines killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. But janitors have twice taken down the photos, citing a "hallway policy" adopted by the Republican and Democratic leadership. (READ MORE)
New Maysan highway to relieve congestion (Amarah) - AMARAH, Iraq–A key section of the main highway leading to Maysan’s provincial capital of Amarah will soon double in size. “That improvement, involving 23 kilometers of new roadway, will significantly improve the traffic flow, from a 2-lane road to a 4-lane highway,” said Iraqi engineer Ali Abdul with the Gulf Region Division who is overseeing the work. Apart from the new roadway itself, the $5.7 million project includes three new bridges. (READ MORE)
Operation Book Drive takes one big step towards literacy in Coalition detention (Baghdad) - BAGHDAD -- August 1, 2008, marked the one year anniversary of the grand opening of Dar Al Hikmah (House of Wisdom). What better way to celebrate the anniversary than with the arrival of over 1,500 high school books from the Iraqi Ministry of Education (MOE)? Dar Al Hikmah is the only school for juvenile detainees under the supervision of Coalition forces. For the past year, teachers have been struggling to teach seventh through twelfth graders without appropriate books. (READ MORE)
3 Iraqi citizens injured in AQI attack in Adhamiyah (Baghdad) - BAGHDAD – A grenade tossed by a member of Al-Qaeda in Iraq injured three Iraqi citizens shortly before 9 p.m. in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad Sept. 3. A man approached a Sons of Iraq checkpoint and tossed a grenade over the protective barriers in an attempt to injure the men providing security in northern Baghdad. However, the grenade missed its intended target and hit a passing vehicle and injured three Iraqi citizens. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers seize munitions caches in Baghdad - BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers seized munitions while conducting operations to increase security Sept. 3 and 4. At approximately 9:30 a.m. Sept. 3, Soldiers serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, MND-B found a cache northwest of Baghdad. (READ MORE)
Bombing cells targeted, depleted (Baghdad) - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 15 suspects during operations Thursday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq bombing cells and their supporting networks in Baghdad and the Tigris River Valley. A suspected car-bombing cell leader and three alleged associates are in Coalition custody after an operation in Baghdad. The alleged leader is reportedly involved in procurement of bombing components, construction of bombs and distribution to the cell, which has been known to attack Iraqi civilians in north Baghdad. (READ MORE)
IA, U.S. conduct air assault, apprehend criminals in Maysan - CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Iraqi Army soldiers conducted an air assault Aug. 30 to apprehend four criminals connected to attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces in the Dhi Qar and Maysan provinces. Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 38th Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division conducted the mission with assistance from Soldiers assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Long Knife Brigade in the southeastern Iraqi province of Maysan. (READ MORE)
Tips from local residents lead to weapons caches in Baghdad - BAGHDAD – Tips from local residents and Sons of Iraq led Iraqi National Police and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers to several caches throughout the Baghdad area Sept. 2-3. A tip from a local citizen led National Policemen from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division to a cache in Baghdad’s New Baghdad district at approximately 6:30 a.m. Sept. 2. (READ MORE)
ISF, CF meet to discuss security issues - FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Leaders from the Iraqi Army, National Police and Iraqi Police met with Coalition forces leaders at Forward Operating Base Hammer Aug. 28. Major General Jassem Nazal Qassim, commanding general of the 9th IA Div., General Abdullah, commander of the 35th Bde., 9th IA Div., Brig. Gen. Emad, 1st Battalion, 3rd National Police Brigade commander, and other ISF leaders attended the conference, which focused on the security measures and strategy they plan to enact during the upcoming month. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers detain suspected AQI in Baghdad - FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member in Baghdad’s Rashid district Sept. 2. At approximately 9:30 p.m. Sept. 2, Iraqi Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 53rd Brigade, 14th Iraqi Army Division, handed a suspect affiliated with AQI, to Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B in the Jihad community. The individual is allegedly responsible for attacks against Iraqi citizens and Coalition forces. (READ MORE)
Sons of Iraq develop new skills for emerging Iraq economy - TIKRIT, Iraq – Two-hundred thirty-eight former Sons of Iraq graduated from Tikrit Industrial School, Aug. 31. “The purpose of this Tikrit Industrial School class is to give the SoI the opportunity to get technical, vocational skills so that they can get a job in the private sector,” said Cpt. Ray Ades, Officer in Charge of the governance section, Provincial Reconstruction Team. (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
Coalition forces complete Shindand investigation - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (September 2, 2008) — A Coalition forces’ investigation into allegations of civilian deaths resulting from an Afghan National Army and U.S. Coalition forces incident in western Afghanistan on the morning of Aug. 22 is complete. The investigation found that ANA and U.S. forces began taking fire from Taliban militants as the combined force approached their objective during a planned offensive operation, in the early hours of darkness on August 22nd in Azizabad, Herat province. (READ MORE)
MPs make a difference in security for Konar province - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (September 2, 2008) – A Germany-based, U.S. Army Military Police company arrived in Konar province, Afghanistan six months ago with a mission to train Afghan National Police officers in one of the most challenging regions in the country. This mountainous area of eastern Afghanistan is a mere nine kilometers from the Pakistan border. (READ MORE)
Bermel radio reaches local villages with daily broadcasts - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (September 2, 2008) — Clear voices stream over the radio. Prayers are read, music is played, announcements are broadcasted and questions are answered. This is the people’s radio, 92 FM. The station was created to provide news, advice and education. Bermel radio broadcasts programs 13 hours a day to local villages throughout the district of Bermel in eastern Paktika province. (READ MORE)
Considerations made for deployed U.S. troops celebrating Ramadan - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (September 2, 2008) – Ramadan began Sept. 1 and Muslims have begun to fast in observance of this Islamic holiday. Because during Ramadan Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink during daylight hours, this can be a hazardous time for deployed Muslims in the U.S military, said Army Maj. Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad, a Muslim chaplain and small-group instructor for U.S. Army Chaplain Center School at Fort Jackson, S.C. (READ MORE)
LTC Rich Phillips: I Belong on the Front Line! - I found this article interesting. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/royals/article1621770.ece Even Prince Harry says he belongs on the front line of the war on terror. Here's someone with the best of everything at home, and everything in the world to live for, but he still expresses a desire to go back to Afghanistan and live in an austere, demanding environment doing a tough and dangerous job. I had another conversation with an Army Reserve Soldier friend of mine who served with me in Afghanistan. We had not seen each other in a few months and early in the conversation he said, "I really miss Afghanistan". And like a lot of us he's looking for an opportunity to go back again. While I was in Afghanistan the hardest thing I personally did was prepare fallen heroes for the journey home. I did the same for many Afghan National Army Soldiers and Afghan civilians, but the toughest by far was sending a fallen US Army Soldier home. (READ MORE)
Two Brothers, Two Countries, One Army: Life As We Know It - I have read Jeremy's posts and I have been thinking a lot about what he has said. I can tell that boredom is starting to catch up to him. When you are away from friends and family and you are basically a prisoner, the little things that you miss really start to eat away at you. Although we are on compounds designed to keep others out, it feels like we are the prisoners. You are not allowed to venture out and see your surroundings with out 210 rounds of 5.56 hanging from your IOTV (these two alone at a size Large weighs about 50 pounds; strap something on and see how it feels to where that all day), not to mention your Advanced Combat Helmet, you 17 pound M16A2, and any other gear that is required that day. The little things like being able to get away for the day will drive you crazy. When you have time off, it is spent watching movies, going to the gym (that is what I did for over 2 hours today so I was not sitting in the room)... (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
Congressman fights to post pictures of the fallen - U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, whose North Carolina district includes three Marine bases, is fighting the House leadership over his determination to post pictures of fallen Marines outside his Capitol Hill office, the Marine Corps Times reports. Jones, a seven-term Republican, has posted pictures of 42 Marines killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. But janitors have twice taken down the photos, citing a "hallway policy" adopted by the Republican and Democratic leadership. (READ MORE)
New Maysan highway to relieve congestion (Amarah) - AMARAH, Iraq–A key section of the main highway leading to Maysan’s provincial capital of Amarah will soon double in size. “That improvement, involving 23 kilometers of new roadway, will significantly improve the traffic flow, from a 2-lane road to a 4-lane highway,” said Iraqi engineer Ali Abdul with the Gulf Region Division who is overseeing the work. Apart from the new roadway itself, the $5.7 million project includes three new bridges. (READ MORE)
Operation Book Drive takes one big step towards literacy in Coalition detention (Baghdad) - BAGHDAD -- August 1, 2008, marked the one year anniversary of the grand opening of Dar Al Hikmah (House of Wisdom). What better way to celebrate the anniversary than with the arrival of over 1,500 high school books from the Iraqi Ministry of Education (MOE)? Dar Al Hikmah is the only school for juvenile detainees under the supervision of Coalition forces. For the past year, teachers have been struggling to teach seventh through twelfth graders without appropriate books. (READ MORE)
3 Iraqi citizens injured in AQI attack in Adhamiyah (Baghdad) - BAGHDAD – A grenade tossed by a member of Al-Qaeda in Iraq injured three Iraqi citizens shortly before 9 p.m. in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad Sept. 3. A man approached a Sons of Iraq checkpoint and tossed a grenade over the protective barriers in an attempt to injure the men providing security in northern Baghdad. However, the grenade missed its intended target and hit a passing vehicle and injured three Iraqi citizens. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers seize munitions caches in Baghdad - BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers seized munitions while conducting operations to increase security Sept. 3 and 4. At approximately 9:30 a.m. Sept. 3, Soldiers serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, MND-B found a cache northwest of Baghdad. (READ MORE)
Bombing cells targeted, depleted (Baghdad) - BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 15 suspects during operations Thursday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq bombing cells and their supporting networks in Baghdad and the Tigris River Valley. A suspected car-bombing cell leader and three alleged associates are in Coalition custody after an operation in Baghdad. The alleged leader is reportedly involved in procurement of bombing components, construction of bombs and distribution to the cell, which has been known to attack Iraqi civilians in north Baghdad. (READ MORE)
IA, U.S. conduct air assault, apprehend criminals in Maysan - CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Iraqi Army soldiers conducted an air assault Aug. 30 to apprehend four criminals connected to attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces in the Dhi Qar and Maysan provinces. Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 38th Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division conducted the mission with assistance from Soldiers assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Long Knife Brigade in the southeastern Iraqi province of Maysan. (READ MORE)
Tips from local residents lead to weapons caches in Baghdad - BAGHDAD – Tips from local residents and Sons of Iraq led Iraqi National Police and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers to several caches throughout the Baghdad area Sept. 2-3. A tip from a local citizen led National Policemen from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division to a cache in Baghdad’s New Baghdad district at approximately 6:30 a.m. Sept. 2. (READ MORE)
ISF, CF meet to discuss security issues - FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Leaders from the Iraqi Army, National Police and Iraqi Police met with Coalition forces leaders at Forward Operating Base Hammer Aug. 28. Major General Jassem Nazal Qassim, commanding general of the 9th IA Div., General Abdullah, commander of the 35th Bde., 9th IA Div., Brig. Gen. Emad, 1st Battalion, 3rd National Police Brigade commander, and other ISF leaders attended the conference, which focused on the security measures and strategy they plan to enact during the upcoming month. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers detain suspected AQI in Baghdad - FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member in Baghdad’s Rashid district Sept. 2. At approximately 9:30 p.m. Sept. 2, Iraqi Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 53rd Brigade, 14th Iraqi Army Division, handed a suspect affiliated with AQI, to Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B in the Jihad community. The individual is allegedly responsible for attacks against Iraqi citizens and Coalition forces. (READ MORE)
Sons of Iraq develop new skills for emerging Iraq economy - TIKRIT, Iraq – Two-hundred thirty-eight former Sons of Iraq graduated from Tikrit Industrial School, Aug. 31. “The purpose of this Tikrit Industrial School class is to give the SoI the opportunity to get technical, vocational skills so that they can get a job in the private sector,” said Cpt. Ray Ades, Officer in Charge of the governance section, Provincial Reconstruction Team. (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
Coalition forces complete Shindand investigation - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (September 2, 2008) — A Coalition forces’ investigation into allegations of civilian deaths resulting from an Afghan National Army and U.S. Coalition forces incident in western Afghanistan on the morning of Aug. 22 is complete. The investigation found that ANA and U.S. forces began taking fire from Taliban militants as the combined force approached their objective during a planned offensive operation, in the early hours of darkness on August 22nd in Azizabad, Herat province. (READ MORE)
MPs make a difference in security for Konar province - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (September 2, 2008) – A Germany-based, U.S. Army Military Police company arrived in Konar province, Afghanistan six months ago with a mission to train Afghan National Police officers in one of the most challenging regions in the country. This mountainous area of eastern Afghanistan is a mere nine kilometers from the Pakistan border. (READ MORE)
Bermel radio reaches local villages with daily broadcasts - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (September 2, 2008) — Clear voices stream over the radio. Prayers are read, music is played, announcements are broadcasted and questions are answered. This is the people’s radio, 92 FM. The station was created to provide news, advice and education. Bermel radio broadcasts programs 13 hours a day to local villages throughout the district of Bermel in eastern Paktika province. (READ MORE)
Considerations made for deployed U.S. troops celebrating Ramadan - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (September 2, 2008) – Ramadan began Sept. 1 and Muslims have begun to fast in observance of this Islamic holiday. Because during Ramadan Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink during daylight hours, this can be a hazardous time for deployed Muslims in the U.S military, said Army Maj. Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad, a Muslim chaplain and small-group instructor for U.S. Army Chaplain Center School at Fort Jackson, S.C. (READ MORE)
No comments:
Post a Comment