News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
In their own words:
Cheese's Milblog: Shaken From My Groove - It's a good feeling to lose your routine sometimes. We're steadily lumbering towards the finish line with every detail and every briefing. I had forgotten how much I hate paperwork, though. I've spent the last week trying to get everything ready for the upcoming semester at college. I can't stand how everyone has these fancy websites that soldiers can't access from overseas. Even that National Guard's veterans' benefits website is bogged down by fancy crap that no one wants to see. I guess they didn't expect deployed soldiers to appempt to learn anything about their own benefits, or to try to sign up for school. It took hours to submit my application for tuition assistance and I'm still not confident that I did it right. Even more disappointing has been my school's lack of desire to help me. Since I can't access their online registration process on my mud-slow hadji-net: (READ MORE)
Dena Yllescas: 4 weeks ago.... - Wow. It's hard to believe it was 4 weeks ago today that the attack happened. The days have just blended into eachother. Steps forward. Steps back. Fear, excitement, anxiety, happiness, tears. So many emotions. On this rollercoaster ride of recovery and emotions is easy to lose sight of the fact that it's ONLY BEEN 4 WEEKS. Today Rob had Occupational Therapy. They said he was pretty tired today. They want to work more on consistancy of eye commands and getting him to shrug his shoulders, squeeze fingers, and track fingers. They said they might try to start planning it so that I am in the room when they do the therapy since I am able to get him to do more things. Also this will help so I know what I can do to help him too. Then this afternoon I got to go to the airport and pick up OUR GIRLS! (READ MORE)
Bill Roggio: Military makes second push to ease pressure on Peshawar - Pakistani forces under the command of the paramilitary Frontier Corps killed 25 Taliban fighters and captured during operations north and west of the provincial capital of Peshawar, according to security officials. The two-week long operation is the Pakistani security forces' second attempt to clear the Taliban from the region outside of Peshawar since July. The operation took place in the triangle region made up of the settled districts of Charsadda and Peshawar, and the Mohmand tribal agency, the provincial Inspector General of Police told reporters on Nov. 24. (READ MORE)
Lt. Col. Paul Fanning: A soldier's Thanksgiving - It's been weeks since I have submitted an entry. I have been very busy, and the end of our mission here in Afghanistan is in sight. Our successors from the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Brigade Combat Team are beginning to arrive here at Camp Phoenix and we are conducting the hand off of responsibilities known as Relief in Place - or RIP. With Thanksgiving arriving tomorrow I have given thought to the many things that I am grateful for, not the least of which is the prospect of coming home in the not too distant future. (READ MORE)
Fearless 1st Marines’ blog: Remembering a friend, hero, Marine - FALLUJAH, Iraq – A small pump station on the outskirts of Fallujah, Iraq, sends streams of water through large metal pipes and into the homes and businesses of local citizens. Today, these metal pipes carry not only water, but a flood of memories of one Marine’s sacrifice and dedication to his duties. Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, gathered at “Pump House Barney,” a combat outpost overlooking the pump station, to remember Cpl. Aaron M. Allen, from Buellton, Calif., during a ceremony, Nov. 22. (READ MORE)
Sgt Hook: Thanksgiving - Our mission has come to an end and we’ve passed the torch to our replacements. The vast majority of my unit has arrived home safely but a handful of us remain here waiting for a flight home and as much as I was hoping to report we’d spend Thanksgiving home with our loved ones, I cannot. Though I’m hopeful there will be some leftover turkey when I get there. I do have much to be thankful for, however. I am most especially thankful for… The opportunity to share this most special meal with a bunch of heroes again this year. The support I’ve received from all of you throughout these past 15 months. My continued membership in the community we call America. And most of all I’m thankful for the love and support of the Lovely and Talented and Downright Sexy Mrs. Hook and our merry band of pirates. They’ve sacrificed a lot these past 15-months with nary a complaint. Our Thanksgiving Meal together (though delayed) will be the best feast of all even if it is leftover turkey sandwiches. (READ MORE)
News from the Front:
Iraq:
The Iranian that got away - Was he an Iranian arms smuggler or a restorer of religious sites? Was that cocaine he had with him, or salt? And who arrested him: Americans, Iraqis, or someone else? All of those questions surround the brief detention last week of an Iranian man accused by U.S. officials of being a senior officer of Iran's elite Quds Force paramilitary unit. (READ MORE)
MND-B Soldiers detain 3, confiscate weapons - BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained three suspected criminals and confiscated weapons Nov. 24 – 25 during operations in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district. Soldiers from the National Police Transition Team, assigned to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, provided over watch for Iraqi NPs from the 1st Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd NP Division, during a cordon and knock operation in Abu T’shir. (READ MORE)
Iraqi Army helps local community - Mosul, Iraq – Soldiers from the 3rd Scorpion Regiment, 6th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, handed out food during a humanitarian mission in the Hay Altanak neighborhood of Mosul, Iraq, Nov. 24. In addition to providing food to the residents, Maj. Hussien Abraham, executive officer for the Scorpion Regiment said the soldiers were there to show their dedication to protecting the residents from the terrorists. (READ MORE)
IED attack in Rusafa wounds four civilians - BAGHDAD – Four civilians were wounded in an improvised-explosive device attack in Rusafa at approximately 10:50 a.m. Nov. 26. Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 89th Armored Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain, responded to the scene of an explosive attack near an Iraqi Police patrol in central Baghdad. (READ MORE)
First-Ever Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Course Complete (Taji) - TAJI - 45 senior non-commissioned officers from the Iraqi Army, Air Force, National Police and Special Forces graduated from the first-ever Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Course on Nov 25th at the Regional Training Center - Taji. During the four-week course, students enhanced their knowledge of military leadership, human rights, staff and operational procedures and cooperation between security organizations. (READ MORE)
Iraq Police conference held in Kirkuk - KIRKUK, Iraq – Iraqi Police leadership gathered for an Iraqi Police professionalization conference at the Kirkuk Police Academy to improve the standard of their service, Nov. 25. The conference was led by the Kirkuk Provincial Director of Police with participation from Coalition forces and U.S. Army Police Professionals. (READ MORE)
2 CSC schools open in Sidera, TaqTaq Villages - HAWIJA, Iraq – Two schools from the Civil Service Corps program celebrated their grand opening Nov. 23, near the city of Hawija in the Kirkuk province, Iraq. Sidera Village and TaqTaq Village, two areas once claimed unsafe by both contractors and the Iraqi government, have opened two schools. (READ MORE)
Soldiers Prepare for Thanksgiving in Northeastern Baghdad - FOB WAR EAGLE — Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, will enjoy a feast of fresh turkey with all the fixings this Thanksgiving holiday. Three months ago, food service technicians and officers began planning for this celebration to ensure that every Soldier operating in their area was provided with a traditional Thanksgiving meal, Nov. 27. (READ MORE)
Afghanistan:
Coalition forces keep the heat on terrorist networks - KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces killed ten armed militants, and detained four suspected militants during operations to thwart the Taliban and Haqqani terrorist networks in Paktia and Paktika provinces, Tuesday. The operation in Paktia province targeted a senior Taliban commander in the Zormat district – believed to act as a liaison between the al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorist networks, assisting with the movement of foreign fighters into Afghanistan. (READ MORE)
Coalition forces disrupt 2 terrorist networks in E. Afghanistan - KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces killed six armed militants and detained 12 suspected militants during operations Monday to disrupt the Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin, or HIG, and Haqqani terrorist networks in Kapisa and Paktika provinces. An operation in Tagab District, Kapisa province, targeted an HIG commander known to traffic large-scale weapons used to conduct attacks in the region against civilians, Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces. (READ MORE)
Taliban roadside bomb network takes hit; Coalition forces kill seven militants - KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces killed seven armed Taliban fighters during an operation to disrupt the Taliban’s roadside bomb and foreign fighter networks in Ghazni province, Sunday. In Qarbagh District, Coalition forces targeted one of the province’s senior Taliban commanders responsible for coordinating and directing roadside bombs, suicide and other attacks against innocent civilians, GIRoA and Coalition forces in the region. (READ MORE)
Coalition forces kill three insurgents and one civilian in Zabul - KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces killed two armed militants, one female civilian, and provided medical care to four more civilians during an operation early Thursday morning, in Zabul province. The wounded male received medical treatment and was given solatia payment, while two other females were taken to ISAF Medical Facilities. (READ MORE)
Eight Haqqani militants detained in Paktika - KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces detained eight suspected militants including the targeted individual during an operation aimed at further decimating the Haqqani leadership in Paktika, Saturday. The force searched a compound in Orgun District, targeting a Haqqani commander known to plan and conduct attacks against local civilians, GIRoA and Coalition forces. (READ MORE)
Coalition forces detain three Taliban militants in Ghazni - KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces detained three suspected militants including the targeted individual during an operation to disrupt the Taliban terrorist network in Ghazni, Friday. The force searched a compound in Waghez District targeting a local Taliban commander. This militant is known to be in direct contact with senior Taliban leaders in the region who facilitate the movement of foreign fighters and coordinate terrorist activities. (READ MORE)
1 dead in Khost province - KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces on a joint patrol tonight in Khost province were involved in an incident that required the forces to go through standard warning procedures, including firing warning shots toward a vehicle that failed to follow signals. A local national was wounded and given first aid on the scene and immediately taken to a Coalition medical facility for emergency treatment. (READ MORE)
Afghan, Coalition forces kill 4 militants in Farah - KABUL, Afghanistan – During an operation early Friday in Farah province, Afghan National Army commandos and their Coalition partners killed four militants, while simultaneously protecting nearly 90 non-combatants, including dozens of women and children, in the area. The combined forces were conducting a raid on a compound, targeting a Taliban commander in Dowlatabad village, Farah province, when they received fire from several enemy fighting positions. (READ MORE)
ANSF, Coalition forces kill 10 militants in Helmand - KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces Thursday killed 10 militants near Highway 1 in Nahr Surkh District, Helmand province. ANSF and Coalition forces were conducting a security patrol when they were attacked by militants with small-arms and machine-gun fire. ANSF and Coalition forces returned fire, killing 10 militants. (READ MORE)
Coalition forces provide medical care to woman and child - KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and Coalition forces killed four armed militants, detained eight suspected militants and provided medical care to an Afghan woman and child, wounded by militants, during operations to disrupt activities in Kapisa and Khost provinces, Thursday. In Tagab District, Coalition forces provided medical care to an Afghan woman and child who were injured by militants attempting to use them as human shields. (READ MORE)
ANSF, Coalition forces capture insurgent leader in Khost province - KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces detained Hakim Jan, a key insurgent leader in an early morning raid in Seyyed Khel village, Khost province, Nov. 19. Jan is responsible for the deaths of ANSF members and improvised-explosive device attacks on Coalition forces. (READ MORE)
ANSF, Coalition forces treat more than 100 people in Helmand province - KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces medical personnel provided treatment for 114 Afghan villagers in Nar Surkh district, Helmand province, Nov. 18. The medical professionals provided treatment for men, women and children for multiple ailments, including aches and pains, lacerations, dehydration and varying illnesses. (READ MORE)
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