KABOOM: Countering IED attacks

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's Thoughts.

27 July 07
By Spc. Mathew Leary
4th BCT PAO.

Hearing the explosion just around the corner from his vehicle July 15, Army Sgt. Felix W. Bala knew that some of his fellow Paratroopers had just been hit by an improvised explosive device.

"We were cruising along about to make a turn when all you could hear was the explosion," Bala said.

Commanding his driver to quickly take the next turn so they could help their presumably injured comrades, Bala’s truck executed a sharp left turn and pulled up near the damaged HMMWV. By this point, the other vehicles in his platoon had formed a wide perimeter around the blast area. As their truck rolled to a stop, the Soldiers were relieved as they looked back at the truck in question, Bala said.

"By that time, the guys in the truck were getting out of the vehicle under their own power," he said. While this IED attack involved Bala and Paratroopers of 1st Platoon, Troop A, 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, it is a reminder that for all U.S. servicemembers serving in Afghanistan, the fight against IEDs is critical.

"The way to cut down on IEDs is to build the relationship between local citizens, the Afghan National Security Force and the [Islamic Republic of Afghanistan]," said Army 1st Lt. Briton M. Crouch, 1st Plt. leader for Troop A, 4-73rd Cav. For this reason, the Paratroopers of the 4-73rd Cav. are headed back to the town of Hassan in Gelan district, the village where an IED went off under one of the trucks, the day after the attack.

IED-DAY Minus 1.

Leaders from the 4-73rd Cav. are determined to pursue all leads relevant to the IED attack on Troop A just the day prior to July 16. The return trip to the village is designed to achieve one simple goal--stop further IED attacks. "We are doing a follow-up in the area to garner more support," said Army Capt. George E. Bolton Jr., commander of Troop A. "You have to work with the people so they will prevent [IED attacks] from happening."

As troopers from the 4-73rd Cav. arrive in town, a handful of local villagers begin to fill the streets to see what is going on. After a few minutes, more and more locals enter and begin approaching and talking to the Soldiers, although often neither party can understand the other due to the language barrier. Although not all the conversations can be translated, fortunately there are interpreters with Troop A to facilitate some communication, the fact any talking is taking place is a good sign, Bolton said.

"They showed up and that’s the first step," he said. A group of village elders, who are the authoritative figure for Hassan, gather together with ISAF to hold an impromptu shura, a sort of town meeting in Afghanistan.

Speaking with Bolton and Army Lt. Col. David J. Woods, commander of the 4-73rd Cav., the locals speak their minds about the conditions in their town. They address the security situation and lack of ANSF forces in the area.

One of the problems facing the developing ANSF in the past is they have not had the capabilities to visit all of the villages in their area. However, as they grow and mature, they are slowly extending their hold over areas of Afghanistan that have been void of any law enforcement for several months, Woods said.

"They told me the Taliban comes in at night driving through the village to harass and intimidate the people," Crouch said.

IED-DAY Minus 2.

The Paratroopers are preparing to head back to Hassan to again engage the local populace, but this time with the aid of ANSF and District Commissioner Mubaballah, who is the head of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Gelan.

"This is where we assist the ANSF in their mission," Bolton said. Mubaballah and ANSF soldiers independently wanted to visit the town, but with their police and military forces spread out on other missions they lacked the resources to travel there. So they teamed up with ISAF to make the trip.

"That’s part of our role here, to allow the establishment of their government in their own country," Woods said. "That’s our job, that’s our purpose."

ISAF support ANSF by providing the police force the extra manpower to cover most of the district and provides training to the ANP and ANA, showing them standard military techniques and strategies, Woods said. Really, this is the best way to curb IED attacks that injure not only military forces but Afghan civilians as well. Developing a congenial relationship between the people, IRoA and ISAF are the key, Woods said.

At this shura, ISAF personnel take a back seat as the district commissioner engages the village elders, again encouraging them to work with ANSF and government officials. "When a police chief or government official comes down to see them, it makes the people feel like they are loved and cared for," Bolton said. The results are evident as the townspeople speak freely about their need for new roads and schools, as well as the threat of Taliban insurgents who plant IEDs on their roadways.

"The whole thing is for us to separate the Taliban from the people," Bolton said. "These people are afraid of the insurgency and unsure of their government," Woods said. "But that’s why we are here, to help them establish those relationships, and show them that the ANSF and [IRoA] are going to give them that sense of security."

"By providing that link between the people and their government, while simultaneously distancing the insurgency from the people is exactly the way to slow down the emplacement of IEDs in these remote towns and villages," Woods said.

It is evident some form of bonding is taking place as children run up to Soldiers tugging on their sleeves playfully and the villagers and troopers exchange waves and smiles.

Perhaps that will prevent more Soldiers from cruising along and suddenly hearing that sound no Soldier wants to hear:

KABOOM!

Photo - Communicating through means other than talking, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew S. Parrish, mortar platoon sergeant for Troop A, 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, demonstrates the art of "high-fiving" to a group of Afghan kids July 16 while visiting Hassan village in the Gelan District, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Photo by Spc. Matthew Leary.

Battle Company Makes Presence Known

18-Jun-07
By Army Sgt. Brandon Aird
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Public Affairs.

KORENGAL VALLEY, Afghanistan — The paratroopers were keen for the mission despite their rough conditions. The difference between a tan line and dirty skin has long since passed. Bites from sand fleas and mosquitoes just add to the problem. Electricity, toilets and running water (a 45 minute patrol away) are long forgotten conveniences.

The paratroopers are Sky soldiers from Battle Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

For the last month, 2nd Platoon and a platoon from the Afghan National Army have been operating out of Firebase Phoenix — the southern most firebase in the Korengal Valley, which is located in Afghanistan’s Kunar province.

The living conditions for the soldiers are the least of their problems. The Korengal Valley is a support area for Taliban extremists.

“The towns here are neutral at best,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Mathew Piosa, 2nd Platoon leader, “In the last eight days we’ve had five (enemy) contacts.”

Within days of interviewing, Piosa his platoon had two more enemy engagements- one being a coordinated ambush.

“We take steps to prevent the enemy from having the upper hand,” explained Piosa.

Even with precautions soldiers still get hurt. During a night patrol, June 5, Army Pfc. Timothy Vimoto was killed during an ambush by insurgents.

The platoon has not allowed the loss to deter them and they continue to conduct reconnaissance, counter improvised explosive device and security patrols daily.

When the platoon isn’t out on patrols they pass their time by improving individual soldier skills to improve their combat capability.

“We’ve had classes on all the weapons out here (on site) and today were training on the LLDR (Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder),” said Army Pfc. Sterling Dunn, 2nd Platoon.

Even though the LLDR is used for indirect fire support, it is also being used to scan for enemy personnel, said Piosa.

Battle Company is working to improve the situation for 2nd Platoon by getting a generator to Firebase Phoenix.

For now, 2nd Platoon is going to have to make due with what they have, said Army Pfc. Matthew Moreno, a paratrooper in 2nd Platoon.

Second Platoon plans to stay in the area to help the Afghan people for the next 15 months until they are relieved by coalition forces or the ANA.

Photo - U.S. Army Pfc. Mathew Moreno, 2nd Platoon, Battle Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), looks through a Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder at Firebase Phoenix in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, June 10, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Aird.

ANA aviators partner with U.S. counterparts

9-Jun-07
By Sgt. 1st Class Krishna M. Gamble
82nd Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Two Afghan National Army Air Corps Mi-17 “Hip” helicopters pilots, a crew chief and a flight engineer accompanied Chinook crews from Company B, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade on a recent re-supply mission to observe how the Army executes combat missions June 5.

ANA Air Corps Maj. Bakhtullah and ANA 1st Lt. Ahsanullah flew with Chief Warrant Officers Wade Boynton and James Woolley and crews as they delivered mail and supplies to various locations between Bagram Airfield and the Pech River Valley of Northern Afghanistan.

“We’re taking them out to look at how we train our pilots,” said Boynton, standardization instructor pilot

“We are very pleased and honored to be here and [to be] trained by the 82nd [CAB],” said Bakhtullah, who has been a pilot for more than 25 years.

The ANA Air Corps visit with the 82nd CAB marked the next phase of building an aviation partnership that began with the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Drum, N.Y. ANA Brig. Gen. Mohammed Barat and members of his staff met with 10th Mt. CAB commander Army Col. Michael Rose to find ways U.S. and Afghan aviators can work together in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“This is a big milestone for the ANA Air Corps,” said Air Force Maj. Jim Garvey, intelligence officer and embedded mentor for the Air Corps Advisory Group accompanying the Afghan aviators. “To see the Army aviators in action is very, very helpful and an excellent tool for the ANA Air Corps to benchmark.”

In addition to the flight, the ANA Air Corps servicemembers participated in working groups on aviation safety, standards, tactical operations and intelligence.

“Safety and maintenance are the two most important aspects to consider [before] flying operations missions,” said Army Maj. Christopher Downey, 82nd CAB operations officer. “Preparation on the ground makes the mission successful in the air.”

“I explained to them the concept of composite risk management – thinking of everything that could go wrong, from the enemy, the terrain, the aircraft, weather, personnel; how bad it would be and ways to control or stop it,” said Army Staff Sgt. Jason Estaphan, 82nd CAB safety NCO.

“[There are] a lot of differences in this training [than what we had received.] [There was no] attention to safety for the helicopter pilots or crew members,” Bakhtullah said. “Now we see how they [U.S. aviators] pay a lot of attention to safety for aircraft and crew.”

“They are great pilots who have been flying a long time,” Garvey said. “They are eager to learn and because of this training by the U.S. Army, the ANA Air Corps will grow by leaps and bounds.”

With just a little over a year in operation, the ANA Air Corps is still being built. In April 2006, the arrival of an 18-person team to Bagram marked the first assignment of Afghan aviators in more than 15 years. Many of the pilots and crew members served here previously but left during Afghanistan’s civil war in the 1990s.

“In the two days we have learned a lot and will take back to Kabul and train the others,” Bakhtullah said. “But this is not the end of training. There are many pilots in Kabul and the best for them to be trained is here. The Coalition forces have helped us in many situations and now they are helping us again with our training and our systems.”

Photo - CH-47 Chinook crew chief, Spc. Eddy Rivera, from Company B, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Brigade briefs Afghan National Army Air Corps members prior to boarding the aircraft. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Krishna M. Gamble.

Khowst PRT Winning the Fight in Afghanistan

May 30, 2007
BY Pfc. Micah E. Clare
4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan - Less than 10 miles from training camps that produced many of the 9/11 hijackers, a team of coalition servicemembers are working together to make sure the area once home to Osama Bin Laden's terrorist organization becomes an environment that will deny such people a support base ever again.

But for this joint service team spearheading the fight against terrorism in Eastern Afghanistan's, Khowst province doesn't involve executing tactical military operations but in providing reconstruction assistance.

The Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team, based in Forward Operating Base Chapman near Khowst City, serves as the main effort in rebuilding Khowst province by distributing humanitarian aid, mentoring local government officials, planning for construction projects and providing security for important events, said Navy Cmdr. Dave Adams, commander of the Khowst PRT.

"We're a reconstruction organization with a military arm," Cmdr. Adams said. PRTs were established in Afghanistan when it was realized in 2003 that units needed to focus on winning the security fight, and a separate military organization was required to head up the badly needed reconstruction efforts. The Navy and Air Force answered the call and stepped up to assist, explained Cmdr. Adams, a submarine officer of 21 years who volunteered for this command.

A team of military advisors, United States Agency for International Development and Department of State officials, joined together as a PRT; a board of directors working to synchronize their efforts and resources. The Khowst PRT has brought assistance to the province in the past few years by sending its Army Civil Affairs teams to live in local communities to send back updates on area needs. Many construction projects such as irrigation systems, diversion dams, wells, schools, and roads have been set into motion by the PRT in this way, Cmdr. Adams said.

"These projects serve not only to improve the quality of life for the residents, but also to put shovels in the people's hands, providing them with jobs," he said. A big part in bringing these quality of life improvements to Khowst is the necessity for security, he said. This is where the PRT security force comes in, typically provided by the Army National Guard.

"Good security is vital for the PRT's mission to be successful," said 2nd Lt. Cory Marr, platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, Arizona National Guard, who provides security and maneuver support to the Khowst PRT. The security is beginning to take care of itself, he said. The overall security in Khowst has improved greatly, which is the result of locals seeing the many improvements that have come in the past year, the fruit of their efforts in securing a safe environment. This has allowed the PRT to extend its reach, he explained.

"There's no place we're afraid to go," 2nd Lt. Marr said. "We work with the Afghan National Security Forces and get plenty of intelligence from the locals. For instance, we stop at police checkpoints as we enter an area, and they update us on the local situation. We always have a good understanding of the areas we're going into." "In some of the more remote places we go, the locals have become extremely helpful to us," said Spc. Doug Schletz, an infantryman in 2nd Plt. "They used to look at us like we were aliens, but recently they've seen what we're here to do for them, like seeing us helping the ANSF provide security for many of their events."

This increased security is so successful, international reconstruction agencies and foreign investors that have in the past shieded away from helping Afghanistan due to safety concerns are being drawn back, Cmdr. Adams said. Recently, a delegation from the United Arab Emirates arrived in Khowst City to visit projects they have invested in, such as the city university and main mosque. Cmdr. Adams was able to confidently assure the delegates that any future projects built by their country would be safe in Khowst.

"Security here is stronger than ever," he said to UAE representatives during a meeting at the provincial governor's compound in Khowst. "The Taliban no longer have a foothold here. The ANSF can protect anything built here by the U.S. or the UAE." This is a big step forward in winning the fight in Afghanistan, the commander said. "We're helping the Afghans create something for themselves that the Taliban couldn't: a safe environment, a growing economy and an increasing standard of living," he said.

"This is a terrific mission we can all be proud of," he said. "By helping the Afghans permanently cast off the tyranny the enemy brought to them and to us, we're providing hope to them and their children, and for us and our children."

Photo - A convoy from the Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team visits a district center in the Spera district of Khowst province, Afghanistan to assess the area's security situation. Photo by Pfc. Micah E. Clare.

Hard work creates progress in border provinces

May 16, 2007
By Army Pfc. Daniel M. Rangel
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

PARUNS, Afghanistan – Travel far enough into Afghanistan and you’ll find independent-minded people, confident in their attitudes and behaviors. Tribesmen here brandish Rocket Propelled Grenades and Kalashnikov rifles unlike the unarmed Afghans in the more urban areas.

The Korengal Outpost in the border Province of Kunar, has been a contentious region between these independent-minded people and Coalition forces and therefore serves as part of Afghanistan’s front lines against enemy insurgents.

The elder tribesmen from the Korengal Valley met for peace talks with Coalition leaders and Nuristan Gov. Tamim Nouristani at his compound in the Paruns Valley May 3.

“The Korengal Valley [elders, whose home] is enemy central for Kunar Province, where we’ve been doing most our fighting for the last 14 months now, have decided they want a third party outside of Kunar Province to talk their problems down,” said Army Capt. David W. Mayfield, Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment. “They trust Governor Nouristani to be that third-party element to help them solve that problem.”

Nouristani’s family is from Nuristan, but he was educated in the U.S. and owns a pizza restaurant chain there, Mayfield said.

“It’s going pretty good. Nuristan is pretty lucky having Governor Nouristani,” Mayfield said. “He came back to Afghanistan several years ago, was appointed as governor of Nuristan Province and he’s been working diligently ever since.”

Negotiations are going well in part because of the great amounts of hard work being done by Coalition troops on the ground that leaves the enemy with little alternative but to come to the negotiating table.

“We’ve been shot at 50 to 100 times. But our platoon has been really lucky,” said Army Spc. John K. Anderson, 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1-32 Inf. Rgt, from Flat Rock, Ala. “We haven’t had any kind of casualties besides our platoon sergeant (Sfc. Lopez) who got some shrapnel from a bullet jacket, but he’s fine now.”

“I’ve been in the army for three years. This is my first time to Afghanistan, first time getting deployed. I’ve been here since [last] March,” Anderson said.

When not on the front lines standing guard at the Korengal Outpost or out on foot patrols all around Kunar Province, Anderson and his platoon are hiking the mountains of Afghanistan retrieving lost Humanitarian Assistance drop packages or pulling security for a medical engagement.

“There for a while, we pulled security for the engineers then we started doing missions out of it which was a lot of walking. When you look at it on a map it doesn’t look like that much, maybe a ‘click’ (kilometer) or two. But look at your range and it’s straight up and straight down,” Anderson said.

Forward Operating Base Fenty is Afghanistan’s eastern gate. From there, Soldiers and a handful of sailors and airmen travel to the provincial reconstruction teams and other FOBs. Travel to the PRTs and FOBs is done by armored convoy or helicopter.

Anderson and his unit worked side-by-side with the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police to provide security for the peace summit at the governor’s compound.

“It’s been a long day of work,” said Navy Cmdr. Samuel Paparo, commander of the Nuristan PRT after returning from peace talks with Nouristani and the Korengal Valley elders.

“Suicide bombing is on the rise in Afghanistan, but that doesn’t necessarily mean things aren’t going well. Just because one bad thing is happening doesn’t mean things aren’t going well,” Paparo said.

“I think the reconstruction helps convince them that their needs are going to be met best by the legitimate Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” Paparo said.

The Coalition’s plan to reconcile with tribal elders in these remote provinces is making progress.

“The influence of the government through the coalition is spreading farther and further East and farther and further North for this [area of operations],” Paparo said. “This demonstrates progress.”

“The Korengali elders are here to speak with the governor and they’re here to see the dividends that peace provides. That’s progress. We’ve moved from Naray to Kamdesh and we have a permanent outpost in Kamdesh where they’re making an outreach and implementing reconstruction. That’s progress,” Paparo said. “We have gone from Asadabad to Camp Blessing in Nangalam. We haven’t been in Nangalam before. That is progress. We hope to have a PRT and a FOB right here in Paruns and that is progress. And there’s a PRT and a maneuver element in Kala Gush in western Nuristan where it hasn’t been before – and that’s progress.”

It is the intention of the TF Spartan commanders to move the Nuristan PRT to the Province’s capital in Paruns.

“I’m in constant preparation for it and I prefer that it happen sooner rather than later,” Paparo said. “I want to be here as soon as I can because I realize the sooner the PRT is here co-located with the seat of government the sooner it will be more effective and the more effective it will be in our very important work,” Paparo said.

Photo: The ANP and an American Soldier coordinate security in the governor’s compound before the peace talks May 3.

Coalition, Afghan Forces Counter Taliban Offensive

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2007 – Coalition and Afghan National Army operations have blunted the Taliban spring offensive in eastern Afghanistan, Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel said at a Pentagon news conference today.

Votel, the deputy commanding general for operations for Combined Joint Task Force 82, spoke to reporters via a video hook-up.

Votel said coalition operations seem to have countered the long-anticipated Taliban spring offensive.

“We have been more offensive than I think they have in our posturing and in our ability to dominate areas on the battlefield,” Votel said. “As a result of that, I think we've seen a decrease in activities along the border. And our ability to be in more places, along with our Afghan national security force partners, has enabled us to address a broader area across Regional Command East.”

Coalition and Afghan leaders began preparing to counter the Taliban offensive over the winter. More NATO and U.S. troops are in the country, there is closer cooperation with Pakistani forces, and more Afghan forces moved to the border area to stop Taliban infiltration. This seems to have paid off, Votel said.

“So I would not necessarily characterize it as any kind of offensive,” he said. “We certainly haven't seen it manifest itself to any great degree.”

There have been attacks, the general said, “but we have not seen what I would describe as a spring offensive by the Taliban.”

Regional Command East is part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. U.S., NATO and Afghan forces continue to hunt Taliban and al Qaeda terrorists. The command helps train Afghan soldiers, police and border patrol personnel. It also helps extend the influence and control of the central and provincial governments.

The command is in the midst of Operation Eagle Teamwork, which builds on the counterinsurgency strategy of clear, hold and build.

“In the clear phase, we are focusing on separating the insurgents from the population,” Votel said. “This requires the Afghan national security forces' participation at all levels to kill or capture the enemy and disrupt his command and control capability. To this end, we are conducting military operations in the interior of the country and along the border area with Pakistan.”

In the hold phase, the command helps the Afghan government establish a permanent presence in the region. In the build phase, the command invests in developing and expanding government capabilities into these provincial and district areas, the general said.

“We are working very closely with the U.S. Agency for International Development and other national and international non-governmental organizations to ensure our military operations are quickly followed by reconstruction and development activities that extend the reach and influence of the district, provincial and national governments,” he said.

Regional Command East has spent more than $125 million of the Commanders Emergency Response Program funds to make a difference in the lives of Afghans in the region, Votel said.

“Our top development efforts are focused on provincial coordination centers, district coordination centers, the development and capacity building within the Afghan national security forces, roads, agriculture, border security, education and health care,” he said.

In the past three months, the command has funded 14 agricultural projects, more than 60 educational projects, about 20 electricity projects and more than 40 health care projects. “Water is a key aspect here in Afghanistan, and as a result, we've worked 25 irrigation projects, repairing dams, water systems, flood walls and canals,” Votel said.

Roads are key in the landlocked country. The command has nearly 65 transportation projects -- roads, bridges, and retaining walls -- under way, the general said.

U.S. soldiers have taken the news that they must serve 15-month tours in Afghanistan in stride, Votel said. “Nobody wants to stay any longer than they're required to stay here in Afghanistan,” he said. “But that said, you know, we are relatively early on in our deployment here. It was not unexpected completely that we might be extended.

“I think in talking to most soldiers out there – and I do have a pretty good opportunity to get around and visit with them and talk to them – they are glad to be here participating in this mission,” he continued. “They believe in it. And I think they're committed to stay and accomplish the mission. And we will trust that our leaders will be taking care of our families and get us back as soon as we can and when we've completed our portion of the mission.”

Airmen, Soldiers Mentor Afghan Medical Instructors

10 April 2007
By Staff Sgt. Carlos Diaz
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan – A team of five highly-skilled Air Force and Army medics mentor Afghan National Army instructors at the combat medic school in Kabul.

Their mission is to guide the ANA instructors into leading the combat medic course, which was recently extended to eight weeks. As instructors, they serve as mentors and help promote the growth and professionalism of the ANA’s road to self-sufficiency.

“The ANA has never had medics in the field,” said Army Master Sgt. Jeffrey Ryle, combat medic course instructor. “So, after further discussions with the ANATEC (Afghan National Army Training and Education Command), a combat medic course was implemented.”

The course teaches basic emergency medical technician information, anatomy and physiology theory, airway management and patient assessment, just to name a few.

Initially, the course was six weeks, but after further evaluation, it was determined that two more weeks needed to be added to the curriculum.

“We just didn’t have enough time to get them trained during the original timeframe,” Ryle said. “This extra training is necessary to enhance those basic medical skills even more.”

Inside of a lecture classroom in the basement of the combat medic school, Sen. Airman Phillip Bordé teaches a note-taking class to a roomful of students.

“I noticed a need for the students to have good note-taking abilities,” said Bordé, who’s deployed from the 42nd Medical Operations Squadron in Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. “This class should also improve their study skills.” the EMT with two years of outpatient clinic experience said.

Soon after the class ended, Master Sgt. Sherri Tarun, a medical mentor, addressed the students. “After these eight weeks, you’ll be disciplined combat medics ready for war,” she said.

Once the students graduate, they receive sustainment training in the field, Tarun, who’s deployed from the 375th Aeromedical Squadron in Scott AFB, Ill., added.

“It’s great for the students to see us working with the ANA instructors side by side,” Sergeant Tarun said.

One of the ANA instructors is a four-year member of the medical corps. He enjoys working with his American counterparts.

“We’ve learned so much from the American instructors,” ANA Master Sgt. Mohammad Sohaib said. “They’ve guided and helped us in teaching the students. That help allows us to produce the best leaders from this course.”

Sohaib said the students receive classroom lecture during the morning hours and in the afternoon perform hands-on-training in the field.

In the afternoon, the students walked several cement steps toward a rocky knoll. Scattered rocks dominated the hill’s walking path while tall trees dotted the rest of the site.

The students were separated into five groups.

Bordé approached his group, removed his desert camouflage uniform top and wrapped a blood pressure meter around his arm.

The students then took turns with the meter to monitor their systolic blood pressure and stethoscope to hear each other’s pulses.

In another group, Army Master Sgt. Craig Abrom, NCOIC of the combat medic course, took advantage of — what he calls — “opportunity training.”

“I enjoy this type of training because I can quiz and ask questions,” the 22-year Soldier said. “It reinforces what the students have just learned.”

Abrom enforces communication within the students’ learning. He asked the shy students questions so they can become more vocal and comfortable with the material.

“I really enjoy working with these young soldiers, “he said. “I get a kick out of seeing the light bulb come up above their heads. We’re really making a difference with them.”

Two of those students were Mohammad Haleem and Mohammad Sadiq. Their first name wasn’t the only thing they shared.

“We really like the course,” they said. “The medical teachings are well done, and we enjoy learning from the ANA and American instructors, too.”

ANA student Sadiq seemed to grasp the course material. “This course makes sense to me, and I understand it well,” he confidently said.

Abrom noted the students’ gradual improvement and progression.

“The quality of the medics’ knowledge has vastly improved,” he said.

ISAF team trains ANA humanitarian de-miners

17 April 2007
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
American Forces Network – Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – ISAF soldiers empowered Afghans with taking care of their own security by training humanitarian de-mining teams here.

“This training is a step forward to making a safer Afghanistan,” said Army Capt. Chris Nuckols, 207th Regional Security Assistance Command embedded tactical team. “The work we are doing here today will make for a safer tomorrow.”

Members of the Afghan National Army spent April 12-14 learning two levels of de-mining. Taking the de-miners course and de-miners pre-deployment course the ANA members were learning de-mining to international standards. This training made them qualified to conduct de-mining operations anywhere in the world.

“After these ANA members complete this training they will be able to clear land for buildings or farming,” said Australian Maj. Alex Thomson, Royal Australian Engineer officer in charge of the Operation Enduring Freedom mine action center. “Being trained will help them be ready to serve their community.”

In the past, the de-mining course graduated individual Afghan humanitarian de-miners. Even if those de-miners cleared a field they would still have to wait for someone else trained to international standards to come behind them to clear a field. This new course will graduate highly skilled teams so they can clear the fields without help.

“We can now help our own people ourselves,” said ANA Sgt. Said Arif, ANA humanitarian de-miner. “The classroom instructors have been enjoyable and helping me to be able to serve my country.”

When the class graduates, the ANA will have three new de-mining teams of 12-14 members capable of clearing 1,500 to 2,000 square meters of fields per day. Not only will the ANA members be able to clear mines they will also be able to clear unexploded ordnance.

“Seeing the Afghan people empowered to help themselves is something we take pride in,” Nuckols said. “They love our assistance and we enjoy helping them help themselves.”

The new ANA humanitarian de-miners are expected to graduate April 23.

Photo: Members of the Afghan National Army go through a field training exercise during the De-mining Pre-deployment Course here April 12. The first teams of Afghan Humanitarian De-miners are scheduled to graduate April 23. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson).

Afghans, Coalition Have Forces Needed to Deal With Taliban

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2007 – Taliban capabilities have gotten more robust, but so have the capabilities of the Afghan National Army and police to deal with them, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said today.

Army Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez told ABC reporter Diane Sawyer it will take a long time to rid the country of the “scourge of terrorism.”

The Afghan National Army now has 35,000 soldiers trained and equipped. The Afghan police number about 63,000. Ultimately the Army will have 70,000 soldiers, and there will be 82,000 police in the nation of 25 million.

There are 47,000 troops from outside Afghanistan in the country, including 25,000 Americans. Rodriquez said the United States has enough troops in country.

“We've asked for some trainers for the police and everything, and they're taking a look at when and how they can get them here to support that,” he said. “But overall, yes, we have enough U.S. troops for what we need to do.”

Taliban Web sites say that a reconstituted force of 6,000 fighters and more than 1,000 suicide bombers are ready for spring attacks in Afghanistan. Rodriguez said he thinks that number should be reduced by about half.

“That's still a lot of suicide bombers, relative to what we think we're going to see,” he said. “But, it'll be an increase over last year.”

The general said killing or capturing Osama bin Laden is important symbolically, but more important is to defeat his intentions, his network and his capability to inflict harm outside a limited area.

The Taliban will not win in Afghanistan, Rodriguez said, even though the terror group will continue to attack and come after NATO, U.S. forces and Afghan government forces. “I think they see their opportunities starting to slip away,” he said.

Rodriguez is not writing the group off as a combat force. The Taliban will continue to come after forces providing stability in Afghanistan, he said. U.S. forces will have to remain in the country for a “couple of years” at least, the general said.