Soldier Chefs Keep Units Fueled at Remote Outpost

24 July 07
By Sgt. Natalie Rostek.

COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, Iraq - It has been said that an Army runs on its stomach, and most Soldiers would agree.

Soldiers from the 15th Infantry Regiment's 1st Battalion here rely on a five-member team to supply them with the culinary fuel they need to carry out their missions.

A typical day for the Soldier chefs starts at 4 a.m.

"Half of cooking is presentation," said Pfc. Emril Getscher. "We try to make everything we do look good as well as taste good."

After breakfast is served and the area is cleaned, the food-service team usually has a few hours before repeating the process for dinner. Their work finally ends around 9 p.m.

The team receives rations, supplies and supplements every few days from the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion's Company F. Each meal comes with a menu and instructions.

Food sanitation is a large part of a cook's job, and harsh conditions in Iraq - like dust - can make the job even harder, according to Staff Sgt. Russell Slouffman, senior NCO in charge of food service at COP Cleary. The conditions also make transporting and storing food difficult.

"One of the biggest problems is not getting the food and supplies we ask for... it's the conditions," said Staff Sgt. Slouffman. Ice cream, for example, is one of Soldiers' biggest requests when the temperatures reach 120 degrees.

"But it would have to be transported on dry ice or in freezers. We just don't have those capabilities," he said.

Of the meals they do receive and prepare at the outpost, Staff Sgt. Slouffman and Pfc. Getscher agree that steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs are Soldiers' favorites.

"When we cook hamburgers and hot dogs, everyone feels like they are at home," Pfc. Getscher said. "We have the grill going, and we bring out chili and chips and it kind of brings us all back to the states."

Despite the long days and challenges, the food service specialists say they love their work.

"And when people say thank you," Pfc. Getscher said, "it makes it all worth it."

"We are the No. 1 morale booster out here. When Soldiers get excited to eat something we cooked, I get excited," added Staff Sgt. Slouffman. "It's all about seeing the smiles on their faces when they come to chow."

Photo - Pfc. Emril Getscher, a cook for the 15th Infantry Regiment's 1st Battalion, serves mashed potatoes to Spc. Brendan Murphy, a medic at Combat Outpost Cleary, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek.

Servicemembers supply aid to orphanage

3 July 07
By Pfc. Melissa M. Escobar
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Backpacks jammed full with school supplies, soccer balls, teddy bears, toys, hygiene kits, sandals and shoes were delivered to an Afghan orphanage in Mahmud Raqi district by members of the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team June 27.

National Guard Soldiers with the 351st Civil Affairs Command from Mountain View, Calif., along with the 1175th Military Police Company, 205th MP Battalion from Mississippi geared up and armed themselves with humanitarian supplies.

In the three months that the team has been in country, this was the first time they visited the orphanage.

"The governor of the province asked us to visit the orphanage," explained Army Capt. Jordan J. Berry, team leader with 351st CACOM. "The mission was a good-will gesture to strengthen ties with the community."

"It’s a positive thing," said Army Maj. Jim E. Blashford, a native of Grass Valley, Calif., with 351st CACOM. "It shows our ability to make a high impact by giving to those who could really use this stuff and shows that we’re not the bad guys. These kids have none of this stuff and it’s an obvious example of the United States doing good and being put in a good light."

While supplying the children with humanitarian aid supplies was the main event, the team took the opportunity to observe the orphanage’s facilities and asked the director if there was a need for anything else.

The director of the orphanage and the on-staff doctor who runs the small health clinic inside expressed the need for certain medicines and supplies for the children. Another concern that the director had was the quality of water that was coming from the nearby well.

"Finding out about their additional needs such as the medicine shortages and who is funding them is good for us to know," said Berry, a native of Dallas.

During the visit, the team also learned the facilities being used by the orphanage are being rented and only temporary.

"I would like to see a permanent building built for the kids," said Army Sgt. Valentin DeLeon, a civil affairs specialist with the Bargram PRT, who spent the day handing children backpacks and pumping up soccer balls. "I hope we can influence the governor to take more interest in improving the orphanage."

The Bagram PRT routinely meets with the Kapisa governor to discuss changes they feel necessary to improve the quality of life for the people of Afghanistan.

"It was a perfect opportunity to give to those who have an obvious need," said Blashford. "We have plenty to give away. This was really just a way for us to get our foot in the door."

"Everyday we see improvements in Afghanistan," said DeLeon, from San Jose, Calif., who hopes to watch the development of the orphanage. "I like doing my job and it’s awesome to see your projects grow and progress. It’s a good feeling."

Photo - Army Sgt. Valetin DeLeon, a civial affairs specialist with 351st CACOM, opens up a soccer pump to inflate a soccer ball for a child at the Kapisa Orphanage in the Mahmud Raqi district of Afghanistan during a humanitarian aid drop on June 27. Photo by Melissa Escobar.

Changing lives one mission at a time

24 Jun 07
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Craig Seals
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The C-130 is one of many different types of aircraft stationed here, but could easily be called one of the most versatile.

The members of the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron put that versatility to the test every day. The three primary missions of the C-130s here are airdrop, air-land and aeromedical evacuation.

"Our airdrop missions can be anything from dropping pamphlets to the locals to humanitarian drops such as water, blankets, food and firewood in the winter, ammunition and troop re-supplies," said Senior Airman Patrick Keefe, 774th EAS loadmaster. "Air-land missions consist of troop movements or hauling cargo."

The multitude of missions doesn't limit the aircrew to only one mission type per flight though. Most of the time, their missions are any combination of the three. An aeromedical evacuation mission might be coupled with 15 Soldiers needing to get to a forward operating base while making a stop somewhere else to drop off a palette of supplies.

It's this type of versatility that makes the C-130 one of the most valuable aircraft in the theater. But not all of these missions are as easy as they seem.

"Each mission has a different type of danger, which means that each of us have to be on our A-game each and every day," said Air Force Capt.

John Malley, 774th EAS pilot. "It also depends on where we are going. If we know an area is hot, we know that there is that much more possibility we could get engaged."

Danger aside, the crews have a special sense of pride knowing the supplies and service they bring to the fight.

"I'm proud to be an American and happy to fight the good fight," said Malley. "We're [going to] win this thing and it's only a matter of time.

I'm hoping that every airdrop, air-land and aeromedical evacuation mission contributes positively to our efforts here in Afghanistan."

However, that sense of pride is evident in more than just the C-130 crews.

"With hauling cargo and personnel all over this country, I have been able to see the improvements this country has made," said Keefe. "The people have a feeling of importance now, which was evident in a recent election when they voted a woman in as minister of education. Things like this never would have happened under the Taliban."

Seeing a change for the better in the local people and the faces of the servicemembers they transport puts things in perspective for the crew.

"The most fulfilling part of my job is knowing that we're helping get wounded Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines out of harm's way and getting them to locations where they can get the medical attention they need," said Malley. "And getting those troops on the frontlines what they need when they need it, that's worth it."

Photo - Senior Airman Patrick Keefe (far right), 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster, directs a forklift carrying passenger luggage into the cargo area of a C-130 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Keefe is deployed from Wyoming's Air National Guard, Cheyenne, Wyo. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Craig Seals.

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.

Airmen deliver strategic aid to Lebanese military

29 May 2007
By Capt. Teresa Sullivan
379th Air Expeditionary Wing.

BERUIT, Lebanon (AFPN) - C-17 Globemaster III crews of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron delivered bullets to Beirut as part of a short notice ammunition re-supply tasking in support of the Lebanese military.

The 816th EAS, a tenant unit of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing based out of Southwest Asia, was given the order to deliver ammunition to the Rafic Harari International Airport in Beirut. The delivery was critical to the Lebanon Armed Forces due to a rise in hostilities this week.

"We're happy to support national security objectives and provide support to the Lebanese military for their effort in fighting terrorism," said Capt. Judd Baker, 816th EAS aircraft commander and a Charlotte N.C., native who flew a 10 hour mission from the evening of May 25 through the morning of May 26. "It's makes perfect sense to me that we would be tasked with this mission. The C-17 is the best instrument for cargo delivery in the military inventory."

Due to the strategic location of the 816th EAS and the versatile range of capabilities, it was an easy fit for the squadron to fulfill the requirement, said the captain.

"We may be flying combat sorties day and night in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we can also handle supporting high priority missions like this, especially since we're close by," Captain Baker said of the airlift mission to Beirut. "It's a great feeling to know leadership has the confidence in the C-17 and our aircrews to get the job done."

The crew of eight - one aircrew commander, a pilot, a co-pilot, two loadmasters, one flying crew chief and two security forces Airmen - said they were glad to be a part of this airlift mission.

"This mission is very important because it relates directly to fighting terrorism," said Capt. Jeff Liegl, 816th EAS pilot and a Cleveland, Ohio native. "We've been involved in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom for years now so these missions are second nature to us. This is a high priority - everything we do we treat as a high priority."

The crew began their mission to Lebanon from the 379th AEW. They then flew to another base in Southwest Asia and quickly uploaded about 180 pallets of munitions. Then the cargo and crew made a bee line for their destination in Beirut.

"It's exciting to deliver ammunition in such a short amount of time to someone who needs it," said Staff Sgt. Greg Rada, 816th EAS senior loadmaster from Southbury, Conn. "It's our job to support national interests and this is another way we can contribute."

The squadron flew about 10 sorties over a three-day period to support the re-supply mission to Lebanon, while maintaining support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Photo: Staff Sergeants Greg Rada and John Quick, Senior Airman Dale Adkins and 1st Lt. Alex Hanna joined with two forward-deployed Airmen to upload about 180 pallets of ammunition for delivery to Rafic Harari International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon May 26. The C-17 Globemaster III is capable of rapid delivery of troops and cargo to any location worldwide. Sergeant Rada is a 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster. Sergeant Quick and Airman Adkins are 436th Security Forces Squadron Ravens. Lieutenant Hanna is an 816 EAMS copilot. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Teresa Sullivan).

Iraqis taking the lead at Al Suleikh

Friday, 25 May 2007
By Sgt. Mike Pryor
2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. Public Affairs.

BAGHDAD - Capt. James Peay was starting to feel like a third wheel.

Peay, a battery commander with the 82nd Airborne Division from Nashville, Tenn., was accompanying Iraqi police chief Lt. Col. Ahmed Abdullah on a combined engagement patrol through the east Baghdad neighborhood of Suleikh.

Whenever they stopped to speak with people on the street, Ahmed did most of the talking. Peay stood off to the side, listening as his interpreter translated. His comments were mostly limited to hellos, goodbyes, and thank-yous.

This was Ahmed’s show, and Peay was more than happy to give him the spotlight. It’s not that he is shy, Peay said later, it’s that, ultimately, stability in Iraq depends on the Iraqi security forces – and people like Lt. Col. Ahmed - taking the lead.

Successfully negotiating that difficult transition has become one of the major focuses of the entire war effort, especially since the kick-off of the new security plan for Baghdad, which has placed thousands of additional U.S. and Iraqi forces in Baghdad communities, often living together in the same compounds.

Peay commands one of those new shared bases – the Suleikh Joint Security Station. For more than three months, paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division have been living and working side-by-side with the Iraqi police and Iraqi army at the JSS to coordinate security efforts in Suleikh.

The paratroopers from Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, man the JSS 24 hours a day.

They have a cramped section of the building to themselves, stacked high with boxes of canned food, water and other supplies. The police stay on the other side of the same building, and the Iraqi soldiers stay in another part of the complex. At least once a day, liaisons from the three units meet in the conference room to discuss operations.

When the JSS was first established, the area was so dangerous that the police rarely left the station. Some days, they went out only to pick up one of the dead bodies regularly dumped in the neighborhood.

Three months later, things changed. The U.S. presence helped bring the level of violence down significantly. At the same time, it emboldened the ISF to raise their profile in the area – particularly the police.

“They know we’re here to support them, but at the same time, they’re getting to a point where they know security as a whole is in their hands,” said 2nd Lt. Jesse Bowman, an Alpha Battery platoon leader from Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

The difficult part, now, will be to maintain the security while the U.S. forces step back and the ISF step up.

Peay’s patrol with Ahmed, May 18, his first as the new battery commander, gave an encouraging glimpse of the future.

Before the patrol started, platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Nichols, of Lewisburgh, W.V., went over tactics and procedures with the Iraqis. When he was satisfied everyone was on the same page, the patrol moved out.

With a phalanx of police and paratroopers around them, Peay and Ahmed spent several hours walking a loop of the neighborhood around the JSS. They talked to people in their houses, outside washing their cars, on their way to work or anywhere else they found them. Almost everyone complained about sewage or electricity, which, in the big scheme of things, Peay found promising.
“If they’re complaining about the power, security must be pretty good,” he said.

Sometimes people came right out of their gates to talk with Ahmed in the middle of the street, an act that newly-arrived platoon leader, 1st Lt. Larry Rubal, from Old Forge, Pa., found incredible. At his old unit, people were afraid to be seen talking to U.S. or Iraqi security forces.“I was very surprised by how willing people here were to come out and talk to us in the middle of the road,” he said. “They were just very open.”

Peay rarely had to ask a question. Ahmed was running the show. At one point Rubal asked his interpreter to make sure a man they were talking to received a pamphlet with the number of a crime tip line. The man produced one from his pocket. Ahmed had already given it to him.“You’re too quick,” Rubal said to Ahmed, laughing. Ahmed shrugged.“He really took the lead and got out there,” Peay said afterwards.

Peay said he’d like to build on the day’s success by conducting more joint patrols and joint operations. And whenever possible, he’ll continue to keep the U.S. in the background.
“I’d rather our guys just stand outside and have (the ISF) do everything,” he said.
In the meantime, Peay has another patrol scheduled with Lt. Col. Ahmed. And as the ISF continue to make gains in securing the streets of Baghdad, it looks like Peay will have to get used to being the third wheel.

Photo - 1st Lt. Larry Rubal (kneeling), platoon leader with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, watches as Lt. Col. Ahmed Abdullah, the local police commander, asks an Iraqi woman some questions during a joint patrol. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Mike Pryor.

School Receives Supplies, Toys and Medical Attention

May 22, 2007
By Maj. Sean Ryan
Multi-National Division, Baghdad.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq - A hero's welcome was given by the students of Al Toma Elementary School in eastern Baghdad to the soldiers of the 3rd Tank Battalion, 1st Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division and their Military Training Team. These soldiers, combined with troops from 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, partnered up to give back to the community.

The partnership units provided school supplies, water, toys and medical support to the faculty and students May 14, 2007.

The goal of Operation Toma was to provide much-needed support to build better rapport with the students and the neighborhood, according to the tank battalion commander. This was the first time Al Toma Elementary has received support, but the third in the partnership between 3-1-9th Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces.

The commander, the proponent for the support drive and an Iraqi soldier for 21 years, said he feels residents in the neighborhood support the Iraqi Army, but he said he must continue building enduring relationships. Also, he said, by supporting the school and providing supplies, it helps the neighborhood.

The staff and students were very excited to see the soldiers.

The students lined up to receive the supplies off the truck and take them into the school. After the supplies were delivered, each classroom was visited. Photos with the Iraqi commander and students were taken while 'Beanie Babies' were handed out.

Approximately 500 stuffed animals were handed out to appreciative students according to Sgt. 1st Class Dana Lescoe of Fort Riley, Kan. Lescoe gets contacted by agencies wanting to support the mission, and for this operation, a Boy Scout Troop from Buda, Ill., provided the toys.

Lescoe said the units have previously donated soccer balls and candy. He said the next task is to donate clothes received from agencies and churches.

"This is a work in progress," Lescoe said, "but we believe this is the way to win, helping the people".

The faculty and staff were also given medical attention by Iraqi and Coalition medics. Around 25 people were seen.

"We saw everything from aches and pains to stomach ailments," said Staff Sgt. Michael Baxter, a reserve medic from Tumwater, Wash. A few people were referred to local hospitals, but everyone received an assessment. Baxter said both he and the Iraqi medic would make a diagnosis, and then discuss it, establishing a rapport.

Although the items and medical support was graciously accepted, the headmaster of the school said they are in need of everything. The school does not have a generator, which means there is no power. She added that without electricity the ceiling fans in the classrooms can't be used, even as temperatures climb into triple digits.

In addition, the headmaster said, necessities like paper, pencils and pens that are scarce. She said the lack of a copier hampers progress because instead of photocopying tests, the instructors have to either write the questions on the board or write out a test for each student. This is another reason why a steady electricity source, like a generator she said, is so critical to success.

The only thing the school is not short on is enthusiasm, as the students welcomed their pictures being taken and enjoyed the instant gratification of seeing the results on the digital screen.

Overall, progress in the eastern Baghdad neighborhoods is making a difference, but this takes coordination and time according to MiTT member, Capt. Thad Thome.

The Rapid City, S.D., native said to advise Iraqi forces properly, he has to meet with them almost daily, but they are making great strides.

Thome said by procuring items like generators for the residents and missions like this one - donating items to schools - helps create lasting relationships.

Photo - The students at Al Tora Elementary School in eastern Baghdad stand in line to bring water into the school. Iraqi troops and their Military Transition Team paid a visit to the school to donate school supplies, water, toys and medical support May 14. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Sean Ryan.

Airmen mentor Afghan depot personnel

16 May 2007
By Staff Sgt. Carlos Diaz
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- Airmen stationed here supporting Operation Enduring Freedom are taking the time to mentor Afghan national army soldiers at the Central Maintenance Depot in Kabul.

Serving a one-year deployment, the Air Force mentors are embedded training team members supporting the Central Maintenance Depot's mission -- providing a storage place for the ANA's military supplies that is key for their sustainment level.

The depot is paramount to the ANA's ability to provide combat power, and when the Air Force team arrived, the compound was in austere, run-down conditions.

"This place was in dire need of basic, essential supplies," said Staff Sgt. Falsen Cambre, a weapons embedded training team mentor. "The buildings had no plumbing, electricity or windows. We began supplying them with the basics needed to accomplish the mission."

Some of the depot's 140-year-old buildings house large machines that manufacture vehicle and weapon parts.

"We've given the buildings a 100-year upgrade," said Maj. Jim Wood, a facilities mentor. "We've repaired walls, both structurally and cosmetically, added windows, doors, roofing and electrical capabilities."

The massive facelift did not go unnoticed.

"I'm so impressed how the (embedded training team) always pays attention to cleanliness and order," said ANA Col. Mohammad Usman, the deputy commander at the Central Maintenance Depot.

With time, patience and effort, the mentors have established and fostered a good working relationship with their ANA counterparts.

"They are very friendly and I've enjoyed our effective relationship," Colonel Usman said. "They have increased my leadership experience."

Helping to implement new safety practices was Senior Master Sgt. Bill Cole.

"Our team often stresses safety," the embedded training team member said. "Safety is, without a doubt, our No. 1 priority."

All manufacturing machines are cleaned and maintained to remain in proper working order. The team also designed a slogan, "People first, mission ready" to drive the safety message home. A large board was created to display this message and other important themes and proven safety practices.

"I'm impressed by this concept," said Lt. Col. Mohammad Asif, the machine shop chief. "A safe environment will provide the workers with the opportunity to produce good work."

"We're making a significant difference here," Major Wood said. "Several projects have enhanced the depot's ability to perform its important mission."

After constant use, weapons tend to break down. When that happens, they go to the depot for repair and maintenance. Once repaired, they must be tested for effectiveness.

This was when Major Wood and Sergeant Cambre's ingenuity was called to order. After reading through Air Force instructions, they synchronized their ideas to build a test firing range.

"This allows (the ANA) to test the weapons in a safe environment," Sergeant Cambre said. "This was a great team accomplishment and I'm happy they have a good firing range."

Whether it's a new firing range, buildings or supplies, the Airmen mentors left a mark on their ANA brethren's commitment to duty.

"I like being a part of the order established in our country and military," Colonel Usman said.

Photo: Staff Sgt. Falsen Cambre talks with Afghan national army weapon repair soldiers about logistical issues at the central maintenance depot in Kabul, Afghanistan. Airmen are mentoring ANA soldiers by establishing a process that helps improve the ANA's logistical capabilities. Sergeant Cambre is an embedded training team member assigned to Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.