February 2, 2010 - The Department of Defense announced today the deployment of an additional 4,100 soldiers to Afghanistan, part of the 30,000 troops authorized by President Barack Obama on Nov. 30, 2009. The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, from Fort Campbell, Ky., will deploy approximately 3,200 soldiers in the late summer of 2010.
The deployment of this brigade will increase the capabilities of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) as the United States continues its mission in Afghanistan. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates also approved the deployment of approximately 900 additional troops from several units, which will deploy at various times through the summer of 2010.
The DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments as they are approved. For information on the units announced today, please contact Army Public Affairs at 703-614-2487.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Jan. 29 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained while supporting combat operations.
Killed were:
Capt. David J. Thompson, 39, of Hooker, Okla., who was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Spc. Marc P. Decoteau, 19, of Waterville Valley, N.H., who was assigned to the 6th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
For more information media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at 910-432-6005, or visit http://news.soc.mil/.
Killed were:
Capt. David J. Thompson, 39, of Hooker, Okla., who was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Spc. Marc P. Decoteau, 19, of Waterville Valley, N.H., who was assigned to the 6th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
For more information media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at 910-432-6005, or visit http://news.soc.mil/.
Iraqis Capture Baghdad Cell Members, Find Weapons
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2010 - Iraqi security forces arrested a wanted Baghdad cell member and seven additional suspected terrorists, and discovered a large weapons cache during two joint security operations today in Baghdad and northern Iraq. In western Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected al-Qaida cell leader responsible for coordinating several car bombing attacks within the capital city.
Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led forces to identify and arrest the wanted man.
During a separate security operation southeast of Kirkuk, the 3rd Emergency Services Unit and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for four suspected al-Qaida members.
One of the warranted men is suspected of involvement in administrative and financial operations for the terrorist organization, while the three others are suspected of building and storing bombs for use in attacks throughout the region.
The security team found several bags of ball bearings used to construct homemade bombs hidden beneath a stairwell in one of the searched buildings.
Near another building, the security team discovered a large weapons cache. Items found buried in plastic drums include a complete suicide vest, more than five sticks of dynamite, 15 fully-assembled bombs, six rocket-propelled grenades, hundreds of feet of metal wiring, several different types of explosive-triggering devices and various firearms and ammunition.
Based on evidence found at the scene, Iraqi forces arrested two warranted men and five suspected criminal accomplices.
Elsewhere in Iraq, security forces arrested two suspected terrorists today during a joint security operation southeast of Mosul while pursuing an al-Qaida leader known to operate in the area.
While securing a building during the operation, members of the joint security team encountered a man who brandished an assault rifle at team members. In response to the threat, a security team member shot and killed the man.
The security team also identified and arrested two suspected terrorists associated with the Mosul-based terrorist leader during the operation.
In earlier operations, Iraqi forces arrested two suspected terrorists Jan. 31 during a joint security operation in Baghdad targeting a suspected member of the al-Qaida organization.
In northwest Baghdad, Iraqi troops and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected terrorist believed to be involved in coordinating car bomb attacks targeting civilians in the Baghdad area.
According to Iraqi and U.S. intelligence sources, the suspect is actively involved in a terrorist-sponsored explosives cell known to be planning future attacks in Baghdad with the intent to disrupt and destabilize security efforts as Iraq's national elections near.
(Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq news releases.)
Feb. 2, 2010 - Iraqi security forces arrested a wanted Baghdad cell member and seven additional suspected terrorists, and discovered a large weapons cache during two joint security operations today in Baghdad and northern Iraq. In western Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected al-Qaida cell leader responsible for coordinating several car bombing attacks within the capital city.
Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led forces to identify and arrest the wanted man.
During a separate security operation southeast of Kirkuk, the 3rd Emergency Services Unit and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for four suspected al-Qaida members.
One of the warranted men is suspected of involvement in administrative and financial operations for the terrorist organization, while the three others are suspected of building and storing bombs for use in attacks throughout the region.
The security team found several bags of ball bearings used to construct homemade bombs hidden beneath a stairwell in one of the searched buildings.
Near another building, the security team discovered a large weapons cache. Items found buried in plastic drums include a complete suicide vest, more than five sticks of dynamite, 15 fully-assembled bombs, six rocket-propelled grenades, hundreds of feet of metal wiring, several different types of explosive-triggering devices and various firearms and ammunition.
Based on evidence found at the scene, Iraqi forces arrested two warranted men and five suspected criminal accomplices.
Elsewhere in Iraq, security forces arrested two suspected terrorists today during a joint security operation southeast of Mosul while pursuing an al-Qaida leader known to operate in the area.
While securing a building during the operation, members of the joint security team encountered a man who brandished an assault rifle at team members. In response to the threat, a security team member shot and killed the man.
The security team also identified and arrested two suspected terrorists associated with the Mosul-based terrorist leader during the operation.
In earlier operations, Iraqi forces arrested two suspected terrorists Jan. 31 during a joint security operation in Baghdad targeting a suspected member of the al-Qaida organization.
In northwest Baghdad, Iraqi troops and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected terrorist believed to be involved in coordinating car bomb attacks targeting civilians in the Baghdad area.
According to Iraqi and U.S. intelligence sources, the suspect is actively involved in a terrorist-sponsored explosives cell known to be planning future attacks in Baghdad with the intent to disrupt and destabilize security efforts as Iraq's national elections near.
(Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq news releases.)
Forces Detain Suspected Militants in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 2, 2010 - A combined Afghan and international security force detained several suspected militants in Afghanistan's Kandahar province during two operations yesterday. During the first operation, the combined force searched a vehicle after intelligence information indicated militant activity, and detained several people for further questioning. In the second operation, a combined force searched a vehicle and detained a man.
In other operations yesterday:
-- A combined force searched a compound in Khowst province after intelligence data indicated insurgent activity. During the search, the force captured a terrorist cell operator and other insurgents responsible for the movement of mines, rockets, machine guns and ammunition to insurgent factions. The force found multiple weapons including automatic rifles and a stolen military uniform.
-- A force searched a compound in Khowst after intelligence found militant activity and detained several suspected insurgents.
-- A combined patrol discovered a weapons cache in Helmand province. The cache consisted of a new mortar system, three mortar rounds, two fuses, one rocket, and 100 rounds of small-arms ammunition.
-- A combined patrol made several weapons and explosive cache finds within a short distance of each other in Kandahar province. The caches consisted of seven sticks of TNT, six artillery rounds, one block of explosives, one hand grenade, two detonators, nearly six pounds of homemade explosives, a detonation cord, hundreds of rounds of small arms ammunition, and a number of bomb making components. The force also detained a suspect at one of the sites.
-- A combined security force discovered 700 rounds of small arms ammunition in Helmand province.
-- A patrol spotted a disabled truck in Kandahar province. While searching the vehicle, troops found more than 2,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a material commonly used to make homemade explosives. This amount of ammonium nitrate could have produced nearly 4,400 pounds of explosive material.
-- International forces patrolling in Kandahar province recently traded 10 bags of fertilizer with a local farmer. The farmer was unaware of the recent ban on ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer. He agreed to accept a voucher for an equal amount of legal fertilizer after discussing the issue with a village elder. The banned fertilizer was destroyed on site. Local scientists have determined that ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer isn't the most economical, nor is it the most suitable fertilizer for the soil in Afghanistan. Urea-based fertilizers are recommended and are being provided to farmers.
(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)
Feb. 2, 2010 - A combined Afghan and international security force detained several suspected militants in Afghanistan's Kandahar province during two operations yesterday. During the first operation, the combined force searched a vehicle after intelligence information indicated militant activity, and detained several people for further questioning. In the second operation, a combined force searched a vehicle and detained a man.
In other operations yesterday:
-- A combined force searched a compound in Khowst province after intelligence data indicated insurgent activity. During the search, the force captured a terrorist cell operator and other insurgents responsible for the movement of mines, rockets, machine guns and ammunition to insurgent factions. The force found multiple weapons including automatic rifles and a stolen military uniform.
-- A force searched a compound in Khowst after intelligence found militant activity and detained several suspected insurgents.
-- A combined patrol discovered a weapons cache in Helmand province. The cache consisted of a new mortar system, three mortar rounds, two fuses, one rocket, and 100 rounds of small-arms ammunition.
-- A combined patrol made several weapons and explosive cache finds within a short distance of each other in Kandahar province. The caches consisted of seven sticks of TNT, six artillery rounds, one block of explosives, one hand grenade, two detonators, nearly six pounds of homemade explosives, a detonation cord, hundreds of rounds of small arms ammunition, and a number of bomb making components. The force also detained a suspect at one of the sites.
-- A combined security force discovered 700 rounds of small arms ammunition in Helmand province.
-- A patrol spotted a disabled truck in Kandahar province. While searching the vehicle, troops found more than 2,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a material commonly used to make homemade explosives. This amount of ammonium nitrate could have produced nearly 4,400 pounds of explosive material.
-- International forces patrolling in Kandahar province recently traded 10 bags of fertilizer with a local farmer. The farmer was unaware of the recent ban on ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer. He agreed to accept a voucher for an equal amount of legal fertilizer after discussing the issue with a village elder. The banned fertilizer was destroyed on site. Local scientists have determined that ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer isn't the most economical, nor is it the most suitable fertilizer for the soil in Afghanistan. Urea-based fertilizers are recommended and are being provided to farmers.
(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)
Homeland Security Daily Open Source InfrastructureReport for 2 February 2010
Top Stories
The Associated Press reports that the U.S. military has halted flights carrying Haitian earthquake victims to the United States because of an apparent cost dispute. In a letter January 26 to the Health and Human Services Secretary, the governor of Florida said “Florida’s health care system is quickly reaching saturation, especially in the area of high-level trauma care.” (See item 42)
According to the Associated Press, officials closed a high-rise dormitory in downtown Philadelphia on Monday in a carbon monoxide scare that sickened several students and sent at least two to a hospital. Several hundred students at the Art Institute of Philadelphia were forced from the 14-story building. (See item 45)\
Read On
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/DHS_Daily_Report_2010-02-02.pdf
The Associated Press reports that the U.S. military has halted flights carrying Haitian earthquake victims to the United States because of an apparent cost dispute. In a letter January 26 to the Health and Human Services Secretary, the governor of Florida said “Florida’s health care system is quickly reaching saturation, especially in the area of high-level trauma care.” (See item 42)
According to the Associated Press, officials closed a high-rise dormitory in downtown Philadelphia on Monday in a carbon monoxide scare that sickened several students and sent at least two to a hospital. Several hundred students at the Art Institute of Philadelphia were forced from the 14-story building. (See item 45)\
Read On
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/DHS_Daily_Report_2010-02-02.pdf
Monday, February 01, 2010
New Mexico mechanics keep unit mission ready
By Sgt. Candace Westlund
Colorado National Guard
(1/30/10) -- Because of the number of miles the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles log on the roads here in Iraq, the mechanics from the 720th Convoy Security Company of the New Mexico National Guard have an important job keeping their unit's vehicles fully mission capable. The 720th mechanics, who tasked under 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Colorado National Guard, are working overtime on this deployment. Not only do they work in the motor pool, but they are also tasked to go on missions.
Spc. Brent Pirtle, a 720th CSC mechanic, has served as a mechanic for six years. "I have been tasked out to be a gunner and a driver on missions here," he said.
Pirtle said he was proud of the fact that they have had no serious breakdowns on the road. If any incidents have occurred during a mission, they have been fixed by the mechanics.
"It is like maintaining a successful relationship. You get to know the vehicles very well and if you treat them right they will never give you a problem," Pirtle said.
There is no higher level of maintenance; everything is performed at the unit level. "There is civilian support, but we can do in one day what they do in one month," Pirtle said.
The 720th CSC has multiple types of MRAP's and the mechanics are trained to work on all of them. Pirtle explained that while the maintenance is implemented differently on each type of truck, they are the same parts, so it is easy to learn each system.
Spc. Jaun Barela, a mechanic from Santa Rosa, N.M., said, "Without us, they don't roll."
Above all else, said Barela, "It's pretty fun, too."
Mississippi Guardsmen recover vehicles throughout northern Iraq
By Capt. Murray Shugars
Mississippi National Guard
(1/29/10) -- Mississippi Army National Guard members here conducted a record number of vehicle recovery missions Jan. 18-19. The quick reaction force for recovering vehicles -- a small detachment of Soldiers from C Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th Brigade Combat Team -- completed six recoveries in two days with only a few hours of sleep.
During their first 30 days of the recovery mission, which began in mid-December, the C Company Soldiers conducted 16 recovery missions, nearly doubling the 60-day record of 10 missions for the previous unit, said Staff Sgt. Douglas S. Kilgore, a section leader for the Guard unit.
"Sometimes we're very busy, especially when the weather gets bad, and sometimes we are waiting for a mission," said Kilgore. "Three, four days we might do nothing but wait. Then we might have three or four missions in one day. The operational tempo can be extreme at times, but this has been a good mission, and so far we've had no hostile contact, though we have recovered vehicles damaged by improvised explosive devices."
The recovery QRF has to be ready to move on a moment's notice, and this means long hours inspecting and maintaining the gun trucks, said Kilgore.
"We get a mission, we have 40 minutes to be out the gate," said Kilgore. "With the convoy security mission, we prepared vehicles 24 hours before rolling out the gate, whereas here we have to be ready to roll at all times. So we spend a lot of time taking care of our gun trucks, and it's essential that everyone does their preventative maintenance, checks and services thoroughly," said Kilgore. "
Kilgore said that, functioning as a detached element from the company, the recovery QRF has a lot of independence.
"We're over here working and living in a separate building, and the Soldiers like having their own space," said Kilgore. "It helps build team cohesion, and as long as we are completing our missions and meeting Army standards, nobody bothers us."
C Company received the Q-West recovery responsibility well-into its deployment, so the unit had to re-assign Soldiers from various other tasks to fill the new requirement, Kilgore said.
"Our team is made up of any available or willing Soldiers," said Kilgore. "Some came from the company command post and had never been outside the wire. Some came from the maintenance shop. Others came from the convoy security platoons. About half my people deployed to Iraq with the 155th Brigade in '05, and that gives us a lot of experience. The veterans were a big help with the challenge of building cohesion and getting everyone on the same page. Everybody is doing great, and they all like this mission." One Soldier who enjoys the recovery mission is Sgt. Demarquis T. Maybell.
"Before this mission, I was in the company command post and never got off the base," said Maybell, a truck commander and Hollandale, Miss., native. "It's real fun going out the wire. Sometimes our route takes us through cities, and we can see how the people interact in the market."
Another reason Maybell said he preferred the mission was that he saw tangible results.
"I like helping people on the road, and this mission helps people," he said. "We go out to help recover a vehicle, and the Soldiers waiting for us are happy to see us. And when we take care of them, we can see the results of our efforts. We go out, and we see the people we're helping."
Sgt. Joshua Tharp, a team leader from Grenada, Miss., and a veteran of the 2005 deployment, said the operational tempo of the recovery mission brought back memories.
"This reminds me of the old days, back in '05, when we'd just lay out a map and say, all right, this is where we're going, and this is how we're getting there. Let's go - simple as that," said Tharp.
The mission has its challenges as well, said Tharp.
"The other night when we ran 30 hours straight with no rest," said Tharp. "A lot of missions, the weather [is] cold and nasty, and when the weather gets bad, we get busy. We've recovered vehicles damaged by [improvised explosive devices] and breakdowns, but lately it's been weather-related recoveries - vehicles stuck in the mud."
When the operational tempo increases, getting sleep becomes an issue, said Pfc. Allen R. Stidmon, a driver from Hernando, Miss.
"When things get busy, the biggest challenge is getting enough sleep," said Stidmon. "In the past few days, we've been lucky to get four hours of sleep, but that's part of this job. I can live with less sleep. I like going out on the road, being out there doing a mission instead of staying on the base."
Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Ramseur, a gun truck commander, agreed.
"This mission reminds me of 2005 - get a mission and move out," said Ramseur. "This is completely different from the convoy security mission. We spend less time planning, and we haven't got a set schedule. Most of us spent months doing the CS mission, and that's good because we know all the roads. We know where we're going."
Spc. Arthur Carpenter, a gun-truck gunner, prefers recovery QRF to the convoy security mission.
"I like this a lot better than the convoy security mission," said Carpenter, a native of Cordova, Tenn. "Every mission is a turn-and-burn; we go out, recover the disabled vehicle and come back to base. We're not gone three, four days, staying in transient housing on other bases. Also, we don't have to deal with our Convoy Readiness Center, the long process to go on a mission, which is necessary but takes a long time."
Soldiers who previously served in convoy security platoons are happy that they no longer deal with the long planning process of the Convoy Readiness Center, Soldiers like Spc. Michael T. Hawkins.
"The best thing about the recovery mission is that we don't have to spend all that time preparing to go out the wire, doing final checks and long briefs at the CRC," said Hawkins, a Greenwood, Miss., native. "We get a mission, and we have to go as soon as possible. We get a quick brief, and we roll."
The convoy security missions restricted Spc. Undrae S. Ratliff's view of the Iraqi countryside, said Ratliff, a Soldier on his first deployment.
"The convoys could be miles long, and they moved slow, and we always stayed on the hardball roads," said Ratliff, a gun truck driver. "Those CS missions were always at night and on main highways. With the recovery mission, we go out any time, day or night, and we might be running desert trails. One night, we went into the desert to recover a couple vehicles out of the mud, and that was the first time I was out in the desert, seeing it close up, instead of from the highway. We were following a desert trail. That was pretty cool."
Spc. Jesse A. Jenkins, also a driver, said he feels safer doing the recovery mission.
"The biggest difference I noticed is that you're closer to the other gun trucks with this mission," said Jenkins. "I can actually see the other gun trucks because we're escorting only a couple recovery vehicles. Our security is tight, and the vehicles cover each other. With the CS mission, the gun trucks are separated by all the transport trucks they're escorting."
Sgt. 1st Class Tim "Sparky" Campbell, noncommissioned officer in charge, praised his Soldiers.
"I'm proud of these guys," said Campbell. "When we received this mission, I chose the NCOs and helped assemble the crews, went on a few of the early missions, but that's it. The NCOs run the show, and they have done a great job with a mission that was thrown in their lap. I help when they need me, but they don't need me. They have well-trained and motivated Soldiers. They've never missed their 40-minute window for rolling outside the wire. They've done outstanding."
Port Security
Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Roundtable with Law Enforcement and Private Sector Partners on Port Security
February 1, 2010 - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today met with federal, state and local law enforcement officials and private sector stakeholders in South Florida to discuss port security, including passenger and cargo screening procedures.
“Effective homeland security requires vigilance at all points of entry to our country—air, land and sea,” said Secretary Napolitano. “By strengthening partnerships between the private sector and federal, state and local law enforcement to increase information-sharing and establish better screening practices, we can continue to enhance the security of our nation’s ports and the American people.”
During her meetings, Secretary Napolitano emphasized the importance of strengthening passenger and cargo screening procedures at our nation’s ports—and her commitment to building effective relationships between law enforcement officials and private industry to ensure safety and security while facilitating legitimate flows of trade and commerce.
Secretary Napolitano also highlighted her recent announcement that U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin enforcement of the “10+2” rule, which significantly increases the scope and accuracy of critical information gathered on shipments of cargo arriving by sea into the United States and bolsters DHS’ layered enforcement strategy to protect against terrorism and other crimes at U.S. ports of entry.
February 1, 2010 - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today met with federal, state and local law enforcement officials and private sector stakeholders in South Florida to discuss port security, including passenger and cargo screening procedures.
“Effective homeland security requires vigilance at all points of entry to our country—air, land and sea,” said Secretary Napolitano. “By strengthening partnerships between the private sector and federal, state and local law enforcement to increase information-sharing and establish better screening practices, we can continue to enhance the security of our nation’s ports and the American people.”
During her meetings, Secretary Napolitano emphasized the importance of strengthening passenger and cargo screening procedures at our nation’s ports—and her commitment to building effective relationships between law enforcement officials and private industry to ensure safety and security while facilitating legitimate flows of trade and commerce.
Secretary Napolitano also highlighted her recent announcement that U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin enforcement of the “10+2” rule, which significantly increases the scope and accuracy of critical information gathered on shipments of cargo arriving by sea into the United States and bolsters DHS’ layered enforcement strategy to protect against terrorism and other crimes at U.S. ports of entry.
Military Announces Afghanistan Web Project
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 1, 2010 - The International Security Assistance Force's joint command announced a new Web site today to support the public affairs project, "30 Days Through Afghanistan."
The Web-based project kicks off Feb. 8 and aims to bring the people, the mission and the experiences of ISAF's 44 participating nations to a worldwide audience through the eyes of military reporters U.S Air Force Tech. Sgts. Nathan Gallahan and Kenneth Raimondi.
"The opportunity to show the world the ISAF counter-insurgency strategy in action through the eyes of two of our military journalists is unique," said Navy Capt. Jane Campbell, the joint command's spokesperson. "The innovation and commitment to the mission by these two airmen will help people around the world see Afghanistan through the eyes and words of ISAF servicemembers."
Raimondi, a broadcaster, and Gallahan, a print journalist, will travel Afghanistan for 30 consecutive days through each of the five regional commands, giving a first-hand perspective of the counterinsurgency mission. The two reporters will produce video and print news stories, as well as document daily adventures through blogs to showcase the troops.
"The goal is to create a 30-day online conversation with people across the world," Gallahan said. "We hope to raise an understanding of Afghanistan and the ISAF mission."
Feb. 1, 2010 - The International Security Assistance Force's joint command announced a new Web site today to support the public affairs project, "30 Days Through Afghanistan."
The Web-based project kicks off Feb. 8 and aims to bring the people, the mission and the experiences of ISAF's 44 participating nations to a worldwide audience through the eyes of military reporters U.S Air Force Tech. Sgts. Nathan Gallahan and Kenneth Raimondi.
"The opportunity to show the world the ISAF counter-insurgency strategy in action through the eyes of two of our military journalists is unique," said Navy Capt. Jane Campbell, the joint command's spokesperson. "The innovation and commitment to the mission by these two airmen will help people around the world see Afghanistan through the eyes and words of ISAF servicemembers."
Raimondi, a broadcaster, and Gallahan, a print journalist, will travel Afghanistan for 30 consecutive days through each of the five regional commands, giving a first-hand perspective of the counterinsurgency mission. The two reporters will produce video and print news stories, as well as document daily adventures through blogs to showcase the troops.
"The goal is to create a 30-day online conversation with people across the world," Gallahan said. "We hope to raise an understanding of Afghanistan and the ISAF mission."
Forces Quell Suicide Attack in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 1, 2010 - Afghan and international forces responded to two suicide bombers in Afghanistan's Qalat City today.
A member of the Afghan force shot one of the suicide bombers, who then detonated his explosives. An Afghan troop received minor injuries, but did not require further medical attention.
Afghan national police and international forces secured the area and continued the search for the second bomber who had fled the scene. There were no civilian casualties during the attack.
In other operations today, international troops assisted Afghan forces in an investigation after Afghan national police found a significant weapons cache Jan. 29 in Kabul.
The police found 34 assault rifles, 22 pounds of bulk explosives, $17,000 in U.S. currency and several explosive components including switches, timers, and electric drills.
Also, a combined Afghan and international security force searched a compound in Kandahar province last night and detained several suspected insurgents.
In Khowst province last night, a joint security force searched a series of compounds and detained several insurgents. The combined force found several weapons, including automatic rifles and ammunition.
An Afghan civilian turned in a cache of explosives to international forces in Badghis province this morning. The cache consisted of more than 70 mortar grenades and two recoilless rocket projectiles.
In operations yesterday:
-- A combined force captured a militant insurgent while pursuing a Taliban explosives commander in Kandahar province. The force came under small-arms fire. The force returned fire, suppressing the threat.
-- A force detained two suspected militants while pursuing a terrorist cell commander in Khowst province.
-- A security force captured a Taliban explosives operator in Logar province. The man, found with weapons including two fragmentation grenades, is responsible for placing roadside bombs and the movement of weapons to militants.
-- A combined force discovered a bomb cache in Helmand province. The cache included 55 pounds of ammonium nitrate, 52 batteries and a roll of wire.
-- A patrol found a weapons cache in Kandahar province. The cache consisted of several artillery shells, one mortar round, one rocket-propelled grenade round and small arms ammunition.
In operations Jan. 30:
-- A combined force targeting an insurgent received enemy gunfire from several locations when approaching a compound in Uruzgan province. After returning fire, the enemy gunfire subsided and the joint force conducted damage assessment. Four insurgents were killed.
-- Afghan National Army and international forces were attacked by insurgents during a mission to detain known terrorists in Badghis province. The force returned fire with precision-guided munitions killing more than a dozen enemy combatants. As the Afghan-led force was leaving, a large group of insurgents fired from covered positions outside the village and continued to fire at the combined force and into the surrounding community. The joint force requested air support to minimize the risk of civilian casualties. Coalition aircraft dropped several precision-guided munitions on insurgent locations.
-- A combined security force received small-arms fire from an unknown source while conducting an operation in Wardak province. The patrol returned fire. Initial post-operational reports indicate the small-arms fire originated from an Afghan National Army combat outpost, and the subsequent air support called by the joint force likely killed at least four Afghan soldiers.
-- An international force fired on a vehicle when it failed to heed several warning signs to stop in Ghazni province. Two Afghan civilians were killed and one was injured by the disabling shots fired at the engine block of the vehicle as it approached at a high rate of speed. A fourth civilian in the vehicle was unharmed. The force provided immediate care to the injured passenger, who was taken for treatment to a nearby medical facility.
-- A combined security force searched a compound in Kandahar province and captured a Taliban commander and other insurgents responsible for planning bombing attacks and ambushes against Afghan and coalition forces.
-- A security force found a weapons cache in Kandahar province. The cache contained 50 mortar rounds and 20 car batteries. An explosive ordnance disposal team was called to dispose of the cache.
In operations Jan. 29:
-- An international patrol found a weapons cache in Farah province. The cache consisted of four artillery rounds, more than four pounds of ammonium nitrate, two pounds of an unknown explosive and bomb-making components.
(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)
Feb. 1, 2010 - Afghan and international forces responded to two suicide bombers in Afghanistan's Qalat City today.
A member of the Afghan force shot one of the suicide bombers, who then detonated his explosives. An Afghan troop received minor injuries, but did not require further medical attention.
Afghan national police and international forces secured the area and continued the search for the second bomber who had fled the scene. There were no civilian casualties during the attack.
In other operations today, international troops assisted Afghan forces in an investigation after Afghan national police found a significant weapons cache Jan. 29 in Kabul.
The police found 34 assault rifles, 22 pounds of bulk explosives, $17,000 in U.S. currency and several explosive components including switches, timers, and electric drills.
Also, a combined Afghan and international security force searched a compound in Kandahar province last night and detained several suspected insurgents.
In Khowst province last night, a joint security force searched a series of compounds and detained several insurgents. The combined force found several weapons, including automatic rifles and ammunition.
An Afghan civilian turned in a cache of explosives to international forces in Badghis province this morning. The cache consisted of more than 70 mortar grenades and two recoilless rocket projectiles.
In operations yesterday:
-- A combined force captured a militant insurgent while pursuing a Taliban explosives commander in Kandahar province. The force came under small-arms fire. The force returned fire, suppressing the threat.
-- A force detained two suspected militants while pursuing a terrorist cell commander in Khowst province.
-- A security force captured a Taliban explosives operator in Logar province. The man, found with weapons including two fragmentation grenades, is responsible for placing roadside bombs and the movement of weapons to militants.
-- A combined force discovered a bomb cache in Helmand province. The cache included 55 pounds of ammonium nitrate, 52 batteries and a roll of wire.
-- A patrol found a weapons cache in Kandahar province. The cache consisted of several artillery shells, one mortar round, one rocket-propelled grenade round and small arms ammunition.
In operations Jan. 30:
-- A combined force targeting an insurgent received enemy gunfire from several locations when approaching a compound in Uruzgan province. After returning fire, the enemy gunfire subsided and the joint force conducted damage assessment. Four insurgents were killed.
-- Afghan National Army and international forces were attacked by insurgents during a mission to detain known terrorists in Badghis province. The force returned fire with precision-guided munitions killing more than a dozen enemy combatants. As the Afghan-led force was leaving, a large group of insurgents fired from covered positions outside the village and continued to fire at the combined force and into the surrounding community. The joint force requested air support to minimize the risk of civilian casualties. Coalition aircraft dropped several precision-guided munitions on insurgent locations.
-- A combined security force received small-arms fire from an unknown source while conducting an operation in Wardak province. The patrol returned fire. Initial post-operational reports indicate the small-arms fire originated from an Afghan National Army combat outpost, and the subsequent air support called by the joint force likely killed at least four Afghan soldiers.
-- An international force fired on a vehicle when it failed to heed several warning signs to stop in Ghazni province. Two Afghan civilians were killed and one was injured by the disabling shots fired at the engine block of the vehicle as it approached at a high rate of speed. A fourth civilian in the vehicle was unharmed. The force provided immediate care to the injured passenger, who was taken for treatment to a nearby medical facility.
-- A combined security force searched a compound in Kandahar province and captured a Taliban commander and other insurgents responsible for planning bombing attacks and ambushes against Afghan and coalition forces.
-- A security force found a weapons cache in Kandahar province. The cache contained 50 mortar rounds and 20 car batteries. An explosive ordnance disposal team was called to dispose of the cache.
In operations Jan. 29:
-- An international patrol found a weapons cache in Farah province. The cache consisted of four artillery rounds, more than four pounds of ammonium nitrate, two pounds of an unknown explosive and bomb-making components.
(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)
Iraqis Capture Suspected Explosives-Cell Member
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 1, 2010 - Iraqi security forces arrested a wanted Baghdad explosives-cell member and a suspected accomplice today during a combined security operation in a rural area south of Baghdad.
Based on tips, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building complex for a suspected al-Qaida cell member who assembles car bombs used in attacks within the capital city.
Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led forces to identify and arrest the wanted man and a suspected accomplice.
In operations Jan. 30:
-- In western Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected al-Qaida cell member linked to the transportation of money and explosives for the terrorist organization into Abu Ghraib. Based on the results of preliminary questioning and evidence discovered at the scene, forces identified and arrested the wanted man and three suspected accomplices.
-- Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings northwest of Baghdad for a suspected al-Qaida member who assists in transporting explosives into the area. After examining evidence collected at the scene, forces identified and arrested the wanted man and four suspected criminal accomplices.
-- Iraq's 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors searched a building northwest of Baghdad for a suspected al-Qaida member involved in coordinating bombing attacks. Preliminary interviews and evidence collected in the building led police to arrest four suspected criminal associates of the warranted man.
-- Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two homes in northwestern Mosul for a suspected al-Qaida member who purchases and plants bombs within the region. During the operation, a suspect lunged for and attempted to wrestle away a security member's firearm. Perceiving a threat to the safety of those in the room, another security team member shot the suspect. A medical technician attached to the security team was immediately called in to treat the injured man, who died at the scene. Based on the evidence gathered at the scene, forces arrested four suspected associates of the wanted man.
In operations Jan. 29:
-- Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors intercepted bomb-making materials in Diyala province. Intelligence reports indicate al-Qaida planned to use the cache to build a car bomb. The Iraqi forces air assaulted into the area and quickly secured the material. Six 80-pound bags of a fertilizer-based explosive, two five-gallon cans of homemade explosives, and one grenade were seized during the operation.
-- Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected terrorist cell leader in Salah ad-Din province. An Iraqi court issued the warrant for the arrest of the cell leader, who is thought to have ties to al-Qaida in Iraq. ISF believe the man is responsible for a smuggling operation and trafficking foreign fighters into Iraq. He is also accused of creating propaganda products.
(Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq news releases.)
Feb. 1, 2010 - Iraqi security forces arrested a wanted Baghdad explosives-cell member and a suspected accomplice today during a combined security operation in a rural area south of Baghdad.
Based on tips, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building complex for a suspected al-Qaida cell member who assembles car bombs used in attacks within the capital city.
Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led forces to identify and arrest the wanted man and a suspected accomplice.
In operations Jan. 30:
-- In western Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected al-Qaida cell member linked to the transportation of money and explosives for the terrorist organization into Abu Ghraib. Based on the results of preliminary questioning and evidence discovered at the scene, forces identified and arrested the wanted man and three suspected accomplices.
-- Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings northwest of Baghdad for a suspected al-Qaida member who assists in transporting explosives into the area. After examining evidence collected at the scene, forces identified and arrested the wanted man and four suspected criminal accomplices.
-- Iraq's 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors searched a building northwest of Baghdad for a suspected al-Qaida member involved in coordinating bombing attacks. Preliminary interviews and evidence collected in the building led police to arrest four suspected criminal associates of the warranted man.
-- Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two homes in northwestern Mosul for a suspected al-Qaida member who purchases and plants bombs within the region. During the operation, a suspect lunged for and attempted to wrestle away a security member's firearm. Perceiving a threat to the safety of those in the room, another security team member shot the suspect. A medical technician attached to the security team was immediately called in to treat the injured man, who died at the scene. Based on the evidence gathered at the scene, forces arrested four suspected associates of the wanted man.
In operations Jan. 29:
-- Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors intercepted bomb-making materials in Diyala province. Intelligence reports indicate al-Qaida planned to use the cache to build a car bomb. The Iraqi forces air assaulted into the area and quickly secured the material. Six 80-pound bags of a fertilizer-based explosive, two five-gallon cans of homemade explosives, and one grenade were seized during the operation.
-- Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected terrorist cell leader in Salah ad-Din province. An Iraqi court issued the warrant for the arrest of the cell leader, who is thought to have ties to al-Qaida in Iraq. ISF believe the man is responsible for a smuggling operation and trafficking foreign fighters into Iraq. He is also accused of creating propaganda products.
(Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq news releases.)
Tracy Reinhold Named Assistant Director of the Directorate of Intelligence
February 1, 2010 - FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III has named Tracy Reinhold the Bureau’s assistant director of the Directorate of Intelligence. Mr. Reinhold most recently served as the Directorate’s deputy assistant director.
“Intelligence is the lifeblood of our organization; how we gather, analyze, and disseminate it internally and with our intelligence and law enforcement partners is critical to protecting our national security,” said Director Mueller. “Tracy’s leadership and expertise make him well-suited to oversee this crucial function.”
Mr. Reinhold entered on duty as a special agent on May 20, 1990, and was assigned to the Columbia Division, Greenville Resident Agency. He worked all manner of violations, including violent crime, white collar crime, and domestic terrorism. In March 1998, he was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Major Theft/Transportation Crimes Unit in the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters.
In October 2000, Mr. Reinhold was transferred to the Las Vegas Division, where he supervised a violent crimes squad until August 2003. He was then appointed assistant special agent in charge of the Detroit Division. While in Detroit, Mr. Reinhold had program management responsibility for violent crimes, cyber, drugs, and counterterrorism.
In August 2004, he was selected to serve as the special assistant for the executive assistant director, Law Enforcement Services. In December 2005, Director Mueller appointed Mr. Reinhold as the special agent in charge of the Louisville Division. Mr. Reinhold was named the deputy assistant director, Directorate of Intelligence in January 2008.
Mr. Reinhold is a Maryland native and received his early education in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979-84 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Maryland in 1988.
Mr. Reinhold and his wife, Diane, live in Alexandria, Virginia.
“Intelligence is the lifeblood of our organization; how we gather, analyze, and disseminate it internally and with our intelligence and law enforcement partners is critical to protecting our national security,” said Director Mueller. “Tracy’s leadership and expertise make him well-suited to oversee this crucial function.”
Mr. Reinhold entered on duty as a special agent on May 20, 1990, and was assigned to the Columbia Division, Greenville Resident Agency. He worked all manner of violations, including violent crime, white collar crime, and domestic terrorism. In March 1998, he was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Major Theft/Transportation Crimes Unit in the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters.
In October 2000, Mr. Reinhold was transferred to the Las Vegas Division, where he supervised a violent crimes squad until August 2003. He was then appointed assistant special agent in charge of the Detroit Division. While in Detroit, Mr. Reinhold had program management responsibility for violent crimes, cyber, drugs, and counterterrorism.
In August 2004, he was selected to serve as the special assistant for the executive assistant director, Law Enforcement Services. In December 2005, Director Mueller appointed Mr. Reinhold as the special agent in charge of the Louisville Division. Mr. Reinhold was named the deputy assistant director, Directorate of Intelligence in January 2008.
Mr. Reinhold is a Maryland native and received his early education in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979-84 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Maryland in 1988.
Mr. Reinhold and his wife, Diane, live in Alexandria, Virginia.
Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. David J. Smith, 25, of Frederick, Md., died Jan. 26 from wounds received Jan. 23 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the Marine Forces Reserve public affairs office at 504-678-6539.
Sgt. David J. Smith, 25, of Frederick, Md., died Jan. 26 from wounds received Jan. 23 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the Marine Forces Reserve public affairs office at 504-678-6539.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Ike Survivors: Suspect Fraud And Abuse? Report It
Editor's Note: Considering the all hazards model of disaster and counterterrorism planning, this article is good information for first responders as well as community members.
January 31, 2010 - From the start of a disaster recovery operation through the end, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) take the issue of fraud and abuse very seriously and continue to urge Texans to report any suspicious activities.
“Fraud is a rare occurrence during disaster recovery,” said Hurricane Ike Recovery Manager Brad Harris. “However, if it does occur, it is important that we take steps to stop it.”
“At the beginning of recovery operations, we encourage survivors to be aware of phony contract workers, fake offers of help getting state or federal aid and bogus charitable solicitations,” said State Coordinating Officer Ben Patterson. “Sixteen months into the recovery some of these fraudulent activities may still exist.”
Texans should consider reporting suspected fraud and abuse if:
• Someone asks for a relief fund donation for an unknown charitable organization or the person soliciting the donation requests the check be made out to a private individual.
• Someone claiming to be from FEMA comes to their home, calls or emails them and asks for their social security number, bank account number, FEMA registration number or other sensitive information.
• Someone claiming to be a building contractor knocks on their door and offers to make repairs or clean up debris.
FEMA must ensure that taxpayer dollars go only to people who incurred legitimate losses. This may include prosecuting anyone who makes a fraudulent claim. Anyone with information about individuals – maybe a contractor, inspector, disaster survivor, or someone posing as any of these – who may have defrauded the government in connection with Hurricane Ike, should call the FEMA Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721. The call is completely confidential. Allegations of fraud can also be made to local law-enforcement agencies and to the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline, 1-800-621-0508. FEMA’s Office of Inspector General routinely audits individuals, local governments and nonprofit organizations that receive FEMA disaster assistance funding. The audits are independent assessments to determine whether recipients spent the funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. Auditors look at expenditures on ineligible items or instances of duplicate payments from insurance companies and other sources.
January 31, 2010 - From the start of a disaster recovery operation through the end, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) take the issue of fraud and abuse very seriously and continue to urge Texans to report any suspicious activities.
“Fraud is a rare occurrence during disaster recovery,” said Hurricane Ike Recovery Manager Brad Harris. “However, if it does occur, it is important that we take steps to stop it.”
“At the beginning of recovery operations, we encourage survivors to be aware of phony contract workers, fake offers of help getting state or federal aid and bogus charitable solicitations,” said State Coordinating Officer Ben Patterson. “Sixteen months into the recovery some of these fraudulent activities may still exist.”
Texans should consider reporting suspected fraud and abuse if:
• Someone asks for a relief fund donation for an unknown charitable organization or the person soliciting the donation requests the check be made out to a private individual.
• Someone claiming to be from FEMA comes to their home, calls or emails them and asks for their social security number, bank account number, FEMA registration number or other sensitive information.
• Someone claiming to be a building contractor knocks on their door and offers to make repairs or clean up debris.
FEMA must ensure that taxpayer dollars go only to people who incurred legitimate losses. This may include prosecuting anyone who makes a fraudulent claim. Anyone with information about individuals – maybe a contractor, inspector, disaster survivor, or someone posing as any of these – who may have defrauded the government in connection with Hurricane Ike, should call the FEMA Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721. The call is completely confidential. Allegations of fraud can also be made to local law-enforcement agencies and to the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline, 1-800-621-0508. FEMA’s Office of Inspector General routinely audits individuals, local governments and nonprofit organizations that receive FEMA disaster assistance funding. The audits are independent assessments to determine whether recipients spent the funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. Auditors look at expenditures on ineligible items or instances of duplicate payments from insurance companies and other sources.
NATO Commander Sees Pivotal 2010 for Afghanistan
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 31, 2010 - Just returned from an international conference on Afghanistan, NATO's top military commander expressed confidence that the critical pieces are being put into place to make 2010 a turning point for Afghanistan's future.
Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, who participated in the Jan. 28 International Conference on Afghanistan in London as part of the NATO delegation, said he's seeing the international community coming together in an unprecedented way to ensure the new strategy succeeds.
"For the first time, there is universal international focus on taking Afghanistan to the next step," he said, noting representation by 60 nations and 19 other international organizations at the conference and additional commitments of troops, trainers and political, economic and development aid.
These components are critical to the comprehensive approach needed for Afghanistan's long-term success, he said during a joint Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service interview to be aired tomorrow.
"It is necessary to do that, because in Afghanistan today, none of these problems are going to be solved by the barrel of a gun," Stavridis said. "We have got to bring together international, interagency, private-public efforts ... collectively synchronized in order to overcome this insurgency."
That's vital, he said, because the world recognizes the consequences of Afghanistan falling back into Taliban hands and once again becoming a base for al-Qaida to plan and launch its attacks.
"So there is a real political will that is coming together," Stavridis said, applauding recent initiatives reinforced at the London conference.
For example, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appointed veteran diplomat Staffan de Mistura last week as the new high representative for Afghanistan and head of the United Nations assistance mission there.
Also last week, the British ambassador to Afghanistan, Mark Sedwill, was appointed NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, to work as Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's counterpart and focus on the nonmilitary aspects of the Afghanistan strategy.
"Getting that civilian and military balance right, I think, is absolutely crucial," Stavridis said.
Although the London Conference wasn't planned to raise donations or troop commitments, Stavridis said, he's pleased by the contributions made or pledged there to support economic, governance and security requirements.
Particularly gratifying, he said, is seeing NATO and other International Security Assistance Force nations step up to provide 9,000 more troops – a number that he predicted could rise to 10,000 after the alliance's February conference.
This additional commitment will help to fill shortfalls in the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan, an organization activated in November under Army Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, to focus on growing the Afghan national security forces and build their capabilities.
Caldwell still needs between 1,300 and 2,000 trainers for the new mission, Stavridis said, noting that he feels "very confident" NATO will pledge against this shortfall at its conference.
Meanwhile, Stavridis said, he's optimistic about progress already being made in building the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police so they ultimately can take the security lead, and ultimately, full security responsibility, for Afghanistan.
They now number almost 200,000, he said, two-thirds of the goal of 287,000 by July 2011, when President Barack Obama expects to begin reducing the U.S. force commitment in Afghanistan, subject to conditions on the ground.
Beyond numbers, Stavridis said, he's impressed to see big advances in the Afghan security forces' capabilities. He noted a Jan. 4 mission in which Afghan Mi-17 helicopter pilots flew about 100 Afghan commandos on a complex special forces raid that the Afghans had planned and conducted, with minimal involvement by ISAF mentors. "This shows the kind of progress [they are making] in [being able to conduct] complex military operations," Stavridis said.
Similarly, Afghan security forces demonstrated how far they have advanced earlier this month as they responded to a series of coordinated attacks on Kabul, including some of its government buildings. The Afghan National Police ran the mission, backed up by the Afghan National Army, with the Afghan Interior Ministry providing command and control, Stavridis said.
"This complex attack in the capital was repelled entirely by Afghan security forces," he said. "That is a signal change. A year ago, it would have been coalition forces that responded to that attack. Even six months ago, you would have seen a significant coalition presence in responding. ... That is a big shift. So I think there is real progress."
Stavridis recognized the sacrifices Afghan forces continue to make in the fight against insurgent forces, taking about 75 percent of the casualties. "They are in the fight. They stand shoulder to shoulder with us," he said.
The Afghan forces will get an increasing opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities in the coming months, he said, as McChrystal increasingly focuses operations on the heart of the insurgency, in southern Afghanistan.
"You are going to see some significant operations there in the next few months as we continue with our strategy to build and hold," Stavridis said.
Meanwhile, he said the United States, ISAF and the Afghan government will continue to assess progress of the comprehensive strategy through a variety of indicators: from security, economic, political and quality-of-life improvements to polling data from the Afghan people themselves.
"[This] will show us whether the strategy on which we are embarked is going to be successful," Stravridis said.
Meanwhile, he shared his own personal sense about the year ahead. "2010 is the year. This is the time," he said. "And I am confident that we will have success in Afghanistan."
The Pentagon Channel will air the full interview tomorrow.
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 31, 2010 - Just returned from an international conference on Afghanistan, NATO's top military commander expressed confidence that the critical pieces are being put into place to make 2010 a turning point for Afghanistan's future.
Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, who participated in the Jan. 28 International Conference on Afghanistan in London as part of the NATO delegation, said he's seeing the international community coming together in an unprecedented way to ensure the new strategy succeeds.
"For the first time, there is universal international focus on taking Afghanistan to the next step," he said, noting representation by 60 nations and 19 other international organizations at the conference and additional commitments of troops, trainers and political, economic and development aid.
These components are critical to the comprehensive approach needed for Afghanistan's long-term success, he said during a joint Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service interview to be aired tomorrow.
"It is necessary to do that, because in Afghanistan today, none of these problems are going to be solved by the barrel of a gun," Stavridis said. "We have got to bring together international, interagency, private-public efforts ... collectively synchronized in order to overcome this insurgency."
That's vital, he said, because the world recognizes the consequences of Afghanistan falling back into Taliban hands and once again becoming a base for al-Qaida to plan and launch its attacks.
"So there is a real political will that is coming together," Stavridis said, applauding recent initiatives reinforced at the London conference.
For example, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appointed veteran diplomat Staffan de Mistura last week as the new high representative for Afghanistan and head of the United Nations assistance mission there.
Also last week, the British ambassador to Afghanistan, Mark Sedwill, was appointed NATO's senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, to work as Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's counterpart and focus on the nonmilitary aspects of the Afghanistan strategy.
"Getting that civilian and military balance right, I think, is absolutely crucial," Stavridis said.
Although the London Conference wasn't planned to raise donations or troop commitments, Stavridis said, he's pleased by the contributions made or pledged there to support economic, governance and security requirements.
Particularly gratifying, he said, is seeing NATO and other International Security Assistance Force nations step up to provide 9,000 more troops – a number that he predicted could rise to 10,000 after the alliance's February conference.
This additional commitment will help to fill shortfalls in the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan, an organization activated in November under Army Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, to focus on growing the Afghan national security forces and build their capabilities.
Caldwell still needs between 1,300 and 2,000 trainers for the new mission, Stavridis said, noting that he feels "very confident" NATO will pledge against this shortfall at its conference.
Meanwhile, Stavridis said, he's optimistic about progress already being made in building the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police so they ultimately can take the security lead, and ultimately, full security responsibility, for Afghanistan.
They now number almost 200,000, he said, two-thirds of the goal of 287,000 by July 2011, when President Barack Obama expects to begin reducing the U.S. force commitment in Afghanistan, subject to conditions on the ground.
Beyond numbers, Stavridis said, he's impressed to see big advances in the Afghan security forces' capabilities. He noted a Jan. 4 mission in which Afghan Mi-17 helicopter pilots flew about 100 Afghan commandos on a complex special forces raid that the Afghans had planned and conducted, with minimal involvement by ISAF mentors. "This shows the kind of progress [they are making] in [being able to conduct] complex military operations," Stavridis said.
Similarly, Afghan security forces demonstrated how far they have advanced earlier this month as they responded to a series of coordinated attacks on Kabul, including some of its government buildings. The Afghan National Police ran the mission, backed up by the Afghan National Army, with the Afghan Interior Ministry providing command and control, Stavridis said.
"This complex attack in the capital was repelled entirely by Afghan security forces," he said. "That is a signal change. A year ago, it would have been coalition forces that responded to that attack. Even six months ago, you would have seen a significant coalition presence in responding. ... That is a big shift. So I think there is real progress."
Stavridis recognized the sacrifices Afghan forces continue to make in the fight against insurgent forces, taking about 75 percent of the casualties. "They are in the fight. They stand shoulder to shoulder with us," he said.
The Afghan forces will get an increasing opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities in the coming months, he said, as McChrystal increasingly focuses operations on the heart of the insurgency, in southern Afghanistan.
"You are going to see some significant operations there in the next few months as we continue with our strategy to build and hold," Stavridis said.
Meanwhile, he said the United States, ISAF and the Afghan government will continue to assess progress of the comprehensive strategy through a variety of indicators: from security, economic, political and quality-of-life improvements to polling data from the Afghan people themselves.
"[This] will show us whether the strategy on which we are embarked is going to be successful," Stravridis said.
Meanwhile, he shared his own personal sense about the year ahead. "2010 is the year. This is the time," he said. "And I am confident that we will have success in Afghanistan."
The Pentagon Channel will air the full interview tomorrow.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Study Shows Deployments' Impact on Army Wives
By Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2010 - Army wives whose husbands deploy seek mental health services at a higher rate than others, and the longer the deployment, the greater the impact, according to a new study. Researchers from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, RTI International and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted the study, which was published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Study investigators compared the rates of mental health diagnoses and use of mental health services between wives whose husbands had deployed with those whose husbands hadn't deployed, using a sampling of about 250,000 active-duty Army wives, ages 18 to 48.
"We found a distinct pattern," said Army Col. (Dr.) Charles Engel, a study co-investigator and associate chair of psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. "The wives of servicemembers who deployed ... used more services when they had a diagnosis and more frequently received mental health diagnoses than those wives whose husbands didn't deploy."
The wives also were categorized by the total length of their spouses' deployments. Investigators compared wives whose spouses hadn't deployed, those who had deployed for less than a year and those who had deployed for more than a year. "The longer the husband had been deployed, the more we saw an excess of disorders," Engel noted.
The mental health diagnoses that were elevated were, for the most part, those related to stress, Engel explained, such as depression, anxiety and adjustment disorders. Investigators also found an increase in alcohol use. They didn't, however, find an excess of post-traumatic stress disorder.
"The stress of deployment [for spouses] really isn't the same as the kind of stress that causes PTSD," Engel said. Rather than the types of traumatic events that trigger post-traumatic stress, wives encounter stressors such as overwhelming demands at home and the uncertainty of having a loved one deployed, he explained.
The study used anonymous data from a military health system database, which captures care from the military health system and through Tricare military health care program networks.
"It was a very important use of the health tracking systems at our disposal in the military," Engel said. "These systems increasingly put us in a position to be able to look, in ways the civilian sector really just can't, at the health impact of various things."
But use of the database limited the study to active-duty wives, Engel acknowledged. "One of the limitations of the findings is that we weren't able to include National Guard or Reserve wives; we can't be sure their health care is captured by the military system when their husband is demobilized," he said. "They may be getting care from other sources primarily."
The study also restricted its analysis to spouses whose husbands had been in active-duty service for a minimum of five years, Engel said, to ensure they captured a history of active health service use and mental health background.
The net effect of that, Engel pointed out, was an older sampling of wives who may be better equipped at coping with military life. Since younger wives may be more vulnerable to the stressors of military life in general, the findings may underestimate the impact of deployments, he added.
"We say at the end, the differences we see between these two groups, if you were to include all wives, would probably be greater," he said. "This is a conservative estimate of the ... impact of deployment on the mental health of these wives."
Limitations aside, the study reaped results that can be used as an impetus for change, Engel said. Experts know anecdotally that deployments have an impact on military families, but real findings help provide the thrust to change and improve support programs, he added.
"We assume [deployment] has an impact, but in some fashion we don't really know, until we have a chance to see it in terms of real findings from a scientific study," he said.
Engel noted that he found one aspect of the findings reassuring: Army spouses are taking advantage of available mental health services.
"We now have some fairly definitive scientific data to demonstrate that the wives of soldiers who deploy have some special needs," he said. "This is bound to lead to greater discussion of what those needs are and new programs to meet those needs. And that can only be a positive thing."
While this study was limited to the Army, future studies are sure to look at deployments' impacts on spouses from other services, Engel said.
"Our group and other groups will want to analyze these data in ways that bring in the other services, particularly ... the Marine Corps," he said. "There's every reason to think that the wives of Marines may be experiencing similar kinds of challenges."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2010 - Army wives whose husbands deploy seek mental health services at a higher rate than others, and the longer the deployment, the greater the impact, according to a new study. Researchers from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, RTI International and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted the study, which was published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Study investigators compared the rates of mental health diagnoses and use of mental health services between wives whose husbands had deployed with those whose husbands hadn't deployed, using a sampling of about 250,000 active-duty Army wives, ages 18 to 48.
"We found a distinct pattern," said Army Col. (Dr.) Charles Engel, a study co-investigator and associate chair of psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. "The wives of servicemembers who deployed ... used more services when they had a diagnosis and more frequently received mental health diagnoses than those wives whose husbands didn't deploy."
The wives also were categorized by the total length of their spouses' deployments. Investigators compared wives whose spouses hadn't deployed, those who had deployed for less than a year and those who had deployed for more than a year. "The longer the husband had been deployed, the more we saw an excess of disorders," Engel noted.
The mental health diagnoses that were elevated were, for the most part, those related to stress, Engel explained, such as depression, anxiety and adjustment disorders. Investigators also found an increase in alcohol use. They didn't, however, find an excess of post-traumatic stress disorder.
"The stress of deployment [for spouses] really isn't the same as the kind of stress that causes PTSD," Engel said. Rather than the types of traumatic events that trigger post-traumatic stress, wives encounter stressors such as overwhelming demands at home and the uncertainty of having a loved one deployed, he explained.
The study used anonymous data from a military health system database, which captures care from the military health system and through Tricare military health care program networks.
"It was a very important use of the health tracking systems at our disposal in the military," Engel said. "These systems increasingly put us in a position to be able to look, in ways the civilian sector really just can't, at the health impact of various things."
But use of the database limited the study to active-duty wives, Engel acknowledged. "One of the limitations of the findings is that we weren't able to include National Guard or Reserve wives; we can't be sure their health care is captured by the military system when their husband is demobilized," he said. "They may be getting care from other sources primarily."
The study also restricted its analysis to spouses whose husbands had been in active-duty service for a minimum of five years, Engel said, to ensure they captured a history of active health service use and mental health background.
The net effect of that, Engel pointed out, was an older sampling of wives who may be better equipped at coping with military life. Since younger wives may be more vulnerable to the stressors of military life in general, the findings may underestimate the impact of deployments, he added.
"We say at the end, the differences we see between these two groups, if you were to include all wives, would probably be greater," he said. "This is a conservative estimate of the ... impact of deployment on the mental health of these wives."
Limitations aside, the study reaped results that can be used as an impetus for change, Engel said. Experts know anecdotally that deployments have an impact on military families, but real findings help provide the thrust to change and improve support programs, he added.
"We assume [deployment] has an impact, but in some fashion we don't really know, until we have a chance to see it in terms of real findings from a scientific study," he said.
Engel noted that he found one aspect of the findings reassuring: Army spouses are taking advantage of available mental health services.
"We now have some fairly definitive scientific data to demonstrate that the wives of soldiers who deploy have some special needs," he said. "This is bound to lead to greater discussion of what those needs are and new programs to meet those needs. And that can only be a positive thing."
While this study was limited to the Army, future studies are sure to look at deployments' impacts on spouses from other services, Engel said.
"Our group and other groups will want to analyze these data in ways that bring in the other services, particularly ... the Marine Corps," he said. "There's every reason to think that the wives of Marines may be experiencing similar kinds of challenges."
Afghan Forces Contain Attack on Barracks
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2010 - Afghan security forces reacted quickly today to contain an insurgent attack on the Afghan National Army's Sharwali Barracks on the western edge of Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, military officials reported.
According to initial reports, the small-arms attack came primarily from an unoccupied four-story building to the south of the barracks. Insurgents fired two rockets from the area to the west of the Helmand River known as the Bolan Desert at about 10 a.m., and the rockets are believed to have landed west of the barracks.
This coordinated attempt by insurgents to launch an attack continues, officials said, but is being contained by Afghan forces. The main group of attackers was pinned down in a vacant building south of Sharwali Barracks. Attack helicopters are over the city and have fired upon insurgents.
No casualties have been reported.
In other news from Afghanistan, an Afghan-international security patrol searched a house in Helmand's Garmsir district this morning and found about 90 pounds of opium. The homeowner was questioned and released, and the drugs were confiscated and brought to a military base for disposition.
Also in Helmand today, an Afghan-international force patrolling in the Yekken Baba Ziarat district found 500 pounds of homemade explosives. Three suspects were detained, and the explosives will be destroyed, officials said.
(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force news releases.)
Jan. 29, 2010 - Afghan security forces reacted quickly today to contain an insurgent attack on the Afghan National Army's Sharwali Barracks on the western edge of Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, military officials reported.
According to initial reports, the small-arms attack came primarily from an unoccupied four-story building to the south of the barracks. Insurgents fired two rockets from the area to the west of the Helmand River known as the Bolan Desert at about 10 a.m., and the rockets are believed to have landed west of the barracks.
This coordinated attempt by insurgents to launch an attack continues, officials said, but is being contained by Afghan forces. The main group of attackers was pinned down in a vacant building south of Sharwali Barracks. Attack helicopters are over the city and have fired upon insurgents.
No casualties have been reported.
In other news from Afghanistan, an Afghan-international security patrol searched a house in Helmand's Garmsir district this morning and found about 90 pounds of opium. The homeowner was questioned and released, and the drugs were confiscated and brought to a military base for disposition.
Also in Helmand today, an Afghan-international force patrolling in the Yekken Baba Ziarat district found 500 pounds of homemade explosives. Three suspects were detained, and the explosives will be destroyed, officials said.
(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force news releases.)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Army Secretary Releases Wanat Investigation Statement
Secretary of the Army John McHugh today released the following statement after receiving the U.S. Central Command investigation results regarding the combat action involving U.S. Army forces at Wanat, Afghanistan, on July 13, 2008. Nine U.S. Army soldiers were killed and 27 were wounded during that battle.
"I have directed the commander of U.S. Army Forces Command, Gen. Charles Campbell, to review the recommendations and take action as he deems appropriate with regard to Army personnel identified in the report within 90 days.
"We remain in close contact with the families of our fallen from this battle, and they will be invited to a comprehensive briefing on the investigation following Gen. Campbell's actions.
"We must be an Army that is committed to continuous self-assessment and improvement. Analysis of this investigation's findings provides us the opportunity to better ensure we are doing everything possible to safeguard the lives and treasure entrusted to us while ensuring mission success."
The Army will defer public release of any further information on the matter until families have been briefed on findings and any action taken. Media may contact Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, 703-697-2564, or christopher.garver@us.army.mil.
"I have directed the commander of U.S. Army Forces Command, Gen. Charles Campbell, to review the recommendations and take action as he deems appropriate with regard to Army personnel identified in the report within 90 days.
"We remain in close contact with the families of our fallen from this battle, and they will be invited to a comprehensive briefing on the investigation following Gen. Campbell's actions.
"We must be an Army that is committed to continuous self-assessment and improvement. Analysis of this investigation's findings provides us the opportunity to better ensure we are doing everything possible to safeguard the lives and treasure entrusted to us while ensuring mission success."
The Army will defer public release of any further information on the matter until families have been briefed on findings and any action taken. Media may contact Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, 703-697-2564, or christopher.garver@us.army.mil.
Conference Boosts International Afghanistan Support
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2010 - Defense Department officials are hailing yesterday's International Conference on Afghanistan in London as a major step toward integrating the governance and developmental goals they say must go hand in hand with security efforts being advanced through the troop surge. Representatives of more than 60 nations and international institutions focused on the best way to work together toward a stable Afghanistan that's able to sustain its own security, exercise sovereignty over all its territory, provide governance and economic prosperity, and ultimately, play a constructive role in the region.
Although the conference wasn't scheduled to raise funds or solicit pledges of additional troops, a communiqué released at its conclusion offered assurances of international support to expand the Afghan national security forces. The participants committed to an October 2011 timeline for growing the Afghan National Army to 171,600 troops, and the Afghan National Police to 134,000 members.
The communiqué also endorsed transitioning security responsibility to the Afghans in some provinces by late this year or early 2011.
Another major focus of the session was Afghanistan's efforts to reintegrate low- and mid-level insurgent fighters and commanders who agree to cut ties with extremists, support the Afghan government and rejoin Afghan society through vocational training and jobs.
Participants pledged $140 million for a new Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund to finance the effort that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and others have recognized is critical to resolving conflict in Afghanistan.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who led the U.S. delegation at the conference, recognized the importance of getting former enemies to renounce their insurgent ties and take a positive role in Afghan society.
"You don't make peace with your friends. You make peace with your enemies," she said during an interview yesterday with CNN. "You have to be willing to engage with your enemies if you expect to create a situation that ends an insurgency."
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Clinton noted, is trying to send clear messages to those associated with the Taliban only as a way to make a living, or through intimidation, to "come off the battlefield and reintegrate into society."
"If you are a mid-level leader of the Taliban, not ideologically committed to their view, then you, too, can rejoin society," she said. "However, there are very clear conditions: You must renounce violence. You must lay down your arms. You must renounce al-Qaida. And you must be willing to live by the laws and the constitution of Afghanistan."
Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, and his team who are working to reverse the Taliban's momentum, recognize lessons learned through the "Sunni Awakening" in Iraq about turning insurgents' allegiances to support the government, Clinton said.
"There is an opportunity to try to convince the insurgents to quit the fight and come back," she said. "And that's part of this peace effort."
Just as in Iraq, U.S. military members on the ground will have access to funds to support these battlefield decisions, within established rules and regulations, Clinton said.
"What our commanders tell us is that it is extremely useful when someone shows up and says to a young lieutenant or captain, 'I'd like to quit. I want to go home. I want to plant my fields,'... to be able to say, 'OK, and here's what you'll get if you meet our conditions and you go forward as a member of society,'" she said. "So, we want to equip our military."
Clinton said she has "the greatest confidence in General McChrystal and his team to know how to pull this off."
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 29, 2010 - Defense Department officials are hailing yesterday's International Conference on Afghanistan in London as a major step toward integrating the governance and developmental goals they say must go hand in hand with security efforts being advanced through the troop surge. Representatives of more than 60 nations and international institutions focused on the best way to work together toward a stable Afghanistan that's able to sustain its own security, exercise sovereignty over all its territory, provide governance and economic prosperity, and ultimately, play a constructive role in the region.
Although the conference wasn't scheduled to raise funds or solicit pledges of additional troops, a communiqué released at its conclusion offered assurances of international support to expand the Afghan national security forces. The participants committed to an October 2011 timeline for growing the Afghan National Army to 171,600 troops, and the Afghan National Police to 134,000 members.
The communiqué also endorsed transitioning security responsibility to the Afghans in some provinces by late this year or early 2011.
Another major focus of the session was Afghanistan's efforts to reintegrate low- and mid-level insurgent fighters and commanders who agree to cut ties with extremists, support the Afghan government and rejoin Afghan society through vocational training and jobs.
Participants pledged $140 million for a new Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund to finance the effort that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and others have recognized is critical to resolving conflict in Afghanistan.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who led the U.S. delegation at the conference, recognized the importance of getting former enemies to renounce their insurgent ties and take a positive role in Afghan society.
"You don't make peace with your friends. You make peace with your enemies," she said during an interview yesterday with CNN. "You have to be willing to engage with your enemies if you expect to create a situation that ends an insurgency."
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Clinton noted, is trying to send clear messages to those associated with the Taliban only as a way to make a living, or through intimidation, to "come off the battlefield and reintegrate into society."
"If you are a mid-level leader of the Taliban, not ideologically committed to their view, then you, too, can rejoin society," she said. "However, there are very clear conditions: You must renounce violence. You must lay down your arms. You must renounce al-Qaida. And you must be willing to live by the laws and the constitution of Afghanistan."
Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, and his team who are working to reverse the Taliban's momentum, recognize lessons learned through the "Sunni Awakening" in Iraq about turning insurgents' allegiances to support the government, Clinton said.
"There is an opportunity to try to convince the insurgents to quit the fight and come back," she said. "And that's part of this peace effort."
Just as in Iraq, U.S. military members on the ground will have access to funds to support these battlefield decisions, within established rules and regulations, Clinton said.
"What our commanders tell us is that it is extremely useful when someone shows up and says to a young lieutenant or captain, 'I'd like to quit. I want to go home. I want to plant my fields,'... to be able to say, 'OK, and here's what you'll get if you meet our conditions and you go forward as a member of society,'" she said. "So, we want to equip our military."
Clinton said she has "the greatest confidence in General McChrystal and his team to know how to pull this off."
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Carlos E. Gill, 25, of Fayetteville, N.C., died Jan. 26 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center of an illness. He was evacuated from Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2009, where he was supporting combat operations. Gill was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
For more information media may contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at 253-967-0152 or 253-967-0147.
Sgt. Carlos E. Gill, 25, of Fayetteville, N.C., died Jan. 26 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center of an illness. He was evacuated from Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2009, where he was supporting combat operations. Gill was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
For more information media may contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at 253-967-0152 or 253-967-0147.
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