Empowering Afghan Citizens to Counter IED Threats

By Navy Lt. j.g. Charity Edgar, Afghanistan Resolute Support DoD News Features, Defense Media Activity

KABUL, Afghanistan, September 4, 2015 — In the first six months of 2015, 22 percent of Afghan civilian casualties were caused by improvised explosive devices, according to a report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

The Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan Counter-IED Directorate here is working to change that.

The team of coalition service members, Defense Department civilians and contractors at Resolute Support Headquarters here, trains, advises and assists Afghan national defense and security forces on how to identify and disarm IEDs and unexploded ordnance and collect evidence following detonation.

Helping Afghan Children

The counter-IED staff also brings awareness directly to civilians. This year has been the most deadly to date for IED civilian casualties, and children continue to make up an alarming number of the deaths. This prompted the Counter-IED Directorate to team up with the United Nations Mine Action Coordination Center of Afghanistan, Afghan Security Institutions’ counter-IED officers and the Ministry of Education to spread IED awareness techniques to as many Afghan children as possible.

This summer, 123 child protection officers and teachers from all 34 provinces converged in Kabul for a four-day seminar, where they learned about the newest IED technology, what to look for and how to use the 119 emergency services call center for reporting.

Each graduate of the program received handouts, posters and discs that will help them train 5,074 teachers throughout Afghanistan, who will in turn teach their students IED and unexploded ordnance safety.

Fraiba is a woman who operates a counter-IED school program in Herat province. She attended the training so that she could educate her students, as well as teachers, on how to avoid IEDs and mines.

“It’s important for me as a female officer because in many provinces, there are female schools and men cannot teach them, so we need to be trained, as well,” said Fraiba, who was one of six women to graduate from the seminar.

Ahmadudin, a safety officer from Kunar province, traveled six hours for the training.

“In order to provide awareness to students and teachers in my province, I need to learn about the new explosive devices to reduce the threats,” Ahmadudin said. “This is a process of continuous learning; new students don’t know to tread softly and alert others and the danger is constant, so the training must be, too.”

Awareness Campaign

The counter-IED program will be placing billboards and producing radio and television commercials throughout Afghanistan to continue to reach civilians and educate them on IED awareness. They have designed handouts that provide security guidance in languages Dari, Pashto and English.

“The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces counter-IED teams are doing great work, but there’s still an overwhelming danger facing army, police, government officials and civilian personnel,” said Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lt. Pete Radcliffe, who advises the Ministries of Defense and Interior. “We want to arm Afghan citizens with both the ability and knowledge to better protect themselves against these devices.”

“It can be really dangerous in Afghanistan, especially for children,” said Fraiba. “But now with this training, I can help protect them.

Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pvt. Ryan J. Larson, 19, of Friendship, Wis., died June 15 at Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

For more information, the media may contact the U.S. Army Alaska public affairs office at 907-384-2072 or 907-384-1542.

Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation New Dawn.

Pfc. Matthew J. England, 22, of Gainesville, Mo., died June 8, in An Najaf province, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

For more information the media may call the Fort Hood public affairs office at 254-287-9993, 254-287-0106 or go to FortHoodPressCenter.com.

Face of Defense: Marine Survives IED Blasts

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bryan Nygaard

2nd Marine Expeditionary Force

COMBAT OUTPOST SHUKVANI, Afghanistan, June 7, 2011 – Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Armstrong’s fellow Marines call him “Rock,” and the name fits him well. The Corinth, N.Y., native has survived two roadside bomb blasts. He is still in the fight and shows no signs of stopping.

But the memory of the first explosion will always be engraved in his mind.

On Dec. 10, 2010, Armstrong, a forward observer with Fire Control Team 5, Supporting Arms Liaison Team Chuck, 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, was on a patrol with soldiers of the 32nd Georgian Light Infantry Battalion. He was accompanied by his team chief, Marine Corps Sgt. Jamie Lee Lantgen, and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Greg Christ, a hospitalman.

Also present was Marine Corps Cpl. Alex Wilson, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, who was attached to the Georgian liaison team, and Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Stacy Green, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, who was working with the Afghan National Army embedded training team.

The patrol members were aboard four mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, and they were driving through the village of Corgulat in mid-afternoon. They then spotted something suspicious on the road: three rocks stacked on top of each other. It was a sign of a possible roadside bomb.

The patrol stopped, set up a perimeter around the area and called in an explosive ordnance disposal team to investigate.

“It’s TIC time!” yelled Lantgen, using the battlefield acronym for “troops in contact.”

The Marines and Georgian soldiers had learned to expect contact with insurgent forces during that time of day. Minutes later, the patrol started taking fire.

Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher Holm, the team leader for Fire Control Team 6, was on an observation post and saw the patrol taking fire from the east. He radioed the Marines and told them to take cover on the western side of the vehicles.

“I just turned the corner, and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground,” Armstrong said about being thrown from the explosive blast. “My initial thought was that I had been hit by [a rocket-propelled grenade]. I felt pain in my right arm. First thing I did was wiggle my fingers and toes to make sure they were still there.”

Green was killed instantly from stepping on the roadside bomb. Lantgen was standing between Green and Armstrong. His right arm was broken, and the right side of his face and body was covered in blood from shrapnel wounds. Armstrong was shielded from the blast by Lantgen, and absorbed only about 10 pieces of small shrapnel around his neck, and his elbow was swollen from a piece of Green’s gear that hit him on the arm.

Christ was knocked unconscious, but moments later woke up and immediately began administering medical aid to Lantgen.

The firing stopped as soon as the improvised explosive device detonated. Armstrong tried getting up. He said it was comparable to the opening scene of the movie “Saving Private Ryan,” in which Tom Hanks’ character, Captain Miller, experiences shellshock just as he lands on Omaha Beach.

“I was messed up bad -- I had tunnel vision. I couldn’t really hear anything. I was shaking,” Armstrong said. “I saw doc working on Sergeant Lantgen. Then I saw Staff Sergeant Green’s body. I didn’t know it was him at the time. I asked Wilson if it was one of our guys. He grabbed me, told me not to worry about it and pulled me away from him.”

Everyone was in a somber mood when Armstrong returned to base. Green had been killed, and Lantgen, a valuable member of the team who everyone looked up to, was lost to injury. Lantgen, a veteran of Iraq, was known to deliberately expose himself to draw enemy fire so the rest of his team knew where to aim.

“IEDs don’t see your rank or what you’ve accomplished -- they just see a victim,” Armstrong said.

Marine Corps Cpl. Matthew Williams, a radio operator with Fire Control Team 5, remembers seeing Armstrong for the first time that night.

“His face told the whole story,” said Williams, a native of Temple, Texas. “You could tell he’d been through hell. The first thing he said when he got back was, ‘I don’t want to go back to [Camp] Leatherneck.’”

Weeks later, during another patrol, Armstrong was within 20 meters of another blast. Nobody was killed, but Armstrong had been exposed to a second roadside bomb. It is policy in Afghanistan for troops to remain on a forward operating base if they are exposed to three IEDs.

Marine Corps Capt. Ramon Pattugalan, the team leader for Fire Control Teams 5 and 6, did not want to risk having Armstrong confined to Camp Leatherneck.

“It was tough to see that look on his face when I told him he couldn’t go out anymore,” Pattugalan said. “He’s a true team player. He’s the type of guy that doesn’t want us to go into the fight without him.”

Armstrong begged Pattugalan to let him stay in the fight. Pattugalan told him that he did not need to worry -- he had a plan.

Pattugalan, who serves as the joint terminal attack controller for Fire Control Team 6 and coordinates close air support for the Georgian troops, has mentored Armstrong into becoming a joint forward observer.

“He helped me learn how to control aircraft,” Armstrong said. “That way I can go to Joint Forward Observer’s Course when we get back to the States. Eventually, I can be a team chief.”

Even though Armstrong is not allowed to go out on patrols, he has been designated as a primary machine gunner and is able to provide overwatch from observation posts around the base. He said it is a welcome break from being inside the combat operations center.

“I still get to bring out the [M240 medium machine gun] and I still get to get in on the action,” he said. “I don’t like being in the COC watching things happen on a TV. I’m just not really an office type of guy.”

Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died of wounds suffered June 4, in Laghman province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 793rd Military Police Battalion, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Killed were:

Sgt. Christopher R. Bell, 21, of Golden, Miss.;

Sgt. Joshua D. Powell, 28, of Quitman, Texas;

Spc. Devin A. Snyder, 20, of Cohocton, N.Y.; and

Pfc. Robert L. Voakes Jr., 21, of L’Anse, Mich.

For more information, the media may contact the U.S. Army Alaska public affairs office at 907-384-2072 or 907-384-1542.

Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Jeffrey C. S. Sherer, 29, of Four Oaks, N.C. died June 2, in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

For more information, the media may contact the U.S. Army Alaska public affairs office at 907-384-2072 or 907-384-1542.

Mission Afghanistan: Legat Kabul

Part 7: An Early Presence in the War Zone

The FBI’s presence in Afghanistan began in 2001 with a handful of agents whose job was to search for information regarding terror threats to the homeland. By the time our legal attaché office, or legat, was formally established in 2006, dozens of Bureau personnel were involved in a range of investigative and intelligence-gathering activities to support the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.

Ordinarily, the FBI’s 61 international offices serve mainly as law enforcement liaisons with their host countries, but Legat Kabul has taken on a much broader role.

“Things are different in a war zone,” said Special Agent Brian McCauley, the first legal attaché in Afghanistan. “We couldn’t just be a liaison service in Afghanistan because the mission required a greater contribution. When the military and others realized what our capabilities were and the value that we added,” he said, “we began to do much more.”

Over time, in addition to counterterrorism work, Bureau personnel began providing law enforcement training and mentoring to Afghans, helping them build a government based on the rule of law. And our investigative and intelligence-gathering expertise was tapped by the military for a variety of uses, including helping to disrupt and stop deadly suicide bomb attacks.

“The army is not raised and trained to gather and analyze intelligence from the battlefield the same way the FBI is,” said Major Gen. Bernard Champoux, commander of the Army’s 25th Infantry Division who formerly served as deputy chief of staff for operations for NATO forces in Afghanistan. “The FBI brings a skill set that is not found in other organizations,” he said. “The level of professionalism, training, and sense of mission that you find in the FBI is extremely admirable.”

“In the early days,” McCauley said, “the challenge was defining the FBI’s mission, to see where we could add value. And once we did define and expand our mission,” he added, “we had to fully support it.” That meant proper training for Bureau personnel who deployed and the significant logistical task of providing housing, equipment, and supplies for those who would be working in a hostile and austere environment some 7,000 miles from home.

One reason the FBI has adapted so well in the war zone, Gen. Champoux believes, is the Bureau’s team approach. “The FBI is accustomed to working with its law enforcement partners in task force settings—which is exactly the way the coalition forces’ counterinsurgency operation works. You are part of a team, and you have to play well together.”

McCauley is particularly proud of the team effort that targeted improvised explosive device (IED) cells. During his deployment, the Bureau helped dismantle four IED cells and stop 43 separate attacks.

“The FBI knows how to conduct investigations and interviews—we’ve been doing this for over 100 years,” McCauley said. “An IED cell is really just another type of organized crime. There are leaders, recruiters, facilitators, bomb makers, and the sacrificial volunteers who carry out attacks. Our investigative and intelligence-gathering approach helped alter events and prevent attacks. Without question, our joint efforts with the military and other partners saved countless lives.”

Gen. Champoux noted that McCauley’s “willingness to find a way to make a contribution and to bring the FBI’s capability forward made a huge difference in the success of our operations against IEDs.” He added, “The FBI has been a great partner to the military in Afghanistan.”

Next: A model for the future.

Two Iraqi Nationals Indicted on Federal Terrorism Charges in Kentucky

WASHINGTON—An Iraqi citizen who allegedly carried out numerous improvised explosive device (IED) attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq and another Iraqi national alleged to have participated in the insurgency in Iraq have been arrested and indicted on federal terrorism charges in the Western District of Kentucky.

The arrests in Bowling Green, Kentucky and the criminal complaints and indictment unsealed today were announced by Todd Hinnen, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security; David J. Hale, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky; Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Louisville Division; and the members of the Louisville Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

Waad Ramadan Alwan, 30, and Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, 23, both former residents of Iraq who currently reside in Bowling Green, were charged in a 23-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Bowling Green on May 26, 2011. Alwan is charged with conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals abroad; conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction (explosives) against U.S. nationals abroad; distributing information on the manufacture and use of IEDs; attempting to provide material support to terrorists and to al Qaeda in Iraq; as well as conspiracy to transfer, possess, and export Stinger missiles. Hammadi is charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists and to al Qaeda in Iraq, as well as conspiracy to transfer, possess, and export Stinger missiles.

Alwan and Hammadi were arrested on May 25, 2011, on criminal complaints and made their initial appearances today in federal court in Louisville, Ky. Each faces a potential sentence of life in prison if convicted of all the charges in the indictment. Both defendants were closely monitored by federal law enforcement authorities in the months leading up to their arrests. Neither is charged with plotting attacks within the United States.

“Over the course of roughly eight years, Waad Ramadan Alwan allegedly supported efforts to kill U.S. troops in Iraq, first by participating in the construction and placement of improvised explosive devices in Iraq and, more recently, by attempting to ship money and weapons from the United States to insurgents in Iraq. His co-defendant, Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, is accused of many of the same activities. With these arrests, which are the culmination of extraordinary investigative work by law enforcement and intelligence officials, the support provided by these individuals comes to an end and they will face justice,” said Todd Hinnen, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

“The filing of these charges in Bowling Green, Kentucky underscores the readiness of federal law enforcement authorities and our partners in the Joint Terrorism Task Forces to effectively pursue and prosecute terrorists wherever in the United States they may be found,” said David J. Hale, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. “Whether they seek shelter in a major metropolitan area or in a smaller city in Kentucky, those who would attempt to harm or kill Americans abroad will face a determined and prepared law enforcement effort dedicated to the investigations and prosecutions necessary to bring them to justice. The dismantling of terrorist networks is the first priority of this office and the Department of Justice.”

“These arrests were the culmination of extremely well-coordinated, diligent, and tireless efforts by the FBI and our law enforcement partners working on the JTTFs. My thanks to all those who assisted in this case,” said Elizabeth A. Fries, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Louisville Division. “I want to remind the public that the FBI is responsible for protecting the civil rights of all persons in our communities. Just as we vigorously investigate terrorism cases, the FBI will vigorously pursue anyone who targets Muslims or their places of worship for backlash-related threats or violence in the wake of these arrests.”

According to the charging documents, Alwan entered the United States in April 2009 and has lived in Bowling Green since his arrival. Hammadi entered the United States in July 2009 and, after first residing in Las Vegas, moved to Bowling Green.

Prior Activities in Iraq

In September 2009, the FBI launched an investigation into Alwan. Later, the FBI began using a confidential human source (CHS) who met with and engaged in recorded conversations with Alwan beginning in August 2010, and with Hammadi beginning in January 2011. In a number of meetings with the CHS, Alwan allegedly discussed his prior activities as an insurgent in Iraq from 2003 until his capture by Iraqi authorities in May 2006, including his use of IEDs and sniper rifles to target U.S. forces and details about various attacks in which he participated.

For example, in recorded conversations with the CHS, Alwan allegedly stated that he used to procure explosives and missiles while an insurgent in Iraq; that his insurgent group conducted strikes daily; and that he used IEDs in Iraq hundreds of times. At one point, Alwan allegedly drew diagrams of four types of IEDs for the CHS and provided verbal instructions on how to build these devices. He also discussed occasions in which he had used these types of IEDs against U.S. troops. Asked whether he had achieved results from these devices in Iraq, Alwan allegedly replied, “Oh yes,” mentioning that his attacks had “f--ked up” Hummers and also targeted Bradley fighting vehicles.

According to the charging documents, the FBI has been able to identify two latent fingerprints belonging to Alwan on a component of an unexploded IED that was recovered by U.S. forces near Bayji, Iraq. Alwan had allegedly advised the CHS that he lived in that area of Iraq and worked at the power plant in Bayji. Alwan had also allegedly told the CHS how he had used a particular brand of cordless telephone base station in IEDs. Alwan’s fingerprints were allegedly found on this particular brand of cordless base station in the IED that was recovered in Iraq.

In additional conversations with the CHS, Alwan also described IED attacks on U.S. troops that he participated in with others, including an associate whom Alwan said had lost an eye when an IED exploded prematurely. According to the charging documents, U.S. forces recovered an unexploded IED near Bayji from which a latent fingerprint belonging to this associate was later recovered. The charging documents allege that this associate was detained by U.S. troops in June 2006 and had a false eye.

The charging documents also allege that Hammadi has discussed his prior experience as an insurgent in Iraq and has told the CHS about prior IED attacks in Iraq in which he participated. In one conversation with the CHS, Hammadi allegedly described how he had been arrested in Iraq, explaining that authorities captured him after the car he was driving in got a flat tire shortly after he and others had placed IEDs in the ground.

Activities in the United States

According to the charging documents, beginning in September 2010, Alwan expressed interest in helping the CHS provide support to terrorists in Iraq. The CHS explained that he shipped money and weapons to the mujahidin in Iraq by secreting them in vehicles sent from the United States. Thereafter, Alwan allegedly participated in operations with the CHS to provide money, weapons—including machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, Stinger missiles, and C4 plastic explosives—as well as IED diagrams and advice on the construction of IEDs to what he believed were the mujahidin attacking U.S. troops in Iraq.

For instance, in November 2010, Alwan allegedly picked up machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers from a storage facility in Kentucky and delivered them to a designated location believing they would be shipped to al Qaeda in Iraq. In January 2011, the charging documents allege, Alwan recruited Hammadi to assist in the material support activities. Alwan allegedly described Hammadi to the CHS as a relative of his whose work as an insurgent in Iraq was well known.

Later that month, Alwan and Hammadi allegedly delivered money to a tractor-trailer, believing the money would ultimately be shipped to al Qaeda in Iraq. In February 2011, the pair allegedly assisted in the delivery of additional weapons, including sniper rifles and inert C4 plastic explosives, to a tractor-trailer, believing that these items would be shipped to al Qaeda in Iraq. Finally, in March 2011, Alwan and Hammadi allegedly picked up two inert Stinger missiles from the storage facility and delivered them to a tractor-trailer believing these items would be shipped to al Qaeda in Iraq.

Neither the Stinger missiles nor any of the other weapons or money delivered by Alwan or Hammadi in connection with the CHS in the United States were provided to al Qaeda in Iraq, but instead were carefully controlled by law enforcement as part of the undercover operation.

In closing, Mr. Hale noted, “Let me be clear that this is not an indictment against a particular religious community or religion. Instead, this indictment charges two individuals with federal terrorism offenses.”

Mr. Hale commended the investigative efforts of the Louisville Division of the FBI and the Louisville JTTF, which is comprised of the following full-time member agencies: Louisville Metro Police, Kentucky State Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Marshals Service. Also assisting were full-time members of the Lexington JTTF, which includes the University of Kentucky Police and Lexington-Fayette County Police. The U.S. Department of Defense also provided assistance in this investigation, as well as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Bowling Green Police Department.

The prosecution is being handled by Trial Attorney Larry Schneider from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Calhoun and Mike Bennett from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.

The public is reminded that charges contained in an indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died May 23, in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Kristofferson B. Lorenzo, 33, of Chula Vista, Calif.,

Pfc. William S. Blevins, 21, of Sardinia, Ohio,

Pvt. Andrew M. Krippner, 20, Garland, Texas; and

Pvt. Thomas C. Allers, 23, of Plainwell, Mich.

For more information the media may contact the 25th Infantry Division public affairs office at 808-655-6351.

Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died May 16, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using an improvised explosive device in Zabul province, Afghanistan.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. David D. Self, 29, of Pearl, Miss.  He was assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany; also,

Spc. Bradley L. Melton, 29, Rolla, Mo.;

Pvt. Lamarol J. Tucker, 26, of Gainesville, Fla.; and

Pvt. Cheizray Pressley, 21, of North Charleston, S.C.  They were assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Anchorage, Alaska.

For more information on Self, media may contact U.S. Army in Europe public affairs office at 011-49-6221-57 5816, or ocpa.pi@eur.army.mil.

For more information on the 25th Infantry Division soldiers, media may contact the U.S. Army Alaska public affairs office at 907-384-2072 or 907-384-1542.

Combined Force Captures Taliban Suspect

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Taliban roadside bomb facilitator, along with several other suspected insurgents, in the Panjwai district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province yesterday, military officials reported.

Based on numerous intelligence reports, the combined security force searched for the suspect at a compound in the district. Following interviews with residents, the combined force identified and detained the man and several of his associates.

In other operations yesterday:

-- A combined force acting on intelligence reports captured a Taliban facilitator and two suspected insurgents in Helmand province’s Sangin district. The facilitator provided guidance and helped insurgents conduct attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout northern Helmand.

-- In Khost province’s Sabari district, a combined force detained several insurgents while searching for a Haqqani terrorist network facilitator in an intelligence-driven operation.

-- A combined force in Khost province’s Musa Khel district detained numerous suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network leader.

-- Afghan and coalition forces detained several insurgents at a bazaar in Nangarhar province’s Khogyani district. A group of insurgents attacked the combined forces at the Wazir Bazaar with small-arms fire before escaping into a nearby tree line. The combined force returned fire, suppressing the insurgents and injuring two in the process. More than 10 suspected insurgents were detained for further questioning.

-- A combined force found and confiscated 11 120 mm mortar rounds in Kandahar province’s Arghandab district.

-- In Kandahar’s Zharay district, insurgents engaged a combined patrol, then broke contact when the force returned fire. Following the attack, the patrol found and destroyed 220 pounds of opium.

In May 15 operations:

-- A combined operation resulted in the death of five insurgents in Kapisa province’s Tagab district. The operation was in response to a call for aid from a checkpoint that was under attack from insurgents. The combined force came under fire when it arrived, and killed the insurgents with return fire.

-- A combined operation resulted in discovery of 705 pounds of opium in Farah province’s Lash-E Juwain district. A suspect was detained, and the combined force destroyed the opium.

Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Preston J. Dennis, 23, of Redding, Calif., died April 28 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

For more information, the media may contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at 315-772-8286.

Security Check

Massachusetts Guard Member Spc. Igor Tomaz, of Metford, Mass, an infantryman from B Company, 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry, with the security force for the Provincial Reconstruction Team, checks a door for improvised explosive devices prior to breeching during a room clearing drill at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind., Apr. 13. (Photo by Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs

Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Donald L. Nichols, 21, of Shell Rock, Iowa, died April 13, in Laghman province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Iowa Army National Guard, Waterloo, Iowa.

For more information, please contact the Iowa National Guard public affairs office at 515-252-4582.

Seabees Provide Critical Support in Afghanistan

By Builder 3rd Class (SCW) Jacob Kusay, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs

SANGIN, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 Seabees returned to Camp Leatherneck April 6, after safely completing two combat outposts (COP) and improving a critical road in support of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).

Since arriving to Afghanistan in November 2010, NMCB 3 has built more than five combat outposts and has improved three roads.

Most of these Seabees were also on Det. Maiwand, where they had gained contingency construction experience by building a patrol base for British and NATO forces in December 2010, in Helmand province.

"Knowing what to do the second time around made it a lot easier," said Equipment Operator 3rd Class (SCW) Cody Diehl. "I knew the sweat we put into this mission was providing much needed security in that area."

Historically, the area where the detachment constructed the COPs and road was built along Afghanistan's Route 611, has been a hot bed of insurgent activity and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks.

"The road improvements and base construction projects enabled the 3/8 Marine Battalion of the II MEF to gain control of the area," said Lt.j.g. Elise Chapdelaine, NMCB 3. "This gave the Marines the facilities and capability to stabilize that portion of the Helmand River Valley. Because of our Seabees' hard work and dedication, we have decreased insurgent capability in the region."

The first combat outpost (COP) construction consisted of building perimeter walls, a helicopter landing zone, guard towers and a detainee facility.

"None of us have ever built something like this [the detainee facility], so it was pretty unique," said Builder Constructionman (SCW) Jared Allbritton.

Once the majority of the base was complete the Seabees started to focus on the road and a another COP up north. Prior to this mission, there was only one paved road in the Helmand Province, Highway One, which runs east to west. The road the Detachment was improving, called Route 611, connects the province north to south.

Throughout the road project, which consisted of preparing the ground to be paved by others, the Seabees overcame many obstacles, some of them life-threatening. Within the first month of the operation, there were seven IEDs found along the route they were working on. This required coordination with Explosive Ordinance Disposal teams to clear the route so the work could continue.

"It was pretty scary to know we were working right where IEDs were placed, but knowing we were making improvements to help the NATO forces and the country was worth it," said Equipment Operator Constructionman (SCW) Jeffrey Andreski.

As the road improvement continued, the rest of the Seabees moved to a new COP north of where they started and began making improvements to its security infrastructure, including constructing earthen berms and towers. During this time, the austere living conditions of the Marines became more apparent to the Seabees.

"When we first arrived at the location, the Marines were living in holes wearing their gear 24/7," said Builder 3rd Class Aaron Rives, "We felt that we had to get the berm up as soon as possible, as well as make their living conditions more comfortable. It was good to see how happy they were at the end of the project."

The Seabees built a suitable latrine facility, dining area, and command operation center for the supported Marines.

Since World War II, U.S. Navy Seabees have been providing contingency construction and engineering support to the Marine Corps.

NMCB 3 is an expeditionary element of U.S. Naval Forces providing construction, engineering and security services in support of national strategy, naval power projection, humanitarian assistance and contingency operations.