Task Force Promotes Philippine Military Capability, Partnership

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, July 18, 2012 – The senior U.S. commander in the Pacific capped off his visit to the Philippines yesterday getting a firsthand view of the fruits of a decade-long partnership between the two allies that has helped make solid progress in countering terrorism.

Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, toured the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines at Camp Navarro and the site of one of its three task forces operating in the southern Philippines.

JSOTF-P, stood up 10 years ago at the Philippine government’s request as it struggled against radical extremism, includes just over 400 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, explained Army Sgt. Maj. Charles Beebe, a Special Forces soldier who serves as the task force’s senior enlisted advisor.

The U.S. forces here advise and assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines, boosting their capacity to conduct offensive counterterrorism operations primarily against two al-Qaida affiliated groups: Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya, Beebe said.

“But at no time are our forces on the ground with them conducting operations,” he emphasized.

Beebe said his troops work in the background, helping the Philippine forces to improve their tactical skills, staff and planning procedures, intelligence operations and other capabilities so they can be more effective in the fight.

“Because the U.S. military, in particular its Special Forces, have a significant amount of experience dealing with these types of things, we were able to provide them that assistance and training that allows them to be able to very effectively deal with the counterterrorism threat in that region,” Locklear told American Forces Press Service.

To a lesser degree, the U.S. forces here also help fill capability gaps, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, transportation and to a diminishing degree, medevac assistance.

For example, Army Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Wright, the task force’s maintenance manager, is part of a team helping the AFP develop a preventive maintenance culture and identify efficiencies that will make a lasting impact on their maintenance processes.

“We are the overwatch, doing assessments and giving feedback,” Wright said. “It’s all very positive. They really want to learn through this.”

Army Col. Eric Miller, the task force commander, said the arrangement has gone a long way in improving the Philippines’ capability to deal with the terrorist threat. “They’ve always been pretty good in the counterinsurgency fight,” he said. “But they have truly advanced. They are now ready to move forward.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine military is building confidence in its own capabilities and winning their countrymen’s support, said Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Pete Foster, the task force’s senior enlisted advisor.

“People want a better life for their kids. And they know that the only way to have that is to get rid of the violent extremists and lawless elements,” Foster said. “So we’re seeing huge increases in that trust and confidence [in their forces]. That’s huge, and it’s growing and growing.”

The task force members work hand in hand with Philippine military units and government agencies to conduct civil-military operations that deepen that support through quality-of-life improvements ranging from medical and dental clinics to school, well and road construction projects.

Army Capt. Jason Tebedo, civil affairs team leader at the remote Task Force Mindanao site, told Locklear about several of these projects for young children and the elderly. As older Philippine citizens get receive cataract surgery, the third Operation Smile campaign will kick off on Aug. 1 to repair children’s cleft palates.

“We do different things in our military careers, but these are the kind of things that you remember,” Tebedo told the admiral.

More importantly, these projects have an impact on many people who may have felt disenfranchised from their government, he said. “They demonstrate that their government cares about them,” Tebedo said. “And that’s how you tie people back in.”

Locklear said he was particularly impressed by the scale and scope of the civil-military outreach.

“It is not just about addressing the counterterrorism threat in these areas,” he said. “It is about helping [the Philippines] address the issues and conditions that create an environment that allows terrorism to grow.

“And this has a lot to do with the quality of life and the quality of the prospects for the people who live in those areas,” the admiral continued. “So I am seeing good opportunities that have been realized between the Philippine military and the U.S. military to actually add value and add quality to the lives of those people who are in those remote areas. And that, in itself, adds to the overall security.”

The support U.S. forces are providing the Philippines is helping to create conditions for peace, stability and prosperity, Locklear said. “It is helping to give them a security environment where they don’t have to worry about terrorists dictating their future,” he said, “and gives them that lift that allows them to start realizing better potential in the area where they live.”

Reflecting on his visit, Locklear said he was impressed by the close relationship that has developed between the two militaries. “At every step I saw great coordination and communication between our forces and those of the Filipinos,” he said. “I saw opportunities s where they not only learn from us, but we learn from them.”

In doing so, he said, “we also built good friendships and relationships that will help us as we address future security challenges.”

Walking through the camp yesterday and meeting with the service members deployed here, Locklear said he was struck by their commitment to the mission in such a remote, austere location.

“I appreciate what you do and your country appreciates what you do,” he told a group of task force members. “You have tough work here, and I promise to make sure that you are supported.”

Recognizing that those serving here are among the U.S. military’s most elite -- Special Forces, Rangers, SEALs and the forces that support them -- Locklear said he wasn’t surprised to see them thrive in such difficult conditions.

“Where they saw an opportunity to improve the training or the overall relationship or to improve someone’s lives, they jumped in there and did it without being asked to do so,” he said. “As I have repeatedly said, we have the very best force we have ever had.”

Wright, deployed here from the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, said the chance to work directly with a host-nation military in a joint environment was “much more positive than I ever imagined.”

“They really want to learn,” he said of the Philippine troops. “I think this is going to be one of my best deployments.”

For Army Staff Sgt. Ethan Verozola, the chance to return to his native country as a U.S. civil affairs soldier was a dream come true. “It’s a huge honor for me to come back to my home country and to be able to take my knowledge and experience in the military and share it” with the Philippine military and national police, he said.

Miller said the sharing and collaboration taking place here will have a “long-term impact that is going to be huge,” particularly as the United States engages increasingly with the Asia-Pacific region.

“Those relationships are going to be key,” he said.

Panetta Praises Military Professionals for bin Laden Raid

By Jim Garamone and Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – To most Americans the news that Navy SEALs had killed Osama bin Laden came as a shot from the blue.

But to Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, the mission was the culmination of years of painstaking intelligence gathering, put to good use by a joint service team.

Panetta spoke about the raid today at the Pentagon. “Just yesterday, the nation marked one year since the operation that successfully took down Osama bin Laden,” he said. “It was a day that I hope Americans take the time to thank the very dedicated intelligence and military professionals who planned and executed that raid that delivered justice to al-Qaida’s leader.”

“We will always be grateful for their service, their sacrifice and their professionalism,” the secretary added.

During a recent trip to South America, Panetta discussed the raid itself. Last year, he was the Director of Central Intelligence monitoring the operation from CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. The intelligence professionals with the CIA located the al-Qaida leader’s hiding place in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Still, it was far from absolute confirmation that the compound held bin Laden. Intelligence analysts used a lot of circumstantial evidence to deduce that the compound held the terror leader.

President Barack Obama made a gutsy call ordering the raid, the secretary said.

The special operations team flew to Abbottabad from Jalalabad, Afghanistan. The compound is 100 miles inside Pakistan from the border. Crossing into Pakistani airspace was just one gut-check moment for U.S. leaders monitoring the operation. “When they crossed the border and were going into Pakistan there were a lot of tense moments about whether or not they would be detected,” Panetta said.

Another “nail-biting moment” came when one of the helicopters carrying the SEALs lost lift upon arriving at the compound and make a hard landing. Panetta was on the phone with Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, then the commander of the Joint Special Operations Command and now commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. McRaven was monitoring communications from Jalalabad.

After the loss of the helicopter, Panetta recalled asking McRaven, “Okay, what’s next?” The admiral, the secretary said, replied, “Don’t worry, we’re ready for this.”

The SEALs entered the three-story building at the heart of the compound and it was 20 minutes before there was any report from the ground. “We knew gunshots had been fired but after that I just didn’t know,” Panetta said.

It was at that point that McRaven reported that he might have heard the code word -- Geronimo -- that would mean they had found bin Laden. “We still were waiting, and then within a few minutes McRaven said the words, ‘Geronimo KIA,’” the secretary said, which meant that bin Laden had been killed in action.

“And that was that,” Panetta said.

But even with the mastermind of the 9-11 attacks dead, there were still tense moments. U.S. officials were concerned about what the Pakistani government would do, and whether the U.S. team could get out of the country without problems. “The moment they crossed the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, we finally knew that the mission had been accomplished,” Panetta said.

With the success of the operation assured, there were no over-the-top celebrations. “We had some special forces people at the operations center at CIA and we all kind of looked at each other,” Panetta said. “As a matter of fact, I have a picture in my office of all of us putting our arms around each other, just [acknowledging that] we got the job done.”

The secretary told members of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency today that the bin Laden operation was a remarkable experience and “one of the greatest memories in 40 years that I’ve been in Washington.

“Having the opportunity to work with the intelligence professionals, to work with Adm. Bill McRaven, to work with the SEALs in that operation was incredible,” Panetta said. “This was because of the professionalism and great dedication involved with that mission. It was the kind of stuff that makes you proud to be an American.”

With the death of bin Laden and many other strikes on the al-Qaida leadership, the terror group is a shadow of its former self, the secretary said. Still, it remains a threat, he said, and the dedicated intelligence and military professionals will continue with this mission.

Socom Commander Discusses Progress in Afghanistan

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2012 – Afghan forces now are leading all of the night raids U.S. special operations forces conduct with them in Afghanistan, the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command told senators today.

Navy Adm. William McRaven said operations in Afghanistan remain his near-term focus and highest priority. McRaven testified alongside Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, U.S. Central Command commander, before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The special operations leader and Navy SEAL said his forces bring two key capabilities to the transition effort in Afghanistan: the lethal and precise direct approach epitomized in night raids, and the indirect effort to build Afghan security and governance through village stability operations with Afghan forces.

Night raids target high-value insurgents, often after coalition and Afghan troops have tracked them for days or weeks, McRaven said.

Those individuals “generally bed down” and are much more targetable at night, McRaven said, calling the night operations an essential tactic.

The admiral acknowledged the raids’ unpopularity among the Afghan people, but said ensuring Afghan troops are “the first forces through the door” as they lead the raids has helped allay people’s anxiety.

Such raids often are safer than daytime operations, he said, because fewer people are out in the villages.

Meanwhile, McRaven said, special operations forces also work to strengthen programs such as the Afghan local police, which includes about 11,000 Afghans and is set to grow to 30,000 over the next few years. The village-based forces are starting to link together in mutual defense for the first time, he said.

“One village is actually coming to the aid of another village when they're being attacked or harassed,” he said.

A single road connecting villages makes that cooperation possible, the admiral noted.

“That's why it's very important to continue with [infrastructure projects] so they can get from Point A to Point B, see what the other village is doing, create trade with that village … [and] be the safety and security for that village, and vice versa,” McRaven added.

The admiral noted that no International Security Assistance Force special operations troops have been targeted in any of the “green-on-blue” incidents involving Afghan army and police members killing coalition troops.

“We have built these partnerships over many years,” McRaven said. “They're very strong partnerships. We have great respect for our Afghan partners, and we think this strategy of partnering with the Afghans is absolutely essential to victory in Afghanistan.”

Officials: Medical Concern for Somalia Hostage Prompted Rescue

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – While President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union address last night, a joint special operations forces team was finishing up a dramatic rescue of two hostages -- one of whom was seriously ill -- from an armed encampment in Somalia.

“A convergence of factors contributed to the decision to undertake the operation last night,” Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters here today.

Among those factors was a window of opportunity for mission success, he said, and information that one of the captured humanitarian workers, Jessica Buchanan of the United States, had a serious medical condition that could threaten her life.

“That added a sense of urgency to the need to move ahead,” Little said, “and that along with other considerations led to the decision to go with the operation yesterday.”

Details of what happened on the scene still are being determined, he said, adding that nine criminal suspects were killed during the rescue.

“They were heavily armed and had explosives at the site,” Little said.

Buchanan and Poul Thisted of Denmark worked for the Danish Demining Group, a nonprofit humanitarian organization for which the two were teaching local Somalis how to remove land mines from their environment. They were kidnapped at gunpoint Oct. 25 near Galcayo, Somalia, and were being held for ransom, according to a U.S. Africa Command statement. When the U.S. Justice Department requested help from the Defense Department, the statement added, Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, Africom’s commander, was directed to plan and conduct the rescue operation.

Whenever an American is taken hostage overseas, the FBI becomes involved in the investigation, said Navy Capt. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman.

“There was close coordination with the FBI throughout [the operation],” Kirby added. “It was very much an interagency effort.”

The president authorized the operation Jan. 23, and the military commanders decided to move ahead with it yesterday, Kirby said. “We made the proper notifications that needed to be made in the region,” he added.

The joint special operations assault team landed near Cadaado in north-central Somalia on Jan. 23 in the early evening Washington time, Kirby said, but “the operation was not over until a number of hours later, when the hostages were secured and our service members were safely out of harm’s way.”

The president, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and other national security officials monitored the operation’s progress from the White House before leaving to attend the president’s State of the Union address. As the president spoke during the Capitol Hill event, Kirby said, “we knew at that point that shots had been fired [and] that casualties had been taken among the kidnappers, but more importantly, we knew that the two hostages were safe.”

Little said there have been consultations between the U.S. and Danish governments and that “some of those consultations occurred prior to the operation.”

During the rescue, the assault team made its way to the outdoor encampment and confirmed that Buchanan and Thisted were there, guarded by nine captors. After securing the location, the team found Buchanan and Thisted unharmed.

Details about Buchanan’s medical condition have not been released. “We believe it was pre-existing when she was taken hostage, and also have reason to believe that it was getting worse while she was in captivity,” Kirby said.

U.S. military doctors and nurses are treating Buchanan and Thisted at a medical facility in the region, he added, and their repatriation has yet to be worked out.

"Last night's mission, boldly conducted by some of our nation's most courageous, competent and committed special operations forces, exemplifies United States Africa Command's mission to protect Americans and American interests in Africa," Ham said in a statement.

"I am extraordinarily proud of the joint-service team that planned, rehearsed and successfully concluded this operation. Thanks to them, a fellow American and her Danish co-worker are safe and will soon be home with their families,” he added.

“We should remember that Mrs. Buchanan and Mr. Thisted were working to protect the people of Somalia when they were violently kidnapped,” the general said. “It is my hope that all those who work in Somalia for the betterment of the Somali people can be free from the dangers of violent criminals."

Navy Casualty

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

Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Caleb A. Nelson, 26, of Omaha, Neb.,died after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while conducting a combat patrol in Zabul province, Afghanistan on Oct.1.  Nelson was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit, Norfolk, Va.

For further information related to this release, contact Lt. Arlo Abrahamson at 757-763-2007 or 757-620-3109.

Naval Special Warfare Personnel Killed In Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan

From Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs Office

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus, released the following statement Aug. 11:

"Early Saturday morning, Aug. 6, Naval Special Warfare suffered a tremendous loss of 22 men while conducting critical special operations combat in Afghanistan. They cannot be replaced. We will honor their service and sacrifice, and embrace their families as our own, in this time of immeasurable grief. The outpouring of support and sympathy from the Armed Services, the Government, Communities and the Public is well beyond my ability to properly thank. The Naval Special Warfare Community is deeply humbled and appreciative.

"Our NSW men were in company with U.S. Army aircrew, U.S. Air Force para-rescue and combat controllers, and an Afghan security element. We grieve for all of them, and admire their teamwork, commitment and courage. I have great hope for the future knowing that extraordinary men dedicate themselves completely to the idea and the actions of freedom and security, not only for ourselves but for others. We are truly blessed that such men answer a call to military service at the highest levels of professionalism and capability, but also deeply saddened by their loss. In the days and weeks ahead, I would ask for your thoughts, prayers and support for NSW, our Families, the Special Operations Community, and all of our Armed Forces."

DOD Identifies Service Members Killed In CH-47 Crash

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of 30 servicemembers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed.

The following sailors assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit were killed:

Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La.,

Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, Calif.,

Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Ark.,

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii, 

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Conn.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31, of Minneapolis, Minn.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 35, of West Hyannisport, Mass.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Mo.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas,

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null, 30, of Washington, W.Va.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, La.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Mich.,

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson, 28, of Angwin, Calif.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.,

Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah,

Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Neb.,

Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pa.,

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa,

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Fla., and

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah.

The following sailors assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit were killed:

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, Calif., and

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minn.

The soldiers killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Aurora, Colo.;

Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan.  He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.;

Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Grand Island, Neb.;

Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash.  He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.; and

Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan.  He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.

The airmen killed were:

Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla.;

Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif.; and

Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa.

All three airmen were assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.

For more information about the sailors, media may contact Lt. Arlo Abrahamson at 757-763-2007 or 757-620-3109.

For more information on Carter, media may contact the Colorado National Guard public affairs office at 720-250-1053.

For more information on Nichols, Bennett and Duncan, media may contact the 11th Aviation Command public affairs office at 502-626-5746 or 502-851-3466.

For more information on Hamburger, media may contact the Nebraska National Guard public affairs office at 402-309-7302 or 402-309-7303.

For more information about the airmen, media may contact the Air Force Special Operations Command public affairs office at 850-884-5515.

Officials Plan to Release Chinook Casualties’ Names

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2011 – The Defense Department will officially identify the 30 American servicemen killed Aug. 6 aboard a Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan, a Pentagon spokesman said today.

Twenty-five of the Americans killed were special operations forces, and five were Army aircrew members. Seven Afghan commandos and an Afghan interpreter also were killed.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta decided to identify the servicemen after considering security concerns raised by U.S. Special Operations Command officials, Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan told reporters. The release – expected by noon tomorrow -- will have the names, ranks, ages, hometowns and units of those killed in the incident. “This is the standard information we put in casualty releases,” Lapan said.

The families of many of those killed in the incident already have acknowledged their loved ones’ deaths.

“Secretary Panetta never intended not to release the names,” Lapan said. “Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the incident – including the high number of special operations forces who were killed – the secretary of defense decided to honor requests by senior commanders for additional time to fully review the possible implications of the release for the victims and their families.”

All along, the secretary was going to release the names of those killed, the colonel said. “It was incumbent upon others to convince him otherwise, and that didn’t happen,” he added.

The bodies of those killed are at Dover Air Force Base, Del., undergoing identification procedures.

NATO Airstrike Kills Insurgents Who Caused Helicopter Crash

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2011 – Coalition forces used a precision airstrike to kill Taliban insurgents involved in the Aug. 6 downing of the helicopter carrying 30 U.S. service members and eight Afghans, the commander of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan said today.

In a briefing from his headquarters in the Afghan capital of Kabul, Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen told Pentagon reporters the action was a continuation of the original mission to dismantle the leadership of an enemy network in Wardak province’s Tangi Valley.

“This does not ease our loss,” Allen said. “But we must and we will continue to relentlessly pursue the enemy.”

Near midnight on Aug. 8, the general said, coalition forces called in a precision airstrike with F-16s over the Chak district of Wardak province. According to details International Security Assistance Force officials released today, the strike killed Taliban leader Mullah Mohibullah and the insurgent who fired the shot -- which ISAF assessed to be a rocket-propelled grenade, Allen said -- associated with the Aug. 6 helicopter crash.

Mohibullah was a key facilitator in an insurgent attack cell led by Din Mohammad, a Taliban leader killed in a previous special operations mission, ISAF officials said. As a leader in Mohammad’s network in the Tangi Valley, Mohibullah had as many as 12 Taliban fighters under his command, including potential suicide bombers.

Special operations forces received several intelligence leads and tips from local civilians and after an exhaustive manhunt, ISAF officials said, they located Mohibullah and the shooter as they were trying to flee the country.

The security force located and followed the insurgents to a wooded area in the Chak district. After making sure no civilians were in the area, the force called for the airstrike that killed Mohibullah, the shooter and several Taliban associates.

On the night of the deadly helicopter crash, the inbound CH-47 carried special operations forces in pursuit of insurgents from Mohammad’s network who were fleeing from an engagement in which six militants already had been killed, ISAF officials said.

Allen said ISAF does not yet know if enemy fire was the sole reason for the helicopter crash, but on its approach, the aircraft encountered small-arms fire from several insurgent locations. An investigation into the crash and its causes began yesterday when Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, appointed Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Colt as lead investigator.

Questions to be asked, Allen said, will include “What was the cause of the crash?” and “What lessons can be learned as a result of that cause?”

The answers, he said, ultimately will feed back into the mission evaluation process to improve future missions.

The crash was a tragic incident in a very difficult military campaign, Allen said. “However,” he added, “it was a singular incident in a broader conflict in which we are making important strides and considerable progress.”

Coalition forces face challenges ahead and tough fights in the days to come, the general said, but all across Afghanistan the insurgents are losing.

“They're losing territory. They're losing leadership. They're losing weapons and supplies. They're losing public support,” Allen said.

Villages that seek to embrace Afghan local police in the Village Stability Operations program are mobilizing their communities for their own security, he added.

“That's not widely understood [or] … widely covered,” Allen said. “But that's a great example of where the Taliban are losing ground and … influence because they can no longer get inside the population of these areas.”

Across Afghanistan, he added, the insurgents are losing resolve and the will to fight.

“They face relentless pressure from coalition and, increasingly, Afghan forces,” he said.

Reintegration of former insurgents into Afghan society also is succeeding, Allen said. The effort is an Afghan program supported by coalition forces that across Afghanistan is beginning to see Taliban foot soldiers ultimately come forward and seek to rejoin society, becoming members of their villages, he said.

Allen said more than 2,300 people have reintegrated so far.

Success, the general said, “is a function of security operations. It's a function of the establishment of Afghan local police. It's a function of the establishment of credible governance [and] economic opportunity.”

The numbers of former Taliban fighters rejoining society is an indication that the insurgents are losing, Allen added. “We're not declaring victory, certainly,” the general said. “We recognize that there are going to be long days ahead and some pretty heavy lifts.”

But progress also is visible in other areas, Allen said. In July, he noted, the transition of security responsibility began to the Afghan government and Afghan forces.

“Our military is working hand in hand with our civilian partners to secure the gains we have made by strengthening the Afghan government and by advancing economic opportunity,” Allen added.

Afghan forces have made immense strides in increasing their professionalism and effectiveness, he said.

“By the time our additional 23,000 troops come out [of Afghanistan] by the end of September of next year, we'll have seen on the order of 70,000 Afghan national security forces come onto the field,” Allen said. “So it's a trade-off in terms of the Afghans who are joining us in the battle space with the forces that will be coming down.”

Allen said the Afghan forces are increasingly out in front, securing territory, safeguarding populations and, when necessary, fighting and dying for their country and their countrymen.

“We lost eight Afghans in this crash -- brave Afghans -- and we pay tribute as well to their service and to their sacrifice,” the general said.

Allen said he’s spoken with coalition and U.S. troops in the four corners of Afghanistan and found them to be steadfast in their commitment to the mission.

“We remember why we're here in the first place,” he said, “and we know what is at stake.”

Allen said coalition forces intend to continue to work very hard in the south throughout the current fighting season and well into the fall and beyond.

“We're going to fight all winter,” the general said. “We're going to attempt to disrupt the enemy safe havens throughout the winter -- the opportunity for him to rest and refit.”

In spring and summer 2012, he said, “we will continue to disrupt the enemy and then spend a particular amount of attention in the east.”

As the counterinsurgency campaign continues in Afghanistan, Allen said, so will counterterrorism operations such as the one that ended with the CH-47 crash.

“As our surface area decreases in Afghanistan, the role of counterterrorism operations -- and in particular these kinds of special missions -- will become prominent,” he said. “With that as an anticipated outcome, we will pursue special operations on a regular basis, both now and for the foreseeable future. And it will be an adjunct and a component of the larger counterinsurgency campaign.”

Whether they’re fighting in counterinsurgency or counterterrorism operations, troops on the battlefield in Afghanistan are committed to succeed, Allen said.

“They have my full and complete support, and they know that they have the support of a grateful nation that stands squarely behind them,” the general added.