Army Casualty

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

Pfc. Patricia L. Horne, 20, of Greenwood, Miss., died Aug. 24 in Bagram, Afghanistan.  She was assigned to the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. 

For more information please contact Fort Campbell/101st Airborne public affairs office at 270-798-3025.

Services to Decide Possible Discipline in Quran Burning Incident

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 20, 2012 – The investigation into allegations that U.S. service members improperly destroyed religious material in Afghanistan in February is now with the military services for disposition, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

The review was ordered following the Feb. 21 incident in which U.S. troops allegedly burned Qurans and other Islamic materials at the Parwan detention facility near Bagram, Afghanistan, inciting days of violent demonstrations.

Little told Pentagon reporters the investigation was conducted by the International Security Assistance Force and reviewed by Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, the ISAF commander, before being forwarded to U.S. Central Command.

“The results from the investigation concerning allegations that U.S. service members improperly disposed of Islamic religious material at Parwan is complete,” he said. “[It] has been forwarded to the related services for disposition and any service-specific actions.”

“At this point, I’m not in a position to release any information about the report until each service has completed its review and any potential actions,” Little said. “We have made clear from the beginning that it’s our belief that while this was a truly unfortunate episode, it was inadvertent and in no way reflected any malice or disrespect toward the Islamic religion.”

The press secretary noted ISAF has worked diligently to “understand what happened and to ensure that incidents of this sort do not occur again.”

“General Allen instituted training to ensure that our troops understand how to identify religious text and how to properly treat them in theater,” Little said. “And that process has been ongoing since this incident.”

Little emphasized the investigative process must follow proper protocol and be completed before any possible action is taken against those involved. “It’s our expectation that they will take action relatively quickly,” he added. “Obviously, they need to follow proper procedures with respect to this kind of review.”

Little noted there is no specific timetable for the services to review and take action. “The decisions on disciplinary actions, if any are meted out, are the province of commanding officers,” he said.

Following a review of the Joint Force Staff College, ordered by Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Little said there is not a larger issue of American troops targeting or showing disrespect toward Islam.

“I would be very hesitant to suggest that this, in any way, points to a broader trend inside the U.S. military,” he said. “The vast majority of our troops have profound respect for Islam. Millions of U.S. troops have been deployed to places like Afghanistan and Iraq.”

Little stated “the United States military is at war with our terrorist and insurgent enemies” and -- not with any particular religion.

“And that is something that the vast majority of U.S. troops understand,” he said. “They comport themselves in a way, a vast majority of the time, that shows that proper cultural respect and deference.”

Army Casualty

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

Capt. Michael C. Braden, 31, of Lock Haven, Pa., died April 18 in Bagram, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

For more information the media may contact 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at 785-240-1796.

U.S., Afghan Forces Sign Special Operations Agreement

From an International Security Assistance Force News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 8, 2012 – An agreement signed here today begins a process for Afghan national security forces to take the lead on special operations in Afghanistan.

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, and Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak signed a memorandum of understanding that means Afghan special operations units will lead the way in effectively targeting insurgents and ensures special operations will continue to be conducted with full respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, law and constitution, officials said.

Allen said the agreement marks a significant milestone in the transition process agreed upon at NATO’s November 2012 summit in Lisbon, Portugal. It continues advancement of sovereignty for the Afghan people and in the shared effort to formalize a long-term U.S.-Afghan strategic partnership, he added.

Along with an agreement signed last month that begins transitioning the Parwan detention facility to Afghan defense ministry control, today's memo “gives tangible expression” to the vision of a national community leaders council held in November and to the will of the Afghan people, Allen said.

"The Afghan special operations units have developed at extraordinary speed and are manned by courageous and capable operators," the general said. "In large measure, this MOU is a result of the professionalism of the national directorate of security and the Afghan national security forces. We also recognize the growing capacity of the Afghan judicial system, which will play a vital part not only in the implementation of this agreement, but also in the lives of Afghan citizens."

"Today, we are one important step closer to our shared goal of a secure and sovereign Afghanistan,” he continued. “Together, we will realize this vision."

Officials Congratulate New Afghan Detention Center Commander

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force and ISAF Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON  – Top U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Afghanistan offered their congratulations yesterday as an Afghan officer took charge of Afghan Detention Operations Command.

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, joined U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan C. Crocker in congratulating Maj. Gen. Faroq Barekzai on his assumption of command at a ceremony held in Parwan, Afghanistan.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai appointed Barekzai to his new position March 28, officials said.

“Today’s event is nothing short of monumental when looking at the significance of Major General Barekzai’s assumption of command and the responsibilities he assumes for the Afghan people and his nation’s justice system,” Allen said at the ceremony. “This is a symbolic and visible step marking the progress we continue to make in partnership with the Afghan government as we work to develop and uphold the sovereignty they rightfully deserve.”

Officials said the ceremony marked the first step of an agreed-upon process that will give the Afghan defense ministry full control of the detention facility within six months while protecting U.S. international and domestic legal obligations regarding detainees. Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding signed March 9, the United States will provide ongoing support and advice to the Afghan commander for up to one year.

“This assumption of command marks another step in the transition to Afghan control of security and is a sign of our support for Afghan sovereignty, as well as our commitment to an enduring partnership,” Crocker said.

In operations around Afghanistan yesterday:

-- An Afghan-led force in the Daman district of Kandahar province captured a Taliban facilitator who supplied insurgents with weapons, ammunition and equipment. He also participated in roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces.

-- A combined force found and destroyed 1,650 pounds of marijuana in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province.

In March 31 operations:

-- A combined force captured a Taliban facilitator, detained another insurgent and seized an Afghan National Police uniform in the Maidan Shahr district of Wardak province. The facilitator provided roadside bombs and other weapons to insurgents for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is also suspected in the Jan. 2 attack along Highway 2 against a convoy escorted by Afghan security forces. Three Afghan soldiers were wounded in that attack.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban facilitator and detained three additional insurgents in the Charhar Darah district of Kunduz province. The facilitator managed the insurgent financial network in the province and provided funds that enabled attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force detained a suspect while searching for a Taliban facilitator in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province. The facilitator supplies insurgents with weapons, ammunition and equipment for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Kandahar City.

-- A combined force captured a Haqqani network leader, detained two additional insurgents and destroyed assault rifles and grenades in the Sayyidabad district of Wardak province. The Haqqani leader directed kidnappings and other insurgent operations against civilians and Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force detained several suspects while searching for a Haqqani leader in the Bak district of Khost province. The insurgent leader organizes roadside bombings and directs other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force detained three suspects and seized multiple weapons while searching for a Taliban facilitator in the Gardez district of Paktia province. The facilitator supplies insurgents with roadside bombs, weapons and ammunition for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In March 29 operations:

-- A combined force came under insurgent mortar fire near a combat outpost in the Tagab district of Kapisa province. The mortar rounds landed in a nearby Afghan civilian compound, killing one woman and wounding three children. The children were provided medical treatment by Afghan and coalition forces.

-- An Afghan-led combined force detained several suspected insurgents and seized and destroyed more than 3,000 pounds of various narcotics in the Reg-e Khan Neshin district of Helmand province.