The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Joel A. Dahl, 21, of Los Lunas, N.M., died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at (253) 967-0152 or (253) 967-0154.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Derek C. Dixon, 20, of Riverside, Ohio, died June 26 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the II Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs office at (910) 451-7200.
Cpl. Derek C. Dixon, 20, of Riverside, Ohio, died June 26 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the II Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs office at (910) 451-7200.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Andre Craig Jr., 24, of New Haven, Conn., died June 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
For more information related to this release the media may contact the Fort Riley public affairs office at (785) 239-3410.
Pfc. Andre Craig Jr., 24, of New Haven, Conn., died June 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
For more information related to this release the media may contact the Fort Riley public affairs office at (785) 239-3410.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Capt. Darrell C. Lewis, 31, of Washington, D.C., died June 23 in Vashir City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his unit was attacked by insurgents using rocket propelled grenades, mortars and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Fort Riley public affairs office at (785) 239-3410.
Capt. Darrell C. Lewis, 31, of Washington, D.C., died June 23 in Vashir City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his unit was attacked by insurgents using rocket propelled grenades, mortars and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Fort Riley public affairs office at (785) 239-3410.
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Joel A. Dahl, 21, of Los Lunas, N.M., died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at (253) 967-0152 or (253) 967-0154.
Sgt. Joel A. Dahl, 21, of Los Lunas, N.M., died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Fort Lewis public affairs office at (253) 967-0152 or (253) 967-0154.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Trista L. Moretti, 27, of South Plainfield, N.J., died June 25 in Nasir Lafitah, Iraq, when her unit was attacked by insurgents using indirect fire. She was assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
For more information related to this release the media may contact the U.S. Army Alaska public affairs office at (907) 384-1542.
Sgt. Trista L. Moretti, 27, of South Plainfield, N.J., died June 25 in Nasir Lafitah, Iraq, when her unit was attacked by insurgents using indirect fire. She was assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
For more information related to this release the media may contact the U.S. Army Alaska public affairs office at (907) 384-1542.
Operation Phantom Thunder: Marne Troops Make Progress, General Says
By Carmen L. Gleason
American Forces Press Service
June 25, 2007 – Ten days into offensive strikes under Operation Phantom Thunder, the commander of Task Force Marne said his troops are one-fifth of the way into their "decisive" and "deliberate" operation in the southern provinces of Iraq. Soldiers taking part in Operation Marne Torch, part of the overall corps-level offensive, are working to block "accelerants of violence" into Baghdad, Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch said during a news conference in Baghdad yesterday. They're also working to secure the Iraqi population and defeat sectarian violence within the country.
"We believe that the people of Iraq want what we want back in the states, and that is security," he said. "They want to be able to go to work; they want to be able to send their kids to school; they want to be able to flourish as a society and not be afraid of being attacked by extremist elements."
The general said four enemy sanctuaries have been identified within his troops' battle space. "(These are) places were the enemy was storing munitions, conducting training, building (improvised explosive devices) and using them for attacks against ... the Iraqi people and American soldiers," he said.
Lynch said the main focus of Marne Torch is the terrorist sanctuary of Arab Jabour, where a large number of Iraqi security forces are primarily conducting operations.
"Those Iraqi security force members are critical to conduct this operation," he said, describing where his troops are working along the east and west banks of the Tigris River. "We're absolutely convinced that extremists are using the Tigris River valley as a way to bring violence into Baghdad, and Marne Torch is to stop that."
The general said Iraqi or coalition troops must have a persistent presence in the area or rely on the local population to secure their own areas while a rule of law is established there. Lynch also said the support of the population is vital for success.
"Acts of violence are taking place, and the people of that locality know those acts of violence are taking place," he said. Coalition and Iraqi forces must continue to encourage the local people to help provide security in their own territory.
"Then we (must) ensure that this area remains a denied sanctuary for enemy forces," the general said.
Lynch said he doesn't want the mostly Sunni extremist elements leaving the area of Arab Jabour. "What we want to do is not allow them to leave, but to kill or capture them inside of the battlespace," he said.
The general said his troops have conducted an average of 200 patrols per day as part of Operation Marne Torch. Within the first 10 days of the operation, 130 people, all with known ties to the insurgency, were arrested, he said. Twenty-five of those are considered to be high-value targets and leaders of the extremist network in the area.
Lynch said operations have uncovered 49 weapons caches and have removed 47 improvised explosive devices from Iraqi streets in addition to removing 17 extremists' boats from the Tigris River.
"By the end of the mission, it will be a stabilized area," Lynch said. "(Extremists) won't use it as a sanctuary, and we will deny his ability to conduct acts of violence in Baghdad."
American Forces Press Service
June 25, 2007 – Ten days into offensive strikes under Operation Phantom Thunder, the commander of Task Force Marne said his troops are one-fifth of the way into their "decisive" and "deliberate" operation in the southern provinces of Iraq. Soldiers taking part in Operation Marne Torch, part of the overall corps-level offensive, are working to block "accelerants of violence" into Baghdad, Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch said during a news conference in Baghdad yesterday. They're also working to secure the Iraqi population and defeat sectarian violence within the country.
"We believe that the people of Iraq want what we want back in the states, and that is security," he said. "They want to be able to go to work; they want to be able to send their kids to school; they want to be able to flourish as a society and not be afraid of being attacked by extremist elements."
The general said four enemy sanctuaries have been identified within his troops' battle space. "(These are) places were the enemy was storing munitions, conducting training, building (improvised explosive devices) and using them for attacks against ... the Iraqi people and American soldiers," he said.
Lynch said the main focus of Marne Torch is the terrorist sanctuary of Arab Jabour, where a large number of Iraqi security forces are primarily conducting operations.
"Those Iraqi security force members are critical to conduct this operation," he said, describing where his troops are working along the east and west banks of the Tigris River. "We're absolutely convinced that extremists are using the Tigris River valley as a way to bring violence into Baghdad, and Marne Torch is to stop that."
The general said Iraqi or coalition troops must have a persistent presence in the area or rely on the local population to secure their own areas while a rule of law is established there. Lynch also said the support of the population is vital for success.
"Acts of violence are taking place, and the people of that locality know those acts of violence are taking place," he said. Coalition and Iraqi forces must continue to encourage the local people to help provide security in their own territory.
"Then we (must) ensure that this area remains a denied sanctuary for enemy forces," the general said.
Lynch said he doesn't want the mostly Sunni extremist elements leaving the area of Arab Jabour. "What we want to do is not allow them to leave, but to kill or capture them inside of the battlespace," he said.
The general said his troops have conducted an average of 200 patrols per day as part of Operation Marne Torch. Within the first 10 days of the operation, 130 people, all with known ties to the insurgency, were arrested, he said. Twenty-five of those are considered to be high-value targets and leaders of the extremist network in the area.
Lynch said operations have uncovered 49 weapons caches and have removed 47 improvised explosive devices from Iraqi streets in addition to removing 17 extremists' boats from the Tigris River.
"By the end of the mission, it will be a stabilized area," Lynch said. "(Extremists) won't use it as a sanctuary, and we will deny his ability to conduct acts of violence in Baghdad."
NATO Forces Winning Battle Against Taliban in Afghanistan
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
June 26, 2007 – Though the number of insurgent attacks in Afghanistan has increased as officials predicted it would with better weather, coalition forces are winning the battle against al Qaeda and the Taliban in NATO's Regional Command East, a U.S. official in Afghanistan said today. (Video) "The enemy continues to use all means available to him to attack our forces and disrupt the lives of Afghan civilians," said Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel, deputy commander for operations at Combined Joint Task Force 82.
Speaking via teleconference from Bagram Air Base, Votel said the enemy is using improvised explosive devices, rockets, mortars and direct action against NATO's International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces.
"The insurgents use intimidation tactics to frighten the population into abandoning their support for their government and disrupt development and governance activities," he said. "In many places, we see this insurgent tactic failing as Afghan citizens reject these efforts and, in some cases, literally fight back against the insurgents.
NATO officials expected the Taliban to launch a spring offensive, and planned to blunt that move, the general said.
"Our operations since the spring have had a significant effect on the Taliban insurgency here," Votel said. "We continue to be focused on neutralizing insurgents and creating a security environment that will allow development and extension of the legitimate government of Afghanistan."
Coalition and Afghan forces have killed or captured dozens of Taliban commanders and sub-commanders, leaving cells without experienced leadership or direction, he said. The forces also are controlling many areas of the region previously held by the Taliban. The security the forces provide has allowed the Afghan government and aid organizations to build roads, schools and district centers.
U.S. and Afghan forces are working closely with Pakistani forces. Votel said the coordination allows better cooperation and communication among all partners and "has successfully allowed us to interdict insurgent infiltration back and forth through the border area."
Afghan forces are stepping in to the lead, he said. The Afghan National Army's 203rd Corps planned and executed Operation Maiwand, an operation in Ghazni province that began June 1. "Here Afghan forces are taking the lead in clearing areas of insurgent presence, working with district and provincial leadership and providing the foundation for sustained security," Votel said.
The security that the NATO and Afghan national security forces bring to eastern Afghanistan allows continuing relief supplies and nation-building efforts to take place.
"Over the last two months, we've provided seed corn to farmers and commenced building an agricultural research station to improve the ability of Afghan farmers to produce food products," he said. "We've repaired four schools and built 10 other ones. We completed eight other educational projects, ranging from self-help workshops to school ... equipment and supplies, in an effort to help improve the future of Afghan children."
The security has allowed the Afghan government and aid workers to build micro-hydroelectric power plants and irrigation projects.
Most critical in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan is the more than 8,000 kilometers of roads that the task force and allies have built in the region.
"We work with the Afghan Engineer District of the Corps of Engineers here to help build those roads, identify them and get them in place," Votel said. The roads allow the government to push supplies and aid into areas inaccessible before. The roads also allow the residents to get goods out of the region.
American Forces Press Service
June 26, 2007 – Though the number of insurgent attacks in Afghanistan has increased as officials predicted it would with better weather, coalition forces are winning the battle against al Qaeda and the Taliban in NATO's Regional Command East, a U.S. official in Afghanistan said today. (Video) "The enemy continues to use all means available to him to attack our forces and disrupt the lives of Afghan civilians," said Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel, deputy commander for operations at Combined Joint Task Force 82.
Speaking via teleconference from Bagram Air Base, Votel said the enemy is using improvised explosive devices, rockets, mortars and direct action against NATO's International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces.
"The insurgents use intimidation tactics to frighten the population into abandoning their support for their government and disrupt development and governance activities," he said. "In many places, we see this insurgent tactic failing as Afghan citizens reject these efforts and, in some cases, literally fight back against the insurgents.
NATO officials expected the Taliban to launch a spring offensive, and planned to blunt that move, the general said.
"Our operations since the spring have had a significant effect on the Taliban insurgency here," Votel said. "We continue to be focused on neutralizing insurgents and creating a security environment that will allow development and extension of the legitimate government of Afghanistan."
Coalition and Afghan forces have killed or captured dozens of Taliban commanders and sub-commanders, leaving cells without experienced leadership or direction, he said. The forces also are controlling many areas of the region previously held by the Taliban. The security the forces provide has allowed the Afghan government and aid organizations to build roads, schools and district centers.
U.S. and Afghan forces are working closely with Pakistani forces. Votel said the coordination allows better cooperation and communication among all partners and "has successfully allowed us to interdict insurgent infiltration back and forth through the border area."
Afghan forces are stepping in to the lead, he said. The Afghan National Army's 203rd Corps planned and executed Operation Maiwand, an operation in Ghazni province that began June 1. "Here Afghan forces are taking the lead in clearing areas of insurgent presence, working with district and provincial leadership and providing the foundation for sustained security," Votel said.
The security that the NATO and Afghan national security forces bring to eastern Afghanistan allows continuing relief supplies and nation-building efforts to take place.
"Over the last two months, we've provided seed corn to farmers and commenced building an agricultural research station to improve the ability of Afghan farmers to produce food products," he said. "We've repaired four schools and built 10 other ones. We completed eight other educational projects, ranging from self-help workshops to school ... equipment and supplies, in an effort to help improve the future of Afghan children."
The security has allowed the Afghan government and aid workers to build micro-hydroelectric power plants and irrigation projects.
Most critical in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan is the more than 8,000 kilometers of roads that the task force and allies have built in the region.
"We work with the Afghan Engineer District of the Corps of Engineers here to help build those roads, identify them and get them in place," Votel said. The roads allow the government to push supplies and aid into areas inaccessible before. The roads also allow the residents to get goods out of the region.
Humvee Rollover Training Saves Lives in Afghanistan
By Sgt. David E. Roscoe, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 25, 2007 - Special training in escaping from an overturned Humvee paid off last month for soldiers assigned here who suffered only minor injuries when their Humvee rolled over after an attempted suicide-car-bomb attack. Army Maj. James A. Delapp, executive officer for Task Force Pacemaker, said he read about the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer and arranged for the unit's soldiers to receive the training before they deployed.
"I read about the HEAT in the Center for Army Lessons Learned Handbook, and quickly started coordinating training for the battalion," he said. "It wasn't an easy task, because there were only two of these trainers in the U.S. at the time."
Delapp said he contacted U.S. Army Forces Command officials and coordinated for one of the trainers to be sent from Fort Drum, N.Y., to the Yakima Training Center in Yakima, Wash., so the entire 864th Engineer Combat Battalion could get the training.
The Task Force Pacemaker command sergeant major and his Humvee crew put their egress training to work when they were blindsided by a suicide car bomber, causing their vehicle to overturn.
"No matter the situation, once you've had the proper training, situational reactions become second nature," Army Command Sgt. Maj. Charles J. Turner said. "The rollover training we received before this deployment was absolutely beneficial to our safety." Training in the HEAT progresses from simple scenarios in which all occupants are uninjured to more serious circumstances in which one or more of the occupants are wounded and unconscious.
After seeing the effects of the new rollover training firsthand, Army Staff Sgt. Eugene D. Sangrey, senior medic for the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion firmly believes in the training's value.
"The HEAT exercises were very instrumental in saving the lives of the soldiers in my truck," he said. "The crew members knew exactly what to do without a second of hesitation. Without the proper training, there is no doubt that our crew's safety would have been compromised."
(Army Sgt. David E. Roscoe is assigned to the Task Force Pacemaker Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 25, 2007 - Special training in escaping from an overturned Humvee paid off last month for soldiers assigned here who suffered only minor injuries when their Humvee rolled over after an attempted suicide-car-bomb attack. Army Maj. James A. Delapp, executive officer for Task Force Pacemaker, said he read about the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer and arranged for the unit's soldiers to receive the training before they deployed.
"I read about the HEAT in the Center for Army Lessons Learned Handbook, and quickly started coordinating training for the battalion," he said. "It wasn't an easy task, because there were only two of these trainers in the U.S. at the time."
Delapp said he contacted U.S. Army Forces Command officials and coordinated for one of the trainers to be sent from Fort Drum, N.Y., to the Yakima Training Center in Yakima, Wash., so the entire 864th Engineer Combat Battalion could get the training.
The Task Force Pacemaker command sergeant major and his Humvee crew put their egress training to work when they were blindsided by a suicide car bomber, causing their vehicle to overturn.
"No matter the situation, once you've had the proper training, situational reactions become second nature," Army Command Sgt. Maj. Charles J. Turner said. "The rollover training we received before this deployment was absolutely beneficial to our safety." Training in the HEAT progresses from simple scenarios in which all occupants are uninjured to more serious circumstances in which one or more of the occupants are wounded and unconscious.
After seeing the effects of the new rollover training firsthand, Army Staff Sgt. Eugene D. Sangrey, senior medic for the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion firmly believes in the training's value.
"The HEAT exercises were very instrumental in saving the lives of the soldiers in my truck," he said. "The crew members knew exactly what to do without a second of hesitation. Without the proper training, there is no doubt that our crew's safety would have been compromised."
(Army Sgt. David E. Roscoe is assigned to the Task Force Pacemaker Public Affairs Office.)
Time Needed to Build Iraqi Forces, Training Chief Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
June 25, 2007 – While Iraqi forces are progressing, it will take time before they are fully ready to shoulder the security burden, the man in charge of training Iraqi Army and police said today. (Video) Army Brig. Gen. Dana Pittard also said that one of the lessons of the war in Iraq is that the coalition must not "draw forces down too quickly when we think there's a glimmer of success."
Pittard is finishing up a year as the commander of the Iraq Assistance Group in Baghdad. He briefed Pentagon reporters via video teleconference. The Iraq Assistance Group is the executive agent for training all Iraqi security forces, including the Iraqi army, the national police, border police and facilities protection services.
The Iraqi security forces taking over battlespace will take time, Pittard said. Based on his experiences in this and previous deployments to Iraq, he said he thinks it will be a couple of years before Iraqi forces are able to fully take control of the security situation in the country.
"There are some areas though, and some provinces where the Iraqi security forces are in fact taking the lead," he said. The southern provinces of Maysan, Dhi Qar, Najaf and Muthanna are already under provincial Iraqi control, as are the majority Kurdish areas in the north - Dahuk, Irbil and Sulimaniyah.
The Iraqi army is further along in training than the Iraqi police, Pittard said, but even the police are making gains.
"This time last year, many people on the coalition side and in America were writing off the national police as just merely an arm of the Shiia militia, and over time we've seen quite a change with the national police," he said.
Iraqi leadership committed to rooting out sectarian bias has been key to that effort. Since October, Iraqi officials removed both national police division commanders and five of nine national police brigade commanders because of sectarian bias.
"This time last year, almost the entire command structure of the national police were, in fact, Shiia," Pittard said. The government reached out to the Sunni minority in the country and appointed Sunni commanders to many of the vacant positions, including nine or 10 of the 27 national police battalions.
The coalition also launched an aggressive training program in which an entire national police brigade based in Baghdad was taken off the battle line for four weeks of concentrated police and tactical training.
"We have seen some results, some very positive results, from that training," he said. "That was very painful for our operational plans in taking out an entire brigade, but it was well worth it in getting back a better-trained national police brigade."
Pittard compared and contrasted the Iraqi security forces of today with those of April 2004, when the Iraqi army and police virtually disintegrated in the face of the illegal militia.
"They had to be encouraged and pushed to fight (in 2004)," he said. "That is just not the case any more. The Iraqi army, in particular, is willing to fight. And they're fighting for a sovereign Iraq. They're not fighting for us, the coalition forces; they're fighting for Iraq. They're fighting for their people. And so that is a key difference."
But building Iraqi security forces with the logistical and support capabilities needed to maintain forces in the field will take time. "It'll take years," he said.
American Forces Press Service
June 25, 2007 – While Iraqi forces are progressing, it will take time before they are fully ready to shoulder the security burden, the man in charge of training Iraqi Army and police said today. (Video) Army Brig. Gen. Dana Pittard also said that one of the lessons of the war in Iraq is that the coalition must not "draw forces down too quickly when we think there's a glimmer of success."
Pittard is finishing up a year as the commander of the Iraq Assistance Group in Baghdad. He briefed Pentagon reporters via video teleconference. The Iraq Assistance Group is the executive agent for training all Iraqi security forces, including the Iraqi army, the national police, border police and facilities protection services.
The Iraqi security forces taking over battlespace will take time, Pittard said. Based on his experiences in this and previous deployments to Iraq, he said he thinks it will be a couple of years before Iraqi forces are able to fully take control of the security situation in the country.
"There are some areas though, and some provinces where the Iraqi security forces are in fact taking the lead," he said. The southern provinces of Maysan, Dhi Qar, Najaf and Muthanna are already under provincial Iraqi control, as are the majority Kurdish areas in the north - Dahuk, Irbil and Sulimaniyah.
The Iraqi army is further along in training than the Iraqi police, Pittard said, but even the police are making gains.
"This time last year, many people on the coalition side and in America were writing off the national police as just merely an arm of the Shiia militia, and over time we've seen quite a change with the national police," he said.
Iraqi leadership committed to rooting out sectarian bias has been key to that effort. Since October, Iraqi officials removed both national police division commanders and five of nine national police brigade commanders because of sectarian bias.
"This time last year, almost the entire command structure of the national police were, in fact, Shiia," Pittard said. The government reached out to the Sunni minority in the country and appointed Sunni commanders to many of the vacant positions, including nine or 10 of the 27 national police battalions.
The coalition also launched an aggressive training program in which an entire national police brigade based in Baghdad was taken off the battle line for four weeks of concentrated police and tactical training.
"We have seen some results, some very positive results, from that training," he said. "That was very painful for our operational plans in taking out an entire brigade, but it was well worth it in getting back a better-trained national police brigade."
Pittard compared and contrasted the Iraqi security forces of today with those of April 2004, when the Iraqi army and police virtually disintegrated in the face of the illegal militia.
"They had to be encouraged and pushed to fight (in 2004)," he said. "That is just not the case any more. The Iraqi army, in particular, is willing to fight. And they're fighting for a sovereign Iraq. They're not fighting for us, the coalition forces; they're fighting for Iraq. They're fighting for their people. And so that is a key difference."
But building Iraqi security forces with the logistical and support capabilities needed to maintain forces in the field will take time. "It'll take years," he said.
Two Terrorists Killed, 20 Suspects Detained in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
June 26, 2007 – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained two suspects during operations today targeting al Qaeda in Iraq leaders and their bombing network. Coalition forces raided four buildings in different areas. Forces killed one and detained one in an operation southwest of Baghdad targeting a senior terrorist leader known to supply vehicles and other components for car bombs.
In Mosul, coalition forces targeted an al Qaeda in Iraq military commander responsible for improvised explosive device emplacements there. During the raid, the suspect was killed.
Forces raided two buildings east of Bayji searching for associates of a known al Qaeda leader. One suspect was detained there.
In other recent operations in Iraq:
-- Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team detained six insurgents during Operation Council Grove II yesterday in an eastern section of the Iraqi capital. The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, based out of Fort Riley, Kan., conducted raids in the Kamaliyah neighborhood.
-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers northwest of Taji captured three suspected insurgents believed to be responsible for several IED attacks. Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team conducted an air assault operation into a rural area northwest of Taji, capturing the three suspected insurgents and recovering small arms weapons.
-- Iraqi army forces detained two suspected al Qaeda cell leaders during an operation June 24 south of Baghdad. The two detainees are suspected of involvement in IED attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces, death squad activities against local civilians, housing foreign fighters and transporting weapons. They confiscated weapons and a large amount of currency at the scene.
-- Soldiers participating in Operation Crazyhorse Thunder detained seven suspects for allegedly planting IEDs along Route Tampa, the highway leading into Baghdad, June 23. Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, targeted a cell based in the Abu Shiekan and Abu Hillan villages believed to be responsible for setting IEDs several times a week along the highway.
(Compiled from Multinational Force and Multinational Corps Iraq releases.)
June 26, 2007 – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained two suspects during operations today targeting al Qaeda in Iraq leaders and their bombing network. Coalition forces raided four buildings in different areas. Forces killed one and detained one in an operation southwest of Baghdad targeting a senior terrorist leader known to supply vehicles and other components for car bombs.
In Mosul, coalition forces targeted an al Qaeda in Iraq military commander responsible for improvised explosive device emplacements there. During the raid, the suspect was killed.
Forces raided two buildings east of Bayji searching for associates of a known al Qaeda leader. One suspect was detained there.
In other recent operations in Iraq:
-- Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team detained six insurgents during Operation Council Grove II yesterday in an eastern section of the Iraqi capital. The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, based out of Fort Riley, Kan., conducted raids in the Kamaliyah neighborhood.
-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers northwest of Taji captured three suspected insurgents believed to be responsible for several IED attacks. Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team conducted an air assault operation into a rural area northwest of Taji, capturing the three suspected insurgents and recovering small arms weapons.
-- Iraqi army forces detained two suspected al Qaeda cell leaders during an operation June 24 south of Baghdad. The two detainees are suspected of involvement in IED attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces, death squad activities against local civilians, housing foreign fighters and transporting weapons. They confiscated weapons and a large amount of currency at the scene.
-- Soldiers participating in Operation Crazyhorse Thunder detained seven suspects for allegedly planting IEDs along Route Tampa, the highway leading into Baghdad, June 23. Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, targeted a cell based in the Abu Shiekan and Abu Hillan villages believed to be responsible for setting IEDs several times a week along the highway.
(Compiled from Multinational Force and Multinational Corps Iraq releases.)
Two Soldiers Killed in Iraq, Previous Casualty Identified
American Forces Press Service
June 25, 2007 – A soldier was killed in Iraq today and another was killed June 23, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has released the name of an airman who was killed over the weekend. A Task Force Marne soldier died in a small-arms attack today in Baghdad, and a Multinational Division Baghdad soldier died of wounds suffered from a roadside bomb and small-arms attack in eastern Baghdad early June 23, officials said. The soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Meanwhile, the Defense Department has released the identity of an Air Force airman killed while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Airman 1st Class Jason D. Nathan, 22, of Macon, Ga., died June 23 of wounds suffered when a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle while on patrol. Nathan was assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron at the Royal Air Force base in Lakenheath, England.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Defense Department news releases.)
June 25, 2007 – A soldier was killed in Iraq today and another was killed June 23, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has released the name of an airman who was killed over the weekend. A Task Force Marne soldier died in a small-arms attack today in Baghdad, and a Multinational Division Baghdad soldier died of wounds suffered from a roadside bomb and small-arms attack in eastern Baghdad early June 23, officials said. The soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Meanwhile, the Defense Department has released the identity of an Air Force airman killed while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Airman 1st Class Jason D. Nathan, 22, of Macon, Ga., died June 23 of wounds suffered when a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle while on patrol. Nathan was assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron at the Royal Air Force base in Lakenheath, England.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Defense Department news releases.)
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Eric C. Palmer, 21, of Maize, Kan., died June 24 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl,Germany, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by insurgents using small arms fire June 21 in Bayji, Iraq.He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
For more information related to this release the media may contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at (910) 432-0661.
Spc. Eric C. Palmer, 21, of Maize, Kan., died June 24 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl,Germany, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by insurgents using small arms fire June 21 in Bayji, Iraq.He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
For more information related to this release the media may contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at (910) 432-0661.
Monday, June 25, 2007
ARROWHEAD RIPPER: Troops Find Execution House, Illegal Prison in Baqubah
American Forces Press Service
June 25, 2007 – Iraqi security forces and Task Force Lightning soldiers discovered an execution house and an illegal prison in the Baqubah neighborhood of Khatoon yesterday during the sixth day of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. The two buildings were in the same area as a torture chamber and illegal courthouse linked to al Qaeda, which were found on the fourth and fifth day of the operation, officials said.
Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, discovered the execution house using information from local citizens, who said it had been used by al Qaeda. Soldiers searching the house found five bodies buried in the yard behind the building and bloody clothes in several rooms inside it.
Located nearby, a house had been converted into an illegal prison, with several numbered rooms and bars covering the building's windows. Several blindfolds were found inside.
Elsewhere in Baqubah, soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, identified a house that was filled with explosives and had been booby-trapped. The soldiers cleared the area and destroyed the house through the use of attack aircraft and indirect fire.
"The fact that we continue to find these booby-trapped houses filled with explosives and torture chambers only reaffirms that al Qaeda has no regard for the safety and welfare of the people of Baqubah. They only want to see death and destruction," said Army Col. Gary Patton, chief of staff for Task Force Lightning.
Iraqi and coalition forces also discovered 10 weapons caches throughout Baqubah yesterday. These included four anti-tank mines, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 18 rocket-propelled grenades with boosters, 13 AK-47 assault rifles, nine hand grenades, two flak vests, thousands of rounds of ammunition and a box of al Qaeda propaganda.
Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, at least 58 al Qaeda operatives have been killed, 60 have been detained, 23 weapons caches have been discovered, 52 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed, and 17 booby-trapped structures have been destroyed.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release)
June 25, 2007 – Iraqi security forces and Task Force Lightning soldiers discovered an execution house and an illegal prison in the Baqubah neighborhood of Khatoon yesterday during the sixth day of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. The two buildings were in the same area as a torture chamber and illegal courthouse linked to al Qaeda, which were found on the fourth and fifth day of the operation, officials said.
Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, discovered the execution house using information from local citizens, who said it had been used by al Qaeda. Soldiers searching the house found five bodies buried in the yard behind the building and bloody clothes in several rooms inside it.
Located nearby, a house had been converted into an illegal prison, with several numbered rooms and bars covering the building's windows. Several blindfolds were found inside.
Elsewhere in Baqubah, soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, identified a house that was filled with explosives and had been booby-trapped. The soldiers cleared the area and destroyed the house through the use of attack aircraft and indirect fire.
"The fact that we continue to find these booby-trapped houses filled with explosives and torture chambers only reaffirms that al Qaeda has no regard for the safety and welfare of the people of Baqubah. They only want to see death and destruction," said Army Col. Gary Patton, chief of staff for Task Force Lightning.
Iraqi and coalition forces also discovered 10 weapons caches throughout Baqubah yesterday. These included four anti-tank mines, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 18 rocket-propelled grenades with boosters, 13 AK-47 assault rifles, nine hand grenades, two flak vests, thousands of rounds of ammunition and a box of al Qaeda propaganda.
Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, at least 58 al Qaeda operatives have been killed, 60 have been detained, 23 weapons caches have been discovered, 52 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed, and 17 booby-trapped structures have been destroyed.
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release)
Forces Kill 11 Insurgents, Detain 25 Suspects in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – Iraqi and coalition forces killed 11 insurgents, detained 25 suspects and discovered several weapons caches in Iraq over the past three days, military officials reported. Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 14 suspected terrorists today during operations around Iraq targeting al Qaeda leaders and operatives.
Operations south of Hawija targeted an al Qaeda terrorist leader known for helping foreign fighters move into Iraq, military officials said. As coalition forces approached the targeted building, four men got into a vehicle and drove away.
Coalition forces followed the men, one of whom was believed to be the targeted terrorist. When the vehicle stopped, the men got out of the vehicle with weapons in hand. Coalition forces, responded to the threat, engaged the armed men and killed them.
Inside the vehicle, coalition forces found rocket-propelled grenades. They safely destroyed the vehicle and weapons on site and moved to the next targeted building, where they detained four suspected terrorists who are allegedly involved with the al Qaeda leader.
In Baghdad today, coalition forces targeted operatives in the al Qaeda network when they raided two buildings in the city. One man was wounded as coalition forces entered the building. He was taken to a military medical facility for treatment.
Inside the building, coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists for their alleged association with al Qaeda. Ground forces also discovered two vehicles that tested positive for explosives residue, which they safely destroyed.
Coalition forces captured an alleged al Qaeda religious leader during a raid west of Taji, and detained four more suspected terrorists for their involvement with the targeted individual.
"As long as al Qaeda in Iraq continues to operate, we will continue to target them and disrupt their network," said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "Removing al Qaeda from the population remains a top priority."
In Iraq yesterday:
-- Coalition troops killed five men armed with rifles, light machine guns and grenades during raids against al Qaeda operatives in Fallujah. At one raid site, coalition forces discovered two vehicles containing ammunition, hand grenades and mortar rounds.
-- Coalition forces targeting a senior al Qaeda leader in Tikrit killed two men inside a vehicle that continued to speed towards them, failing to heed visual and audio signals to stop. Troops discovered an improvised explosive device on the back seat. Forces detained two suspected terrorists at the site.
-- Coalition forces detained three suspects during operations in Sadr City as part of an effort to deny Iranian influence in Iraq. The detained Iranian surrogates are suspected of smuggling explosively formed projectiles and other munitions to be used against coalition forces and civilians in sectarian violence, military officials said.
-- Iraqi army and coalition forces conducted a joint raid in Mosul, discovering a large factory used to make home-made explosives, improvised explosive devices and car bombs.
During operations June 22 in Iraq:
-- Coalition forces in Mosul captured an alleged Kurdish extremist associated with
attacks in northern Iraq areas. The suspect is believed to be involved in helping foreign fighters move into Iraq, as well as conducting financial and media operations
for al Qaeda, military officials said. Four other suspected terrorists were detained in
nearby raids.
-- Iraqi special operations forces detained a key rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi insurgent leader in Sadr City. The suspect is allegedly responsible for coordinating and conducting kidnappings, death squad killings and improvised explosive device attacks against innocent civilians and Iraqi and coalition forces, military officials said.
-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered several caches during clearing operations in Baghdad's East Rashid Security District. The caches contained 17 60mm mortar rounds, one Dragunov sniper rifle, 18 armor-piercing rifle rounds, more than 700 small-arms ammunition, cell phones, cell phone initiators used in roadside bombs and 10 blasting caps.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps News Releases.)
June 24, 2007 – Iraqi and coalition forces killed 11 insurgents, detained 25 suspects and discovered several weapons caches in Iraq over the past three days, military officials reported. Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 14 suspected terrorists today during operations around Iraq targeting al Qaeda leaders and operatives.
Operations south of Hawija targeted an al Qaeda terrorist leader known for helping foreign fighters move into Iraq, military officials said. As coalition forces approached the targeted building, four men got into a vehicle and drove away.
Coalition forces followed the men, one of whom was believed to be the targeted terrorist. When the vehicle stopped, the men got out of the vehicle with weapons in hand. Coalition forces, responded to the threat, engaged the armed men and killed them.
Inside the vehicle, coalition forces found rocket-propelled grenades. They safely destroyed the vehicle and weapons on site and moved to the next targeted building, where they detained four suspected terrorists who are allegedly involved with the al Qaeda leader.
In Baghdad today, coalition forces targeted operatives in the al Qaeda network when they raided two buildings in the city. One man was wounded as coalition forces entered the building. He was taken to a military medical facility for treatment.
Inside the building, coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists for their alleged association with al Qaeda. Ground forces also discovered two vehicles that tested positive for explosives residue, which they safely destroyed.
Coalition forces captured an alleged al Qaeda religious leader during a raid west of Taji, and detained four more suspected terrorists for their involvement with the targeted individual.
"As long as al Qaeda in Iraq continues to operate, we will continue to target them and disrupt their network," said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "Removing al Qaeda from the population remains a top priority."
In Iraq yesterday:
-- Coalition troops killed five men armed with rifles, light machine guns and grenades during raids against al Qaeda operatives in Fallujah. At one raid site, coalition forces discovered two vehicles containing ammunition, hand grenades and mortar rounds.
-- Coalition forces targeting a senior al Qaeda leader in Tikrit killed two men inside a vehicle that continued to speed towards them, failing to heed visual and audio signals to stop. Troops discovered an improvised explosive device on the back seat. Forces detained two suspected terrorists at the site.
-- Coalition forces detained three suspects during operations in Sadr City as part of an effort to deny Iranian influence in Iraq. The detained Iranian surrogates are suspected of smuggling explosively formed projectiles and other munitions to be used against coalition forces and civilians in sectarian violence, military officials said.
-- Iraqi army and coalition forces conducted a joint raid in Mosul, discovering a large factory used to make home-made explosives, improvised explosive devices and car bombs.
During operations June 22 in Iraq:
-- Coalition forces in Mosul captured an alleged Kurdish extremist associated with
attacks in northern Iraq areas. The suspect is believed to be involved in helping foreign fighters move into Iraq, as well as conducting financial and media operations
for al Qaeda, military officials said. Four other suspected terrorists were detained in
nearby raids.
-- Iraqi special operations forces detained a key rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi insurgent leader in Sadr City. The suspect is allegedly responsible for coordinating and conducting kidnappings, death squad killings and improvised explosive device attacks against innocent civilians and Iraqi and coalition forces, military officials said.
-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered several caches during clearing operations in Baghdad's East Rashid Security District. The caches contained 17 60mm mortar rounds, one Dragunov sniper rifle, 18 armor-piercing rifle rounds, more than 700 small-arms ammunition, cell phones, cell phone initiators used in roadside bombs and 10 blasting caps.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps News Releases.)
Vice Chairman Meets with Troops at Bagram
By Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – U.S. troops have played a critical role in advancements made in Afghanistan over the past few years, and the Defense Department is working to increase the number of personnel in some services to better handle challenges posed by the war on terrorism, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told servicemembers here yesterday. "It's pretty darn impressive what you all do every single day, and I've seen remarkable changes here in Afghanistan in almost six years since I started coming here," Navy Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani said during a dinner with troops. The admiral has been visiting deployed servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past few days.
Giambastiani said he made his first trip to Afghanistan on Dec. 7, 2001. The Taliban had been pushed out of Kabul and here just 10 days earlier. At the time, the admiral was serving as senior military assistant to former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He accompanied Rumsfeld to Bagram during the first daylight C-17 flight here to meet with Hamid Karzai, then a tribal leader and now the president of Afghanistan.
At the time, most of Bagram had been destroyed. Now, the base is thriving, along with the local area, the admiral said.
Hard work in Afghanistan is being accomplished by all the services, but "the Army, of all the services, is stressed the most," the admiral said. He added the goal is to get Army soldiers on a more comfortable rotation of time deployed versus time at home, and to do that, the Army has to get bigger.
"That's why we're putting additional people in the Army," Giambastiani said. "That's why we're building more brigade combat teams. That's why we're building more support brigades."
The admiral said the Army will go up to 48 active brigade combat teams in about four years. He said the Army had 32 a few years ago and is at 39 right now. To do this, the admiral said the Army will have to bring in an additional 7,000 soldiers each year to increase the number of people by 62,000. The National Guard is also in the process of rearranging brigade combat teams to have a final count of 34.
The increase in brigade combat teams was an important part of the admiral's message, said U.S. Army Spec. Chris Mignacchi, an intelligence analyst here. He said the increase is important to him because he looks forward to spending more time at home with family.
Giambastiani said the Marine Corps will also receive a substantial increase in numbers, going from 174,000 to 202,000 over the next few years. The Marines will need to bring in an additional 5,000 people each year to make that goal, he said.
Part of the reason for the increase is the different force structure that has evolved over the past few decades. The admiral said when he first came in the service, about 70 percent of the force was unmarried. Today, that number is now around 30 percent.
"It's important for us to make sure we keep you in a rotation that allows you to spend time with your family, upgrade your skills, get promoted, get training, and the rest of it, while at the same time we have you out doing the Nation's business if it's in Afghanistan or Iraq or somewhere else," he said.
Part of the Nation's business right now is manning and running provincial reconstruction teams, which are playing a major role in transforming the culture of the Afghan people through building schools, getting running water to people, and helping the people with other quality of life improvements.
"I think provincial reconstruction teams are going to be around for a while," Giambastiani said. "The concept started here in Afghanistan and has worked so well that we brought it over to Iraq."
PRTs play a major role in the life of Petty Officer 2nd Class Jorge Martinez, who works as a liaison officer for a team. He said he thinks the teams are important because they're transforming life for Afghan children, who are getting more access to education. Martinez, who has a school-age nephew in the U.S., said it is gratifying work to help children have a more promising future.
While the military has a large role in PRTs, Giambastiani said the workload is going to have to be shared.
"Regarding the PRTs, I believe we'll transition to more and more civilians manning them," he said.
The admiral said during the 1960s, the U.S. had around 18,000 government employees who worked for the United States Agency for International Development, which employed people with specialties like agriculture and economic development to aid foreign countries. Today, that organization has about 2,000 people. He said the U.S. needs to increase the number of employees and keep that capability built up.
"We're only going to win at every one of these locations by working with the populace and bringing them over to understanding that these other people are either trying to intimidate them, kill them or change their way of life to what the Taliban and Al Qaeda want to do as opposed to what the people want to do," the admiral said.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump is assigned to the Joint Staff public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – U.S. troops have played a critical role in advancements made in Afghanistan over the past few years, and the Defense Department is working to increase the number of personnel in some services to better handle challenges posed by the war on terrorism, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told servicemembers here yesterday. "It's pretty darn impressive what you all do every single day, and I've seen remarkable changes here in Afghanistan in almost six years since I started coming here," Navy Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani said during a dinner with troops. The admiral has been visiting deployed servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past few days.
Giambastiani said he made his first trip to Afghanistan on Dec. 7, 2001. The Taliban had been pushed out of Kabul and here just 10 days earlier. At the time, the admiral was serving as senior military assistant to former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He accompanied Rumsfeld to Bagram during the first daylight C-17 flight here to meet with Hamid Karzai, then a tribal leader and now the president of Afghanistan.
At the time, most of Bagram had been destroyed. Now, the base is thriving, along with the local area, the admiral said.
Hard work in Afghanistan is being accomplished by all the services, but "the Army, of all the services, is stressed the most," the admiral said. He added the goal is to get Army soldiers on a more comfortable rotation of time deployed versus time at home, and to do that, the Army has to get bigger.
"That's why we're putting additional people in the Army," Giambastiani said. "That's why we're building more brigade combat teams. That's why we're building more support brigades."
The admiral said the Army will go up to 48 active brigade combat teams in about four years. He said the Army had 32 a few years ago and is at 39 right now. To do this, the admiral said the Army will have to bring in an additional 7,000 soldiers each year to increase the number of people by 62,000. The National Guard is also in the process of rearranging brigade combat teams to have a final count of 34.
The increase in brigade combat teams was an important part of the admiral's message, said U.S. Army Spec. Chris Mignacchi, an intelligence analyst here. He said the increase is important to him because he looks forward to spending more time at home with family.
Giambastiani said the Marine Corps will also receive a substantial increase in numbers, going from 174,000 to 202,000 over the next few years. The Marines will need to bring in an additional 5,000 people each year to make that goal, he said.
Part of the reason for the increase is the different force structure that has evolved over the past few decades. The admiral said when he first came in the service, about 70 percent of the force was unmarried. Today, that number is now around 30 percent.
"It's important for us to make sure we keep you in a rotation that allows you to spend time with your family, upgrade your skills, get promoted, get training, and the rest of it, while at the same time we have you out doing the Nation's business if it's in Afghanistan or Iraq or somewhere else," he said.
Part of the Nation's business right now is manning and running provincial reconstruction teams, which are playing a major role in transforming the culture of the Afghan people through building schools, getting running water to people, and helping the people with other quality of life improvements.
"I think provincial reconstruction teams are going to be around for a while," Giambastiani said. "The concept started here in Afghanistan and has worked so well that we brought it over to Iraq."
PRTs play a major role in the life of Petty Officer 2nd Class Jorge Martinez, who works as a liaison officer for a team. He said he thinks the teams are important because they're transforming life for Afghan children, who are getting more access to education. Martinez, who has a school-age nephew in the U.S., said it is gratifying work to help children have a more promising future.
While the military has a large role in PRTs, Giambastiani said the workload is going to have to be shared.
"Regarding the PRTs, I believe we'll transition to more and more civilians manning them," he said.
The admiral said during the 1960s, the U.S. had around 18,000 government employees who worked for the United States Agency for International Development, which employed people with specialties like agriculture and economic development to aid foreign countries. Today, that organization has about 2,000 people. He said the U.S. needs to increase the number of employees and keep that capability built up.
"We're only going to win at every one of these locations by working with the populace and bringing them over to understanding that these other people are either trying to intimidate them, kill them or change their way of life to what the Taliban and Al Qaeda want to do as opposed to what the people want to do," the admiral said.
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump is assigned to the Joint Staff public affairs office.)
Combined Security Forces Help Iraqi Citizens During Operation Arrowhead Ripper
American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – Combined security forces began providing humanitarian assistance yesterday in Baqubah, Iraq, in addition to combat aimed at rooting out al Qaeda, during the fifth day of the Operation Arrowhead Ripper. Iraqi security forces and the 2nd Infantry Division's 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team delivered three truckloads of rice, flour and school supplies to Baqouba residents. In total, Iraqi soldiers distributed 20,000 pounds of rice and flour, along with 300 cases of water, to an estimated 1,500 Baqouba residents. The provisions were dropped off within 96 hours of beginning combat operations.
"The mission was a success largely due to the compassion of the Iraqi soldiers who led the mission," said Army Lt. Col. Fred Johnson, deputy commanding officer of the Stryker brigade combat team.
Johnson said the U.S. "soldiers provided outer security, but the Iraqi army and police did the heavy lifting passing out the food and water and also provided local security. I think it's important to note that it was the Iraqi soldiers who first identified the need to provide food to the locals after talking to the citizens about their situation. Many of the locals were especially appreciative because food had been scarce when al Qaeda controlled the neighborhoods."
Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, combined forces have killed at least 58 al Qaeda operatives, detained 40 others, discovered 16 weapons caches, destroyed 28 improvised explosive devices and 12 booby-trapped structures, military officials said.
In the Khatoon neighborhood yesterday, soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division's 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team discovered a safe house identified by locals in the area as an illegal courthouse used by al Qaeda. During an investigation, troop discovered documents confirming al Qaeda uses the home to prosecute innocent Iraqis.
The building was located near a suspected torture house that contained saws, drills, explosives and blood stains in several rooms. After securing the area June 22, the torture house and its contents were destroyed by an attack helicopter armed with Hellfire missiles.
In Khatoon that day, coalition forces destroyed two houses that contained 45 water heaters filled with homemade explosives, improvised explosive device-making materials and computer equipment. One of the houses also contained several booby trapped freezers.
In Baqubah June 22, ground forces discovered and destroyed a weapons cache near two improvised explosive device sites containing pipe bombs and hand grenades.
Iraqi police were conducting security operations in and around the village of Khalis when coalition attack helicopters from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and ground forces from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, observed 15-20 armed men attempting to circumvent the Iraqi police members s and infiltrate the village.
The attack helicopters, armed with missiles, engaged and killed 17 al Qaeda gunmen and destroyed their vehicle.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq News Releases.)
June 24, 2007 – Combined security forces began providing humanitarian assistance yesterday in Baqubah, Iraq, in addition to combat aimed at rooting out al Qaeda, during the fifth day of the Operation Arrowhead Ripper. Iraqi security forces and the 2nd Infantry Division's 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team delivered three truckloads of rice, flour and school supplies to Baqouba residents. In total, Iraqi soldiers distributed 20,000 pounds of rice and flour, along with 300 cases of water, to an estimated 1,500 Baqouba residents. The provisions were dropped off within 96 hours of beginning combat operations.
"The mission was a success largely due to the compassion of the Iraqi soldiers who led the mission," said Army Lt. Col. Fred Johnson, deputy commanding officer of the Stryker brigade combat team.
Johnson said the U.S. "soldiers provided outer security, but the Iraqi army and police did the heavy lifting passing out the food and water and also provided local security. I think it's important to note that it was the Iraqi soldiers who first identified the need to provide food to the locals after talking to the citizens about their situation. Many of the locals were especially appreciative because food had been scarce when al Qaeda controlled the neighborhoods."
Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, combined forces have killed at least 58 al Qaeda operatives, detained 40 others, discovered 16 weapons caches, destroyed 28 improvised explosive devices and 12 booby-trapped structures, military officials said.
In the Khatoon neighborhood yesterday, soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division's 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team discovered a safe house identified by locals in the area as an illegal courthouse used by al Qaeda. During an investigation, troop discovered documents confirming al Qaeda uses the home to prosecute innocent Iraqis.
The building was located near a suspected torture house that contained saws, drills, explosives and blood stains in several rooms. After securing the area June 22, the torture house and its contents were destroyed by an attack helicopter armed with Hellfire missiles.
In Khatoon that day, coalition forces destroyed two houses that contained 45 water heaters filled with homemade explosives, improvised explosive device-making materials and computer equipment. One of the houses also contained several booby trapped freezers.
In Baqubah June 22, ground forces discovered and destroyed a weapons cache near two improvised explosive device sites containing pipe bombs and hand grenades.
Iraqi police were conducting security operations in and around the village of Khalis when coalition attack helicopters from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and ground forces from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, observed 15-20 armed men attempting to circumvent the Iraqi police members s and infiltrate the village.
The attack helicopters, armed with missiles, engaged and killed 17 al Qaeda gunmen and destroyed their vehicle.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq News Releases.)
Giambastiani: Afghanistan Has Come Long Way
By Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump, USAF
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – Afghanistan has come a long way in the six years since the U.S. and NATO began working with the nation after the Taliban was driven from power by coalition forces, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said while visiting U.S. troops deployed here. U.S. Navy Adm. Edmund Giambastiani, visiting Afghanistan on the second stop of a six-day trip, has been a first-hand witness to the improvements to the Afghan people's way of life.
Upon arrival in Kabul, the admiral visited the hangar that houses the joint operations center here. Almost six years ago, Giambastiani traveled with former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to meet with Hamid Karzai in the same hangar. At the time, Karzai was a tribal leader fighting the Taliban. Now, he is the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan.
At the time, the hangar was bombed out and there was a single 1,000 watt generator and a couple of light bulbs, Giambastiani said. The group sat in 40 degree temperatures for four hours and discussed the future of Afghanistan.
"This country was decimated, desolate and it seemed like it was in the Stone Age," the vice chairman said. "There was almost no infrastructure whatsoever. Here we are today in late June 2007, almost six years later, and we have a democratically elected government, a parliament, and increasing vibrancy and commerce. There's a long way to go, but it's remarkable how far this country has come."
One area that needs additional attention is the continued development of the governance process, he said.
"Probably the most significant challenges are on the economic, governance and political side," Giambastiani said. "The Afghan National Army is moving ahead and probably has as much capability as any entity within the Afghan government."
The admiral said other portions of the Afghan government have to continue working to provide the services and government for their people, including a strong police force and judicial system.
"All of those are real challenges that Afghanistan, the United States, NATO forces and the international community face in the days ahead," the vice chairman said.
The bulk of the work in Afghanistan is now being done by NATO forces, something the admiral said is critical to helping the Afghani government.
"NATO has been significant and NATO has been here for a long time," Giambastiani said. Giambastiani is a former NATO Allied Supreme Commander Transformation who was involved in various aspects of the NATO effort and has watched the mission expand over the years. NATO was initially in Kabul, but has spread across all four of the regional commands now in place in Afghanistan.
Along the trip, the vice chairman was able to meet with senior commanders and troops from all branches of the military, and he got a feel for what the mood in Afghanistan is like.
"Morale is sky high," the admiral said.
Giambastiani said meeting with troops is one of the most important parts of his job as the vice chairman.
"I enjoy coming out and meeting with the troops," he said. "Every time I see soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, it gives me a check with reality. It gives me an ability to engage with them and ask them questions to see what they think, how they feel, and whether we're supplying them with the right equipment and tools to do their jobs.
He also said meeting with the troops is very satisfying.
"I come away incredibly motivated just meeting each one of these young people because they are mission-oriented and goal-oriented," the admiral said. "They want to do the job and they want to do it right. They're proud of what they do and frankly, all of the American people should be very proud of them. I know our military forces are. I get rejuvenated when I'm out here."
"I think what we've been able to do with the United States military is quite remarkable over these many years. We have the most professional, most competent, most learning organization I've ever seen. It is impressive. The people are impressive. They continue to be impressive in the capabilities we've built. The American people ought to be very proud."
When Giambastiani hands over the reigns as vice chairman in August, he said there's clearly one thing he'll miss the most.
"I'll miss the people," the admiral said. "I'll miss the day-to-day interaction with young people. That's what really keeps me going."
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump is assigned to the Joint Staff public affairs office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – Afghanistan has come a long way in the six years since the U.S. and NATO began working with the nation after the Taliban was driven from power by coalition forces, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said while visiting U.S. troops deployed here. U.S. Navy Adm. Edmund Giambastiani, visiting Afghanistan on the second stop of a six-day trip, has been a first-hand witness to the improvements to the Afghan people's way of life.
Upon arrival in Kabul, the admiral visited the hangar that houses the joint operations center here. Almost six years ago, Giambastiani traveled with former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to meet with Hamid Karzai in the same hangar. At the time, Karzai was a tribal leader fighting the Taliban. Now, he is the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan.
At the time, the hangar was bombed out and there was a single 1,000 watt generator and a couple of light bulbs, Giambastiani said. The group sat in 40 degree temperatures for four hours and discussed the future of Afghanistan.
"This country was decimated, desolate and it seemed like it was in the Stone Age," the vice chairman said. "There was almost no infrastructure whatsoever. Here we are today in late June 2007, almost six years later, and we have a democratically elected government, a parliament, and increasing vibrancy and commerce. There's a long way to go, but it's remarkable how far this country has come."
One area that needs additional attention is the continued development of the governance process, he said.
"Probably the most significant challenges are on the economic, governance and political side," Giambastiani said. "The Afghan National Army is moving ahead and probably has as much capability as any entity within the Afghan government."
The admiral said other portions of the Afghan government have to continue working to provide the services and government for their people, including a strong police force and judicial system.
"All of those are real challenges that Afghanistan, the United States, NATO forces and the international community face in the days ahead," the vice chairman said.
The bulk of the work in Afghanistan is now being done by NATO forces, something the admiral said is critical to helping the Afghani government.
"NATO has been significant and NATO has been here for a long time," Giambastiani said. Giambastiani is a former NATO Allied Supreme Commander Transformation who was involved in various aspects of the NATO effort and has watched the mission expand over the years. NATO was initially in Kabul, but has spread across all four of the regional commands now in place in Afghanistan.
Along the trip, the vice chairman was able to meet with senior commanders and troops from all branches of the military, and he got a feel for what the mood in Afghanistan is like.
"Morale is sky high," the admiral said.
Giambastiani said meeting with troops is one of the most important parts of his job as the vice chairman.
"I enjoy coming out and meeting with the troops," he said. "Every time I see soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, it gives me a check with reality. It gives me an ability to engage with them and ask them questions to see what they think, how they feel, and whether we're supplying them with the right equipment and tools to do their jobs.
He also said meeting with the troops is very satisfying.
"I come away incredibly motivated just meeting each one of these young people because they are mission-oriented and goal-oriented," the admiral said. "They want to do the job and they want to do it right. They're proud of what they do and frankly, all of the American people should be very proud of them. I know our military forces are. I get rejuvenated when I'm out here."
"I think what we've been able to do with the United States military is quite remarkable over these many years. We have the most professional, most competent, most learning organization I've ever seen. It is impressive. The people are impressive. They continue to be impressive in the capabilities we've built. The American people ought to be very proud."
When Giambastiani hands over the reigns as vice chairman in August, he said there's clearly one thing he'll miss the most.
"I'll miss the people," the admiral said. "I'll miss the day-to-day interaction with young people. That's what really keeps me going."
(Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump is assigned to the Joint Staff public affairs office.)
Conference Marks First Step Toward Inter-Faith Reconciliation in Iraq
By Tim Kilbride
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – A meeting of Iraqi religious leaders from various sects and faiths has opened a door for further progress on reining in factional violence in Iraq, said the top U.S. chaplain in the country. The Iraqi Inter-Religious Congress, held June 12-13 in Baghdad, brought together 55 representatives of the most influential clerics and religious dignitaries from around the country. In doing so, it potentially set a precedent for continued dialogue on how to reconcile the Iraqi people, Army Chaplain (Col.) Micheal Hoyt, command chaplain for Multinational Force Iraq, said during a June 21 conference call with online journalists.
Hoyt said the gathering comprised the "largest representation of faith groups and geographic dispersion from north, south, east and west in Iraq at a religious conference in 37 years." As such, "it was a pretty historic event," he observed.
Delegates to the congress were selected by the country's various faith groups to include people with national-level influence, Hoyt said. He emphasized that despite Defense Department funding, it was an Iraqi-led event, encouraged by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as a way to potentially slow the spread of bloodshed in the country.
"He was overwhelmingly supportive of this event," Hoyt noted. "The agreement (reached by the congress) was the first of its kind to receive the personal endorsement of the prime minister."
Representatives of Shiite clerics Ali al-Sistani and Muqtada al-Sadr attended, as did delegates from the Sunni Association of Muslim Scholars. Other notables included the Iraqi minister of human rights, an advisor to Maliki, and 11 members of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, Hoyt said.
Together they forged a resolution Hoyt characterized as "the first broad-based religious accord to support and recognize the legitimacy of the government of Iraq."
The delegates also rejected terrorism and sectarian violence, the chaplain said.
Their agreement was the first to "publicly renounce al Qaeda by name, and to publicly declare that the spread of arms and unauthorized weapons is to be viewed as a criminal act in Iraq," Hoyt said.
"It's the first religious accord that provides a way ahead for a committed public action by religious leaders to denounce violence, deny terrorism, demonstrate support for democratic principles and the constitution, and to display national unity," he continued.
An equally important insertion, Hoyt noted, was a call for action to the Iraqi government, urging it to build on the good will generated by this and other reconciliation conferences, past and present.
The government was requested to look back at some of the secular gatherings that have taken place at the tribal level and "see what (can be brought) forward out of them into an overall package of reconciliation," Hoyt explained.
Other national conferences will follow, the chaplain said.
"It's part of process, a prolonged process," he noted, "to build this grass roots religious leader voice, so that the government of Iraq and the religious leaders of Iraq ... (can) have a platform to establish a dialogue."
In addition, he said, those leaders will direct a host of regional-level conferences to follow up on the national dialogues.
Despite the consensus for peace that came out of the gathering, Hoyt cautioned against a rush to optimism.
"The Iraqi Inter-Religious Congress is not the silver bullet. It's a part of the ammunition belt used to help stabilize this country," he said.
Whether there will be concrete progress on reconciliation "just remains to be seen," Hoyt said. "We'll just see if we can get a voice loud enough and good enough to actually make something happen, or if it's kind of overwhelmed by other events that are also of national and international (strategic) importance."
Still, he added, "I have to believe that their message is having some level of decisive impact on the restraint of violence."
Maintaining an interfaith dialogue and translating it into government action and political reconciliation is the goal of his own outreach efforts, Hoyt explained. In the wake of the congress, he said he remains encouraged progress can be made.
"Before there just wasn't anything to build off of; now there is," he said. "Where it's going to go is anybody's guess, but it couldn't have gone anywhere had this not occurred."
(Tim Kilbride is assigned to New Media, American Forces Information Service.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – A meeting of Iraqi religious leaders from various sects and faiths has opened a door for further progress on reining in factional violence in Iraq, said the top U.S. chaplain in the country. The Iraqi Inter-Religious Congress, held June 12-13 in Baghdad, brought together 55 representatives of the most influential clerics and religious dignitaries from around the country. In doing so, it potentially set a precedent for continued dialogue on how to reconcile the Iraqi people, Army Chaplain (Col.) Micheal Hoyt, command chaplain for Multinational Force Iraq, said during a June 21 conference call with online journalists.
Hoyt said the gathering comprised the "largest representation of faith groups and geographic dispersion from north, south, east and west in Iraq at a religious conference in 37 years." As such, "it was a pretty historic event," he observed.
Delegates to the congress were selected by the country's various faith groups to include people with national-level influence, Hoyt said. He emphasized that despite Defense Department funding, it was an Iraqi-led event, encouraged by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as a way to potentially slow the spread of bloodshed in the country.
"He was overwhelmingly supportive of this event," Hoyt noted. "The agreement (reached by the congress) was the first of its kind to receive the personal endorsement of the prime minister."
Representatives of Shiite clerics Ali al-Sistani and Muqtada al-Sadr attended, as did delegates from the Sunni Association of Muslim Scholars. Other notables included the Iraqi minister of human rights, an advisor to Maliki, and 11 members of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, Hoyt said.
Together they forged a resolution Hoyt characterized as "the first broad-based religious accord to support and recognize the legitimacy of the government of Iraq."
The delegates also rejected terrorism and sectarian violence, the chaplain said.
Their agreement was the first to "publicly renounce al Qaeda by name, and to publicly declare that the spread of arms and unauthorized weapons is to be viewed as a criminal act in Iraq," Hoyt said.
"It's the first religious accord that provides a way ahead for a committed public action by religious leaders to denounce violence, deny terrorism, demonstrate support for democratic principles and the constitution, and to display national unity," he continued.
An equally important insertion, Hoyt noted, was a call for action to the Iraqi government, urging it to build on the good will generated by this and other reconciliation conferences, past and present.
The government was requested to look back at some of the secular gatherings that have taken place at the tribal level and "see what (can be brought) forward out of them into an overall package of reconciliation," Hoyt explained.
Other national conferences will follow, the chaplain said.
"It's part of process, a prolonged process," he noted, "to build this grass roots religious leader voice, so that the government of Iraq and the religious leaders of Iraq ... (can) have a platform to establish a dialogue."
In addition, he said, those leaders will direct a host of regional-level conferences to follow up on the national dialogues.
Despite the consensus for peace that came out of the gathering, Hoyt cautioned against a rush to optimism.
"The Iraqi Inter-Religious Congress is not the silver bullet. It's a part of the ammunition belt used to help stabilize this country," he said.
Whether there will be concrete progress on reconciliation "just remains to be seen," Hoyt said. "We'll just see if we can get a voice loud enough and good enough to actually make something happen, or if it's kind of overwhelmed by other events that are also of national and international (strategic) importance."
Still, he added, "I have to believe that their message is having some level of decisive impact on the restraint of violence."
Maintaining an interfaith dialogue and translating it into government action and political reconciliation is the goal of his own outreach efforts, Hoyt explained. In the wake of the congress, he said he remains encouraged progress can be made.
"Before there just wasn't anything to build off of; now there is," he said. "Where it's going to go is anybody's guess, but it couldn't have gone anywhere had this not occurred."
(Tim Kilbride is assigned to New Media, American Forces Information Service.)
Afghan, Coalition Troops Kill, Detain Insurgents
American Forces Press Service
June 24, 2007 – Afghan and coalition forces killed more than 32 insurgents and detained 20 others in Afghanistan over the past three days, military officials reported. Early yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces detained 20 militants in operations against al Qaeda militants at three compounds in the Giro district of Ghazni province. The detainees are being held for questioning.
Coalition forces acted on credible intelligence that pointed to the various compounds as sheltering al Qaeda fighters. The insurgents fired rocket propelled grenades and machine guns at the coalition forces as they approached one of the compounds; the forces returned fire, killing the assailants. No civilians were injured in the operations.
While searching the compound from which the attack was launched, combined forces discovered a Russian-made machine gun with 250 rounds of ammunition, an AK-47 assault rifle with four full magazines, and two fragmentation grenades.
Elsewhere in Afghanistan yesterday, enemy fighters engaged Afghan national army members and coalition forces near Langar Village in the Washer District of Helmand province.
Combined forces repelled the initial attack with small arms and then requested close air support to suppress the enemy fighters.
The battle continued throughout the day and additional enemy fighters reinforced enemy positions in the area. Combined forces maneuvered to defendable positions and then directed coalition helicopters and close air support aircraft to drop munitions on positively identified enemy positions. More than 12 enemy fighters were killed in the prolonged battle, military officials said.
One coalition soldier and one Afghan national army member died in the fighting and two coalition forces and one Afghan army member were wounded. The wounded forces were evacuated to a nearby facility for medical treatment. There were no Afghan civilian injures reported.
"Afghan national army and coalition forces are currently fighting to stop the spread of the Taliban to the western portions of Afghanistan," said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. "This attempt at westward expansion on the part of the Taliban will not be successful."
A day earlier, soldiers from 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade, 209th Afghan national army corps and coalition members received machine gun fire from an unknown number of enemy fighters near the village of Sayed Nabi in the Shah Wali Kot District of Kandahar province.
Combined forces returned fire and then pursued the enemy attackers as they attempted to escape. Troops killed nearly 20 enemy fighters during the seven hour firefight that ensued. No Afghan civilian injuries were reported.
Elsewhere in the Shaheed Hasas District of Oruzgan province, a small number of enemy fighters fired multiple rockets at a 205th Afghan national army corps and coalition base. Combined forces returned fire and then quickly maneuvered on the enemy's position, killing several fighters near the Mjani-Do village.
"Afghan national army and coalition soldiers will continue to pursue and defeat all enemy fighters who threaten the government of Afghanistan," Belcher said. "With the support and resolve of the Afghan people, enemy fighters will be unable to derail the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan."
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 News Releases.)
June 24, 2007 – Afghan and coalition forces killed more than 32 insurgents and detained 20 others in Afghanistan over the past three days, military officials reported. Early yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces detained 20 militants in operations against al Qaeda militants at three compounds in the Giro district of Ghazni province. The detainees are being held for questioning.
Coalition forces acted on credible intelligence that pointed to the various compounds as sheltering al Qaeda fighters. The insurgents fired rocket propelled grenades and machine guns at the coalition forces as they approached one of the compounds; the forces returned fire, killing the assailants. No civilians were injured in the operations.
While searching the compound from which the attack was launched, combined forces discovered a Russian-made machine gun with 250 rounds of ammunition, an AK-47 assault rifle with four full magazines, and two fragmentation grenades.
Elsewhere in Afghanistan yesterday, enemy fighters engaged Afghan national army members and coalition forces near Langar Village in the Washer District of Helmand province.
Combined forces repelled the initial attack with small arms and then requested close air support to suppress the enemy fighters.
The battle continued throughout the day and additional enemy fighters reinforced enemy positions in the area. Combined forces maneuvered to defendable positions and then directed coalition helicopters and close air support aircraft to drop munitions on positively identified enemy positions. More than 12 enemy fighters were killed in the prolonged battle, military officials said.
One coalition soldier and one Afghan national army member died in the fighting and two coalition forces and one Afghan army member were wounded. The wounded forces were evacuated to a nearby facility for medical treatment. There were no Afghan civilian injures reported.
"Afghan national army and coalition forces are currently fighting to stop the spread of the Taliban to the western portions of Afghanistan," said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. "This attempt at westward expansion on the part of the Taliban will not be successful."
A day earlier, soldiers from 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade, 209th Afghan national army corps and coalition members received machine gun fire from an unknown number of enemy fighters near the village of Sayed Nabi in the Shah Wali Kot District of Kandahar province.
Combined forces returned fire and then pursued the enemy attackers as they attempted to escape. Troops killed nearly 20 enemy fighters during the seven hour firefight that ensued. No Afghan civilian injuries were reported.
Elsewhere in the Shaheed Hasas District of Oruzgan province, a small number of enemy fighters fired multiple rockets at a 205th Afghan national army corps and coalition base. Combined forces returned fire and then quickly maneuvered on the enemy's position, killing several fighters near the Mjani-Do village.
"Afghan national army and coalition soldiers will continue to pursue and defeat all enemy fighters who threaten the government of Afghanistan," Belcher said. "With the support and resolve of the Afghan people, enemy fighters will be unable to derail the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan."
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 News Releases.)
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