Afghan Insurgent Reintegration Effort Works, Official Says

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2012 – The Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program, established and run by Afghans since 2010, resolves grievances that lead to fighting and delivers peace at a local level, a senior coalition officer said today.

British Royal Marine Maj. Gen. David A. Hook, who directs the force integration cell for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, spoke with Pentagon reporters via video conference from ISAF headquarters in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

The peace program, which the Afghans implement locally but direct and coordinate nationally, gives insurgents a chance to leave the battlefield peacefully and permanently and rejoin their communities with dignity and honor, Hook said.

“Any counterinsurgency strategy includes a nonmilitary solution that reaches out to insurgents with the goal of peaceful reintegration where everyone benefits,” he added. “This program ambitiously seeks to do this and to deliver peace at a very local level.”

Reintegration is an essential element in the comprehensive counterinsurgency campaign that ISAF Commander Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen is implementing, he said. A cornerstone of the local approach, he added, is resolving grievances that led people to fight or become insurgents in the first place.

“The overwhelming majority of those fighting in the south and other areas are fighting for nonideological reasons,” Hook said. … Addressing their grievances can draw them back into society.”

An Afghan-led peace program supported by ISAF and the United Nations is central to success, he added.

“The whole aim of the APRP is to build trust and confidence amongst people who have been fighting the government and each other for far too long,” the major general said.

The program has enrolled applicants since October 2010, and so far has vetted -- or verified that applicants are not simply criminals, but have taken up arms against the government of Afghanistan -- nearly 3,100 former insurgents. Over time, the vetting process has become quite rigorous, Hook said.

“Very early in the program, 231 reintegrees came into the program in Sar-e-Pul … before the vetting process was properly established,” he explained. All were revetted, and 190 were found not to be bona fide insurgents.

“The key thing here is [that] it is the Afghan government that runs this dual-vetting process and the Afghan government [that] decides who should and should not enter the program,” he added.

Those involved in the reintegration process carry out the crucial work, at district and village levels, of negotiating with and reaching out to insurgents, taking them through a three-month demobilization process and reintegrating them into their communities, Hook said.

“We don't tend to see individuals coming in,” he added. Rather, mid- to low-level leaders decide to come into the program and bring their fighters in with them in groups of five to 25. Hook said that 20 percent to 25 percent of the 3,100 insurgents in the program are mid- to low-level leaders.

Those accepted into the program receive a transitional allowance of $120 a month for three months -- an amount the Afghan government calculated would allow a man to feed a family of six in Kabul during demobilization training.

“Once you get to the end of demobilization, you become a normal citizen of Afghanistan, and beyond that, there is no promise that you individually will be rewarded,” Hook said. “This is where you see the power of an Afghan-designed system, because the program focuses on the village that accepts the reintegree back.”

An individual who goes back to his community asks for forgiveness, Hook explained. In 99 percent of cases, the community takes the person back and community and individual are locked together under the Pashtunwali Code, an unwritten ethical code and traditional lifestyle followed by indigenous Pashtun people from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“The individual has been accepted back and been forgiven, so he now is responsible for his behavior to the community,” Hook said. The community then benefits by being eligible for grants of $25,000 or $200,000. The money is used to improve the community.

The acts of acceptance and community improvement “lock the individual and the community together in a way that makes recidivism incredibly low,” the major general added.

“To date,” he said, “we're tracking between five and seven who we've identified as [probable] recidivists, and another 20 to 25 who we think might be.”

In a program like this, he added, “30 people being recidivists out of 3,100 is an incredibly low number.”

ISAF supports the reintegration program at several levels, Hook said, through various branches of the Joint Secretariat.

“We have a very close relationship,” he added. “And whilst the joint secretariat is building its own capacity, … we provide some extra capacity to help them develop ideas.”

In the meantime, he said, officials are working to more fully understand the dynamics.

“We're trying to understand the relationship between the surge, the weather and the people who want to give up fighting because they've had enough, and those people who are reintegrating,” Hook said.

“It's more than just understanding 3,100 [reintegrated] insurgents,” he said. “It's trying to understand a combination of factors and deconstructing which bit is contributing to a safer environment in the area where it's occurring.”

Afghanistan: North Carolina Army Guard members clear the way for the safety of others

North Carolina National Guard Courtesy report

ZABUL PROVIDENCE, Afghanistan  — “Clearing the way” is the battle cry you will hear when visiting the North Carolina National Guard’s 883rd Sapper Company whether you’re in the U.S. or in the Zabul Providence of Afghanistan, where they are currently deployed.

That cry has to do with the 883rd’s primary mission of clearing routes. The 833rd provides the framework and clear routes that enable freedom of movement for other coalition forces and the Afghanistan local populace.

“If it wasn’t for the work my guys’ do [clearing routes and gaining information for follow on forces] the other coalition forces would not be able to do their job,” said the company commander Army Capt. James McVeigh.

Route clearance is a grueling mission that can be as short as eight hours or as long as several days.

The trucks being driven are filled with equipment to help detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and communicate with other trucks in the convoy. This leaves little room for the Soldiers to sit comfortably with all of their personal protective equipment (PPE).

During the missions, the vehicles have to operate at a deliberate speed to ensure that they are capable of locating and identifying potential IEDs or other threats along the route. The dawdling speed has proven crucial to saving lives. Not only their own, but those of the coalition forces who count on the sappers to clear their paths.

“You have to have a lot of respect for these guys. They sit in these vehicles for over eight hours seeing the same terrain day after day. They have to be able to notice even the smallest changes in the terrain. They’re putting their lives on the line to ensure the safety of others ‘Always out front’ as one of the Sapper motto’s goes,” McVeigh said.

Before the break of the dawn the Soldiers of the second platoon “Hell Hounds” are up preparing for their mission. The platoon usually runs four missions a week; to date this would be about their 50th mission in country.

Army Spc. Samuel Carlin is a member of second platoon.

“I usually get up two hours before the mission brief and receive intelligence about our route to present during our brief,” Carlin said.

They attend the mandatory mission brief, which goes over the purpose of the mission and contingency plans should anything go wrong. After the brief the platoon leader conducts back briefs to make certain every Soldier understands their mission.

“You know, I expect my guys to give 100 percent and put their best foot forward. It’s important they know what is going on with the mission so that they can do their job,” said Army 1st Lt. Michael Hodge.

“Successfully completing our mission means that those who depend on us, can complete their own mission,” he said. “I need to be reassured that they do not become complacent. Clearing a route is important, but what’s most important is that I bring my guys back safely.”

After the back brief has been conducted, the Soldiers are released for a quick breakfast then they load up on their trucks to prepare for the mission.

The platoon leader requests to departs and once given the clearance, the platoon starts on what could be a life altering task.

“The rehearsals leading up to the missions are not able to properly incorporate things that may come up while on missions,” Carlin said. “Things like the over populated areas, how to interact with locals and dealing with the driving habits of the locals. But I really love this job. I hate the days when I’m not out on patrols.”

When outside of the wire Carlin does dismounted patrols. Whenever the convoy stops or comes across suspicious items, he proceeds from the safety of the vehicle and walks the terrain in order to get a better and closer look at the area.

Eleven hours later the convoy successfully returns from their mission. After refueling the vehicles and parking them back in the motor pool, they are released for dinner only to return for an after action review (AAR), which is run by the platoon sergeant.

The purpose of the AAR is to discuss what improvements are needed and what they succeeded at during the mission.

“I’ve only been the platoon sergeant for about three weeks now,” said Army Staff Sgt. Lance Hayes.” “Since I’ve gotten into this position I’ve seen steady improvements. I have full confidence in my guys, as long as they put their mind to it, they can accomplish anything.”

After the conclusion of the AAR the platoon leader ends the meeting by informing his Soldiers they have another early morning mission.

The air mixed with sighs of defeat and anxiousness to go out again. Finally the Soldiers are released to enjoy what is left of their night. They must prepare for the next mission and get a few hours of rest before another early morning rise.

“I’m fairly new to this company. From the beginning I could tell this was going to be a great marriage between the commander and myself. We just had the same thought process on how to run the company,” said Army 1st Sgt. Jason Zike.

“When I got here, I could tell the Soldiers were very disciplined, but seemed to lack that family connection,” he said. “I made it my mission to make everyone feel like a family. The commander and I have a birthday card program, where we give each guy a card for his birthday. I also requested game consoles, books, DVDs and DVD players for the ‘USO to go’ tent. I’m working with Bunkers in Bagdad to get golf balls, clubs and pants to create a driving range.

“It just helps relieves stress, which I know going out on these missions every day creates. I can tell it means a lot to them to know their command cares about their welfare. The guys really appreciate what we’re trying to do for them,” Zike said.

 Families back home should have some peace of mind knowing the leadership at the 883rd cares so much for the Soldiers of the company. It is always the little things that count. A simple reminder that someone remembers your birthday, in a deployed environment, can truly make a difference to the Soldiers.

The 883rd served as North Carolina’s rapid reaction force since 2007, and were mobilized for a U.S. border protection mission in 2008. In August of 2011 the 883rd was mobilized to perform combat route clearance patrols throughout the Zabul province enabling freedom of movement for coalition forces and providing a stable environment for the people of Afghanistan. The 883rd falls under the 223rd Engineer Battalion/Task Force Knight in Afghanistan to help the continual efforts of the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Quran Incident Inquiry Underway, ISAF Official Says

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2012 – Coalition members are working with Afghan leaders to quickly and fully investigate the “grave mistake” that yesterday ended in partially burned Qurans at the Parwan detention facility near Bagram, Afghanistan, an International Security Assistance Force spokesman said today.

Speaking from the Afghan capital of Kabul in a teleconference with Pentagon reporters, Brig. Gen. Carsten Jacobson of the German army said it’s of the utmost importance that officials “explain very, very clearly what happened, explain how sorry we are about what happened, explain that this was a mistake, explain what led to it, and talk about the consequences.”

Afghan government and religious leaders are investigating the circumstances behind the incident along with ISAF representatives, Jacobson said, and the results of that inquiry could be available within hours.

The inadvertent desecration of the Islamic holy book kindled protest demonstrations that began with a 2,000-person disturbance outside the detention facility yesterday, and continued today with at least four more protests, featuring 200 to 500 demonstrators each, around Kabul, Jacobson said. News reports count the death toll from the protests at seven, though Jacobson said no violence has been specifically directed against ISAF troops.

Jacobson said the Qurans were mistakenly included in a mass of material delivered to the detention facility’s burn pit for routine disposal. Local workers at the facility noticed the books and pulled them from the fire, he added.

“Material was inadvertently given to troops for burning,” Jacobson said. “The decision to burn this material had nothing to do with it being religious in nature or related to Islam. It was a mistake. It was an error.”

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, ISAF commander, quickly ordered an investigation to discover how and why the mistake happened, the spokesman said.

“ISAF has complete respect for Islam and the reverence in which the Quran is held,” Jacobson said. “We are very serious about making certain … that if someone failed to follow our rules, they will be held accountable.”

All 50 coalition member nations require their troops to take part in cultural training before and after deploying to Afghanistan, he noted. While such training has been effective overall, the spokesman said, Allen ordered yesterday that all coalition forces in Afghanistan will complete training in the proper handling of religious material no later than March 3.

“The training will include the identification of religious materials, their significance, correct handling and storage,” Jacobson said.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Allen each issued statements yesterday apologizing for the event.

Jacobson repeated those sentiments today.

“General Allen and ISAF, again, give sincere apologies for any offense that this may have caused to the president of Afghanistan, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and, most importantly, to the noble people of Afghanistan,” he said.

Jacobson said he can’t confirm news reports that the Qurans may have contained writing by detainees using the books as a means of communication with each other. “We haven't got any proof of that yet, and that is a vital part of the investigation that is ongoing,” he said.

All material recovered at the burn pit was turned over to Islamic authorities, he noted, reiterating that Afghan officials are taking part in the investigation. Findings from that inquiry should determine exactly what material was involved, who gave the orders to dispose of it, how it got to the burn pit, and what actually happened when it got there, Jacobson said.

“We have to be very careful in what we do, what we say, what we look at,” he added. “This is a very sensitive subject, and we have to be exactly clear on what was found, what was the reason for decisions that were taken, and it has to be done together with the Afghans.”

Pentagon: No Enemy Involvement in Djibouti Air Force Crash

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – Four Air Force special operators were killed Feb. 18 when their single-engine U-28 aircraft crashed in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

“This is obviously a tragic incident,” Little said about the accident, which occurred at the Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport in Djibouti City. Camp Lemonnier, located nearby, is the main base of operations for U.S. Africa Command in the Horn of Africa.

The airmen had been conducting a surveillance and reconnaissance mission, Little said. “There is absolutely no indication of any kind of enemy involvement in the downing of the plane,” he added.

Little said the Air Force mission was in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, which includes operations in Afghanistan, the Philippines, the Horn of Africa and elsewhere. The special operators -- all were from Hurlburt Field, an Air Force installation in Okaloosa County, Fla. -- were:

-- Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colo., assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron.

-- Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Ga., and 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Ore., both assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron.

-- Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Md., assigned to the 25th Intelligence Squadron.

Little said a dignified transfer ceremony took place at the Dover Air Force Base military mortuary in Delaware early this morning “for our returning fallen heroes who were involved in this crash.”

A safety board investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the incident, according to a statement on the Africa Command website. The accident occurred at about 8 p.m. local time, the statement said, and U.S. military personnel were dispatched to the scene.

“We need to understand precisely what happened in this tragic incident,” Little said.

Coalition, Afghans Capture Taliban Leaders in Helmand

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 22, 2012 – Coalition and Afghan security forces captured three Taliban leaders and multiple other insurgents in Afghanistan’s Helmand province today, military officials reported.

A combined unit of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force members captured several insurgents in the southern province’s Lashkar Gar district, including a Taliban operator who distributed bomb-making materials in the tri-border region of Nahr-e Saraj, Lashkar Gah and Maiwand districts.

Also in the Nahr-e Saraj district, a combined force captured two Taliban leaders. One coordinated bomb attacks, and the other directed insurgent fighters and distributed weapons for use in attacks against coalition forces.

In eastern Afghanistan today, coalition forces in Logar province’s Pul-e Alam district captured a Taliban operator who acquired weapons for insurgent fighters in Wardak province’s Nerkh district.

U.S., African Forces Mitigate Terror Group’s Impact

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2012 – U.S. special operations forces are helping four Central African nations reduce the size and lethality of the Lord’s Resistance Army, a group that has terrorized the region for 25 years, U.S. officials said today.

Navy Rear Adm. Brian L. Losey, commander of Special Operations Command Africa, said in a conference call with reporters that the LRA is down to about 200 core fighters. Karly Wycoff, deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs, also participated in the call.

While still under the direction of its leader, Joseph Kony, the admiral said, the group is kept on the run in the remote, shared border region of South Sudan, Uganda, Central Africa Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo -- an area about the size of California.

President Barack Obama ordered about 100 special operations forces to deploy to Central Africa in October to train and augment the capabilities of the African militaries in the region.

The U.S. effort to help the four-nation partnership counter the LRA is a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy that has included training, funding, airlift, logistics, communications and intelligence support -- specifically, fusing intelligence and support to operations, Losey and Wycoff said.

“With our support, these four military forces continue to make progress in reducing the LRA’s numbers and keep them from regrouping,” Wycoff said.

U.S. forces also are working closely with the State Department, the United Nations, the African Union and nongovernmental organizations to provide humanitarian relief in the region, Wycoff said.

“The military is only one part of a broader strategy,” Wycoff said. A large part of the strategy is to entice LRA members to defect and safely return home, with the help of government and aid organizations, he said, and to publicize those defections.

“One of the sad realities of this situation is that many of the perpetrators of these [LRA] atrocities were victims themselves, abducted in their childhood and forced to fight,” he said.

Wycoff likened Kony and his followers to a cult that has kidnapped and murdered civilians for two decades, causing an estimated 455,000 people to be displaced or to live as refugees. The LRA is not known to be involved in any money-making criminal enterprise, he said, but survives off foraging and pillaging of villages.

The LRA is implicated in 278 attacks and at least 300 abductions last year, which decreased at the end of the year, they said.

“Now they are only a small percentage of their former strength,” Losey said. But the fact that the LRA is operating at all, even at reduced strength, is terrifying to people in the region, he added.

Losey said the removal of Kony is one of the chief objectives in a broader mission to enable the four partner nations to be fully capable to counter the LRA. Though there is no timeline for the U.S. mission, he added, it also is not open-ended.

“We want to make very clear that we are supporting, and not leading, this effort,” he said.

The fact that the four African nations came together for the effort to defeat the LRA is an achievement, Losey said.

“This operation is at its core what U.S. Africa Command is all about,” he said. “In the long run, it is the Africans who are best suited to address” their regional security challenges.

On Guard Against WMD: Inside the Biological Countermeasures Unit, Part 1

In 2006, to counter the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the FBI established the WMD Directorate. The directorate combines law enforcement investigative authorities, intelligence analysis capabilities, and technical subject matter expertise in a coordinated approach to deal with incidents involving nuclear, radiological, biological, or chemical weapons. The organization places substantial emphasis on preventing such incidents.

FBI.gov recently spoke with Special Agent Edward You in the directorate’s Biological Countermeasures Unit (BCU).

Q: What is your unit’s primary mission?

Mr. You: Just like our partner units who also work in countermeasures dealing with chemicals, radiological and nuclear material and infrastructure protection, our goal is to prevent acts of terrorism. In our case, that means bio-terrorism. But we must do that in a way that strikes a balance between security and supporting advances in scientific research and protecting public safety. Bio-security, from our standpoint, is preventing the illicit acquisition or misuse of the technologies, practices, and materials associated with biological sciences. We are also charged with protecting scientists and the institutions where they work.

Q: What are the primary biological WMD risks?

Mr. You: Laboratory techniques for biological materials are publicly available in scientific journals and elsewhere, which represent a ready source of knowledge for creating and manipulating these materials. Biological agents such as viruses, bacteria, and toxins are also widely available and used in companies, universities, and other institutions. These include materials that could have devastating effects on the public if released, such as avian influenza or Bacillus anthracis spores (anthrax). These things are also naturally occurring in the environment. Both the methods and the materials are critical for scientific research and the development of beneficial products. But we also recognize that the materials could be exploited or subverted for terrorist or criminal acts. We conduct outreach to try to make people aware of these risks.

Q: How important are partnerships between law enforcement and the medical and scientific community?

Mr. You: They are essential. We have a joint criminal-epidemiological investigation model, which is how law enforcement works together with public health entities to quickly assess an unusual disease outbreak to determine if it is naturally occurring or was started intentionally. The partnership is critical to ensure rapid sharing of information to guide the appropriate investigative steps and responses. All these efforts address the shared goal of protecting public health and safety—again, without hindering scientific progress.

Q: What is your primary means of conducting outreach?

Mr. You: We provide opportunities for the scientific community to meet directly with our law enforcement representatives—our WMD coordinators. These are the FBI’s subject matter experts, local points of contact, and really the keystone of the entire program. Each of our 56 field offices nationwide has at least one of these special agent coordinators trained in the various WMD modalities. They are the focal point for state and local law enforcement and public health officials. Coordinators conduct outreach and liaison development with academia, institutions, industry contacts, and other organizations. Our unit at FBI Headquarters manages the outreach program at the national level. We facilitate meetings between our coordinators and members of the biological sciences community, provide a mutual understanding of bio-security from a law enforcement perspective, and foster partnerships nationwide. We are also branching out internationally, with WMD personnel in Eastern Europe, Singapore, and at Interpol in France.

Next: Training, tripwires, and more.

Panetta, Allen Apologize for Destruction of Religious Materials

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today joined the commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan in apologizing to the Afghan people for the reported inappropriate treatment of religious materials, including copies of the Quran, at Bagram Airfield.

In a written statement, Panetta said Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen had notified him of “the deeply unfortunate incident.”

“He and I apologize to the Afghan people and disapprove of such conduct in the strongest possible terms,” Panetta said. “These actions do not represent the views of the United States military. We honor and respect the religious practices of the Afghan people, without exception.”

The secretary added that he supports Allen's “swift and decisive action” to investigate the matter jointly with the Afghan government. “I will carefully review the final results of the investigation to ensure that we take all steps necessary and appropriate so that this never happens again,” he said.

In a statement issued this morning, Allen said he’d received a report overnight on the improper disposal of Islamic religious materials at Bagram and launched a formal investigation.

“When we learned of these actions, we immediately intervened and stopped them,” he said. “The materials recovered will be properly handled by appropriate religious authorities.”

International Security Assistance Force officials are taking steps “to ensure this does not ever happen again,” Allen said. “I assure you -- I promise you -- this was NOT intentional in any way,” he added.

Allen offered his personal apology to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the Afghan government, “and most importantly, to the noble people of Afghanistan.”

“I would like to thank the local Afghan people who helped us identify the error, and who worked with us to immediately take corrective action,” Allen said.

Army Casualty

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

Sgt. Allen R. McKenna Jr., 28, of Noble, Okla., died Feb. 21 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

For more information the media may contact the 4th Infantry Division public affairs at 719-503-0921.

Kuwait: Minnesota Army Guard members partake in some unique live fire training

By Army National Guard Spc. Bob Brown
Minnesota National Guard

NORTHERN KUWAIT, Kuwait  -- With the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq complete, Soldiers throughout the Army are getting the opportunity to participate in training that is difficult to conduct back in the states.

In northern Kuwait, the Minnesota National Guard’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery, 34th Infantry Division took advantage of this unique situation.

Soldiers participated in crew qualification on the M109A6 Paladin, a self-propelled, tracked artillery vehicle with a 155-millimeter cannon that is capable of launching artillery shells upwards of ten miles through the guidance of an on board computer system.

The unit trains at Camp Ripley, Minn., during their weekend drills, but the resources to conduct training of this magnitude are scarce.

Since they arrived in Kuwait, the 1-125 FA has been providing security at Camp Patriot, Kuwait where training on field artillery weapons like the Paladin is impossible.

Fortunately the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division’s 1-82 Field Artillery out of Fort Hood, Texas acquired Paladins in Kuwait after being reassigned to 3rd Army after the drawdown of U.S. Forces and equipment in Iraq.

Third Army, a higher headquarters unit for the 1-125 FA, tasked the 1-82 FA with training field artillery units like the 1-125 FA in crew qualification.

“To get a chance, in a combat theater like this, to shoot artillery is a once in a lifetime experience for all these guys and we’re really excited to be out here,” said Minnesota Army National Guard Capt. Casey Vulcan

The crew consists of a four-man team. The chief oversees the crew, a driver, a number one man, who loads the shell, and gunner to load the composition B powder that propels the shell and verifies all the information in the computer is correct, ensuring the round lands where it is supposed to before pulling the lanyard that fires the primer and launches the round.

“Absolutely it’s the best job in the gun,” remarked gunner Minnesota Army National Guard Spc. Alex Scarset.

The crew receives coordinates for the computer from forward observers who are located miles away, tracking the impact and placement of the Paladin rounds.

The importance and uniqueness of this training is not lost on crew chief Sgt. Minnesota Army National Guard Micha Pohlman.

“For most of us, it’s been two and a half years or more since we’ve actually fired, so it’s a nice refresher—it’s kind of exciting to get in the gun again and do the whole process.”

These soldiers will bring this valuable training experience back to Minnesota when the 1-125 FA returns home later this spring.

Incident Leads to New Training for ISAF Troops

From an International Security Assistance Force News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 21, 2012 – All International Security Assistance Force personnel will complete training in the proper handling of religious materials in the next two weeks, military officials here reported.

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, ISAF commander, today ordered that all coalition forces in Afghanistan complete the training by March 3.

Allen issued the order in response to an incident last night in which religious materials, including Qurans identified for disposal, were inadvertently taken to an incineration facility at Bagram Airfield, officials said. The incident is under investigation.

“On behalf of the entire International Security Assistance Force, I extend my sincerest apologies to the people of Afghanistan,” Allen said. “To assist us in ensuring we have uncovered all the facts, I’ve also asked our partners from the Afghan Ministry of Interior to assist us with this investigation.”

The training will include the identification of religious materials, their significance, and correct handling and storage.

“Along with our apology to the Afghans, is our certainty and assurance to them that these kinds of incidents, when they do occur, will be corrected in the fastest and most appropriate manner possible,” Allen continued. “We’ve been shoulder to shoulder with the Afghans for a long time. We’ve been dying alongside the Afghans for a long time because we believe in them, we believe in their country, and we want to have every opportunity to give them a bright future.”

Allen, Karzai Condemn Insurgent Violence

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

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2012 – The commander of the International Security Assistance Force joined with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in condemning a recent spate of insurgent violence in Afghanistan.

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen offered condolences to the Afghan people for the “desperate acts of murder by insurgents.”

At least six Afghans and an ISAF service member died in insurgent attacks yesterday. In the most recent attack, a man wearing an Afghan police uniform shot and killed an ISAF member in southern Afghanistan.

In other attacks yesterday:

-- A vehicle bearing a homemade bomb exploded when it rammed a district police station in Kandahar, killing two policemen and wounding four Afghan civilians.

-- A roadside bomb killed four civilians, including a child, in Kandahar’s Shah Wali Kot district when the victims drove over a roadside bomb.

"My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured in these attacks against the people of Afghanistan," Allen said. "On behalf of the coalition of 50 nations within ISAF, I send condolences to the loved ones concerned and pray for a swift recovery for the injured.

"These incidents again show the insurgency's total disregard for the Afghan people and disdain for peace," he continued. "The lack of concern for the peace and security of the Afghan people, and the continued killing of innocents, sends an obvious message by the insurgents: the Taliban do not care who or how many of their fellow Afghans are killed."

Allen said the attacks show insurgents’ growing concern about an increasingly capable Afghan police force, as the attacks are conducted from a distance “to avoid certain capture.”

"The insurgents should be concerned,” the general said. “We -- ISAF and [Afghan security forces] together -- will continue in our efforts to hold these murderers to account."

In recent Afghanistan operations:

-- A coalition patrol in Kandahar’s Zharay district Feb. 19 seized 16 mortar rounds, 12 recoilless rifle rounds and about 62 pounds of homemade explosives.

-- An Afghan and coalition security force in the Kunduz district of Kunduz province Feb. 18 captured a Taliban leader who directed the placement of explosives targeting Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Sabari district of Khost province, an Afghan-led security force confiscated bomb-making materials and weapons and detained suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani leader who directs roadside-bomb and direct-fire attacks against Afghan forces.

Statement by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta on the Treatment of Religious Materials at Bagram Airbase

"This morning ISAF Commander Gen. John Allen notified me of the deeply unfortunate incident involving the inappropriate treatment of religious materials, including the Koran, at Bagram Airbase.  He and I apologize to the Afghan people and disapprove of such conduct in the strongest possible terms.  These actions do not represent the views of the United States military.  We honor and respect the religious practices of the Afghan people, without exception.

"I support Gen. Allen's swift and decisive action to investigate this matter jointly with the Afghan government.  I will carefully review the final results of the investigation to ensure that we take all steps necessary and appropriate so that this never happens again."

Air Force Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died February 18 when their U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa.  The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Killed were:

Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colo.  He was assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Ga.  He was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Ore.  He was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Md.  He was assigned to the 25th Intelligence Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

For more information media may contact the Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing public affairs office at 850-884-8100.

Syria Different Challenge Than Libya, Chairman Says

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – The security challenges in Syria are different geographically and militarily from those that led to NATO operations in Libya, and intervention would be difficult, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.

"Syria is a very different challenge," Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said in a CNN interview with Fareed Zakaria. "It's a different challenge in terms of the capability of the Syrian military. They are very capable."

Dempsey pointed to Syria's "sophisticated, integrated" air defense system and chemical and biological capabilities as part of a "very different military problem."

"I think intervening in Syria would be very difficult," he said. "I think the current path of trying to gain some international consensus is the proper path, rather than take a decision to do anything unilaterally."

Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, Dempsey said, but added that he will be prepared to provide military options to the nation's leaders.

"I wear the uniform I wear to provide options when asked and will be prepared to do that," he said. "But it would be a big mistake to think of this as another Libya.

"That said, of course, we're looking at all that," Dempsey said. "We're trying to gather the best intelligence we can and take a look at what options we might have should we be asked to provide those to the national command authority in this country. But we haven't been asked to do that yet."

Dempsey noted it would be premature to decide to arm the opposition movement in Syria. "I would challenge anyone to clearly identify for me the opposition movement at this point," he said. "Syria is an arena right now for all of the various interests to play out.

"What I mean by that is you have great power involved," he continued. Turkey, Russia and Iran have strong interests in Syria, he added.

There are various groups who might think there is a Sunni-Shia competition for regional control, the chairman said.

"There are indications that al-Qaida is involved and that they’re interested in supporting the opposition," he said.

"There are a number of players, all of whom are trying to reinforce their particular side of this issue. And until we're a lot clearer about who they are and what they are, I think it would be premature to talk about arming them."

Denver Man Pleads Guilty to Providing False Information Related to a Terrorism Offense

DENVER—Matthew O’Neill, aka Matt O’Neill, age 52, of Kremmling, Colorado, pled guilty earlier this week to one count of providing false information related to a terrorism offense, U.S. Attorney John Walsh, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge James Yacone, and Acting U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Tommy Coke announced today. O’Neill, who was originally charged by criminal complaint on May 27, 2011 and indicted by a federal grand jury on June 6, 2011, will be sentenced on June 4, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. by U.S. District Court Judge Marcia S. Krieger.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on May 25, 2011, a mail room employee with the Colorado Department of Revenue received a legal-sized manila envelope with a return address of “M. O’Neill . . . Kremmling CO”. It was mailed to the “State of Colorado; Colorado Dept of Revenue; 1375 Sherman Street; Denver, CO.” The envelope had postal markings on it indicating that the envelope went through the mail, originating from the U.S. Post Office in Kremmling, Colorado. The mail room employee opened the envelope, stapled documents that were inside the envelope, and routed it to the intended recipient. This process was common for how the Colorado Department of Revenue handled mailed. The recipient placed the envelope on her desk, at which point an unidentified white powder fell out of the envelope onto the desk. The Revenue employee then took the contents to another person’s office. Together they set it on the desk, left the office and locked the door. They then notified the floor manager who immediately contacted the Colorado State Patrol and 911. Believing they had both been exposed to some kind of harmful chemical or biological substance, the two attempted to decontaminate themselves by washing their hands. They then waited for the Denver Fire Department and the Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) team. The building was subsequently evacuated.

The Denver Fire Department’s HAZMAT team entered the building, utilizing proper protective equipment to maintain their safety while dealing with an unknown hazardous material. The team field tested the powder in the envelope, which turned out to be sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). The Department of Revenue’s intended recipient was interviewed and stated that O’Neill has sent several documents that express his views as a sovereign citizen, and that he believes that he does not have to pay state or federal taxes. She further stated that she felt threatened by the contents of the envelope, fearing that the white powder was some sort of harmful substance.

The FBI and a U.S. Postal Inspector interviewed a U.S. Postal employee in Kremmling, Colorado. The postal employee stated that on May 17, 2011, O’Neil was in the facility, filled out documents for certified or registered mail. He then left and re-entered several times before finally mailing the envelope.

O’Neill was questioned on May 31, 2011 by law enforcement. During that interview it was determined that he mailed the package with white powder with hopes of leading the Department of Revenue to believe they were receiving a dangerous biological or chemical agent.

“Those who mail a threat, especially one containing material simulating a biological or chemical agent, will face felony criminal consequences,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.

“All threatening communications are taken seriously, the recipient of these types of threats cannot determine the true nature of the implied, or stated danger,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge James Yacone. “The FBI wants to remind everyone that mailing a threatening communication that contains a hoax of any kind in a parcel will be aggressively investigated. We will continue to respond to such threats, along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, through the combined resources of the Joint Terrorism Task Force.”

Though the powder contained in the mailing was not harmful, the threatening mailings not only constitute a federal crime, but cause alarm to victims and victim institutions,” said Denver Division Acting Postal Inspector in Charge Tommy Coke. “Postal Inspectors will continue to ensure the safety of the U.S. Mail through aggressive investigation of anyone who mails these types of threats—real or hoax.”

O’Neill faces not more than five years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Colorado State Patrol through their investigators assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

O’Neill is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Barrett.

Navy Casualty

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

Petty Officer First Class Paris S. Pough, 40, of Columbus, Ga. died Feb. 17, during a port visit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  Pough, a hull technician, was assigned to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), home-ported in San Diego, Calif.

For further information related to this release, contact Cmdr. Amy Derrick-Frost at 011-973-1785-4561.

Army Casualty

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

Sgt. Jerry D. Reed II, 30, of Russellville, Ark., died Feb. 16, in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

Reed was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany.    

For more information related to this release, the media may contact U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs at ocpa.pi@eur.army.mil .

Close Coordination Keeps Nuclear Weapons from Terrorists, Official Says

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 17, 2012 – Continued close integration and coordination between federal agencies and their partner organizations is critical to safeguarding nuclear weapons and materials from terrorists, a senior defense official said yesterday.

Speaking to an audience at the Nuclear Deterrence Summit here, Steve Henry, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear matters, described how integration between the Defense Department, National Nuclear Security Administration, laboratories and other federal agencies is key to preventing terrorists from gaining access to nuclear weapons and material.

Henry said his office’s integration with the NNSA expands efforts across issues ranging from nuclear nonproliferation, Navy reactors, emergency operations, nuclear security and counterterrorism.

The interface between agencies is part of what President Barack Obama called “looking at countering the single biggest threat to the United States’ security,” he said.

“In his words, ‘just one nuclear weapon exploded in an American city would devastate our way of life and constitute nothing less than a catastrophe for the world,’” Henry quoted. “For this reason, as the most recent nuclear posture review outlined, the series of policies reflect the gravity of this threat.

“We work closely with NNSA nuclear nonproliferation to align programs, expand efforts to improve global nuclear security and avoid redundant efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons or nuclear materials getting into the hands of terrorist organizations,” he added.

Henry cited periodic meetings that assist in reviewing programs, the status in such areas as international engagement, and with counterterrorism and counter proliferation.

“These meetings have created several standing working groups … including technical expert groups, involving our policy counterparts and program leads,” he said. “We work together to better understand the threat and the appropriate response to a common understanding of the threat.”

Their collaboration has led to the development of a technology display at the Nuclear Security Symposium in Seoul, Korea, he said.

Henry co-chairs the Nuclear Weapons Accident and Incidents Response Steering Group with members from the Joint Staff, each military service, U.S. European Command, U.S. Northern Command, Homeland Security Department, Federal Aviation Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and the Agriculture Department.

“We’re continuing to refine our nuclear weapons incident plans to bring the full strength of the federal resources to bear in the unlikely event that we have a nuclear accident or in the event of a lost or stolen nuclear weapon,” he said.

In 2004, Henry said, the NATO-Russia Council made a multilateral agreement that several nations, including the United States, would host a demonstration of nuclear accident response as “confidence-building measures.”

Russia hosted the first one in 2004 in Romansk, followed by the United Kingdom in 2005 in Edinburgh, he said. The Defense Department and NNSA hosted the demonstration at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in 2006, and the French hosted it in France in 2007.

They also have supported the NATO staff in having follow-on NATO-Russia Council exercises “involving how we would respond to an improvised nuclear device, and that’s happened the last two years,” he added.

Henry said it is imperative to nuclear-related organizations to stay focused on the challenge of nuclear deterrence even when there is sometimes friction between agencies.

“But that’s healthy,” he said. “I don’t think we can succeed without close integration between DOD and NNSA, as well as any of the other departments that take part in this effort.”

Virginia Man Accused of Attempting to Bomb U.S. Capitol in Suicide Attack

Explosives Had Been Rendered Inoperable by Authorities and Posed No Threat

WASHINGTON – A 29-year-old man residing in Alexandria, Va., was arrested today for allegedly attempting to detonate a bomb in a suicide attack on the U.S. Capitol Building as part of what he intended to be a terrorist operation.

 The charges were announced by Neil MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Lisa Monaco, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; and James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office.

 Amine El Khalifi, an immigrant from Morocco who is illegally present in the United States, was charged today by criminal complaint with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction against property that is owned and used by the United States.  He made his initial appearance today at 4:15 p.m. before Judge T. Rawles Jones Jr.  If convicted, El Khalifi faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

 The arrest of El Khalifi was the culmination of an undercover operation during which he was closely monitored by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).  The explosives and firearm that he allegedly sought and attempted to use had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement and posed no threat to the public.

 “The complaint filed today alleges that Amine El Khalifi sought to blow himself up in the U.S. Capitol Building,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “El Khalifi allegedly believed he was working with al-Qaeda and devised the plot, the targets and the methods on his own.”

 “Today’s case underscores the continuing threat we face from homegrown violent extremists,” said Assistant Attorney General Monaco.  “Thanks to a coordinated law enforcement effort, El Khalifi’s alleged plot was thwarted before anyone was harmed.”

 “This individual allegedly followed a twisted, radical ideology that is not representative of the Muslim community in the United States,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin. “He became known to the JTTF because of his stated desire to carry out attacks in the U.S., specifically, the U.S. Capitol building.  This arrest is the result of dedicated special agents, task force officers and intelligence analysts from the FBI and our partner law enforcement agencies that make up the JTTF.”

 According to the criminal complaint affidavit, in January 2011, a confidential human source reported to the FBI that El Khalifi met with other individuals at a residence in Arlington, Va., on Jan. 11, 2011.  During this meeting, one individual produced what appeared to be an AK-47, two revolvers and ammunition.  El Khalifi allegedly expressed agreement with a statement by this individual that the “war on terrorism” was a “war on Muslims” and said that the group needed to be ready for war.

 The affidavit alleges that El Khalifi sought to be associated with an armed extremist group, and on Dec 1, 2011, he was introduced by a man he knew as “Hussien” to an individual named “Yusuf,” who was, in reality, an undercover law enforcement officer.  Throughout December 2011 and January 2012, El Khalifi allegedly proposed to carry out a bombing attack. His proposed targets included a building that contained U.S. military offices, as well as a synagogue, U.S. Army generals and a restaurant frequented by military officials.

 During meetings with the undercover officer, El Khalifi allegedly handled an AK-47and indicated his desire to conduct an operation in which he would use a gun and kill people face-to-face.  He also allegedly selected a restaurant in Washington, D.C., for a bombing attack; handled an explosive as an example of what could be used in the attack; conducted surveillance to determine the best place and time for the bombing and purchased materials as part of the planned operation.

 On Jan. 7, 2012, “Hussien” informed El Khalifi that he was an al-Qaeda operative.  El Khalifi allegedly discussed the possibility that his planned bombing of the restaurant would be followed by a second attack against a military installation to be conducted by others who El Khalifi believed to be associated with al-Qaeda. The affidavit alleges that El Khalifi understood that his attack on the restaurant would be part of an al-Qaeda operation that would include both his restaurant bombing and the attack against a military installation.

 The affidavit alleges that on Jan. 15, 2012, El Khalifi stated that he had modified his plans for his attack.  Rather than conduct an attack on a restaurant, he wanted to conduct a suicide attack at the U.S. Capitol Building. That same day at a quarry in West Virginia, as a demonstration of the effects of the proposed suicide bomb operation, El Khalifi dialed a cell phone number that he believed would detonate a bomb placed in the quarry.  The test bomb detonated, and El Khalifi expressed a desire for a larger explosion in his attack.  He also selected Feb. 17, 2012, as the day of the operation, according to the affidavit.

 The affidavit alleges that over the next month, El Khalifi traveled to the U.S. Capitol Building on multiple occasions to conduct surveillance, choosing the spot where he would be dropped off to enter the building for the martyrdom operation, the specific time for the attack and the method he would use to avoid attracting the attention of law enforcement. El Khalifi also asked Hussien to remotely detonate the bomb he would be wearing on the day of the attack if El Khalifi encountered problems with security officers, and to provide El Khalifi with a gun that he could use during the attack to shoot any officers who might attempt to stop him.

 On February 17, 2012, El Khalifi allegedly traveled to a parking garage near the U.S. Capitol Building.  El Khalifi took possession of a MAC-10 automatic weapon and put on a vest containing what he believed to be a functioning bomb.  Unbeknownst to El Khalifi, both the weapon and the bomb had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement.  El Khalifi walked alone from the vehicle toward the United States Capitol, where he intended to shoot people and detonate the bomb.  El Khalifi was arrested and taken into custody before exiting the parking garage.

 This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon Kromberg and Michael Ben’Ary of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, as well as Trial Attorneys Joseph Kaster and Courtney Sullivan from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

 The charges contained in the criminal complaint are mere allegations.  As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.