Face of Defense: Soldier Aids Iraqi Trainee

From a U.S. Division North News Release

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq, Aug. 2, 2011 – Soldiers learn a variety of skills, from basic drill and ceremony to combat operations, and each skill can serve an important role in their day-to-day lives.

Army Spc. Zachary Parker, a cannon crew member, used skills that may have saved the life of an Iraqi soldier assigned to the Kurdish Regional Guard Brigade at Manila Training Center, June 28.

Parker, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s Battery A, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, uses his knowledge of military tactics to train regional guard soldiers, teaching them to engage targets safely and maneuver the training area without injury.

“We looked at it as just another day hiking up and down the mountains toward the ranges to support the [Regional Guard Brigade],” said Parker, who calls New Gloucester, Maine, home.

During the culminating live-fire event, Parker noticed a trainee showing symptoms of becoming a heat casualty. He ran over mountainous terrain, pulled the soldier into a shady area and began administering first aid.

“It first felt like training back at the states -- just one of those lanes we have to go through," Parker said. "But then I realized that this was for real, and that this guy actually needed help.”

After treatment from Parker, the trainee recovered and went on to complete the day’s training exercises with his unit.

Officials of the 1st Advise and Assist Brigade said Parker’s actions exemplified the Army’s warrior spirit and his dedication to the partnership between U.S. forces and Iraqi forces in naming him "Ironhorse Strong" Soldier of the Week.

Army Casualty

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

Staff Sgt. Kirk A. Owen, 37, of Sapulpa, Okla., died Aug. 2 in Paktia province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard.

For more information the media may contact the Oklahoma National Guard in Oklahoma City, Okla. at 405-228-5212.

Marine Casualty

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

Staff Sgt. Leon H. Lucas Jr., 32, of Wilson, N.C., died Aug. 1 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 1st Marine Division public affairs office at 760-725-8766.

Mullen Blasts Iran for Interference in Iraq

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, Aug. 2, 2011 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today took Iran to task for interfering in Iraq to pursue “maleficent goals.”

At a news conference here, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen blamed Iran for violence he said is meant to undermine Iraq’s progress.

“The Iranian regime continues to violate Iraqi sovereignty by intervening in Iraqi social and political affairs, training and equipping militias to conduct attacks on Iraqi soil and thwarting efforts by the Iraqi people to pursue unfettered the economic growth, development and independence that geography and democracy have bestowed upon them,” the chairman said.

Tehran wants a weak Iraq, beholden to the Iranian world view, Mullen said. “I believe most Iraqis wish to determine for themselves their own future and to define for themselves their own perspectives about the world around them,” he added.

The chairman praised Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talibani for challenging the Iranian regime to stop the violence it’s directing inside Iraq. June was a particularly bad month for American forces in Iraq, with 15 killed – mostly by Iranian-backed militias using weapons officials say came directly from Iran.

The Iraqi military has stepped up operations in concert and coordination with American forces against such Iranian-backed groups, Mullen said. “As a result, we have seen a dramatic reduction in these deadly attacks,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mullen said, Iraqi leaders are meeting to decide whether to request continued U.S. military assistance after the Dec. 31 deadline for the withdrawal of American forces under a 2008 strategic agreement between Iraq and the United States.

Mullen, who met with the Iraqi leaders last night, said they understand the urgency behind making a decision about some American forces remaining in Iraq beyond this year. The Iraqi leaders understand that U.S. assistance can help to bridge gaps in their nation’s security capabilities, he added.

The Iraqi leaders know the United States is moving forward with the plan to withdraw all forces by the deadline and that time is running out to decide if they want continued American assistance, the chairman said.

“My government has made it clear that we would entertain a request for some troops to stay, and I was encouraged to learn last night that Iraqi leaders plan to meet to discuss the merits of such a request,” Mullen said. “I remain hopeful, therefore, that we will soon achieve some clarity. And I am grateful that serious attempts to resolve the issue are now under way.”

But whatever Iraqi leaders decide, he said, the decision is for Iraq to make and should not be imposed by any outside power or country. And the United States stands ready to continue to help Iraq, the chairman added.

“Nothing changes about my military’s dedication to that goal, or my nation’s dedication to furthering our long-term strategic partnership,” he said. “We have given over thousands of our young lives to achieve it, as have you. It is time now not to finish the work, but to continue to see it through.”

U.S. Forces Build Flexibility into Iraq Exit Plan

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

MOSUL, Iraq, Aug. 1, 2011 – Though U.S. forces in Iraq are planning to draw down to zero in December, they are preserving capabilities in the country should the Iraqis ask for continued help, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said here today.

Speaking to reporters traveling with Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III said Iraqi leaders are thinking about the way ahead and are trying to figure out the direction they want to go.

“In the meantime, we stay focused on our commitments to be down to zero by December, and our plans and all of our actions are taking us that way,” the general said. “We’re on the glide path, and I think we are where we need to be about right now.”

About 48,000 American troops are in Iraq today, and in accordance with the strategic agreement between the United States and Iraq, all will be out of Iraq by Dec. 31. But gaps exist in Iraqi security force capabilities, and U.S. officials have said they would listen to an Iraqi request for some U.S. forces to stay in the country after the deadline. The Iraqi air force, for example, cannot defend the country against an external threat, and the Iraqi forces still have shortages in command and control, intelligence capabilities, and in logistics and maintenance.

Austin is planning the withdrawal with an eye toward the capabilities the Iraqis would need, if they ask.

“In all our planning, all of our actions, all of our downsizing of our footprint, we’re been very prudent about preserving as much flexibility for our leadership as we can,” Austin said. “So if the Iraqis ask, and our leaders think it is the thing to do, we will have some capability to do whatever we need to do.”

But as the deadline approaches, that becomes harder and harder to do, he said. “Still,” he added, “I’m very confident that we have provided the flexibility to our leadership.”

Even if the Iraqis ask late in the drawdown process, anything is possible, the general said. “Some things just cost more money than others,” he explained. “As we begin to dismantle here, the concern is we don’t want to dismantle something that we’ll have to put back into place. Our plans have created a fair amount of flexibility for us up to this point.”

But the longer the Iraqis wait, the more difficult it becomes to accommodate any request they might make, Austin said.

“Each day is precious,” he said. “We’ve conveyed to the Iraqis on a number of occasions that sooner is always better.”

The trend lines are going in the right direction, the general said. Overall, U.S. casualties are lower this year than last, and the number of incidents is down slightly. But that only tells part of the story, the general said. He put the statistics in a larger context.

“In 2007, we had 145 incidents a day on average, with some days up over 200 incidents,” he said. “Look at where we are today, averaging around 14.5 incidents per day. That’s a tremendous change over the years, and the trends have continued to head in the right direction.”

Iraq remains a challenging environment, Austin acknowledged, and one of those challenges emanates from Iran.

“June was a pretty tough month for us, because we had a couple of incidents where Iranian-backed militants employed weapons such as improvised rocket-assisted munitions, and in two cases we suffered a number of casualties from those attacks,” Austin said. “We have increased pressure on those networks and are working with our Iraqi counterparts. I think we’ve had some pretty good effects over time.”

The command also has increased force-protection measures, and the Iraqis have taken steps to take on the networks conducting the attacks. Iraqi counterterrorism forces have been more active over time, and they are partnering with American forces “to go after some pretty significant folks,” Austin said.

Though Austin said he believes the Iraqi government is pushing back on the Iranians to stop supplying weapons to the Iraqi militants, he added that he expects militants to try using more explosively formed projectiles –anti-armor weapons – against American vehicles and mortars, and improvised rocket-assisted munitions against large concentrations of U.S. troops.

Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain Suspected Insurgents

International Security Assistance Force

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2011 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation in the Washer district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported.

The force was searching for a senior Taliban leader who is responsible for providing attack guidance to subordinate insurgents.

In other operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in Kandahar province detained a Taliban leader in Kandahar City. The leader was responsible for coordinating roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan forces.

-- In Zabul province’s Shah Joy district, a combined force detained a suspected insurgent while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for roadside-bomb attacks.

-- A combined force in Paktia province’s Zurmat district detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani terrorist network leader who directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- Also in Paktia, security combined force detained two suspected insurgents while searching in the Dzadran district for a Haqqani network leader responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Paktika province’s Mata Khan district, a combined force detained a suspected insurgent while searching for a Taliban facilitator who finances insurgent attacks and provides safe haven for senior insurgent leaders.

In July 30 operations:

-- A combined security force killed several insurgents and detained two suspects in Helmand province’s Kajaki district while looking for a Taliban financier who works with narcotics suppliers and insurgent commanders to finance Taliban operations. As the security force searched for the financier, they noticed several men setting up a machine-gun attack and killed them.

-- In Faryab province’s Shirin Tagab district, a combined force acting on tips from local residents killed several insurgents who were planning an ambush. The force followed intelligence leads to the insurgent operating location, where they noticed several men preparing for the ambush on a separate combined force. After assessing a threat, the security force fired at the would-be attackers, killing several. Other suspected insurgents were detained for further questioning.

-- A combined force in Takhar province’s Taloqan district detained several suspected insurgents while searching for an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist organization suicide-attack coordinator and planner.

-- A clearance operation targeting a Taliban safe haven in Helmand province’s Kajaki district resulted in a combined force detaining numerous suspected insurgents while clearing a known enemy narcotics trafficking area. After leaving the area, the force was attacked with small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from a nearby bunker. The force responded with small-arms fire and close air support, destroying the bunker.

-- In Kandahar province’s Dand district, a combined force captured a Taliban facilitator and another suspected insurgent during a night security operation. The captured facilitator was responsible for coordinating weapons for Taliban cells operating in eastern Panjwai district.

-- A combined force detained two suspected insurgents in Zabul province’s Qalat district while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In Kandahar province’s Spin Boldak district, a combined security force found and seized more than 200 munitions, including rocket propelled grenades, mortar rounds, grenades, anti-tank rounds and rocket boosters.

-- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents in Laghman province’s Dowlat district while searching for a Taliban facilitator who coordinates attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. Though women and children came out when the force called for people to exit the buildings in the targeted compound, two men refused to comply and remained inside. Local women assisted the security force in calling for the men to come out, but they refused to leave, and the security force entered to apprehend them peacefully. One of the men was killed when he charged the security force, displaying hostile intent. It was later discovered that he was unarmed. Three people with suspected Taliban ties were detained. The force found and confiscated weapons and munitions and destroyed 30 pounds of wet opium.

-- In Khost province’s Terayzai district, a combined force detained two suspected insurgents while searching for a Haqqani network leader who directs attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force in Paktia province’s Zurmat district captured a Haqqani network leader responsible for coordinating roadside-bomb attacks supplying and storing bomb-making materials for other insurgents.

-- In the same district, a combined force detained a suspected insurgent while searching for a Haqqani network leader who conducts, coordinates and directs roadside-bomb and indirect-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Face of Defense: Civil Affairs Soldier Makes Immediate Impact

By Air Force Capt. David Tomiyama

Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2011 – Though he has been in Afghanistan for only a few weeks, Army 1st Sgt. Thomas Walsh, noncommissioned officer in charge of civil affairs for the provincial reconstruction team here, already has made months’ worth of progress in connecting the people of the province’s Terezayi district to their government.

The Chicago native has built working relationships with the district governor and his staff, held key leader engagements with village elders, explored project options in the district and helped to plan several community meetings. It’s all in a day’s work, though, the 28-year Army reservist said.

“Civil affairs is about cultivating relationships, listening to the Afghans, understanding their culture and value system, and working with the district governor in any way I can,” he said. “I work day to day with the district governor, building up his credibility and supporting his vision for Terezayi. We all win when the district wins.”

Terezayi is close to the Pakistan border, six miles away from the provincial capital of Khost City, and is one of the largest districts in Khost province. Terezayi residents often feel disconnected from their government, one of the many challenges Walsh said he faces on a day-to-day basis.

“Terezayi has its shortcomings in areas that the people feel should be addressed,” he said. “They often feel like the ‘country bumpkins’ compared to the city folks in Khost.”

Other challenges in Terezayi include divisions among villages in the district. The civil war took its toll on their relationships and bred greed with regard to the money spent on reconstruction and development projects, Walsh said.

But Walsh added that he believes he has made great strides in getting through to the elders that they need to take control of their villages and secure their areas.

“I know I’ve made a difference with the village elders. They’re not listening to negative influences, and they’ve given me their personal word there’s no improvised explosive devices on their roads or in their areas,” Walsh said. “At one of the villages where I kept my word and brought a [provincial reconstruction team] engineer to check out potential projects, the village elder was so grateful, he wanted me to stay overnight. I told him I needed to be with my security detail, but he assured me I’d be safe in their village -- that they would be my security.”

Walsh’s goals for Terezayi are to legitimize the district governor and bring many of the villages together.

“When I leave here, I’d want the governor to be comfortable in his role,” he said. “The governor has a much better understanding of the process to get things done between him and the provincial governor.”

Walsh’s work as a one-man civil affairs team at Combat Outpost Terezayi has not gone unnoticed. Army Capt. Dan Leard, commander of the 1st Infantry Division’s Able Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, in Task Force Duke, has nothing but praise for Walsh.

“I’ve had four [civil affairs] detachments out here during my rotation,” the Kittanning, Pa., native said. “In the last 10 days, 1st Sergeant Walsh has cultivated a relationship with the district governor and 16 village elders. The trust and bonds he’s built has blown away anything the previous [civil affairs] teams did in months; his … abilities are exceptional.”

Deadline Nears for Iraqi Request, Mullen Says

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

MOSUL, Iraq, Aug. 1, 2011 – If Iraq wants American forces to remain to train and assist Iraqi security forces after Dec. 31, Iraqi leaders need to make the request soon, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.

“The point is we’re at a deadline, and we need an answer,” Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said to reporters traveling with him.

Iraqi leaders understand their security forces do not have all the capabilities needed to defend the country from insurgents or from outside nations, Mullen said, and they need to make a decision about accepting further help from U.S. forces. Under a security agreement between Iraq and the United States, all U.S. troops are to be out of the country by Dec. 31.

Mullen will meet with Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of U.S. Forces Iraq, and with service members with the 1st Cavalry Division’s 4th Advise and Assist Brigade here. He then will travel to Baghdad, where he is scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talibani.

The chairman said it has been about a year since he visited Mosul.

“I want to have discussions about how it is going in the north,” he said aboard his plane en route here. “I get assessments all the time, but with the transition, we’re making substantial changes there on how we’re doing assisting and advising. I’m very anxious to understand from a ground perspective what’s going on.”

More broadly, Mullen added, he also wants to meet the American leaders and see how engagement with Iraqi counterparts is going and what the future holds.

“It’s pretty clear that we’ve said to the Iraqi leadership that now’s the time -- we have to know [if they are going to request a continuing U.S. presence],” he said. Roughly 48,000 U.S. personnel are working to train, advise and assist Iraqi army and police units. The logistics needed to get that number of personnel out by the deadline along with millions of pieces of equipment means the Iraqis need to make the decision soon, the chairman explained.

From the American standpoint, an Iraqi request would start negotiations. Any U.S. decision would have to consider the security environment in the country, what capabilities the Iraqis need and what the legal status of American forces would be, as well as the ability to protect U.S. service members. These considerations add to the urgency for a decision.

“The major issues in Iraq are political,” Mullen said. “They have to get together, and that doesn’t happen overnight.”

June was a bad month for U.S. personnel in Iraq, with 15 killed, mostly by Iranian-supplied weapons that include roadside bombs designed to pierce armored vehicles and improvised rocket-assisted munitions.

“You’ve seen in the last three weeks a dramatic reduction in attacks on U.S. personnel,” Mullen said. “The key to me is that reduction has to be sustained. There are several pieces to this reduction which include our operations, the [Iraqi security forces] operations and operations with them or in support of them, and the political piece of this, which has been very strongly expressed. There very clearly have been operations, and there are ongoing operations.”

Iran remains a problem for Iraqi and American forces in the country. U.S. officials traced explosives killing American forces in June directly to Iran.

“It’s clear from the U.S. perspective that whatever Iraq’s decision, there’s a commitment on the part of the United States to a long-term commitment to sustain a stable, growing, healthy Iraq,” the chairman said.

Naser Jason Abdo Charged Federally in Bomb Plot

United States Attorney John E. Murphy and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Cory B. Nelson announced that 21-year-old Naser Jason Abdo, an absent without leave (AWOL) soldier from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device in connection with a bomb plot.

A criminal complaint, unsealed today in Waco by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey C. Mankse during Abdo’s initial appearance, alleges that on July 27, 2011, Abdo was in possession of a .40 caliber handgun, ammunition, an article entitled “Make a bomb in the kitchen of your Mom,” as well as bomb making components, including six bottles of smokeless gunpowder, shotgun shells, shotgun pellets, two clocks, two spools of auto wire, an electric drill and two pressure cookers. The complaint further alleges that Abdo intended to use the materials to assemble two destructive devices with the intention of detonating them inside an unspecified restaurant frequented by soldiers from Fort Hood.

On Wednesday, officers with the Killeen Police Department, arrested Abdo without incident. Abdo is currently in federal custody. If convicted, Abdo faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.

This case is being investigated by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Killeen Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Frazier is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Army Casualty

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

Pfc. Brice M. Scott, 22, of Columbus, Ga., died July 31 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

For more information the media may contact the 1st Infantry Division public affairs office at 785-240-6359 or 785-307-0641.

Army Casualty

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

Sgt. William B. Gross-Paniagua, 28, of Daly City, Calif., died July 31 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

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

Afghans Must Address Corruption, Criminal Networks, Mullen Says

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 31, 2011 – The Afghan government must address corruption and criminal organizations subverting the will of the people, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said here today.

Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held a press conference at the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force. He squarely warned of the dangers that corruption poses in this country.

The surge in American and coalition forces has strengthened Afghan security. Now, good governance needs to step to the fore, Mullen said, noting that there are many courageous and dedicated Afghan civil servants working to improve their country.

“I am encouraged by what I have seen happening in Arghandab district in Kanadahar province,” he said. “And I am grateful for the efficiency and the leadership of public servants like Governor Mangal of Helmand.”

But there are others who are using public office to line their own pockets or improve their tribes’ standing in the nation.

“I think it’s fair to say that in the main, Afghan government officials must work on becoming more responsive to the needs and aspirations of their people,” he said.

The federal government must connect with the province and district governments. National leaders must work with local leaders to strengthen the rule of law, build an infrastructure and programs to join the entities and be responsive to the needs of the people for basic services, he said.

National leaders are aware of the problems, and are beginning to address them, Mullen said. But many governors still do not receive funds from Kabul. Other officials “pursue narrow agendas that exclude key elements of the population and perpetuate popular discontent or frustrate reintegration efforts,” he said.

Many agencies and department of the Afghan government have been infiltrated and subverted by criminal patronage networks, the chairman said, and, in most agencies, there is no such thing as merit-based hiring or promotion.

“None of these deficiencies are insurmountable,” he said. “But overcoming them will require energy and effort, political courage and international support.”

Addressing corruption and organized crime has to be a priority, the chairman said. These networks weaken Afghanistan, and their “predatory behavior angers the populace, siphons resources and undermines the credibility of Afghan institutions,” he said.

The U.S. military has examined $27.5 billion worth of locally let contracts to ensure that American money is not used by these criminal networks, said a senior western official speaking on background before the chairman’s news conference. The U.S. government has debarred more than 50 firms from any business dealings, but more needs to be done.

“We must end impunity for criminals who are subverting the state and victimizing the Afghan people,” Mullen said.

The chairman said he understands that any changes will be difficult to put in place and take time to accomplish, but it must happen for success of the Afghan state.

Chairman Pleased with Afghan Progress, Concerned About Corruption

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, July 31, 2011 – The security aspect of operations in Afghanistan is going well, and now governance and development must catch up, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told reporters traveling with him that corruption is also a problem that good governance needs to address.

The chairman visited leaders and service members in Kandahar, Helmand province and Tarin Khowt yesterday. In all three areas, commanders told him that they have a handle on security issues, but they are not as confident on the governance side. However, there are encouraging signs, he said.

“I did see for the first time in both Helmand and Tarin Khowt the indications of the connections between provincial governance and district governance and the national government in Kabul,” the chairman said. “There is still a huge concern about connecting the provincial governance to Kabul.”

Local commanders also raised the issue of corruption. As security gets better, concerns about corruption are rising. These leaders were talking about criminal patronage networks in Afghanistan “and how they are woven into the fabric of how things get governed, the loyalties between people, how decisions get made and how that gets in the way of support for the normal Afghan citizen who is concerned about their government not delivering goods and services,” he said.

The chairman noted that connecting the local provincial and district governments with Kabul is key in the country.

“It’s the governance, corruption, development pieces – literally how do you get the money to flow, get good people in place, get the structure in place so they align between Kabul and the provinces,” Mullen said.

On the security side, the Afghan national security forces are making great progress, commanders told Mullen. The Afghan army and police are making a difference in numbers and in quality, he said. Commanders are also pleased with the capabilities that Afghan local police bring to the area.

Mullen discussed U.S. drawdown with new NATO International Security Force Commander Marine Gen. John Allen. He said Allen will present his plan for the draw down of 10,000 U.S. troops by the end of the year in October.

“I’m very confident that the needs on the ground as well as the deadlines and the goals that have been laid out by the president will be met,” he said.

The Taliban have not been able to mount a big military campaign in Afghanistan, the chairman said, which has led to a series of assassinations and spectacular attacks in the country. The coalition counterinsurgency campaign is on track, he said, pointing out that “it is still very much a part of what we have to do.

“The feedback I got publicly and privately was that (the counterinsurgency strategy) was working, particularly in security,” he said. “The security bubble, as it gets created, just provides opportunity for development and for governance and for getting at the corruption piece. That’s the point where we are in the overall strategy. Right now, I think it’s working and headed in the right direction.”

Mullen pointed out that there is time for the strategy to succeed, and people are working hard to meet their deadlines.

“Everybody understands where we are from a goal standpoint and what we need to achieve and by when,” he said. “And actually … that’s created a sense of urgency.”

Overall, Mullen said Afghanistan is making progress.

“I certainly understand this is year 10 in a war, but from a resource, leadership focus point of view it’s been only about two years,” he said. “I use the 10,000 Marines that came into Helmand in mid-summer 2009 as the first time we started properly resourcing this effort. From that standpoint, I’m pleased with the progress. I said at the time I think we need 24 months to see if this approach has legs. From a security standpoint it does.”

Mullen reiterated that, as the coalition and Afghan forces work to meet their deadlines, he is heartened by the progress in the security and military arenas while acknowledging that more progress must be made in governance and the struggle against corruption.

“The clock is running. Between what happening with security and the stand-up of the ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces), I’m actually encouraged from the steps we’ve taken and what the military is responsible for,” he said. “The other steps of governance and development are areas of huge concern.”

Mullen Confident Afghans Will Be Ready to Shoulder Security

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, July 30, 2011 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is satisfied the U.S. drawdown in Afghanistan is being done in a responsible manner and that the Afghan national security forces will be able to shoulder the defense burden by 2014.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen spoke to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines at Kandahar Air Field this morning, and he was asked for his opinion on the subject.

President Barack Obama announced in June that the United States would draw down 10,000 personnel by the end of the year and withdraw another 23,000 personnel by the end of September 2012.

The drawdown has begun with some small units not being replaced at the end of their tours. Mullen said the new commander of the International Security Assistance Force, Marine Corps General John Allen, is working on the plan to draw down the rest of the personnel. The drawdown cannot be seen in a vacuum, Mullen said. Earlier this month, coalition forces began transitioning security responsibility for seven areas of the country containing 25 percent of the population to Afghan national security forces.

“That’s the beginning of the security transition that will take place where (the Afghans) are in control of the country by the end of 2014,” the chairman said.

The seven areas are the provinces of Bamiyan and Panjshir, the western city of Herat, the capital area of Kabul, eastern Laghman province, Mazar-i-Sharif in the north and Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. A second set of transition areas will be announced in December.

This should be enough time, Mullen said, especially with the progress made against the Taliban. Even after the drawdown, “there will still be 68,000 U.S. troops on the ground here through next summer,” he said. “The Taliban had a pretty bad year last year. They’re having a bad year this year, and I think they’re going to have a bad year next year. So that’s three fighting seasons where the surge is really able to impact on them and make a difference, and we’ll see where we go from there.”

U.S. and Afghan leaders are negotiating a long-term strategic relationship. “I’m confident that we will have that kind of document,” Mullen. “To me that sends a very strong signal of continued commitment to Afghanistan and to the region.”

But the nature of the commitment will change. The Afghans are leading in some areas – not too many – right now. This will grow, and coalition forces will go into a tactical overwatch mode. As the Afghan national security forces gain more capability, the coalition forces will move a bit farther back and do strategic overwatch. Ultimately, Mullen said coalition forces will move into a training and assist mode, as they are doing today in Iraq.

“That’s the kind of transition we are looking at over the next two to four years,” Mullen said. “The specifics of what it would look like after 2014 is what we need to work at.”

Unique Guard unit training up for Afghanistan mission

By 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson

112th Mobile Public Affairs detachment

The Wisconsin National Guard's 82nd Agribusiness Development Team recently completed three intense weeks cultivating the knowledge and skills needed for next year's Afghanistan deployment.

The 82nd ADT spent more than two weeks at Fort McCoy, Wis., honing basic warrior tasks such as land navigation in the sweltering heat. The unit then exchanged one type of field training for another, taking part in a five-day "Ag 101" crash course through the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS).

"The CALS training was custom-made for where we're going," said Col. Darrel "A.J." Feucht, 82nd ADT commander. "For the first time out, that training went extremely well."

Feucht said the ADT will head to a part of Kunar province with a climate similar to Denver.

"It's not what you see on TV," he explained. "It's beautiful, but it's very difficult to get in and out."

The mountainous area, located along the border with Pakistan, is heavily forested and also rich in mineral resources, representing an untapped revenue potential. One road connects the province to the rest of the country.

Farmers in the region are subsistence farmers, but typically only raise 80 percent of what is needed to live for a year. Additionally, more than three decades of war have cost Afghanistan up to 40 percent of irrigated farmland and a generation of farmers. Farming techniques are rudimentary by American standards. Agribusiness Development Teams aim to improve farming techniques and make farming a profitable venture, but first they have to cultivate relationships with Afghani farmers.

"You've got to understand the culture," Feucht said. "The country's been at war for decades - the people aren't very trusting. You don't go right in and start projects. They want to get to know you and trust you - that process takes a long time."

The CALS training helped the ADT understand the types of soil, weeds and insect infestation they will encounter in Afghanistan, which will help as they continue to operate demo farms that show Afghani farmers how more modern techniques can work. The 82nd ADT will maintain the demonstration farms currently operated by the Illinois National Guard's Agribusiness Development Team.

CALS instructors indicated that the 82nd ADT members will have their work cut out for them during their deployment.

"As part of their community-building efforts, they will be invited to dinner in Afghan homes," said Beth Button, a food sciences department instructor who led a food safety class for 82nd ADT troops. Eating locally produced meals exposes ADT members to food-borne diseases caused by pathogens to which locals have developed resistance. "We wanted them to come away knowing how to participate in the meals with confidence and gusto so they won't offend anyone but also not get sick."

The fish farming industry in Afghanistan is experiencing some early difficulties, according to aquaculture specialist Terry Barry of the CALS animal sciences department. Beyond the inherent challenges of establishing such a venture, Afghani fish farmers have had fish stolen from their ponds, grenades thrown into their ponds, and fish feed shipments interrupted.

Capt. James Schmitz noted that the 82nd ADT will be in Kunar Province for less than a year.

"We won't even see the entire growing cycle," he said, adding that it's important to pass on farming knowledge to help Afghani farmers develop their capacity.

"We want to help them, work with them, but not do it for them," said Sgt. 1st Class Chris Beron, a beef farmer from northern Wisconsin. "They may teach us a thing or two - they've been farming for thousands of years and they're still there."

Schmitz said some simple practices not used in Afghanistan, such as trellising grapes and cucumbers, can result in bigger crops. He also acknowledged that poppies are a problem in the area the 82nd will deploy to.

"Our focus is really on legitimate agriculture," he said. "If they have some extra they can sell on the market, that's really our goal."

Beron said he can apply the soil nutrition knowledge he gained to help Afghani farmers maximize their yields, to include meat and dairy production.

"Afghanistan doesn't have a lot of developed soils, meaning they're not very productive," said Matt Ruark, a soil and fertilizer expert with CALS. "Most of the soils map of Afghanistan shows rocky terrain and desert. However, the area this group is going to is the best in the country - it has the most developed soils."

The Babcock Institute for International Dairy Research and Development and the Arlington Agricultural Research Station - both part of CALS - organized last week's classes. Outreach Specialist David Kantor explained that while the Babcock Institute designs custom training programs for numerous groups throughout the year, this training program was different in two ways. Because some of the training topics were not dairy-related - beekeeping and textiles - the institute reached out to a larger field of technical experts for instructors as well as drew from the experiences and knowledge of individuals and other ADTs familiar with Afghani farming practices. Also, as an international organization, the Babcock Institute rarely teaches a U.S. audience.

Feucht said that the 82nd ADT will devote the remainder of its training time, which includes another three-week block of instruction, to warrior tasks and theater-specific training.

The National Guard has successfully used the agribusiness development team concept in Central America for the past two decades, drawing on the rich farming experience of many Guard members. The Guard brought the concept to Afghanistan in 2007. The initiative capitalizes on the skills of its Citizen Soldiers to help a developing democracy a safer and more productive way to feed its people. The concept also stays true to the image of the Concord Minuteman, with one hand on a musket and the other on a plow.

Since 2007, 19 agribusiness development teams have operated in 14 Afghani provinces, contributing to more than 280 sustainable agriculture projects that generated more than $21 million in revenues for Afghani citizens.

Agribusiness development teams are one part of a broad agriculture strategy being implemented by the U.S. and Afghanistan governments, as well as non-governmental organizations. The initiative's goal is to help Afghan farmers identify local solutions to local agricultural problems in a region of Afghanistan that one day could be considered the bread basket for that part of the world.

Members of the Wisconsin National Guard's 82nd Agribusiness Development Team completes five hours of hot and humid land navigation training with a walk through the litter course tank at Fort McCoy, Wis., on July 18. The 82nd ADT was training in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan sometime in 2012. Wisconsin National Guard photo by Col. Darrel Feucht

Some members of the ADT will perform a security mission to allow other members to focus on animal husbandry, water and soil conservation, horticulture, irrigation, storage, distribution and agribusiness education. Other ADT projects in Kunar Province include such woman's programs as poultry production, wool and cashmere spinning, carpet weaving and honey production. Some information for this report was provided by the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences public affairs department.

Budget Woes Top List of Concerns in Afghanistan

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan, July 30, 2011 – Budget cuts -- not operational issues -- are the main concern of soldiers and Marines assigned here.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is holding troop talks throughout the country and is being peppered with questions about the U.S. debt crisis and the future of military benefits.

Mullen thanked service members in Kandahar and here for their sacrifices. At both talks he stressed the effects of change and being ready for unexpected change. He also stressed the need for leadership at all levels.

Then he threw the floor open for questions. In both places, soldiers and Marines expressed concern about the debt negotiations. “The discussion really centers on providing by law an increase in the debt ceiling so the United States can pay its bills,” the chairman said. “And the bills really run the full spectrum. I really don’t know the answer to the question to how, if we default, how that will work out.”

The U.S. Treasury delivers service members’ pay checks, and sends them to veterans and Social Security recipients. “That’s something that the government leadership will have to figure out,” he said. “I honestly hope we don’t get there. But I don’t expect it will affect -- certainly in the short term -- operations here and operations around the world.”

Assuming a solution to the debt crisis is reached, the chairman discussed what the defense budget will look like. He said there is increasing pressure overall on the federal budget to reduce the deficit. This has to be addressed, he said.

“I’ve said for a long time, I believe that the single biggest threat to national security is this growing debt,” he said. “The more that grows the more likelihood that the defense budget will get smaller.”

This is a problem because no one knows what could confront the United States in the future. “We have some significant national security requirements to meet now, and the best I can tell, they are not going to go away,” Mullen said. “As that budget pressure builds … we’re going to have to make decisions on what we’re going to do and what we’re not going to do.”

Still, the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are on the top of the Defense Department’s priority list. All the defense leaders, he said, “are very focused on getting you what you need here in the fight. I don’t see any circumstances where that won’t be at the top of the list.”

Army Casualties

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

They died July 29 at Paktia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, Tulsa, Okla.

Killed were:

2nd Lt. Jered W. Ewy, 33, of Edmond, Okla., and

Spc. Augustus J. Vicari, 22, of Broken Arrow, Okla.

For more information, the media may contact the Oklahoma Army National Guard, Oklahoma City, Okla., at 405-228-5212.