Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

They died May 4, while conducting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. They were both assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, N.C.  This incident is under investigation. 

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Eric D. Christian, 39, of Warwick, N.Y., and

Cpl. David M. Sonka, 23, of Parker, Colo. 

For more information media may contact the Marine Special Operations Command public affairs office at 910-440-0770.

Air Force Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

They died May 3, near Chon-Aryk, Kyrgyzstan, in the crash of a KC-135 aircraft.  The airmen were assigned to the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.  The cause of the crash is under investigation. 

Killed were:

Capt. Mark T. Voss, 27, of Colorado Springs, Colo., 

Capt. Victoria A. Pinckney, 27, of Palmdale, Calif., and

Tech Sgt. Herman Mackey III, 30, of Bakersfield, Calif.  

For more information, media may contact the 92nd Air Refueling Wing public affairs office at 509-247-5705.

Air Force Refueling Tanker Crashes in Kyrgyzstan

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2013 – A U.S. Air Force KC-135 tanker aircraft crashed today in northern Kyrgyzstan, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing officials reported.

Emergency response crews are on the scene, and the crew’s status is unknown, officials said.
The crew and aircraft are assigned to the Transit Center at Manas near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The KC-135 Stratotanker has provided the Air Force’s core aerial refueling capability for more than 50 years. It provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft, and also is capable of aeromedical evacuation, transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, officials said.

Army Casualty

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

Staff Sgt. Michael H. Simpson, 30, of San Antonio, Texas, died May 1 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit on April 27, with an improvised explosive device in Arian, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

For more information the media may contact the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) public affairs office at 910-689-6187.

Army Casualties

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

They died May 2, in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.  They were assigned to 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. 

Killed were:

Spc. Trinidad Santiago Jr., 25, of San Diego, Calif., and

Pfc. Charles P. McClure, 21, of Stratford, Okla. 

For more information media may contact the Fort Carson public affairs office at 719-526-4143/7525 or 719-526-5500 after normal business hours.

Combined Security Force Kills Senior Insurgent Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 3, 2013 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force in the Burkah district of Afghanistan’s Baghlan province today killed Jamal, a senior insurgent leader who had ties to both the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, military officials reported.

As the security force approached Jamal’s location, insurgents opened fire. The combined force returned fire and killed Jamal and three other insurgents.

Also known as Mullah Zabiullah, Jamal was the second-highest-ranking insurgent in the district. His cell of terrorists is responsible for suicide bombings against Afghan civilians throughout Baghlan and Takhar provinces. He recruited and trained insurgents for operations targeting Afghan officials for kidnappings and executions. He also played a significant role in linking Taliban and IMU fighters in Baghlan, working as a mediator and coordinating operations between the two networks, officials said.

The security force also detained two insurgents and seized four assault rifles and ammunition in the operation.
In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- In Kandahar province’s Nesh district, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader and three other insurgents. The leader has operational control over a group of fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also procures and distributes weapons and military equipment to insurgents. The security force also seized an assault rifle, three magazines and ammunition.

-- A combined force in Nangarhar province’s Khugyani district arrested three insurgents during a search for a Taliban facilitator who provides logistical support to senior Taliban leaders throughout western Nangarhar. He organizes the purchase, transfer and delivery of weapons to support the Taliban insurgency, and has sold rockets used in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized a pistol, a rifle and a shotgun.

-- In Wardak province’s Sayyidabad district, a combined force arrested an insurgent during a search for a senior Taliban leader who controls an insurgent group that attack Afghan and coalition forces. He also facilitates the movement of weapons and other military equipment to local insurgent cells, and is involved in building and using improvised explosive devices. During the operation, insurgents in the senior leader’s compound opened fire on the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force returned fire, killing one insurgent.

-- A combined force in Khost province’s Matun district arrested an insurgent leader affiliated with the Taliban and the Taj Mir Jawad networks. He is involved in high-profile attack planning and coordination for an insurgent network in Logar province and is responsible for IED operations and attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also was directly involved in a high-profile suicide attack Feb. 27 in the Afghan capital of Kabul that wounded eight peoples. The security force also arrested three other insurgents and seized a pistol.

-- In Paktia province’s Gardez district, a combined force arrested a Haqqani network leader who leads a group of insurgents responsible for ambushes and IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He recently was engaged in a campaign of robberies against Afghan civilian shops and is vital to weapons facilitation in Paktia. The security force also arrested two other insurgents and seized an assault rifle and five magazines.

In operations yesterday:

-- Afghan commandos came under attack during a cordon-and-search operation in Helmand province’s Sangin district and killed three insurgents who were planting an IED. The commandos seized several grenades, an assault rifle, three magazines and almost 270 pounds of opium.

-- In Nuristan province’s Waygal district, a combined force killed a senior leader with ties to the Taliban and other terrorist networks. Mohammad Issa, also known as Emirati, was in charge of training Taliban fighters and leaders for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also had a history of hosting transitory international terrorists in his home. Another insurgent also was killed in the operation.

-- A combined force in Kunar province’s Ghaziabad district wounded an insurgent during a search for the district’s ranking Taliban military leader. He works directly with high-level Taliban officials to develop strategic-level guidance for his network of insurgents. He also has planned and conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and has kidnapped Afghan civilians.

Rescue wing pays tribute to fallen pararescueman

by Master Sgt. Luke Johnson
943rd Rescue Group Public Affairs

4/30/2013 - DAVIS MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.  -- Over the weekend, the 943rd Rescue Group memorialized the life of a fallen pararescueman who was killed in Afghanistan on April 6, 2013 while performing civilian duties as security contractor.

The memorial included family and friend of Chief Master Sgt. Nicholas L. McCaskill, 306th Rescue Squadron PJ. They recalled his life as a dedicated pararesuceman, mentor to junior rescue Airmen and a devoted family man.

"This memorial speaks volumes for the leadership and impact that Chief Master Sgt. Nick McCaskill had on those who knew him," said Col. Harold Maxwell, 943rd RQG Commander. "Those who served with Nick loved him and respected him, and he was a role model to the younger Airmen that wanted to be like him."

"He mentored them and inspired them; he was an outstanding example of what a senior non-commissioned officer should be," said Maxwell.

The memorial included his induction into the rank of chief master sergeant which was earned on February 1, 2013, and also the presentation of the meritorious service medal.

"Nick was a humble man," said Lt. Col. John Keeler, 306th RQS. "His actions and his life focused on saving lives and building his team, and not the decorations that he received."

Nicholas L. McCaskill was born in Pomona, Calif. on January 5, 1972. He spent most of his childhood in Long Beach, Calif. then moved to San Clemente, Calif. where he graduated high school.

In May of 1992, McCaskill entered the Air Force as a structural maintenance specialist. After completing technical school he was assigned to Nellis AFB, Nev., where he worked on jet air craft and helicopters to include the F-4 Phantom, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, A-10 Warthog aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters.

In October 1994, he entered the two-year pararescue indoctrination pipeline, and in November of 1996 McCaskill was assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis AFB to begin his career as a pararescueman.

In 2001, Chief McCaskill's next assignment was the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan. While assigned as a special tactics pararescueman, he deployed to the Philippines where he augmented the 1st Special Forces Group Theater Quick Reaction Force. McCaskill provided vital combat-search-and-rescue expertise in direct support of a mission to rescue American hostages, for which he was awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal from the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.

In addition, he supported a maritime interdiction operation that led to the elimination of the region's number one most-wanted terrorist. In 2003, the 353rd Special Operations Group recognized McCaskill as PJ of the Year for "building the most capable team in the unit's history."

McCaskill joined the 48th Rescue Squadron in 2005. He deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he led 13 combat missions.

On one mission, McCaskill led a four-man rescue team to recover six U.S. Army aircrew and four 10th Mountain Division soldiers killed in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter crash. This recovery required a three-hour overland movement through hostile and hazardous mountainous terrain. While exposed to extreme danger from hostile machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire, his team worked continuously for 24 hours taking sporadic enemy fire to ensure that all 10 killed in action and all sensitive items were recovered from the crash site.

"Nick skills leadership and persistence reduced a seven day recovery mission in to less than 48 hours, we all know how painful it would be to wait seven days to find out the status of a loved one," said Keeler.

For his efforts on this mission, McCaskill was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Later that year, McCaskill led a 14-man team in support of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief. They were credited with 1200 saves.

In July of 2006, McCaskill became a reservist with the 306th RQS. McCaskill led numerous NASA missions at Kennedy Space Center and executed Guardian Angel exercises with ally countries in both Tajikistan and the Philippines.

McCaskill served more 20 years in the U.S. Air Force to include 16 years conducting rescue and special operations. He had 500 plus flight hours, 200 of which were during combat operations.

McCaskill leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

Specialized Airmen have two jobs but they're not moonlighting

by Master Sgt. Leisa Grant
Air Force Central Command Public Affairs

4/30/2013 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Khaki or denim pants, a plaid button-up shirt, rolled-up sleeves and dark brown work boots are not what one would expect to see an Airman wearing during the duty day.

However, this is common for Air National Guard members of the Engineering Installation team. If they are not deployed or performing military duties at their various home stations' states, most work civilian jobs, attending college or both.

A lot of their professions are similar to their military occupations.

Master Sgt. William Taylor, 160thTheater Signal Support Brigade cable team chief, works as an installation and repair technician for a communications company in Sugarland, Texas, when he is out of uniform.

Some of his duties include installing phones and DSL service, and troubleshooting and repairing fiber optic cable. These activities have him climbing telephone poles one minute and down into manholes the next.

"My civilian job is in line with my job in the Texas Air National Guard," he said. "The knowledge I have gained at my civilian job has enabled me to give back in the form of training and mentoring to my fellow team members at my unit."

Taylor is one of many Airmen on the team with a mutually beneficial dual career status.

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Jackson, 160 TSSB cable and antenna systems craftsman, works with fiber systems and sub-rate data systems for a large U.S. company back in his home state of Oklahoma.

Working in similar industries for his civilian and military careers keeps him up to date and proficient in his skills, he said.

A few team members have civilian jobs like nothing what they are doing here, but still they are able to use experiences from one to benefit the other.

Senior Airman Tarah White, 160 TSSB airfield systems journeyman, is a certified nurse aide in her civilian life, trading cables and cords for suction tubes and gauze.

"My military job has made me even more organized and efficient," she said, adding that her military job pushes her to better herself and continue growing as a person.

Skills gained -- whether directly related to job or not -- seem to be a common factor for the EI Airmen.

"My military training has helped improve my people skills," said Tech. Sgt. Dwyn Dolgner, also a Texas ANG member who works with communications, cable and antenna systems here. Prior to deploying, he worked for a radio advertising agency, purchasing radio air time and placing live endorsements on the air -- a job that does not require a safety helmet, gloves and goggles or working in dusty, hot conditions.

Aside from honing his people skills, his hobbies also have some correlation to his communication duties.

Dolgner considers himself a "big tech guy," who often has to have the latest and greatest gadgets coming out. He enjoys working in a field, in his military job, where he learns the technical aspects of these gadgets and how they work.

When these Airmen return to their homes in the United States, they will slip right back into their khakis and colorful shirts, setting aside the Airman Battle Uniform until drill weekend or whenever else their duties call for them.

While their attire and skill sets may change, they do share a common factor with their fellow active-duty service members, who will remain in uniform -- the determination and ability to do a job, and do it well.

"The EI mission is about providing a quick reaction force that is highly skilled in delivering a securable, enduring, redundant and scalable communications infrastructure to the war fighter in any environment," said Col. Norman Poklar, Afghanistan EI commander.

The training and skills his Airmen acquire through technical schools, courses and on-the-job training are based on the same high standards that the civilian industries use, he said. Airmen can take the skills they learn through their ANG experiences and further refine them working for a number of industry partners.

"The employers value this and realize that the partnership with the ANG EI community gives them better skills than their civilian counterparts," Poklar said. "It's a mutually beneficial relationship."

Poklar and his team are integral in the completion of more than 100 projects in just six months, saving the Department of Defense millions of dollars, he said.

A large part of their work has been focused on the drawdown of remote forward operating bases and the movement of mission assets to enduring facilities, like the ones here. The EI team has been busy upgrading the infrastructure in buildings previously not suited to handle the influx of new units arriving at Bagram Airfield.

"All of our projects have been completed on time and under budget," Poklar said. "Our folks will leave here soon with a sense of pride and mission accomplishment for what they have done. We have clearly left Afghanistan better than we found it."

Combined Force Kills Haqqani Network Leader in Paktia Province

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 2, 2013 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed a Haqqani network leader and another insurgent during an operation in the Zurmat district of Afghanistan’s Paktia province yesterday, military officials reported.

Sarwar Khan, also known as Manzala, planned insurgent operations, reported intelligence to senior leaders, and was involved in kidnappings. He built improvised explosive devices and coordinated IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in Baghlan province’s Baghlan-e Jadid district wounded two insurgents during a search for a Taliban IED cell leader with ties to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan who directs IED operations targeting government officials and Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kunduz province. He also works directly with Taliban senior leadership to disseminate information to low-level fighters, and is vital in obtaining money and weapons for local insurgent groups.

-- In Kandahar province’s Shah Wali Kot district, a combined force killed an insurgent during a search for a Taliban leader who is responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He and his subordinates are involved in IED operations, poppy cultivation and distribution, and weapons facilitation.

-- Afghan Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces, killed an insurgent, arrested three others and seized weapons and ammunition in Zabul province’s Shah Joy district. The security force recovered two assault rifles, 13 assault-rifle magazines and ammunition, and destroyed a rocket-propelled grenade propellant charge, two motorcycles and bomb-making materials.

-- Also in Zabul’s Shah Joy district, Afghan special forces troops, enabled by coalition forces, captured an insurgent leader during an operation to disrupt a known IED facilitation network.
-- Acting on information received from the district police chief, Afghan special forces troops found and destroyed 27 IEDs, assault-rifle magazines and miscellaneous military equipment in Helmand province’s Nahr-e-Saraj district.

-- A combined force in Nangarhar province’s Nazyan district killed an insurgent and wounded two others during a search for a senior insurgent leader with ties to the Tehrik-e Taliban and Haqqani terrorist networks that plan high-profile attacks against civilians, government officials and Afghan and coalition forces. He has control of more than 100 fighters, including potential suicide bombers. He also runs a training camp for indoctrinating prospective insurgents.

Sears heroic actions under enemy fire helps fellow members survive attack

by Staff Sgt. Wayne Woolley
NJDMAVA/PA

5/2/2013 - TRENTON, N.J. -- When an explosive ordnance disposal team rolls out for a combat patrol, their objective is to defuse bombs and gather intelligence about the bomb-makers. It's not to engage the enemy.
But as New Jersey Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Mike Sears put it, sometimes, there's no choice. Sept. 29, 2012 was one of those days.

A three-man Air Force EOD team led by Sears found itself in the middle of a complex ambush on a dusty road in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Over the course of a two-hour firefight, Sears provided life-saving aid to a fallen coalition soldier from Poland; ran five times through a 150-yard open area riddled with enemy machine gun fire to direct his team in returning fire; and continued on with the fight even after being knocked temporarily unconscious by a rocket-propelled grenade blast.

On Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, The Adjutant General, awarded Sears the Bronze Star and Purple Heart at a ceremony at the State House in Trenton.

In an interview, Sears, 36, credited his Afghan team, Staff Sgt. John Hurley, a fellow member of the 177th Fighter Wing, and Staff Sgt. Josh Jerden, an active duty Airman, with fighting hard to allow them all to survive the ambush.

On the day of the attack, Sear's team had been on patrol with a team of 90 Polish infantrymen and sappers, also known as combat engineers or soldiers who perform various military engineering duties. They had come across a massive improvised explosive device packed with 80 pounds of explosives. After Sears had investigated, Hurley used a robot to detonate the device. Sears went back to ensure the bomb had been defeated and instead found two more devices triggered by "pressure plates. He was able to diffuse them on his own and collect evidence to be used to try to identify their manufacturer.

Evidence collected, Sears's team and the Polish unit were preparing to return to their base when they came under machine gun and rifle fire. After a short lull, an RPG round whistled past their vehicle, missing Hurley by two feet and hitting a Polish vehicle, clearly badly injuring one of the Polish soldiers, a sapper Sears had grown close to during the deployment.

"I saw that RPG coming, but there was nothing we could do but hold on and pray," Sears said.

When he realized the RPG had badly injured his friend, Sears took off through the machine gun fire to provide aid. It was clear that no one from the Polish team knew one of their men had been hit. As he pulled the 250-pound Polish soldier from the truck, Sears felt something in his shoulder tear. What Sears saw next helped him push through his pain. The explosion had severed the Polish soldier's leg.

Sears propped up the Polish Soldier with one arm, returned fire with his M4 and the other and tried to drag him out of the direct enemy fire. Sears helped the soldier to the ground and applied a tourniquet. Bullets were still landing all around them. Sears shielded his buddy with his body.

"People have asked me how long I was on the ground with him and I tell them it felt like an hour with all those rounds coming in," Sears said. "It probably was only a few minutes."
During those minutes, another RPG landed within a few feet of Sears and the Polish soldier. The concussion knocked Sears out. When he came to, Sears knew his buddy needed more help than he could provide. He made another trip through open terrain and under fire to get a Polish medic's attention and get him to the location of the wounded soldier.

Sears made several more trips through that guantlet of fire to get more Polish soldiers and their litter team to the wounded man and another trip to assist his EOD team as they returned of fire at an enemy that continued to attack from two directions.

Ultimately, two Polish attack helicopters arrived with enough firepower to drive the insurgents away.

The EOD team and Polish convoy drove four miles for a secure location for a medevac helicopter to land. Sears had strongly recommended they not try the medevac at the scene of the ambush.

"My previous experiences had been the sound of a helicopter gets the attention of every bad guy in the area and they're going to try to light it up," he said. "They'd rather take down a helicopter than shoot at us and on that day; we'd already had one casualty. A downed helicopter would have been a mass casualty we really didn't need."

Sears, the father of three, served as a Marine infantryman on active duty before joining the National Guard.

In civilian life, he works as an explosive ordnance technician for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

On the day of the ambush, Sears expended 190 rounds. The two other members of his team expended even more.

"Our main objective is not to engage the enemy," he said. "But when they come after us, we have the training to respond."

Combined Force Makes Arrests in Helmand Province

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 1, 2013 – A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and two other insurgents in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province today, military officials reported.

The leader oversees insurgent improvised explosive device operations throughout the district and serves as a weapons facilitator, procuring and distributing explosives, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition and other military equipment for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- A combined force in Kandahar province’s Panjwai district arrested seven insurgents during a search for a senior Taliban leader in charge of a cell of fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also coordinates IED and suicide-bomber operations throughout the province, and is involved in insurgent weapons facilitation.

-- In Paktia province’s Gardez district, a combined force arrested a Haqqani network leader responsible for IED attacks, ambushes, and kidnapping operations against Afghan and coalition forces. He also is connected to suicide bombings and coordinates the movement of weapons in the local area. The security force also arrested another insurgent.

In operations yesterday:

-- Afghan Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces, killed one insurgent, arrested three others and seized and destroyed weapons, grenades and ammunition in Zabul province’s Shah Joy district.

-- In Ghazni province’s Ghazni district, Afghan Provincial Response Company Ghazni seized and destroyed 88 pounds of homemade explosives, 16 detonators, several radios and various IED-making materials.
-- Also in Ghazni province, Afghan and U.S. Special Forces in the Andar district provided a quick-reaction force for successful defense of a local police checkpoint.

-- Responding to an attack on local police in Laghman province’s Alingar district, an Afghan quick-reaction force, led by members of Provincial Response Company Laghman, killed three insurgents who were attacking a police checkpoint.