Daily Afghan-Iraq Update/10-23
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Oct. 15, 2009 – In a country where fewer than 30% of people are considered literate, U.S. forces are working to help in rebuilding Afghanistan’s education system, which has been devastated from 30 years of war, anti-education politics and an unstable govt.
“There's nothing more rewarding than watching a child learn,” said 2nd Lt. Shaela Bresnan, Backpacks for Afghanistan program coordinator. “Unfortunately, children here lack the opportunities to educate themselves. Even when they've access to a school that they're able to attend, they don't have the physical resources to get the most out of their education.”
Soldiers with the 649th started the Backpacks for Afghanistan program in August to meet the needs of students and teachers. Local students will receive backpacks with 5 pencils, 3 pens, 2 colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, 2 erasers, 2 notebooks and 2 folders. A kit also will be available for teachers with classroom materials such as world maps, construction paper and small chalkboards. The 649th has set a goal to collect 5,000 backpacks and 200 teacher kits in 6 months. “We hope to reach as many students as possible within the Kandahar,” Bresnan said. Backpacks for Afghanistan allows everyone to participate in building a future for generations. Many U.S. orgs, including churches and schools, already have donated. "If you change the life of a child, you change the world," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Elaine Holten, a Backpacks for Afghanistan organizer from Florida. -30-
KONAR PROVINCE – Monogai District govt official, Shir Bahidir, assisted by CF, distributed humanitarian aid packages to local citizens, Oct. 15. Villagers submitted applications to the district governor’s office for approval. Later, the villagers were notified and given a time to come pick up their packages. 31 villagers received quantities of tea, sugar, beans, flour, blanket, rice, cooking oil and first aid kits.
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Blackanthem Military News
By International Security Assistance Force
In another op today a joint SECFOR killed several enemy militants in Wardak prov. after searching compounds known to be used by a Taliban cmdr and his element. The suspects are believed to be responsible for numerous attacks and for supplying weapons and fighters into the region. During the op in Chak district the joint force killed militants who fired on them and posed hostile threats. The joint force continued the search of the compound detaining several suspected militants, and discovering a moderate amount of weapons.
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Special to American Forces Press Service - Iraq
By Army Sgt. Andy Mehler
The turning point for Markle was when he returned to high school at Crispus Attucks Youth Build, a charter school for troubled teens in York, Pa. The school involves its students in charitable work and teaches personal responsibility and a strong work ethic. Markle worked with his classmates on home construction projects for the poor, which taught him a valuable and marketable trade. He remained in school and was awarded his high school diploma in 2004.
After a 2-year stint in the Navy as an aviation ordnance specialist, working with F-18 fighter jets, Markle returned to York in 2006 when his grandmother died. Missing football, he tried out for a position on the York Silver Bullets, a semi-professional football team, in 2007, and played one season. That structure and his military training, he said, kept him focused, on track and off the streets.
While still playing football, Markle decided to join the Pa. Army NG in 2007. Enlisting in the Army meant he would have to leave football, but Markle liked the sense of community and structure that comes with a military life. Markle chose to enlist as a water treatment specialist and now is part of Co A, 628th Aviation Support Bn, deployed here where he works with fellow soldiers providing fuel for aircraft.
Markle said he's enjoyed his time in Iraq and feels he's part of something bigger by doing important work for his country. He plans to remain in the military, believing he’s finally found the perfect fit. He said he'd like to further his education, and he hopes to be a pilot one day.
Markle’s days of working on houses for his school have paid off, as well. He now works in his father’s construction business, and has been getting his own business off the ground by attracting his own customers.
Now that his life is on track, Markle said he wants to assist young people facing the same challenges he did. At home, he visits Crispus Attucks Youth Build to talk with students and encourage them toward a better life. He's found the stability of home and renewed relationships with his parents, and the discipline and structure of the military he loves so much, he said. When he returned home on leave, Markle participated in the crime prevention program National Night Out, where he protected the streets he once saw as a hangout.
Markle said the military made him who he is today, and even now as he finds himself in the desert of Iraq, he says he wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Multi-National Division - Baghdad
"Murtada's a very poor neighborhood and it's the main reason this site was chosen," said Read. "We try to help out neighborhoods that are likely to be targeted by insurgent groups. The people there need money. The insurgents are recruiting their workers from neighborhoods like this one. "Taking the people food and water shows them that the U.S. forces and the IA care about them and they'll know we're thinking about them."
Company D conducts humanitarian aid drops about once a month, and the Soldiers welcome the change of pace and the chance to do something positive. Read said he looks forward to doing these type of missions. "It's a good mission. It's a break from our regular missions and we get to do some good for the people of Iraq,” he said. “That one bag of food and case of water … shows them that we do care about them and are continuing to work together with the IA to try to make life better for the Iraqi people."
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Blackanthem Military News
By Staff Sgt. Liesl Marelli
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U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team
As more Iraqi controllers became qualified, Airmen were able to turn over their positions and focus on military flights arriving and departing from BIAP. At present, the ICAA has a total of 17 fully qualified and licensed Iraqi controllers, 5 of whom are trainer qualified. Seven more individuals are in the process of receiving their qualification.
"This is not a routine job – every day is different," said Ali Thamer, BIAP's tower mgr. "I think it's better than other jobs, but it's not necessarily that easy. We need to be very vigilant all the time. We've a good quality of controllers working here – they are very young, they've a very good education. Their training has been successful and they have proven themselves to be very good controllers."
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