Daily Afghan-Iraq Update/10-31
(Photos by Sgt. Matthew Moeller)
Army 1st Lt. Aaron Malcolm, plt leader with Co C, 1st Bn, 32nd Inf. Regt, explains how to use different medicines to a member of the Afghan govt in Kunar prov., Oct. 23. Malcolm, and fellow 10th Mtn Div Soldiers, have been working closely with the Afghan govt to address the humanitarian needs of the thousands of refugees flooding across the border from neighboring Pakistan, as that country continues a major military op against insurgent forces.
By International Security Assistance Force
The joint force searched each of the vehicles and recovered a number of small arms weapons, documents and 2,600 lbs of black tar heroin. The joint force identified one of the dead militants as the sought-after Taliban cmdr of Maywand District.
In a separate op, the Afghan-ISAF detained several suspected militants after searching compounds in Wardak Prov. known to be used by a Taliban cmdr and facilitator and his element responsible for several rocket and IED attacks in the region.
The joint SECFOR targeted the compounds near the village of Patankhel in the Sayed Abad District after intel indicated militant activity. The joint force searched the compound without incident and detained several suspected militants.
A joint SECFOR killed several militants north of Khowst City in Ghazni prov. after searching an enemy position in pursuit of a district Taliban cmdr linked to several other militant cmds and foreign fighters in the area. During the op the joint force received hostile fire from an enemy position. Returning fire, they killed several militants. The joint force then searched the enemy location and found multiple RPGs, AF-47 rifles and ammo belts.
In another op in Wardak prov., a joint SECFOR detained a couple of suspected militants after searching a compound known to be used by a Taliban cmdr. The joint force searched compounds near Maru village, SW of Kabul without incident and without firing shots.
In a third op Oct. 25, a joint SECFOR detained a few suspected militants after searching compounds in Khowst prov. known to be used by a Haqqani IED tech linked to several militant cmds in the area.
In a separate op in Kandahar prov., a joint SECFOR detained a couple of suspected militants after searching a compound in Kandahar prov., known to be used by a Taliban cmdr and his group, believed to be responsible for several attacks in the Arghandab district.
-30-
DoD Imagery
Security patrol through the Nawa district of Helmand province
(DoD photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg, Marine Corps)
Marines with Bravo Co, 1st Bn, 5th Marine Regt conduct a security patrol through the Nawa district of Helmand prov., Oct. 18, 2009. Marines conduct security patrols to decrease insurgent activity and gain the trust of the Afghan people. The Marines are deployed with RCT 3 to conduct counterinsurgency ops with ANSF in southern Afghanistan.
-30-
DoD Imagery
Patrolling the Nerkh district in Wardak province
(DoD photo by Sgt. Teddy Wade, Army)
Army soldiers from 2nd Bn, 87th Inf Regt, 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn Div patrol the Nerkh district in Wardak prov., Oct. 21, 2009.
-30-
Blackanthem Military News
By International Security Assistance Force
In response to accusations that int'l forces dishonored the Quran after striking an IED in Wardak prov. Oct. 14, ISAF troops conducted an investigation in conjunction with local ANA cmds, and found the claim groundless.
A spokesman for the Gov. of Wardak, Mohammad Fadayee, and Mullah Qari of the ANA unit in Wardak, publicly stated that ISAF troops were not responsible for the desecration, and found no wrongdoing by int'l forces.
In his address to citizens in Kowte Ashrow, Wardak prov., Mullah Qari provided the results of the investigation into the incident and offered an explanation. "Dear brothers, recently, the incident of burning of the Quran that happened in Kowte Ashrow, was the actions of the enemies of Afghanistan and Islam for their private purposes," said Qari. "The Enemies of Afghanistan are trying to make people go against the govt in order to start riots."
-30-Kurdish kids get supplies, new school
By Mike Scheck, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The school supply giveaway was orchestrated by Army Sgt. 1st Class Donna Sendelbech, the NCO-in-charge of the Kirkuk office. Sendelbech had made contact with 2 orgs. back in the States that send packages to Soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rather than receive goodie bags for themselves, Sendelbech request that the orgs send backpacks and school supplies for needy school children in Iraq. “There were 2 orgs., “Winning Hearts and Minds” and “Any Solider,” that donated the gifts for the giveaway,” Sendelbech said. “These school children are an important part of our mission here,” Sendelbech admits. “I believe that they deserve the same opportunity at an education, as my little girl back in the States. I know our efforts can’t solve all the problems here, but as a parent we have do whatever we can to make their lives better.”
The demand for schools throughout Iraq has far outweighed the supply and financial resources. The Shalaw elementary students currently attend school in a converted house void of electricity. That’s all about to change after the first of the year with students moving into a new 12-classroom school house. The new school will serve over 1,000 elementary and middle school student in morning and afternoon sessions; a common practice in high density urban areas in Iraq. In addition to the 12 classrooms, the new school will have an administration building, bathrooms and a backup generator to ensure that the electricity will always be on.
-30-
Blackanthem Military News
By Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq
The children from the Minot AF Base Youth Center, N.D., put together these care packages, which were full of new school supplies and hygiene products. "Since my time here in Iraq, I have observed numerous Iraqi families living below poverty levels, and I believe there's more we can do to improve their quality of life, and guarantee success for the citizens of this country," said AF 1st Lt. Thy Pham-Cieliesz, MNSTC-I J-4 Class II procurement officer. "So, I coordinated efforts with my home duty station youth services center to have donations sent to Baghdad to be distributed to the families in need."
With seven boxes full of supplies, totaling approx 100 pounds, the logistics group made their first stop at an Iraqi school. "What Iraqis perceive about Americans and the military may be negative based upon their personal experiences, media portrayals and propaganda they have encountered the past couple years, but I figure there's no better way to show we (Americans) truly care, by taking off our armor and weapons and visiting them in their community, and not just give them supplies, but also to spend time with them," said Pham-Cieliesz.More than 120 students received items, such as notebooks, pens, pencils, colored pencils, backpacks, shampoo, deodorant, soap, brushes and hair bands."It was great to see the smiles on their faces when we gave them their gifts," said Marine Staff Sgt. Stephanie Campbell, MNSTC-I J-4 Procurement NCO.J-4's visit in the Int'l Zone continued with a trip to the home of a local family. Once their vehicles pulled up to the home, 3 young Iraqi girls ran barefooted toward the troops and gave each of them a big hug. Immediately, the girls showed their hospitality and invited everyone into their home with open arms. With their parents at work, the 3 sisters, ages 3 to 10, were left at home to take care of themselves and their 2-month old brother.The last care package included clothes, bracelets and snacks for the family.
"Their living conditions may not be the greatest, but their spirits are strong," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Cartier, MNSTC-I HQ Commandant Force Protection Senior NCO. "These kids are amazing. All they wanted from us was our companionship.
These children will remember us for the rest of their lives, and they'll always think about the U.S. troops who were there for them in their time of need," said Cartier.
The Airmen and Marine spent more than an hour with the young kids. From sitting on the ground in their home to sharing cookies and laughs to playing hide-and-seek in their backyard; the children couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces.
"I wanted to leave a small footprint in Iraq, and giving to the children was a great opportunity to do this," said AF Senior Airman Reynaldo Blythe, MNSTC-I J-4 Procurement agent.
-30-Multi-National Division - North PAO
BAGHDAD – ISF conducted a series of ops Oct 25 resulting in the arrest of 11 suspected members of VBIED networks operating between Baghdad and Mosul.
ISF, with U.S. advisors, searched several buildings in western Baghdad for a VBIED network leader allegedly associated with those responsible for the deadly bombing yesterday, which struck govt buildings in Baghdad. The VBIED cell leader is also suspected of staging the deadly Aug. 19 attacks in the capitol city.
Based on evidence found in the buildings, ISF arrested 8 individuals suspected of being linked to a VBIED network operating in Baghdad that receives support from cells stretching north along the Tigris River Valley.
The 3rd Emergency Services Unit, with U.S. advisors, also targeted a VBIED network today in southwest Kirkuk. The security team searched one building for a member of the Kirkuk-based terror org. Credible intel indicates that this individual facilitates VBIED ops throughout the Tigris River Valley. The op resulted in the arrest of 2 individuals allegedly tied to the VBIED network.
Near al-Sharqat, located approx 85 km south of Mosul, IP, with U.S. advisors, acting on a warrant, arrested an individual suspected of procuring vehicles for use in VBIED attacks.
-30-
MNF-I
U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers delivered supplies to local schools near Baghdad, Oct. 20. The Soldiers distributed more than 100 bags filed with pencils, notebooks and other school supplies to underprivileged students.
