Daily Afghan-Iraq Update/11-05
By Cpl. Michael Curvin, 2nd MEB
"Also, they know if they're too close to us, that we can engage them very quickly," Donoho said. "It's a mix of both these things here."The Marines have taken precautions ensuring safety at all times. 'The road less traveled' has a new definition for Echo Co. Rather than take paths common to the local population, they trek through corn, cotton and even eggplant, or down less traveled footpaths."My biggest concern is making sure I get everyone safely back without encountering IEDs," said Cpl. Daniel Collins, a squad leader. "Mostly down here, it's been pressure plate IEDs we've encountered." Collins hopes that insurgent aggression will continue to dwindle in Lakari District, and that he and his Marines will continue to enrich their relationships with the local population. He says that would be a sign that the enemy is beginning to weaken here. He's confident that the protection provided to the Lakari citizens will push the Taliban out. "We're providing security so that the locals can live their lives without fear from the Taliban," Collins said.
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Blackanthem Military News
By International Security Assistance Force
TF La Fayette begins arriving at RC-E
TF La Fayette service members attended an info and reminder program that covered rules of engagement, extraction of isolated personnel and IED dangers, which is mandatory for every service member stationed in RC-East.
After completing the training, they're stationed at FOB Morales Frazier in Kapisa prov., where the HQ of TF La Fayette is located.
According to Daza, key leaders with MND-N recognized a need for this kind of project earlier in 2009, and the PRT finally initiated the program in early Sept. "All these women have attended a lot of conferences before on empowerment, but this time they were ready for income generating programs," said Daza.
Women’s associations that are registered with the GoI, and have more than 100 members, are eligible candidates for the training program. Daza then talks to each of the assns about their org., and the goals they want to accomplish. It's at that meeting the women’s assns schedule their training.
To date, 3 women’s assns have completed business training and compiled several business proposals as a result. "We have one group that put a proposal in to create a computer lab, where the members of the women's assn could receive basic computer training," said Daza. "The computer lab would also serve as a place where the general public could come and pay to rent time on a computer."
Through the training, the PRT introduced business models that would provide the women's assns with a sustainable group income, while also providing some educational value for its members, such as basic computer skills or vehicle driver's training.
Daza is working with assns in Bartalah and Cara Qosh, whose memberships are in the thousands. He said the hope is that all of the groups will have the opportunity to start viable, sustainable projects. "These women have never had access to start a business to generate income of their own," said Daza. "Success for me with this program is giving these women choices to have their own sources of income."
By Senior Airman Alyssa Miles
For these Soldiers who have been in Iraq for almost 2 months, it's a tangible sign they're helping the security situation here, said Spc. Eric Marquez, an infantryman with Co. A. "I was pretty excited...I broke a little sweat, but it was worth it," Marquez said. "This is the first thing that we've found since we've been here," stated a sweat-soaked and dirt-covered Marquez.
Though it wasn't a major find and there's plenty of work to be done, Sgt. James Hall, an inf team leader did admit that it's a positive step. "Insurgents can't use it anymore to shoot indirect fire on our FOBs, so it's a good feeling and a good find," said Hall. "It also makes the community feel like we're still here to find the bad guys."
In rural areas such as this, earning the trust of the community can be a tough task, but doing something about the weapons in the area can go a long way, explained Staff Sgt. Henry McCormick, a human intel collector. According to McCormick, one of the biggest steps in building a relationship is trust, so he ensures that local citizens feel comfortable and safe if they want to give U.S. forces info about insurgents.
"They [locals who offer info] believe in what we're doing, and that we can help make a difference with the security of this country," said McCormick. "A large part is that they want to protect their village and their friends, so they give us info because they can trust us."
McCormick also thinks that there's another, deeper connection that some Iraqis have with U.S. Soldiers that breeds trust. "They see that we're away from our friends and families and then think, 'Hey, they're sacrificing by being over here, so it's alright to sacrifice some things too, to try and make a difference,'" said McCormick about the willingness of locals to give him info.
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Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
MAYSAN – More than 2,000 IP graduated from basic police recruit training at the police training center, Oct. 29. Graduating students will now be assigned to district HQ and local police stations to supplement the 13,000 policemen working in Maysan Prov.
As part of the graduation activities, the Maysan special police unit conducted demos of crime scene exploitation and evidence collection; personal security detail ops; and an assault of a passenger bus using special weapons and tactics. The center’s martial arts team demonstrated disarming assailants, fighting off attackers, and breaking tiles inscribed with the words "Terrorist" and "Jihad."
The training center dean and his staff will now focus on an intense instructional schedule of specialized and advanced training courses with the assistance of the Joint Maysan Police Transition Team. Particular emphasis is being placed on training that will help in preparation for safety and security ops during approaching election activities throughout the prov.
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