Articles
Afghan women may shape future
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (Dec. 23, 2012) - Some say Afghanistan's way forward is through its women. To that end, the coalition forces-led female engagement teams still have their hands full. To compile lessons learned and discuss how to improve the teams' effectiveness, the first-ever Regional Command-East FET conference was held at Bagram Air Field from Dec. 18-20.
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Moment of silence, candlelight vigil for Sandy Hook victims, families
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (Dec. 22, 2012) – Despite being focused on the realities of war, approximately 100 service members and civilians gathered aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Dec. 21, to remember the victims and families affected by the Newtown, Conn., tragedy.
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From landing first helicopter to returning as squadron commander, Afghanistan defines Marine
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan (Dec. 22, 2012) – Before 9/11, Lt. Col. Jay Holtermann was unsure whether he would continue his military career. Holtermann is currently serving on his sixth deployment, this one as the commanding officer for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward).
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Farah provincial DAIL helps Local farmers to develop farming techniques
FARAH CITY, Afghanistan (Dec. 22, 2012) – Farah provincial Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL), Abdul Manan Matin, is driving an initiative to build a demonstration greenhouse at his office compound in Farah City, in an effort to connect Farahi farmers with new and innovative techniques to improve crop yields and profit margins. The demonstration greenhouse will help to drive agriculture and agribusiness development within Farah, by introducing new methods of farming and irrigation to Farahi farmers. The greenhouse project is a joint venture between Manan and Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah, and USDA field program officer Chris Koym, who spearheaded the coalition’s effort to start the project. The first greenhouse in Farah City is scheduled to open in early 2013.
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With Hawaii Army Guard mentoring, Afghan forces take independent strides
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Dec. 21, 2012) - A Security Forces Assistance Team comprised primarily of Hawaii Army Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team soldiers assisted in a successful partnered operation that included personnel from the Afghanistan Border Police, the Afghanistan National Army and the Afghanistan Civil Order Police Dec. 10-12. The team of Hawaii Guardsmen served mostly as spectators, however, as the Afghan forces operated independently during the mission tabbed Southern Fist II.
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RCT-7 leadership discusses future of Helmand province
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (Dec. 21, 2012) – Key coalition leaders arrived at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, for the first commander’s conference under Regimental Combat Team 7, Dec. 19, to discuss the future of Helmand province.
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Motor transport sections provide supplies throughout area
COMBAT OUTPOST SHAMSHER, Afghanistan (Dec. 21, 2012) – As a main logistical hub in northern Helmand province, Marines operating at Combat Outpost Shamsher continuously supply and support Marines and their coalition partners in their area of operations.
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ABP seize more than 360 anti-personnel mines
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan (Dec. 20, 2012) – Afghan Border Police seized more than 360 anti-personnel mines during a vehicle inspection at an ABP checkpoint near the Wesh border crossing point in Spin Boldak district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Dec 18.
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Sustainment soldiers ensure seamless transition in Kandahar
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Dec. 20, 2012) — After months of pre-deployment training the Headquarters element of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division is now boots on ground in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The ‘Providers’ will be replacing soldiers with the 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and assume the 45th’s mission to provide distribution and logistical support throughout Regional Command-South, Southwest and West.
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Rare break forces Raleigh Marine to face new obstacles
FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Afghanistan (Dec. 20, 2012)– Before one Marine started his career in the Marine Corps he was faced with a broken elbow, two surgeries and countless hours of physical therapy. He watched as in an instant his dreams of earning the title United States Marine and deploying to Afghanistan were put in jeopardy.
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Verdict clear to Afghan officials: Evidence-based operations vital
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Dec. 20, 2012) – The nondescript water bottle found among the items at the scene of the simulated crime scene during the Evidence-Based Operations Seminar here Dec. 17 didn’t appear to be anything more than a piece of trash.
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A combat Christmas
MULTINATIONAL BASE TARIN KOT, Afghanistan (Dec. 19, 2012) - More than 11 years into the war in Afghanistan, care packages continue to be a pleasant reminder that soldiers serving at Multinational Base Tarin Kot are remembered during the holiday season.
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From pushing miles to pushing paper, combat trucker excels as S1
ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Dec. 19, 2012) - “Just go to the training so we have someone trained until the actual S1 gets here.” That statement is what ultimately landed Tech. Sgt. Christopher McDaniel, a vehicle operator deployed from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., in his current position as the noncommissioned officer in charge of personnel, or S1, for the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team and all the residents of Forward Operating Base Smart, Afghanistan.
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From low drag to high speed, soldier turns things around
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LAGMAN, Afghanistan (Dec. 18, 2012) - Before he left home, Spc. Blake Stressman, 24, from Burlington, N.C., had a bit of a reputation - and it was not a good one. But with the help of senior leaders in his unit, Stressman appears to have turned his reputation around. He is now considered an ace mechanic, a hard worker and a leader.
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Logistical hub for northern Helmand keeps Marines equipped
COMBAT OUTPOST SHAMSHER, Afghanistan (Dec. 18, 2012) – Marines must remain well equipped to be ready for daily operations in Afghanistan.
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Trading snow for sand, North Pole Marine deploys to Afghanistan
COMBAT OUTPOST TAGHAZ, Afghanistan (Dec. 18, 2012) – A Marine from a town most commonly associated with elves, Santa Claus, reindeer and snow has heard all the jokes since he joined the Marine Corps. He is from a town with candy cane themed street lights, a Santa Claus Lane and where thousands of childrens’ letters arrive for Santa. Now with the holiday season upon the Marines, the North Pole, Alaska, native is surrounded by sand and dirt, a long way from the snow and ice he is familiar with this time of year.
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USO brings holiday cheer, laughter to KAF
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Dec. 18, 2012)- Members of the 2012 annual USO holiday tour, Craig Stammen, Kellie Pickler, Ross Detwiler, Matt Hendricks and Iliza Shlesinger, stopped at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan to entertain and raise morale of deployed service members, Dec. 16.
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Afghan ingenuity changes lives in remote village
TARIN KOT, Afghanistan (Dec. 17, 2012) – A 22-year-old village contractor, Shafiqullah, plans to expand an innovative hydroelectric power plant system that has created electricity in the remote village of Kawri, Uruzgan, for several years.
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Tribute to New York Fire Department, ladder company patrols Afghan sky
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan (Dec. 17, 2012) – In an effort to ensure Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 Marines remember why they are deployed, the squadron has adopted one of New York Fire Department’s most decorated ladder companies that was heavily involved during the rescue attempts at the World Trade Center, Sept. 11, 2001.
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Afghan policeman helped by SFAT, FST
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LAGMAN, Afghanistan (Dec. 16, 2012) - Two months ago, Pvt. Mohammed Qasim, an Afghan uniformed policeman with the 4th Company Reserve Kandak, was injured when his patrol was struck by an improvised explosive device. He was lucky. Shrapnel from the explosion pierced his arms, neck, side and hand, but the wounds were relatively minor.
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Video: Forward Operating Base Lagman Forward Surgical Team
The Forward Surgical Team of FOB Lagman share what it is like to work in deployed environment. Forward Surgical Teams are a varied mix of Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel, as well as Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve. Army Staff Sergeant Katie Gray brings us to the trauma center at Forward Operating Base Lagman to tell one team's story. Soundbite includes Air Force Staff Sergeant Brandi Gray - Lagman FST Medic, Luke Air Force Base, AZ and Navy HN Blake Niggemeier - General Corpsman, Las Vegas, NV. Produced by SSG. Katie Gray, 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. Also available in High Definition.
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Operation New Pair of Legs: ISAF provides hope, future for one Afghan youth and his family
KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 15, 2012) – Rhamatullah, 14, was playing outside near his home in Panjwa’i District, Kandahar last January when he encountered an improvised explosive device (IED) that took both his legs. With help from ISAF, and other organizations including the Lamia Afghan Foundation, A Leg To Stand On (ALTSO), and the Kabul Orthopedic Organization (KOO), this young Afghan can now walk again.
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Panetta talks future of the force with troops in Kandahar, Afghanistan
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Dec. 15, 2012) - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visited Kandahar Airfield Dec. 13, to discuss progress in the war in Afghanistan, the challenges the Defense Department faces and what changes service members can expect for the future of their careers in the military.
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Z PRT helps control Highway 1 erosion at TWJ
ZABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 15, 2012) - Every year in Afghanistan’s Zabul Province, in the district of Tarnak Wa Jaldak, the Tarnak River rises with the rainy season and withdraws shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, as the river rises, it approaches Highway 1, the ring road that connects Kandahar to Kabul and the rest of Afghanistan’s largest and most populated cities. Years of this cycle have slowly eroded a large portion of the riverbank dangerously close to Highway 1.
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Canines keep soldiers safe, smiling
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LAGMAN, Afghanistan (Dec. 15, 2012) - Of all the common sights on forward operating base Lagman, Afghanistan, the sight of the AMK9 dogs is one that often makes people smile.
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