Coalition Bulletin Coalition Bulletin A publication of the Coalition fighting the Global War on Terrorism A publication of the Coalition fighting the Global War on Terrorism A publication of the Coalition fighting the Global War on Terrorism A publication of the Coalition fighting the Global War on Terrorism A publication of the Coalition fighting the Global War on Terrorism Volume #44 August, 2007 Volume #44 August, 2007 Volume #44 August, 2007 Volume #44 August, 2007 Volume #44 August, 2007 Building Bridges to Afghanistan Building Bridges to Afghanistan Improved Ninewah Security May Mean Fewer U.S. Troops Improved Ninewah Security May Mean Fewer U.S. Troops
Transcript
Coalition BulletinCoalition BulletinA publication of the Coalition fighting the Global War on TerrorismA publication of the Coalition fighting the Global War on TerrorismA publication of the Coalition fighting the Global War on TerrorismA publication of the Coalition fighting the Global War on TerrorismA publication of the Coalition fighting the Global War on Terrorism Volume #44 August, 2007 Volume #44 August, 2007 Volume #44 August, 2007 Volume #44 August, 2007 Volume #44 August, 2007
Building Bridges to AfghanistanBuilding Bridges to AfghanistanImproved Ninewah Security May
Mean Fewer U.S. TroopsImproved Ninewah Security May
Mean Fewer U.S. Troops
IN THIS ISSUE:IN THIS ISSUE:IN THIS ISSUE:IN THIS ISSUE:IN THIS ISSUE:
The views expressed in the Coalition Bulletin cannot be attributed to any one nation. They are itemsconsidered newsworthy by the volunteers from various nations that make up the Public AwarenessWorking Group (PAWG). Contributions from all Coalition countries are encouraged. All contributorsto the Coalition Bulletin are responsible for adhering to PAWG policy pertaining to the accuracy andcopyright laws in the content they provide.For questions concerning PAWG policy, contact the Coalition Bulletin editor at +1 (813) 827-1716,or write to us at [email protected]. For an electronic copy of the Coalition Bulletin,visit: www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/joint.htm
By the generous permission of our NATO partners, the Coalition Bulletin is pleased to bring youstories covering the activities of the International Security Assistance Force. As ISAF and the Coa-lition are separate entities, ISAF stories will be denoted by the NATO logo at the top of each page whenthey appear.
Maj. Rashid Al-MannaiCapt. Manuel MatosMaj. John TongretUSA
QatarRomania Maj. Constantin Spinu
In the midst of the security challenges, Iraq’sleaders are being asked to resolve politicalissues as complex and emotional as thestruggle for civil rights in our own country. Soit is no wonder that progress is halting, andpeople are often frustrated. The result is that ithas been harder than anticipated for Iraqis tomeet the legislative benchmarks on which wehave all been focused.
Members of the Force ProtectionCompany (FP Coy) interact with Afghan kids duringa dismounted patrol in Kandahar City.Photo by: Cpl Dan Pop
Improved NinewahSecurity May MeanFewer U.S. Troops...4
CTF 150...6-7
Coalition Bulletin August 2007 1
WPartners at CENTCOM
EditorialEditorialEditorialEditorialEditorial
Ahsan MahmoodBrigadier-General, PakistanChairman, Public Awareness Working Group
BAGHDAD — Two Coalition representatives held a pressconference at the Combined Press Information Center. U.S.Army Lt. Gen. James Dubik, commanding general, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq and U.S. ArmyBrig. Gen. Kevin J. Bergner, Multi-National Force-Iraqspokesman talked about recent events in Iraq and the roadahead.Bergner talked about progress around Iraq. Operations inTarmiyah resulted in the death of Abu Ibrahim, an Al-Qaedain Iraq leader who oversaw terrorists’ operations in thenorthern belts of Baghdad. Bergner said Ibrahim was anAl-Qaeda emir for Tarmiyah who coordinated VBIEDattacks in Baghdad and also led Al-Qaeda in Iraq operationsin the Taji area.
“He kidnapped and murdered Iraqis including a nine-year-old girl to intimidate local citizens,” Bergner said.“Bergner introduced Dubik, noting his achievements ascommander for I-Corps and the 25th Infantry Division. Dubik took command of the Multi-National SecurityTransition Command-Iraq in June.Dubik said his role in the war effort focuses less on fightingforces and more on “ministerial capacity.”“That is the ability to raise, equip, train, sustain, providebases and to provide adequate funding for the securityforces over the long term,” Dubik said.Dubik said there has been progress and challenges on thisfront. From 2005 to 2006, the ministries of defense andinterior spent more than $2.5 billion more on defense ofIraq than the year before. There was another $2 billionincrease in 2006. The ministries continue to deal with manychallenges, but Dubik said they, along with Coalition forces,will keep pushing on.
Story by Sgt. Matthew McLaughlinCombined Press Information Center
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. James Dubik, Commanding General,Multi-National Securty Transition Command-Iraq and U.S.Army Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Bergner, Multi-National Force-Iraqspokesman talked about recent events in Iraq and the roadahead. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Carl Hudson.
Coalition Generals AnnounceProgress in Iraq
The 44th issue of CoalitionBulletin comes at a defining momentwhen the future scope and mandateof operations in Iraq are underserious deliberations in the USA.Domestic politics and politicalcorrections notwithstanding, thedevelopments in Iraq are clearlysuggestive of major gains made bythe Coalition in the realm ofsecurity; shortfalls if any appear tobe in political and reconciliatory effort. Understandably, the latterfalls under the realm of nation building and we all know too wellthat this is a long process which more than anything else requiresstrategic patience. Considering the tremendous political and socialtransformation being sought in a society that is marred by historicalmisgivings and misperceptions, it actually demands matchingcommitment, perseverance and resources. It is therefore opinedthat leaving the job half done will bring no good to Iraq, the regionas a whole and more importantly to the world peace at large.
Positive developments in Afghanistan are reflective of therelentless efforts of ISAF. Having undertaken numerous successfuloperations, the situation appears to be ripe to undertake a majordevelopmental offensive to win over the populace. Having sufferedmajor setbacks militarily and with loss of numerous mid levelleaders during last six months, Taliban clearly appear to be on thedefensive. If at this juncture serious efforts are made to politicallyengage with the insurgents, it will significantly erode the popularitybase of irreconcilable elements.
While the efforts in Afghanistan continue, major sustainablesecurity gains remain dependent upon effective management ofthe menace of narcotics, which according to UN has reached an alltime record this year. Afghanistan is now contributing over 90%of world opium, which merits an immediate attention, preferably attwo tiers. While a long term approach is good and understandable,the immediate requirement is to simultaneously pursue a shortterm approach as well, seeking immediate effects. This calls for are-look at the strategy being followed and commitment ofinternational community including ISAF. Unless serious effortsare directed towards it, effective severance of the money trail thatis critically impinging upon the security dynamics of the countrywill not be possible.
Like always this bulletin is also dedicated to men and womenfrom many countries that comprise this coalition operating in theCENTCOM area of operations, extending their services to train,equip and develop the security and developmental infrastructure.The readers shall find in the bulletin, stories reflective of widerange of capacity building and developmental efforts beingundertaken in the AOR.
Before I end, it will be apt to welcome the new Deputy CommanderLt Gen Martine Dempsey; we assure him of a whole heartedCoalition support and look forward to an extensive and rewardinginteraction with him. I would also take this opportunity to welcomethe Chief of Coalition Public Affairs Team LTC Muhammad Arif,and wish him very best for his tenure of assignment with theCoalition.
6
ww
w.c
entc
om.m
il/O
pera
tions
/Coa
litio
n/jo
int.h
tm
2
KANDAHAR - Her head was shaved and her wide browneyes were at once timid and mischievous.The school - a visibly shelled apartment complex - wasthree stories in some places and only two in others.Lopsided, the roof of the yellowish building had caved in,yet it still housed the school and countless families. Behindthe apartment was a slide and the makings of a teeter-totter. She smiled broadly for a picture and was so delightedat seeing her round, dirty face captured in the image.She was going to school - at least that day.
She was going to school, at least that day... Photo by LtChristian Courtemanche, CF PAO
that proverbial wire. Candid, dedicated, determined andabove all professional, they told their stories - some funny,some heartbreaking and some just plain peculiar. Theirexperiences are both provoking and enlightening.Since that time, some CF members have lost their lives, asobering reminder of the realities of the mission. They, each
and every one, were remembered in personal and publicways - and then the work continued.That work, from launching the Tactical Uninhabited AerialVehicle, to mentoring Afghan National Army soldiers, tofacilitating the digging of a village’s first well, clearlyenergizes CF personnel. They also sit down for chai, eatstuff that would make the preventive medicine technicianblanche and speak Pashto with flair. Amid the dust and thedirt, there’s a dignity to the country and its people.So despite that danger, the treacherous terrain, the relentlessheat and dust that seems to hang in the air like a soggytowel, there remains a reality: there’s still one little girl, amongmany, who just wants to go to school.
Captain Richard Nolan of the Civil-Military Cooperation Teamchecks the recently completed road improvement project inKandahar Province, Afghanistan. Through the assistance of CIMIC,the road will allow villagers to get their products to local marketsquicker. Photo by Lt Christian Courtemanche, CF PAO.
Story by Kristina DavisThe Maple Leaf, National Defence Canada
Dust, Dirt and Phenomenal Dignity
More than 2,500 CF personnel are in Afghanistan servingon Operation ATHENA. From medics to mentors, driversand gunners, force protection, advisors, loadmasters andpilots, it’s a diverse team.Journalist Kristina Davis, with National Defence Canada’s“The Maple Leaf” newspaper, spent two weeks inAfghanistan talking to CF personnel both inside and outside
Coalition Bulletin August 2007 3
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan- One-hundred-degreetemperatures swelter Bagram Airfield while the sweatingAfghan National Army Engineers learn to assemble a BaileyBridge, which will be used for future missions in Afghanistan.
Building Bridges to AfghanistanStory and photos by Army Capt. Ashley DellavalleTask Force Rugged Public Affairs Office
Afghan National Army Engineers of 4-3 Kandak, 201st Corps Command, assemble a40-foot Bailey Bridge in preparation for emplacement of a Bailey Bridge during futuremissions in Afghanistan.
The week-long training for the ANA Engineers of 4-3Kandak, 201st Corps Command, began July 16 after theirtrainers, leaders and Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, CharlieCompany, 70th Engineer Battalion, of Fort Riley, Kan., wererefreshed on building a Bailey Bridge.
In addition, two noncommissioned officer bridging experts,British Sgt. Stuart Christer of the 26th Engineer Regiment,Task Force Helmand, and Army Staff Sgt.John Joyner of Champion, Mich., from the36th Engineer Brigade, Task Force Rugged,joined the team to teach the Afghans bridgebuilding.
The Bailey Bridge is a portable, pre-fabricated bridge designed specifically formilitary use. Bailey Bridges can span up to200-foot gaps and don’t require special toolsor heavy equipment for construction. Depending on the span and the number oftrusses, Bailey Bridges can hold up to 100-ton loads. One of the major advantages ofthe Bailey Bridge is easy constructability.
“The bridge is like putting together Legoparts,” said Joyner. ”It’s a fairly simplebridge to assemble once you set the base
plates and rollers correctly. We are training the AfghanEngineer soldiers on the bridge system so that they canemplace the bridge themselves.”
The finished Bailey Bridges will allow InternationalSecurity Assistance Forces and Afghan National SecurityForces along with Afghans the ability to travel more
efficiently across water crossingsand gaps in the land. This is the firsttime ISAF is teaching Afghans howto build bridges. The 50 ANA soldierslearning the process are veryenthusiastic.
“The ANA love working and livingside-by-side with AmericanSoldiers,” said Abdul Ahad, deputycommander of the EngineerCompany.
The ANA continues to expand theircapabilities in engineering. Trainingtheir soldiers on the bridging missionwill allow them to train other ANAsoldiers to also build bridges.
“Bridging is important to ourmission,” said Ahad. ”The bridgesthat we build in the future throughoutAfghanistan will allow the districtsof the nation to be linked and will tiethe country as a whole together. It’s
the ANA’s job to help provide these links to the people ofAfghanistan.”
The company is confident in their abilities to build a bridgefor their nation.
“It doesn’t matter where in Afghanistan- north, south, east,or west, or time-day or night, we are ready to build bridgesand help our people,” said Ahad.
Army Staff Sgt. John Joyner of the 36th Engineer Brigade briefs the AfghanNational Army soldiers on safety measures during the Bailey Bridge trainingat Bagram Airfield.
4
BAGHDAD — Insurgent attacks in Iraq’s Ninewahprovince have dropped significantly and if the trend continues,fewer U.S. troops will be needed in the region, an Armycommander in the area said Friday.
A sign of the improved security situation in the province isthe fact that the province - which includes Mosul, Iraq’ssecond-largest city - will transfer to Iraqi provincial controlsometime next month, said Army Col. Stephen Twitty,commander of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 4th Brigade, duringa briefing with Pentagon reporters via telephone.
The Ninewah provincial government has made great stridesand can stand on its own with minimal help, Twitty said.“We have a very mature provincial government here,” hesaid.
The Coalition provincial reconstruction team in Mosul andthe brigade staff will continue to coach and mentor theprovincial government. “In nine months I have seen thisgovernment mature, so they will be able to operate prettymuch independently and run the provincial government prettymuch independently,” Twitty said.
On the security side, the two Iraqi divisions in the provinceare already under the command of Iraqi Ground ForcesCommand. “We still continue to see a need for the (provincialreconstruction team) to be here and will probably see a needfor some type of Coalition forces up here,” Twitty said. “That
may or may not be a robust force like I have, and it’s goingto be based on the security situation here.”
He said the security situation is showing great promise.When his brigade moved into the area in December, therewere between 15 and 18 attacks per day. Today, that numberis down to between seven and nine. “But we must not callvictory yet, and we must continue to look at the situation uphere,” he said.
He said he will look at the possibility of reducing Coalitionforces in the province.
About 19,000 Iraqi police and 20,000 Iraqi Army Soldiersare in Ninewah and are taking on the job of fighting anddefeating terrorism, Twitty said. He described an exampleof Iraqis shouldering the burden that occurred May 16, whenterrorists launched a car-bomb offensive. “The Iraqi SecurityForces stood their ground and destroyed the majority of the(car bombs) … so they could not reach their final destination,decisively defeating the attack,” he said.
Iraqi Security Forces have “the will, the personnel andmost of the equipment to fight,” but still face challenges,the colonel acknowledged. Logistics, medical support,aviation support and engineer expertise and equipment areshortfalls. “These are the areas that the Iraqi SecurityForces must develop and that the Iraqi government mustprovide for their forces,” Twitty said.
Story and photo by Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Adam Johnson provides security over workers from a flour factory during a raid in Mosul, Iraq.
Improved Ninewah Security May Mean Fewer U.S. Troops
Coalition Bulletin August 2007 5
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan-School field tripsprovide critical exposure to new experiences and knowledge
about the world, and for nearly 30 Afghan school childrenthis was never more true when they recently visited Poland.
Sponsored by the Polish Minister of Defense, Afghanstudents ranging from 10 to 16-years-old were chosen to
Story and photos by Spc. Micah E. Clare4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office
spend two weeks sightseeing in the easternEuropean country of Poland, said Jacek Matuszakof the Polish Public Information Office. The tripnot only opened up the world around them, butalso showed them another way of life other thanthe one they are familiar. They were chosen asthe best, most promising students from easternAfghanistan’s Paktika province by the provincialMinister of Education, Matuszak explained.
The students were flown to Poland July 26where they visited communities and cities alongthe scenic Baltic Sea. “We had the opportunity totake them to either our sea or mountains,” saidMatuszak. “But we figured being fromAfghanistan they had seen enough mountains.”
The children were treated on behalf of the Polishgovernment to a variety of child-friendly activities.“They went to museums, zoos, sport events,dances; they did a lot during their stay,” saidMatuszak.
The kids also interacted with Polish children and playedsoccer and volleyball together, as well as becoming familiarwith billiards and electronic games.
During their visit, they were also given the benefit of state-of-the-art medical facilities, Matuszak said. They were allgiven check-ups and some were given treatments for variousillnesses.
“It was such a fun experience,” said Imran Jabar, a 12-year-old boy from Waza-Khwa Central High School, whohas never before left the country.
“The sights were amazing, especially the big, beautifulcities. [At a military family social event] I enjoyed the dancingthe most, the Polish dance so beautifully, very different fromtraditional Afghan dances.”
Yet of all the experiences shown them, perhaps the mostvaluable was meeting people living in a free country.
“What meant the most to us was how friendly the peoplethere were, they were always smiling,” Jabar said. “Livingin such freedom is something we dream of here [inAfghanistan]. I can’t wait for our country to somedaybecome just like that.”
The children’s teachers, who went with them, were veryhappy to see their student’s horizons widened.
“We wish our children to see, first-hand, the progress ofother countries,” said Abdul Ghani, Jabar’s teacher. “Thistrip has opened up their minds to learning more about theworld like nothing else could. Several of them have alreadyasked about a continued education in Poland.”
The Afghan students who just returned from their field trip to Poland wavewhile at the Polish military compound at Bagram Airfield
An Afghan student shows off his souvenirs while at the Polishmilitary compound at Bagram Airfield
Afghan Children Return from Poland Field Trip
ww
w.c
entc
om.m
il/O
pera
tions
/Coa
litio
n/jo
int.h
tm
6
Story by Cmdr. Cyrille Le BrisFrench Liaison Office
CTF 150 conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO)in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Seaand the Indian Ocean. It comprises warships from numerouscoalition nations, including France, Germany, Pakistan, UnitedKingdom and the United States. The task force, establishedin December 2001 under UnitedNation resolution 1373 in response tothe September 11 attacks, operatesunder the command of the US 5th Fleetbut is not linked to US-led efforts inIraq. The task force is primarily madeup of ships from the US, Britain,France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain,and Canada, with Pakistan and NewZealand being the only two non-NATOmembers participating. Australia,Portugal, Japan, Spain and Turkey havealso participated in the task force.CTF-150 is a major component ofCoalition Maritime Campaign Plan(CMCP), with the aim of maintainingpeace and stability on sea lanes ofcommunication and prevent illegalactivities like human trafficking, drugand weapons smuggling and piracy.
The command of the task force (usually lasting from fourto six months) rotates between different participatingcountries. On 4th April, 2007, leadership of the CTF – 150
passed from the Royal Navy tothe French Navy. Since then,Rear Admiral Alain Hinden hascommanded the task force fromon board the French flagship“Somme”. During the Frenchleadership, French CTF – 150staff was composed of 38officers and petty officers.Nevertheless, not all of the staffmembers were French.Servicemen of US, UK,Belgium and Germany alsoworked hand in hand with theirFrench comrades. The Frenchanti-submarine destroyerDupleix and the French frigateJacoubet (during the period) alsocontributed some operationaltime to the CTF – 150. This isthe fourth time that France hasbeen honoured with theCommand of this task force.During this command, a primary
concern of Rear Adm. Hinden has been the increasedincidents of piracy off Somalia where pirates don’t hesitateto hijack merchant vessels, even at more than 200 nauticalmiles from the coast. On 1st August the command of theCTF – 150 was transferred to Pakistani Navy
Coalition Bulletin August 2007 7
Commodore Kham Hasham Bin Siddique
Story by Cmdr. Syed Zain ZulfiquarPakistan Liaison Office
Pakistan Navy Takes Over Command ofCTF 150
Pakistani Commodore Khan Hasham Bin Siddique and French Rear Admiral Alain during theCombined Task Force 150 change of command ceremony
Pakistan Navy assumed command of Coalition MaritimeTask Force 150 on 1st August 2007. French Navy RearAdm. Hinden handed over command to Commodore KhanHasham Bin Saddique at a ceremony held at US NAVCENTHQ, Bahrain. This is the second time that the command ofCTF-150 has been entrusted to Pakistan Navy. Present atthe ceremony were Vice Adm. Noman Bashir, CommanderPakistan Fleet, Pakistani Ambassador Iftikhar HussainKazmi, US Ambassador William Monroe, FrenchAmbassador Malika Berak and a host of other distinguishedguests.
Speaking on the occasion, US Combined Maritime ForcesCommander Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff pointed out that theresponsibility of controlling the CTF 150’s area aredemanding and critical as it covers over two million squaremiles of ocean, 6,500 miles of coastline and 14 nations. Hesaid that, as a coalition, we are committed to maintainingsecurity and stability in the region, because it supports globalstability, economic vitality and regional prosperity. Laudingthe Pakistan’s contribution, he said that Pakistan was onceagain being given command of CTF-150 “in recognition ofits professional competence and commitment to the justcause”.
The new Task Force Commander said that Pakistan hasmade a conscious choice to side with the free world in thisongoing struggle and Pakistan Navy’s joining the coalitionmaritime campaign over three years ago is a clear
manifestation of this policy. He said that despite the resourceconstraints, Pakistan has contributed ships with embarkedhelos and surveillance aircraft sorties on regular basis since2004 to further the cause of Coalition Maritime Campaignplan. Highlighting the geo-strategic importance of Pakistan,
he said that the role ofPakistan as major littoralstate in the North ArabianSea is central to successfulexecution of any MSO in theregion. He stated thatthroughout the past six yearsfollowing the traumaticincidents of September 11Pakistan has remainedsteadfast and forthright evenin the face of heavy odds.To commemorate theoccasion, reception cumdinner was hosted on boardthe PNS TIPPU SULTANberthed at Mina Salman.The event was attended byhigh ranking military andcivilian officials and over200 guests includingbusinessmen, Pakistanicommunity and the media.
8
Story and photos by Army 1st Lt. Kenya Virginia SaenzTask Force Pacemaker Public Affairs Office
Polish Pvt. Piotr Oparski, Polish Engineer Platoon, works onthe final touches of a culvert in Forward Operating BaseSharana, Afghanistan, as a scoop loader hauls the rest of thedirt
Afghans and multi-national forces are currently workinghand-in-hand on a variety of expansion construction projectshere.
Soldiers from the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion(Heavy); 1st Construction Company, 100th Republic ofKorea Engineering Group; and Polish 1st Engineer Brigade,are working together to construct metal buildingsystems (K-Spans), roads, ditches, culverts andsewage lagoons here.
TF Pacemaker Headquarters SupportCompany Soldiers, led by Army Capt. EricParthemore, from West Liberty, Ohio, are notonly engaged in supporting the battalion, butalso manage the missions of the multi-nationalforces.
The Polish engineers provide both additionalcapacity and leadership to multiple horizontalconstruction projects. Polish soldiers, led byPolish Army 1st Lt. Radoslaw Tele¿yñski, areworking to improve the roads here by ensuringthat proper drainage and sewage structuresare constructed before the rainy seasonbegins. The Polish army has been deployedin places such as Lebanon, Syria, and Africato support many humanitarian missions sincethe war on terror began in 2001.
“I didn’t know what to expect or whatmissions we would have, but working withAmerican Soldiers has been a great
experience. They have been very helpful,” said Tele¿yñski. I have been able to learn different training techniques fromthe American Soldiers and compare them to our techniques.I changed our technique to what works best to accomplishthe mission successfully.”
Polish Pfc. Rafaz Soboñ added, “This is my firstdeployment and it has been a new and interesting experience. We learned about different cultures in class, but it is betterto learn from first-hand experience.”
The 1st Construction Company from the Republic of Koreafocuses on K-Span construction. According to Parthemore,the Korean engineers are especially meticulous and bring avertical construction capability to the HSC that it does nothave. The company is commanded by Korean Capt. BoGeol Choi from Seoul, Korea. Once completed, the K-Spanswill enhance maintenance operations and provide morespace for supply support activity here. Even though K-Spansare not common in Korea, the soldiers were previouslytrained by civil engineers in their country, said Choi.
“We are very proud to be part of this mission. Our maingoal is to bring the proper engineering assets for futureCoalition forces,” says Choi. “There have been a fewchallenges over the language gap as well as different workingsystems, but over all, the construction progress and therelationship with American Forces are going well.”
Korean soldiers, Sgt. Chi-Keun Lee and Cpl. Min-Gi Kimagreed, “It is fun learning about different cultures, even thoughsometimes we have to use hand signals to communicatewith each other.”
Korean Sgt. Chi-Keun Lee interprets for Korean Capt. Bo Geol Choi, as hemeets with Army Capt. Eric Parthemore, Task Force Pacemaker, to discussthe engineering work of the K-Spans.
International Military Engineers Work Together in Afghanistan
Coalition Bulletin August 2007 9
The Development and Influence Team, known as the DIT,is operating directly behind International Security AssistanceForce (ISAF) troops, who have been conducting an operationto drive out the Taliban from an area in the Upper GereshkValley.
Local people are warned when an ISAF operation is aboutto take place and most move away from the areatemporarily. Once the fighting is over, the DIT follows inbehind and meets the local population as they return to theirhomes, once it is safe to do so.
The twelve man team of ISAF soldiers is commanded byLt. Richard Keast, from Penryn in Cornwall:
“The main aim of what we do is to get the reconstructionand development effort started as soon as possible afterthe fighting has ceased in an area,” he explained.
Staff Sgt. Tony Everson, from Plymouth, is the team’ssecond-in-command.
“We fit into the operation right behind the fighting troops,we come in, speak to the local population, see what theyimmediately need and what we can do for them. We canprovide the locals with basic fresh water, electricity andhelp them with basic road improvements.”
Meeting and interacting with the local population as theyreturn to their homes is a critical part of the operation. Theoperation’s success relies heavily on the ability of the DITto reach its goals:
“You might think that the hardest part of an operation isthe fighting, and certainly from the soldiers’ perspective thatis the most difficult bit,” explained Lt. Col. Angus Watson,
commanding officer of Battle Group South.“But the longer term aspect of an operation, creating that
environment which the local Afghans will want to live inand improving their quality of life, that is the most difficultthing, that is the thing that really takes the time.”
The ten British soldiers in the team are allmembers of the 26 Regiment RoyalEngineers. They are responsible forproviding security, often referred to as forceprotection, when the team is out on patrol.They also have the skills, equipment andspares to repair water pumps and electricalgenerators, providing villages with basicutilities.
The engineering element of the team alsoidentifies simple projects that will improvethe local infrastructure; repairing roads,basic bridge improvements and theclearance of irrigation ditches. Theseprojects are funded by ISAF and the Afghangovernment, but it is the local population whoare employed to carry them out.
The development of an area must be aninclusive activity involving government,soldiers and villagers working together toimprove the local infrastructure.The Development and Influence Team talk to a local Afghan farmer
A village elder shows the Development and Influence Team thedamage years of fighting has inflicted on his village’s buildings
Story and photoscourtesy of UK MoD
Royal Engineers Take on the Difficult Task
10
BAGHDAD — Since the beginning of the war Americanshave provided basic medical care to Iraqis, but more andmore Iraqi medics are treating their own countrymen.
Members of Task Force Vigilant, 2nd Brigade CombatTeam, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum,N.Y., coordinated with Iraqi medics and doctors to conducta combined medical engagement outside Victory BaseComplex, Friday.
“We coordinated for medics from the Iraqi Army and Iraqidoctors to participate in the operation,” said U.S. Army 1st
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Angela McKinzie2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
Lt. Randall Cornelison, Task Force Vigilant force protectionofficer, from Moore, Okla. “Having the Iraqis treat theirown shows the citizens the capabilities of the (Iraqi Army)and doctors.”
Although Task Force Vigilant hosted the medicalengagement, the Iraqis were solely responsible for providingbasic health care to their own.
“Today is a good day to show the Iraqi people we can helpthem,” said Dr. Zetad Tarque, an Iraqi practitioner of internalmedicine. “It is my job to help them and I am glad that I amable to.”
The medical engagement was fully staffed with Iraqimedics, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and doctors.
For the families of the Iraqi Family Village the engagementprovided basic medical care that had been unavailable.
“Most of the Iraqis who live in Iraqi Family Village haveno tribal ties to anyone, so their medical care is limited,”Cornelison said. “And since most of them do not have moneythey can’t afford medical care.”
Cornelison also mentioned the majority of the people inIraqi Family Village live in abandoned buildings, schools andoffices to make ends meet.
Because many Iraqis cannot afford even basic medical
care, dental care for them was never attainable until themedical engagement. The engagement was also fully staffedwith U.S. and Iraqi dentists.
“A lot of the Iraqis do not have the money to practicegood oral hygiene,” said Dr. Suhaib, an Iraqi dentist. “Wecan provide them with basic dental care today and schedulefollow-up appointments with the patients who need it.”
Like Suhaib, the other Iraqi doctors at the medicalengagement agreed to provide follow-up care to the patientswho needed it. They also provided free referrals to theirclinics.
Staff Sgt. Jafar Jabak, right, a medic with 2nd Battalion, 6th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, looks at a boy’s pupils during acombined medical engagement outside of Victory Base Complex. The boy complained of being dizzy.
Iraqi Doctors Treat Fellow Iraqis During Medical Engagement
ww
w.c
entc
om.m
il/O
pera
tions
/Coa
litio
n/jo
int.h
tm
Coalition Bulletin August 2007 11
With more than 150reconnaissance operations and 450flying hours, the five GermanTornados are an importantinstrument for the reconnaissancetasks to be carried out for theNATO-led International SecurityAssistance Force (ISAF). The highquality imagery is in great demandwith NATO.
Acting within the framework of amission based on the GermanBundestag mandate of March 9,2007, the Tornado crews of TacticalReconnaissance Wing 51‘Immelmann’ produce imagery forthe surveillance of Afghanistan.Their highly sophisticated camera
100 Days of Mission Flight Operations
systems provideHeadquaters ISAF inKabul with importantinformation on theinfrastructure, supply linesand patrol routes in thecountry.
After 100 days of missionflight operations, theCommander of OperationalWing MeS, Col. ThorstenPoschwatta, takes stock,“The success we haveachieved so far is due to thehigh level of motivation andprofessionalism among theservicemen and women ofthe operational wing.”
Stories and photos courtesy of DEU MOD
Col. Poschwatta, commander operational wing
As part of his field visit to the Regional Command North(RC North), the Commander ISAF (COM ISAF), Gen. DanMcNeill, visited the Operational Wing Mazar-e-Sharif. Aftera briefing by the Wing Commander Col. ThorstenPoschwatta about the structure and responsibilities of theunit, McNeill showed a particular interest in the air photointerpretation station, where the photographs taken by theRecce Tornados are interpreted. Gen. McNeill thanked theWing for its excellent execution of operations. “I can assureyou that the work you do for the ISAF forces is highlyappreciated by NATO in Kabul,” Gen. McNeill stated.
Since 15 April, the Recce Tornados have flown theirreconnaissance missions from Mazar-e-Sharif to enhancethe security of the ISAF forces. The reconnaissanceTornados based in northern Afghanistan are directlysubordinate to NATO.
Commander ISAF Visits the German Operational Wing Mazar-e-Sharif
General Dan McNeill at the air photo interpretation station ofthe Operational Wing Mazar-e-Sharif
A Large-Scale Logistic ProjectThe most important task at the beginning
of the mission was to transfer the assetsnecessary to provide all airfield functionsand support the related technical-logisticconditions to Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan.Consequently, about 200 military personneland 690 tons of materiel were transportedto the theater of operations within less thanfour weeks. The experiences gained fromthe Bosnia and Kosovo missions helped toensure that this large-scale logistics projectran smoothly.A technician is checking a Tornado Tornado in the sky
12
A Primary School from TurinStory and photoscourtesy of Italian MoD
August 20th, an inauguralceremony marked the project“Turin-Kabul” a primary schoolin the Afghanistan capital.
The humanitarian projectestimated at $447,393 wassupported by donations fromdifferent public firms of theCommune in Turin, theFoundation C.R.T., theFoundation “Company of St.Paul” and the Rotary Club.
The principal structures of theproject consist of playgroundequipment and a playing area forchildren in Khushhal Park, therestructuring of educationalclassrooms near the Universityof Kabul, in the amplification ofan existing school in Qalacha, and finally in the constructionof thirteen artesian wells in different districts of Kabul.
The thirteen artesian wells, which satisfy the demand ofaround 700 people, began operation in November. The
wells and park werecelebrated November of lastyear. The remaking of the twoclassrooms is still in progress,near the University of Kabul.
Attending the inauguralceremonies of the school wasthe Ambassador of Italy at theIslamic Republic ofAfghanistan S.E. Ettore Sequi;the Military Attaché at theembassy Gen. B. of Apuzzo;the Senior Italian Officer Gen.D. Battisti; the Commander ofITALFOR XVI Col. de Fonzo;the Head of the Municipality,and the Didactic Manager ofthe school.
Words of gratitude wereexpressed toward ITALFORand Italy by the DidacticManager. Ambassador Sequiand the Col. de Fonzo notedthe project “Turin-Kabul”,improves the conditions of theAfghan people subsequentlyconsolidating the relationship offriendship betweenAfghanistan and Italy.Afghan pupils of the new primary school
Inaugural ceremony of a primary school in the Afghanistan capital
Pakistani Independence Day CelebrationPakistani Independence Day CelebrationPakistani Independence Day CelebrationPakistani Independence Day CelebrationPakistani Independence Day Celebration
