Bagram Airfield celebrates Black History Month. - Page 10

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1 March 5, Bagram Airfield celebrates Black History Month - Page 10

2 Page 2 Freedom Watch March 5, 2007 Army Army aviator awarded Medal of Honor WASHINGTON - President Bush presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to retired Lt. Col. Bruce P. Crandall Feb. 26, for his actions at the Battle of Landing Zone X-Ray in Vietnam's Ia Drang Valley. T h e November 1965 battle was the first major battle of the Vietnam War. At the ceremony, Crandall was recognized Photo by Paul Morse President Bush presents the Medal of Honor to retired Army Lt. Col. Bruce P. Crandall Feb. 26. for repeatedly flying into a landing zone under intense enemy fire to rescue and re-supply a battalion of 1st Cavalry Regiment ground troops, even after the LZ had been closed. Military adopting more diverse fitness programs WASHINGTON - If a little bit of running is good for keeping warfighters in top form, then a lot of running is better, right? "Wrong!" say officials at the Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force have come to recognize that as beneficial as running can be to overall fitness, health and military readiness, too much of a good thing causes injuries that leave troops less fit, less healthy and less ready. As a result, the services are tailoring their physical training regimes to reduce the emphasis on "pounding the pavement." Instead, they're replacing regular long-distance runs with other forms of exercise. The Army, for example, is reducing the miles troops run, breaking Soldiers into "ability groups" for distance runs, adding speed drills to its PT regime and substituting grass drills and other forms of exercise for running. Air Force DoD implements AVIP WASHINGTON - The Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program mandates Airmen assigned to high-threat areas receive the Anthrax vaccine, while also providing Airmen the choice to continue anthrax vaccines if they are not assigned to a designated high-threat area. The mandatory anthrax vaccinations are limited to Airmen who have orders to or are currently in specific high-threat areas - primarily the CENTCOM AOR or Korean Peninsula. Tax credits, deductions save Airmen money LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. - It's tax season again and new tax codes have changed some credits and refunds. Knowing what credits and deductions to claim allows Airmen to keep more of their own money. The Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunities Act allows military members to count tax-free combat pay when determining whether they qualify to contribute to either a Roth or traditional individual retirement account. Under previous law, members whose earnings came entirely from tax-free combat pay were barred from contributing to IRAs. Marine Corps Separating Marines eligible for new civilian development program MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. - The Marine Civilian Development Program is a new program intended to help transitioning Marines - officer and enlisted, active duty and reserve - develop effective private sector skill sets using the foundation built during their service in the Marine Corps. The program is offered by a not-for-profit corporation, funded by private donations and sponsored by Randy Lerner, owner of the Cleveland Browns. Interested Marines can find more information about the program and may apply online at the MCDP website, Interested Marines should sign up for the program as soon as they have made the decision to leave the Marine Corps to allow enough time to process the application - ideally 3-6 months prior to End of Active Service/End of Obligated Service. Policy guidance on how to apply for the program and approval procedures is published via Marine Administration 054/07. Navy NSIPS now available fleetwide ARLINGTON, Va. - The Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System, a Web-enabled pay and personnel management tool, is officially available fleetwide. The final shipboard installation, on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) on Feb. 7, marked the achievement of full operational capability. NSIPS provides field-level standardized and integrated pay and personnel records management capability for all 374,687 Navy active and Reserve members.

3 March 5, 2007 COVER The Enduring Faith Chapel Gospel Choir sings "Walk With Me" during the Black History Observance at Bagram Airfield's Morale Welfare and Recreation clamshell Feb. 23. (Photo by Army Pfc. Aubree Rundle) Freedom Watch Page 3 Photo by Army Pfc. Matthew Leary Lt. Col. Richard T. Phillips, Task Force Med. Combat Support Hospital commander, talks with Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Roudebush, surgeon general. A man walks along the road the B a g r a m Provincial Reconstruction Team and Korean engineers want to rebuild in Bagram. 5 Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Matt Lichtenberg Contents PAGE 2 Defense Digest PAGE 4 Suicide bomber attacks Bagram Airfield PAGE 5 Bagram PRT, Korean engineers meet with local business leaders to discuss new road into village PAGE 6-7 RC-East commander awards Purple Hearts to Soldiers PAGE 8-9 One-of-a-kind shop fixes life-saving robots PAGE 10 From slavery to freedom, what can you do? PAGE 11 PSD training prepares Soldiers to defend VIPs PAGE 12 Mother, daughter perform personal transfer of authority PAGE 13 Afghan military officers visit Bagram Airfield PAGE 14 Spartan move sparks base building boom PAGE 15 RSAC holds change of command at FOB Apache Freedom Watch is a weekly publication of Combined Joint Task Force-76. CJTF-76 Commander Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez RC East Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. David A. Accetta Freedom Watch, a Department of Defense publication, is published each Monday by the American Forces Network - Afghanistan Print Section at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Printed circulation is 5,000 copies per week. In accordance with DoD Instruction , this DoD newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military overseas. Contents of the Freedom Watch are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government or the Department of Defense. Deadline for submissions is 0730 Zulu each Friday. All submissions are subject to editing by the AFN-A Print Section, located in Bldg. 415, Room 205, Bagram Airfield. We can be reached at DSN Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Matt Lichtenberg Explosive Ordnance Disposal uses robots like this to help inspect improvised explosive devices. When the robots are damaged, the Joint Robotics Repair team gets them back in the fight. Photo by Army. Sgt. Amber Robinson Army Sgt. 1st Class Steve Bantin cuts a board during construction efforts at Jalalabad Airfield. Freedom Watch Staff Commander - Air Force Maj. John Bryan Superintendent - Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Richard Simonsen NCOIC - Air Force Staff Sgt. Matt Lichtenberg Editor/Print Chief - Air Force Senior Airman Brian Stives Staff Writer - Air Force Senior Airman Andrea Wright Visit the CJTF-76 website at

4 Page 4 Freedom Watch NEWS March 5, 2007 Suicide bomber attacks Bagram Airfield Photos by Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher Doctors and nurses at Task Force Med administer life-saving measures on a boy caught in the blast of a suicide bomber's attack Feb. 27. Three were killed and 27 were wounded outside a Bagram entry control point. Blast leaves 3 dead, more than 20 injured By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON - Saying that changing his itinerary was "never an option," Vice President Dick Cheney stuck to his planned schedule after a suicide bomber's attack Feb. 27 on an entry control point at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, where the vice president was visiting. A U.S. servicemember, a Korean interpreter and a U.S. government contractor whose nationality was not immediately known died in the attack, officials with Combined Joint Task Force-76 said. Military officials had no information to report on Afghan civilian deaths; civilian media reports quote Afghan officials as saying 23 people were killed. U.S. officials reported 27 people were wounded, but did not provide information on their condition. The suicide bomber blew himself up outside the base's outermost gate. Cheney told reporters travelling with him he heard "a loud boom" at about 10 a.m., and U.S. Secret Service officers informed him of the attack. "They moved me for a relatively brief period of time to one of the bomb shelters nearby, near the quarters I was staying in," he said. "And as the situation settled down and they got a better sense in terms of what was going on, then I went back to my room." Cheney and his travelling party were preparing to leave the base during the incident and continued with their schedule. The vice president said he had not heard that the Taliban had claimed responsibility for the attack, but wasn't willing to relent to what the terrorists were trying to accomplish. "I think they clearly try to find ways to question the authority of the central government," he said. "Striking at Bagram with a suicide bomber, I suppose, is one way to do that. But it shouldn't affect our behavior at all." Army Lt. Col. James E. Bonner, Bagram Airbase base operations commander, called the attackers "a cowardly enemy" who have "taken the lives of three people who were working to create a better Afghanistan." He expressed condolences for those killed in the attack. "We mourn their loss and will not allow their deaths to deter us in our commitment to the government of Afghanistan and its people." Bagram Airbase maintains highlevel security around the clock, he said. "Our security measures were in place and the killer never had access to the base," Bonner said. "When he realized he would not be able to get onto the base, he attacked the local population."

5 March 5, 2007 NEWS Freedom Watch Page 5 Bagram PRT, Korean engineers meet with local business leaders to discuss new road into village Story and photos By Air Force Staff Sgt. Matt Lichtenberg American Forces Network - Afghanistan Members of the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team and Korean engineers met with several Bagram village business leaders Saturday about some of the upcoming construction projects which will ultimately help their businesses and Afghanistan prosper. One hundred and six shop owners and business leaders attended the two hour meeting to hear about the improvements that will be made. Usually, the PRT handles all construction outside of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, but this time, it will be Kabir Ahmand, Bagram district leader, explains to the business leaders and elders what the construction effort will do for their businesses. He described how the new road will allow customers easier access to their store fronts which will increase their profits. A Bagram village business leader asks a question about the Korean engineers' construction project Saturday. More than 100 shop owners came to the meeting and learned the new road will be 900-meters long and seven-meters wide. the Korean engineers leading the way. "This project is very much about the future of the facility and the villagers," said Korean Capt. Tae Young Han, project manager. "In two or three years, we want the Soldiers to be able to go off base to the bazaar and participate in the local community. "This 900-meter long, seven-meter wide road is the first phase of construction," Han said. "Eventually, we want to add more beautification items like street lights, trees and sidewalks." During the meeting, local business leaders voiced their concerns about the impact this will have on their business. Army Maj. Donald Johnson, Bagram PRT Civil-Military Affairs director, told them it will benefit them in the long run. "The Bagram Airfield entrance is blocking their ability to do commerce," Johnson said. "This new road will allow their customers access to their store fronts with a lot less congestion. And that, in turn, will allow the village to prosper and grow." Han and his team have plans to put in a drainage system, running water, bathroom facilities and parking lot. The ultimate goal is to have the area outside of entry control point one to look like a strip mall similar to what you would see in any major city, Han said. Another bonus of this construction effort is the creation of new jobs. Johnson stressed that all the work done on the road will be offered to those who live in Bagram village. The business leaders were asked to meet together after the meeting to come up with any questions they may have about the new construction. Another meeting is scheduled for mid- March to answer those questions. R

6 Page 6 Freedom Watch NEWS March 5, 2007 RC-East commander awards Purple Hearts to Soldiers Story and photo By Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher Regional Command-East Public Affairs Office BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - "He's going to blow it," Army Staff Sgt. Jason Fetty thought to himself as he watched the man lying a mere five feet from him start to open his coat. Turning, he started running to get clear, making it only 15 meters before the suicide bomber's vest went off. Two days later, Army Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, Regional Command-East commander, awarded the Purple Heart to Fetty, 364th Civil Affairs and Khost PRT member, and 2nd Lt. Josh Phillips, 2nd Batallion, 231st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, who were wounded Feb. 20 when a suicide bomber detonated himself during a ribbon cutting ceremony for a newly-constructed emergency room. A third Soldier, Capt. Jordan Enger, was scheduled to receive a Purple Heart at the same time, but was sedated following surgery. "You and Staff Sgt. Fetty made a big difference in a lot of people's lives," Rodriguez told Phillips as he pinned on the lieutenant's Purple Heart. The Soldiers were in Khost for an outdoor ceremony opening a new emergency room at the Khost City Hospital. As the ceremony ended, a crowd of doctors, nurses and patients ran out the hospital door. "I noticed these doctors come flying out of the hospital," Phillips said. "We were trying to figure out who they were running from." Standing several meters away from the entrance, Phillips watched as Fetty confronted a man in a white lab coat, yelling at him to get on the ground. "All the doctors ran out," Fetty said. "This guy was dressed like a doctor, and he didn't keep running with the others. I identified him as a suspected bad guy." Army Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, Regional Command-East commander, presents Army 2nd Lt. Josh Phillips, 2nd Battalion, 231st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, the Purple Heart at the Task Force Med hospital Feb. 22. Phillips was wounded during a suicide bomb attack in Khost Feb. 20. Fetty was located only a few feet from the door the doctors were fleeing from when it all began. Before he could get to a safe distance, he found himself face-to-face with the bomber, now only two feet away. "He started coming at me with his hands visible and kept grabbing at my rifle," Fetty said. Fetty was in trouble. The attacker was approaching, ignoring his shouts and threats, and with so many civilians in the area, he didn't want to risk a shot while his assailant kept grabbing for the rifle. At the same time, giving the attacker a chance to take his weapon or worse was unacceptable. "I still had civilians in the area," he said. "I couldn't risk taking him down there. There was a lot of pushing and shoving. It was obvious he was either on something or totally insane. He was acting very erratic." Fetty started backing up, and the bomber followed. "The guy was reaching for the muzzle of the M-16," Phillips said. "The staff sergeant was backing away. The guy just kept coming." If he fired, he would likely miss and hit another civilian. If he kept backing up, the attacker could rush him and take his weapon. Either choice was unacceptable. Knowing he needed a better shot, Fetty changed his direction. "He turned him so the guy's back was to the ceremony," said Phillips, who was now behind cover 20 meters away - waiting for a good shot. "I think the staff sergeant had enough whereabouts to keep the bomber away from his target. He allowed everyone else to get away." At this point no one knew the attacker had a bomb vest on, but Fetty had his suspicions. "He had all the indicators, but since his hands weren't in his pockets, that was a big non-indicator," he said. Fetty continued backing up, and the bomber followed until the two formed a "U" shape taking them away from See HEART, Pg.7

7 March 5, 2007 NEWS Freedom Watch Page 7 HEART, from Pg 6 the crowd. "I worked him into an angle against a wall where it was safe," Fetty said. Given a clear shot, Fetty fired. The warning shot struck the ground near the man's feet. The bomber was neither impressed nor amused and took another step forward. Fetty's rifle barked twice more; hitting the man in the legs and causing him fall to his knees. "It didn't even faze the guy," Phillips said, still waiting for Fetty to get clear enough to fire. "The man started getting back on his feet." Fetty was five feet from the man now, and Phillips fired twice. From the other side, another Soldier opened up, catching the bomber in crossfire. "He went partially down," Fetty said. "Some other people fired rounds into him." Despite this, the bomber still didn't go completely down. "He was moving toward the dignitaries," Fetty said. "I couldn't stay Army Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, Regional Command-East commander, presents Army Staff Sgt. Jason Fetty with the Purple Heart at the Task Force Med hospital Feb. 22. between him and the dignitaries and still have the shot." Fetty raised his weapon again, fired and struck him in the abdomen. The attacker went down hard. "He went down and stayed down," Fetty said. "It was clear he wasn't going to get back up." And then Fetty saw the last indicator and knew he was in trouble. "He reached under his coat for his vest," he said. "I tried to get clear." As Fetty turned to run, Phillips went for better cover. "I got up and moved back behind a pile of bricks," he said. "He started to reach up for his chest, and he detonated." The bomb went off as Phillips reached cover, but shrapnel from the blast hit his left hand. Closer to the blast, Fetty sustained shrapnel wounds to the face, back, thighs, ankle and elbow - but there were no fatalities. The entire engagement lasted less than a minute, Phillips said. Looking back, Fetty said he wished he had taken the kill shot from the start, but knew in reality he would have done just as he did. "I like to think I would have shot him right there because my friends got hurt," he said. "But he still didn't have the indicators." Dari/Pashtu phrase of the week What time is it? Dari Sa-at chand ast? (Saw-awt chaund awst) Pashtu So bajay da? (Soe bah-jay dah) Courtesy photo Afghan music, once banned by the Taliban but are readily available in Afghan communities in the United States, is very popular. Both genders dance the atan, a national dance in which dancers with arms raised twist from side to side at the waist as they step in a slow, rhythmic pattern around in a circle.

8 Page 8 Freedom Watch FEATURE March 5, 2007 Page 9 One-of-a-kind shop fixes life-saving robots Army Staff Sgt. Manuel Diaz, Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot technician, works on the arm of a Talon robot. This robot is used for surveillance and has the capability to neutralize improvised explosive devices threats. These robots are used daily in Afghanistan. The PacBot (right) is used daily in Afghanistan on reconnaissance missions throughout the country. The "flipper" on the side allows this robot to go up and down stairs with ease. Its arm can reach a height of over five feet tall and look in vehicles for suspected IEDs. These robots save human lives on a daily basis. Photos and story By Air Force Staff Sgt. Matt Lichtenberg American Forces Network - Afghanistan W hen improvised explosive devices are found in Afghanistan, Explosive Ordnance Disposal is called to neutralize the threat. But it's not a human that goes out to destroy it. Robots, equipped with cameras and grippers, are dispatched to check out and dispose of the IED to prevent any loss of human life. "Robots save lives, plain and simple," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Bolen, an EOD technician who stressed how important these machines are in the field. "These robots don't require training like humans, so they're easy to replace." If a robot does get damaged, the EOD techs pack up the robot and head to the Joint Robotics Repair Detachment here. This shop houses four Soldiers and a civilian contractor, who fix all the robots deployed in Afghanistan. There are several different robots in Afghanistan. The most commonly used are the PacBot, which is mainly used for surveillance and even has the ability to climb stairs; and the Talon, which can survey the area and dispose of IEDs. Each of these pieces of equipment uses a 360-degree multidirectional camera to give the operator full view of the bomb and surrounding area. Army Staff Sgt. Manuel Diaz is one Robots save lives, plain and simple. These robots don t require training like humans, so they re easy to replace. - Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Bolen EOD technician This monitor allows Army Staff Sgt. Manuel Diaz, Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot technician, to see the 360-degree environment around the PacBot through its two mounted cameras. There's even a display of a 3-D plane to give him full view of the surroundings of the machine. of the robot technicians deployed here to fix these $150,000 machines. Normally, this Miami native works as a light wheel mechanic, but volunteered to come to Afghanistan for this job. "I like the challenge," said the nineyear veteran. "Every robot is different and when I figure out what's wrong with it, it gives me a lot of satisfaction to know that I did my job." Even though these machines are designed to withstand blasts and are well-sealed for protection from water and sand, they need to be repaired. These robot techs can usually fix a robot within four hours, depending on the amount of damage, and only one and a half hours to break it down. "When we get the robot in, we try to get it back out as soon as possible because the longer it's in here, the less lives it can save," said Diaz. Once repaired, these life-saving, cost-effective machines are returned to the field to perform their duty - preventing servicemembers from making the ultimate sacrifice. The PacBot is used for reconnaissance and has the unique ability to even climb stairs. The arm of this machine can raise high enough to look inside vehicles with the use of its camera seen here. If it's too dark to see, it's also equipped with LED lights for maximum visibility.

9 Page 10 Freedom Watch NEWS March 5, 2007 The Enduring Faith Chapel Gospel Choir sings "Walk With Me" during the Black History Observance at Bagram Airfield's Morale Welfare and Recreation clamshell Feb. 23. From slavery to freedom, what can you do? Story and photo By Army Pfc. Aubree Rundle Task Force Pegasus Public Affairs Office BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afgnaistan - Members of Combined Joint Task Force-76 gathered for the Black History Observance Feb. 23 at the MWR clamshell in celebration of Black History month. The guest speaker at this event was the deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Army Brig. Gen. Rodney O. Anderson. Prior to Anderson's speech, the Enduring Faith Chapel Gospel Choir performed two songs, "Grateful" and "Walk With Me." These songs were chosen by the EFCGC to present a message of what black people have been through, where they stand today and what it took for them to get this far, said Warrant Officer Kenneth C. Body, a member of the EFCGC. "'From slavery to freedom' are mere words until you stop to reflect the blood, sweat, tears and prayers associated with the black people of America," Anderson said. "I believe the military serves as a role model in our community and around the world in recognizing the great contributions made by African Americans," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Ebony Gaskin, the mistress of ceremony. "With our continuous mission, commanders at all levels strive to have strong pro-active, equal opportunity programs." Black History has been studied and honored each February since Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a noted black historian and author, began the tradition in Woodson's intentions were to bring to the nation's attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history. "It is important to protect, preserve and promote our nation's fruitful journey to freedom," said Anderson. The month of February was chosen for this celebration based on the birthdays of Frederick Douglass, an ex-slave and slavery abolitionist, and Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth U.S. president and signer of the Emancipation Proclamation. These two men were a great influence on the black American population. "From slavery to freedom, what can I do?" Anderson asked the audience at the observance. "What can you do on the continued journey to freedom?" Anderson shared a timeline beginning with the establishment of slavery in America, acknowledging the many slaves who died on the way from Africa and during their enslavement, the battles for freedom throughout the American Civil War and the non-violent movements of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. At the conclusion of his speech, Anderson challenged the audience. "Be proud of your heritage, learn your history, defend your country, treat all people with dignity and respect and keep your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual lives in balance as this nation depends on you," he said.

10 March 5, 2007 Freedom Watch Page 11 NEWS PSD training prepares Soldiers to defend VIPs By Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher Combined Joint Task Force-76 Public Affairs Office BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Soldiers already know how to stand and fight, but sometimes a Soldier's goal has to be to get his charge out of the area right now. Instructors from the U.S. Army Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., held a protective services course here for 30 Soldiers assigned to Personal Security Detachments throughout Afghanistan. Army Staff Sgt. Max Foster, Protective Services Course NCOIC, said the course is not for everyone. "It's for anybody that's designated to security positions," he said. "They have to be assigned to a unit that does this kind of mission." That mission, Foster said, is protecting High Risk Personnel such as generals, dignitaries and government officials. Spc. Manuel, a reservist with the 160th Infantry Regiment who asked that his last name not be used in order to protect his charges, has been in a PSD for a month and a half. He said it requires a different way of thinking. "You have someone very important to take care of," he said. "You can't play games with that. This has opened my eyes to the in-depth security HRPs have." Most PSDs are recruited from military police units, but the job requires much different tactics. "Most people think of MP - Army Staff Sgt. Max Foster work as investigations," Foster Protective Services Course NCOIC said. "This is a totally different ballgame. Your job is to keep the boss safe. You don't necessarily stand and fight. We do what we have to do keep the boss safe." Manuel said his job in a PSD is both important and rewarding. "Knowing you're protecting someone very important, that you're part of a very big mission is great," he said. Your job is to keep the boss safe. You don t necessarily stand and fight. We do what we have to do keep the boss safe. PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD Courtesy photo If you have high-quality photos of servicemembers supporting the Coalition mission or enjoying well-deserved offduty time, please them to freedomwatch@baf.afgn.army.mil. Please include full identification and caption information, including who is in the photo and what action is taking place. Army Capt. Myrone Gaffney returns to a village in the Pech Valley, Kunar Province, to find a 12-year-old boy he helped heal playing with other children. Upon seeing Gaffney, the boy greeted him with a hug. While on an extended field mission in the area before, Gaffney saw the boy run to his outpost with two of his fingers severed. Gaffney didn't have a medic with him and took out his aid bag to address the wounds. To prevent infection, Gaffney instructed the boy to return to the outpost daily.

11 Page 12 Freedom Watch March 5, 2007 FEATURE Mother, daughter perform personal transfer of authority Story and photo By Army Sgt. Timothy Dinneen Combined Joint Task Force 76 Public Affairs Office BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Seven years ago, a mother and daughter wanted to do something together, something they both enjoyed, something exotic, maybe middle-eastern. Their first inclination was to learn belly dancing, however, the Army had a plan of its own. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Michele Diane, 478th Personnel Services, Combined Joint Task Force-76, and Army 1st Lt. Andrea Darling, 497th Movement Control Team, CJTF- 76, found themselves accomplishing those three goals as they were briefly deployed together here for a week. "It's great to have her here because she is my best friend even though she's a sergeant," said daughter Darling. "We've spent the week giving mom the grand tour of base making sure she knows where all the hot spots to shop are." According to Diane, the unique mother/daughter combat deployment was a surprise to both of them. "She came home for rest and relaxation and I had no idea until shortly after she returned to Afghanistan that I would be seeing her soon," said Diane, a native of Mizzoula, Mont. "I was so excited I told her 'guess who's For most mothers and daughters, a trip to the mall is a customary place to get away. However, for Army Staff Sgt. Michele Diane (right) and Army 1st Lt. Andrea Darling (left) shopping at the bazaar on Bagram Airfield together was just as fun. coming to Afghanistan'?" The mother/daughter duo said they inspire each other to do good things and Darling said her mother provided her the motivation to become an Army officer and can joke about who wears the pants in the relationship. "I grew up with my mom in the Army always having to call her 'ma'am,'" Diane said. "When my mom pinned me and I became an officer, she saluted me for the first time and said 'this is the last time I salute you.'" They said their family has a deep military background and enjoy service in the Army because it's challenging and is more of a military environment than other branches. They explained that they inspire each other to excel in what they do and are there for each other, literally this time, when they have tough assignments. "It was really comforting to see mom here," Diane said. They are the only two females in their family serving in the military and most likely are one of the few, if not the only mother and daughter to be deployed together in a combat zone. "I wish she was going to stay," said Diane, who's daughter was flying back to Camp Darby, Italy, Feb. 22. "It's nice to serve together here even if it's a short time." It's something very special," said Darling. Surgeon general visits hospital By Pfc. Matthew Leary Task Force Fury Public Affairs FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan - Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Roudebush, Air Force surgeon general, toured the Combat Support Hospital here Feb. 22. Roudebush spent his time walking through the CSH, talking to the Soldiers, Airmen and civilians who work there. "He came down here to see a joint U.S. Army hospital in action," said Lt. Col. Richard T. Phillips, hospital commander. "He wanted to see things from our perspective; see things from our foxhole." Roudebush spoke briefly to the key leaders of the hospital about the effectiveness of these multi-service medical stations. "You do something we can't do, and we do something you can't do, and you put it together to make something special," he said speaking about Army and Air Force corroboration.

12 NEWS March 5, 2007 Freedom Watch Page 13 Afghan military officers visit Bagram Airfield Story and photo By Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Tomko 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Office BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Eight Afghan army air corps officers visited the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group Feb. 20. The group consisted of mission support officers who came to exchange ideas with their Air Force counterparts. "They learned a lot," said Air Force Capt. Tommy Butler, who is an Air Corps Advisory Group mentor. "The Afghans don't have a complete infrastructure yet. They came to see what a full operation looks like." "They also came to see our organizational structure," said Air Force Col. Terri Chaney, the 455th EMSG commander. "It is actually a mentoring program for the Afghan officers. Their organization has a structure similar to ours with only slight differences." Squadron commanders from the The thing that impressed the Afghans the most was the duties of our noncommissioned officers. - Air Force Lt. Col. Steven Johnson 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron commander Air Force Maj. Corey Ramsby (center, left), 54th Expeditionary Combat Communications Squadron commander, discusses Bagram Airfield's communications infrastructure with his Afghan army air corps equivalent during a tour of the airfield Feb th EMSG accompanied their Afghan counterparts throughout the seven-hour visit. The Afghan officers were briefed on the Air Force organizational structure and were provided an overview of the Joint Logistics Center. Air Force Lt. Col. Steven Johnson, t455th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron commander, said this was the first time he got a chance to speak to Afghans since he arrived at Bagram Airfield. The group toured such departments as services, security forces, personnel, supply, vehicle operations, civil engineering, aerial port and communications. At each location the Afghans were shown how that organization worked. One of the main differences the Afghans noticed is chainof-command duties. The Afghan officers said they handle even the smallest tasks themselves rather than delegating them to lower ranks. Also, in their units it is common for visitors to walk right in to speak with a commanding officer without speaking to an executive officer or noncommissioned officer first. "The thing that impressed the Afghans the most was the duties of our noncommissioned officers," said Johnson. "They were surprised at how much responsibility we gave our NCOs." Butler said the Army is setting up mentoring programs such as this all over Afghanistan. "I think this was a ground breaking event," said Air Force Maj. Corey Ramsby, the 54th Expeditionary Combat Communications Squadron commander. "It's quite humbling to see the beginnings of a new country's air force. My counterpart was impressed with what we have here, but I think he had mixed emotions because he was in Bagram in This was actually his base at one time, and now we're here." The Air Force squadron commanders were impressed at the Afghans' dedication and how hard they were trying to make their air corps work. "We will continue to support the Afghan army air corps," said Chaney. "Next time, we will go to their base in Kabul and exchange more ideas."

13 Page 14 Freedom Watch FEATURE March 5, 2007 Spartan move sparks base building boom By Army Sgt. Amber Robinson Task Force Spartan Public Affairs JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - As the Global War on Terror persists, Soldiers serving in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom rotate continuously through various bases in Regional Command- East. The 120-day extension of Spartans from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, shifted the projected unit rotational flow into late spring and early summer, leaving key leaders scrambling to accommodate the sudden influx of Soldiers remaining in the battle space. As the 4th BCT, 82nd Airborne Division moves into its regularly scheduled slot on the battlefield, taking over for Task Force Spartan, most Spartan Soldiers have been transferred to new locations, moving into the north-eastern sector of RC-East, formerly administered by two battalionsized elements. The location of an entire brigade in the northeast significantly altered subordinate units' areas of responsibility. Brigade headquarters shifted to Jalalabad Airfield, Aghnanistan, formerly the site of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment headquarters. Support and special troop organizations are slated to join brigade headquarters at JAF. Brigade planners and builders aim to establish a strong "footprint" to accommodate the larger number of Soldiers surging into the Area of Operations. "It was overwhelming at first," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Lance Trevathan, who served as acting first sergeant during the transition. "The amount of people on the forward operating base and the amount of billeting didn't coincide, so it took some patience and ingenuity." "Rearranging the former facilities Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Pintagro Pfc. Jordan Baker, a fire support specialist with Headquarters Company, Task Force Spartan, moves lumber on the emerging brigade headquarters compound Feb. 27. for incoming Soldiers is a big piece right now," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Steve Bantin, the head engineer currently in charge of JAF expansion. "We are building at a rapid pace, but Soldiers are currently living in a variety of different living conditions. Everyone is still remaining flexible and motivated." Adaptability has always been part of maintaining a strong fighting force, especially in an environment as fluid as the combat zone of Afghanistan. The extension required immediate action to make sure the combat mission continued. Soldiers remain flexible and resilient as expansion begins to swing into full force. "We have wood and other supplies on the way, but until they get here we have had to do what we can with what we have," Bantin said. "KBR and 1-32 have been more than helpful in facilitating our expansion mission. Soldiers are working out of (large metal containers) and tents until we can build them office space." Brigade headquarters and support personnel will temporarily share living and working space with 1-32 Soldiers as the infantrymen transition to other north-eastern bases. "The current tenants have been very supportive in helping make sure we are comfortable and making progress," said Sgt. 1st Class George Hayward, 3rd BCT battle non-commissioned officer. "When we first got here, it was obvious the FOB would not be able to immediately accommodate all our personnel. Their strong cooperation was priceless." The command group has tapped into various other resources, including the Afghan economy to facilitate expansion. Many Jalalabad locals work closely with International Security Assistance Forces, providing labor, services and various supplies. The practice not only helps build the Afghan economy but also encourages teamwork and camaraderie among ISAF and local nationals.

14 March 5, 2007 NEWS Freedom Watch Page 15 RSAC holds change of command at FOB Apache Story and photo By Army Sgt. Mayra Kennedy 345th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Army Lt. Col. John Fortune, 2nd Brigade, 205th Regional Security Assistance Command commander, handed command over to Army Lt. Col. Karl Slaughenhaupt in a ceremony Feb. 12 at Forward Operating Base Apache in the Zabul province, Afghanistan. QALAT, Afghanistan - Members of the Afghan National Army, 2nd Brigade, 205th Regional Security Assistance Command, held a change of command ceremony Feb. 12 at Forward Operating Base Apache in Zabul Province. Soldiers of the 2/205th RSAC welcomed Army Lt. Col. Karl Slaughenhaupt, incoming commander, who promised to continue leading the Afghan National Army to success in Qalat. As part of this command, Slaughenhaupt appointed Afghan Col. Mohammed Afzal as his executive officer, making him the first Afghan officer to share command of the 2/205th RSAC. Army Lt. Col. John Fortune, 2/205th RSAC outgoing senior team chief, was in charge of the brigade for four months. "It was a challenging mission, but Soldiers' ability to perform their duties increase tremendously," said Fortune. "Also, there was a reduction of attacks in Qalat due to the presence of the ANA in the city." Fortune expressed that working with Zabul Governor Del Bar Arman, other government officials and embedded training teams has been key to the success of the ANA. "Our biggest achievement was the opening of FOB Apache, home of this brigade," said Fortune. Partnership battles terrorism in Afghanistan-Pakistan border region By Army Sgt. Tim Sander Task Force Fury Public Affairs FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan - Task Force Spartan turned over five provinces in the southern and western portions of their former battle space to Task Force Fury during a transfer of authority ceremony held here Feb. 21. TF Spartan, comprised of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, handed much of Regional Command-East to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Paratroopers of TF Fury. The Spartans, extended four months beyond their scheduled redeployment, retained responsibility of the northeastern provinces of RC- East. The TF Spartan Soldiers and supporting elements continue to administer Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman and Nuristan provinces from their new headquarters in Jalalabad. TF Fury assumed responsibility for Paktika, Paktya, Logar and Ghazni as well as the Khost provinces. Army Col. Martin Schweitzer, TF Fury commander, praised the Spartans for the progress made in Afghanistan during their lengthy tenure. "The Spartans set the bar for professionalism, integration of Afghan units and represented America with distinction," said Schweitzer. "We will do our best to continue along the path you have set." Army Col. John Nicholson, TF Spartan commander, delivered a message of allied determination and encouragement to the Afghan people. "Together with the Afghan National Security Forces, and our two brigades, we will defeat the enemy," said Nicholson. "America is sending you its finest Soldiers to fight alongside you." Schweitzer said his primary goal would be to build on the already dramatic progress achieved by ANSF and further the reach of the Afghan government. Soldiers and paratroopers will integrate Afghan security agencies into their daily operations, allowing for the evolution of those security agencies. "By doubling the combat formation, we will be able to help that significantly," Schweitzer said. The visiting Afghans said farewell to Spartan leaders, welcomed incoming TF Fury personnel, and thanked both brigades for their continued efforts in Afghanistan.

15 Freedom Watch March 5, 2007 Lt. Col. Richard Dix, Army Materiel Command Field Support Battalion Afghanistan commander, receives the Association of Quartermasters Distinguished Order of St. Martin Award from Vice President Dick Cheney Feb. 26. at the MWR Clam Shell. (Photo by Rod Norris)