2 DEFENSE DIGEST Sept. 24, 2007 Army TRS members must re-register for restructured program FALLS CHURCH, Va. - National Guard and Reserve members participating in the TRICARE Reserve Select healthcare plan must sign up for the restructured TRS by Sept. 30 in order to continue their coverage. TRS was authorized by Congress in 2005 as a premiumbased healthcare plan for National Guard members and Reservists. The revamped version, effective Oct. 1, is affordable and simpler, with one premium level instead of the current three-tier system. There have been many improvements in reserve-component pay and benefits in the past few years, said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Thomas F. Hall. TRS is a robust healthcare plan. It represents a substantial benefit available to our Reserve and National Guard servicemembers and their families. Monthly premiums are $81 for the servicemember and $253 for member-and-family coverage. TRS offers coverage comparable to TRICARE Standard and Extra. The revamped program also includes expanded survivor coverage, continuously open enrollment and more. Gone are service agreements and differing qualifications for each of the three tiers. There are only two qualifications under the restructured program. First, servicemembers must be selected reserve members of the Ready Reserve. Second, they must not be eligible for, or currently covered by, the Federal Employee Health Benefits program (either on their own or through family members). Reserve Affairs sent a letter in August to reserve-component servicemembers currently covered by TRS explaining the program changes and how to continue coverage. As of early September, only 15 percent of approximately 11,000 current members had completed and submitted the new TRS request forms. To continue TRS coverage, all current members must go to https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/trs/, print out the new TRS request form, sign and return it to their regional contractors by Sept. 30. If payment is usually made by check, the first month s payment must also be included. Members who pay electronically do not need to include a payment if they meet the deadline. National Guard members and Reservists can find out more about the updated plan through the My Benefits portal at www.tricare.mil. Reserve-component points of contact, identified at www.defenselink.mil/ra/html/tricare.html, can answer additional questions. Air Force Air Force to transform financial services WASHINGTON - Air Force financial services are undergoing a major change that will save millions of dollars and return hundreds of Airmen to the fight, said a senior Air Force financial management official here. As part of a two-year plan, the Air Force Financial Services Center opened its doors Sept. 14 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., in what will begin the largest single transformational effort the Air Force financial management field has ever seen, said John G. Vonglis, the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management. Over the next year, the center will consolidate routine transactions currently handled by 93 base finance offices worldwide to a single location. It will ultimately serve as a one-stop shop for Airmen s financial matters and concerns. (The AFFSC) is a significant investment for the Air Force. It will save the Air Force $210 million and return approximately 600 positions back to the warfighter, Vonglis said. We are taking a very structured approach to our transformation, he sad. The first phase of the transformation will provide a seamless transition for our financial-services customers. The AFFSC will take over many of the back office processes typically handled by base finance offices such as travel vouchers, pay requests and allotments. These processes will move to the AFFSC one base at a time, beginning in October with Air Force Space Command bases. The most visible change will take place during the second phase in October when the AFFSC will stand up a 24-hour contact center where Airmen with finance needs can contact a representative by telephone, e-mail or the Internet. While people are far more important than machines, the need to recapitalize our Air Force is compelling. In that sense, we can no longer afford to operate the way we have in the past, Vonglis said. Without abandoning the sterling customer service we are known for, transactional document processing will shift from base level and be picked up by people at AFFSC. The AFFSC is currently staffed by 75 active-duty Air Force members. The remaining workforce is projected to arrive by March 2008. We have the technology, the wherewithal and the capability to do this, Vonglis said. We re at the cusp where there will be some confusion and angst, because we re removing a comfort zone and venturing into something new. But we ll get through it and move forward. The confidence our Airmen have (in financial services) today should only get stronger, he said. This is truly working smarter and making people more efficient. I m confident folks will be extremely satisfied.
Sept. 24, 2007 NEWS 3 Pg. 7 COVER: Spc. James Winters, Security Force Alpha team leader, 2nd Platoon, 2nd Squad, and Spc. Tomm Siler, Security Force member (right), stand guard at an entry control point during a Khowst PRT quality-control inspection on a school currently under construction. (Photo illustration: Senior Airman Christine Collier) Contents BAF MAC finds mines to keep people safe 4 Afghan Commandos look for weapons and other items during a joint mission to arrest a weapons dealer in a village near Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Jaji bridge: Soldiers construct cornerstones at site 5 Afghan, American women join together for tea, discussion 6 Commandos successful in Nangahar Province 7 Securing Afghanistan s future 8 Afghanistan-style extreme makeover 10 Negligent discharges affect servicemembers 11 ANP receives combat life saver training 12 PRTs help rebuild Afghanistan one road at a time 13 Pg. 14 Billy Blanks, creator of Taebo, shows his appreciation and support as he gets up close and personal with Soldiers on FOB Sharana after an intense workout. Soldiers work out with Billy Blanks in Afghanistan 14 Freedom Watch is a weekly publication of Combined Joint Task Force-82. CJTF-82 Commander Army Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez RC East Public Affairs Officer Army 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 5120.4, 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 noon local 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 318-431-3338. Freedom Watch Staff Commander Air Force Maj. Elizabeth Ortiz NCOIC Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram Print Chief Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Bellis Editor Air Force Staff Sgt. Sarah Gregory Staff Writer Senior Airman Christine Collier Visit the CJTF-82 Web site at www.cjtf82.com
4 NEWS Sept. 24, 2007 BAF MAC finds mines to keep people safe Civilian contractors manually clear a mine field surrounding a Russian monument on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Story and photo by Army Sgt. Jim Wilt Combined Joint Task Force-82 Public Affairs BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - For most people, running over a landmine equates to a bad day. For contractors working with the Mine Action Center, it is just part of the job. On any given day, Casspir operators drive through mine fields as a part of the de-mining process here. A Casspir is a purpose-built, South African-designed vehicle with a V-shaped hull and steel wheels that can withstand repeated mine strikes. It is only one of the many tools used by the MAC to make Bagram Airfield and Afghanistan safer. The MAC is currently working to clear land mines, unexploded ordnance and scrap metal on BAF and works in conjunction with other organizations, such as the U.N., and other non-governmental organizations, to eliminate mine threats in other parts of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is one of the world s most heavily mined countries, according to E-MINE Electronic Mine Information Network (www. mineaction.org), the U.N. Web site for mine information. More than four million Afghans, or 17 percent of the population, are living in one of 2,374 contaminated communities, according to the site. The MAC removed more than 25,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance to include small-arm munitions, hand grenades, cluster munitions, rockets and 250-kilogram (550-pound) bombs within BAF during 2007. We also removed hundreds of anti-personnel mines and in particular seven anti-tanks mines, said Australian Army Maj. Michael James Wilson, MAC officer-in-charge. The cost here at Bagram is very expensive. At the moment, it costs over $50 million for a contract period of five years. As my [executive officer] quotes de-mining costs an arm and a leg but at the end of the day, it will save people s arms and legs, Wilson said. The MAC also works with an Afghan de-mining organization called Afghan Technical Consultants, Wilson said. Operation Good Neighbor, an ATC operation, cleared approximately 7,000 anti-personnel mines just north of BAF s perimeter. While the MAC is actively trying to remove the mine threat from BAF, there is still a threat to Coalition servicemembers. Since Coalition forces began occupying BAF, four servicemembers have been maimed by landmines, Wilson said. One of the predominant anti-personnel mines found on and around BAF is the Soviet-era PMN-2. The PMN-2 is intended to maim and wound soldiers, said Army Pvt. Kenneth L. Skenette, a combat engineer working on BAF. Skenette, along with other members of the 70th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, 1st Armored Division, conduct manual mine clearance here. According to Wilson, the MAC also provides mine-risk education to servicemembers on BAF. When servicemembers arrive here, they receive a briefing from the MAC on mine awareness and safety, he said. The MAC, in conjunction with Operation Good Neighbor, works with tribal elders to educate Afghans, Wilson said. The elders are made aware of de-mining sites and the locations of minefields. Any area cleared by the center is certified that over 99 percent of the mines and UXO are removed; this is in accordance with U.N. standards. The Center uses quality-assurance measures to help ensure the removal of possible dangerous munitions. Any area cleared is checked by a separate de-mining team and supervised by MAC staff in order to ensure the area is certified clear, Wilson said. Though the MAC has access to equipment such as the Casspir, in some critical situations, they bring out the big guns. In support of the de-mining contract, A Company, 70th Eng. Bn., Task Force Rugged, provides up-armored and blast-resistant dozers, trucks and excavators to assist the de-mining contract. Working with the 49th Mine Dog Detachment, dogs are also used to detect mines. A dog can smell.025 grams of explosives, said Army Sgt. Martin McNally, a dog handler with the 49th. Under the proper conditions, a dog can clear approximately the same amount of land in a day as a person can in a month, McNally said. One critical situation the dogs can be used in is the extraction of a casualty from a minefield, said Sgt. 1st Class Stephen White, the 49th MDD noncommissioned-officer-in-charge. The dog can quickly clear a path to allow for rescue personnel to reach them. The MAC team is tasked by CJTF-82 to clear contaminated areas in order to establish landing and drop zones, as well as conduct sitereconnaissance missions to clear areas for forward-operating bases, Wilson said. Safe bail-out zones have also been identified by the MAC to aid Air Force pilots who may have to eject from their aircraft during takeoff or land here in an emergency. MAC has the ability to conduct a mine threat assessment anywhere in Afghanistan. The information is sourced from mine data collected by the U.S. and the U.N., Wilson said. In 2006, almost 723 million square meters of land are thought to be infested with 56 different types of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines or littered with countless pieces of UXO, ranging from bullet casings to 500-pound bombs, the U.N. site said. Being one of the most mined countries in the world, the MAC and other organizations work to remove the threat. Using equipment, personnel, dogs and education, the humanitarian workers strive to protect the people here.
Sept. 24, 2007 NEWS 5 Jaji bridge: Soldiers construct cornerstones, remember fallen comrades at building site Story and photos by Army Capt. Ashley Dellavalle Task Force Rugged Public Affairs PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan U.S. Army Engineers began construction of a bridge at Jaji, a small village in eastern Paktya Province near the Pakistani border. Soldiers with the 864th Engineer Battalion were tasked to clear the land around the site and emplace the abutments for the future bridge. Our mission is to construct the ramp entrance and abutments that will act as footers for the bridges, said Army Staff Sgt. David Austin, the platoon sergeant overseeing the project. The abutments are constructed out of Hesco bastions. I helped dig the hole with our Hyex. Then, we stretched out the Hescos. We are going to place gravel in the Hescos and level it out. The 70th [Engineer Battalion] will put in the Bailey Bridge, said Spc. William Burr. The site of the future bridge is in a valley. Just on the other side of the river, Soldiers of the 864th Eng. Bn. are also building a small fire base for Coalition forces. Without the bridge, it is almost impossible to get vehicles to the base. The crossing is also a prevalent supply route for local Afghans. Just a few miles away, through the passes of the mountains, is the Pakistani border, where many of the locals conduct trade. This route is impassable for the locals without this bridge. It is both the main road to Pakistan [from this area] and the primary means for access to the fire base, said Austin. We are doing this for the community, added Burr. The bridge will help the economy of the Afghan people by increasing their trade capability, said Austin. The 40-foot military bridge will be constructed by the engineer Soldiers of the Afghan National Army in conjunction with the 70th Eng. Bn. in the next few weeks. The Afghan and U.S. engineers trained together on bridge emplacement at Bagram Airfield. Currently, the same platoon that will emplace the bridge is assisting the 864th engineers with security of the site. Just a few weeks ago, the bridge site was the location of a tragic incident where three Soldiers of the 864th Eng. Bn. were killed by a suicide bomber. We are saddened from our loss, said Austin. The Soldiers are raising their standards and awareness on the jobsite. The Soldiers of this unit will build the bridge in the name of their fallen comrades and never forget they helped build the cornerstones to the bridge. Above: An engineer from the Afghan National Army and a U.S. engineer Soldier of the 70th Engineer Battalion work together to pound a picket into the ground that will act as a post for the concertina wire fence that protects the bridge jobsite in Jaji. Left: Soldiers of the 864th Engineer Battalion assist in directing to fill the Hescos with gravel.
6 NEWS Sept. 24, 2007 Afghan, American women join together for tea, discussion of province s future Story and photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs FORWARD OPERATING BASE MEHTAR LAM, Afghanistan Several influential Afghan women from Laghman Province joined female Airmen and Soldiers for tea, pastries and conversation during a meeting here. It was an opportunity for the Americans to educate the women on the various humanitarian and security programs in place for them and their communities, said Air Force Capt. Heather Kekic, public affairs and information officer for the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team based here. Afghan women in general are very influential in their communities they hold the authority in their homes, she said. They talk to each other, to their children and their husbands and that is a very powerful way to get information spread throughout the province. The women ranged in ages, but all of them work in some way for the Laghman provincial governor, either as program directors or teachers. This was the second time they met with Americans on the FOB. During this particular event, Afghan and American women gathered in the FOB s conference room, where traditional tea was waiting for them, along with various pastries and pies from the United States. With the help of a translator, the women immediately began talking about their families, their jobs and the upcoming Ramadan holiday. There is a difference between these meetings and the meetings with the men, said Air Force Capt. Christa Lothes, intelligence officer for the Laghman PRT. The men will sit quietly and wait their turn to speak, whereas with the women, everyone will speak up all the time. As the chatter shifted from topic to topic, however, important points were addressed and the seriousness was not lost on anyone. A few of the women mentioned they have received threats because of their jobs for the governor. One woman reported her son had seen strange men with rockets walk along the river bank, while another woman spoke of her fear to walk along the roads in her village. They are very concerned about the security within the province, said Kekic. They are just like us in that they want their roads to be free of bombs. They do not want their families hurt or killed by the violence. The Americans shared phone numbers for the provincial coordination center (similar to 911 in the states) and information about the various quick-response teams in the area, and implored the women to call should they or their families see anything suspicious. They also discussed possible women s meetings in the local villages and future reconstruction and humanitarian-aid projects Air Force Capt. Heather Kekic (background) looks on as Air Force Capt. Christa Lothes points out a phrase in a translation book to local Afghan women during an afternoon tea. around the province. The Americans handed out calendars and shawls as gifts. Some of the Afghan women even pulled out lipstick and cosmetics to compare, which brought out some smiles from the American women. Out here, I pretty much stick with Chapstick, said Kekic, but if they want to show me some nail polish, I ll look at the nail polish. The Afghan women always look forward to meeting with their American sisters, said Sharin Taj, Laghman Province s director of women s affairs. We get attached to the women here, she said through a translator. We get together and get to know each other, and that friendship is very important. She said with the Americans help, she hopes the women of the province are able to enjoy the freedom that s eluded them for decades. We have suffered a lot, but we all want the same things, she said. We want freedom, just like the rest of the people in Afghanistan, and we want education, good families and good jobs. All of these things are very important. She added that the sacrifices made by the American women are not lost on any of the Afghan women. You can ask any female in the village, she said. We know that [the Americans] have left their families, their children and husbands to come here and help the people of Afghanistan. This is a very honorable thing, and we really appreciate that.
Sept. 24, 2007 NEWS 7 Commandos successful in Nangahar Province Courtesy of Combined Joint Task Force-82 Public Affairs NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan The brand-new battalion of Afghan National Army Commandos, along with a contingent of Afghan National Police, advised by Coalition forces, conducted its first mission successfully during a twoday operation. The operation was conducted 30 miles southwest of Jalalabad in the Sherzad District of Nangahar Province. The Commando-led force is credited with eliminating two weapons caches, a large quantity of opium and capturing a known Taliban facilitator, along with two other possible Taliban extremists. The planning and execution of the operation fell to the first unit of Commandos, an elite organization of Afghan Soldiers, which recently graduated from the threemonth training program at a camp near Kabul. The Commando and ANP teams, acting on credible intelligence, moved to the objective by both helicopter and ground vehicles. The Commandos detained a key Taliban extremist facilitator identified as Haji Shir Khan. Khan is a known IED maker who is responsible for numerous attacks on Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Coalition forces in the province. During the search of three compounds, the combined force discovered 18 rocketpropelled grenade rounds, one anti-tank mine, 10 hand grenades, one 12-gauge shotgun, eight fully loaded AK-47 magazines and more than 80 kilograms of opium. All the items, except the shotgun and AK- 47 magazines, were destroyed at the site. The Commandos represent a bright future for the Afghan National Security Forces, and it s no surprise after all of their training that they were successful in today s mission, said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesperson. The Commandos aggressive attitude and enhanced skills allowed them to seize the initiative and work well with their partnered ANP and Coalition units throughout this two-day operation. Operations such as this demonstrate that the ANP, and now the Commandos, are authority figures to the residents of Nangahar and can rapidly conduct synchronized missions against the enemies of peace and stability. No shots were fired during the entire two-day operation and no ANSF, Coalition or non-combatants were injured or killed. Left: An Afghan Commando pulls security during a joint mission to arrest a weapons dealer in a village near Jalabad, Afghanistan. Above: Afghan Commandos look for weapons and other items during a joint mission to arrest a weapons dealer in a village near Jalabad, Afghanistan. (Photos: Spc. David Gunn)
8 FEATURE Securing Afghanistan s Future Spc. James Winters, Security Force Alpha team leader, 2nd Platoon, 2nd Squad, stands guard at an entry control point during a Khowst PRT quality-control inspection on a school currently under construction. Story and photos by Senior Airman Christine Collier American Forces Network-Afghanistan FORWARD OPERATING BASE CHAPMAN, Afghanistan The sun beats down, baking the already hardened and cracked earth with its 100-plus degrees of heat. Weighed down by 40 pounds of body armor, helmets, gear and weapons, several Soldiers surround the perimeter of a compound enclosing a clinic. Despite the stifling heat, which sends sweat coursing down their bodies, they remain vigilant with watchful eyes their only job to keep each other and those inside safe. These are the Soldiers of Security Force. Our job is to provide security for medical engagements, ceremonies and quality-assurance and quality-control inspections, said Army Sgt. Claude Benson, Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team Security Force member. We provide the security so the commander, engineers and everyone involved can do their jobs. We protect the perimeter of the location until it s time to leave. Days start early for the Security Force members, with precombat inspections and checks beginning around 6 a.m. After verifying their vehicles and equipment are ready to go and everyone and everything is accounted for, they head out for their locations, traveling at least an hour or more in Humvees. By the time they arrive at their destination, the mercury in the thermometer has usually already reached over 100 degrees. Despite the heat, the Soldiers quickly assume their strategic positions around the day s location, ensuring safety from all angles and protecting the PRT members who are performing their jobs at each site. [The Security Force members] are important, very important, said Navy Cmdr. Dave Adams, Khowst PRT commanding officer. Without them, the PRT couldn t do their jobs. As the PRT conducts medial engagements or inspections, the Security Force members stand guard either in Humvees or on foot, surveying the area for signs of suspicious activity. They also maintain entry control points, searching people entering the site. I m always thinking Do we have 360 degrees of security? Did we clear all the areas we re operating in? Are my Soldiers staying hydrated? Will something happen where we will suddenly need to adjust? said Army Staff Sgt. Geoffrey Hunt, Khowst PRT Security Force convoy commander. There are a lot of
FEATURE 9 things to be aware of in each situation. Each time the Security Force team travels on PRT missions, they face the danger of IEDs, vehicle-borne IEDs and hostile forces. But, according to Benson, the benefits of the missions outweigh the risks they take to accomplish them. When we re helping the locals and making a difference, it s worth the risk to get there to do the job, Benson said. The PRT missions strengthen the bonds between U.S. forces, Coalition forces and the Afghan government, Hunt added. That s what they re here to do. Their missions are worth the risk we take to support them. However, the Security Force members and PRTs aren t the only ones taking risks to further the development of Afghanistan. They are also accompanied on their missions by Afghan security guards, hired local nationals who provide an added measure of security to the missions. We have a huge advantage because of the Afghan security guards that go with us on our missions, Hunt said. Those guys are a huge asset. They help us communicate and get information from the locals. Being a part of the Coalition effort can have negative consequences for the ASG. Some of the guards have received threats. According to Hunt, members of the ASG are targeted by members of al-quaida and the Taliban. Despite the risks, they become ASG because of their love for their country and the steady income it provides for their families, Hunt said. It s one of the best ways they can benefit their country. Security Force members sometimes work with the ASG during routine stops on their routes, talking to Afghans in the area, adults and children, and gathering helpful information about potential threats. Keeping a good relationship with the people helps us get information, Hunt said. If given the opportunity, we will get intel from civilians. - Army Staff Sgt. Geoffrey Hunt They also have a chance to Security Force convoy commander interact with civilians at the PRT sites. In addition to talking to the Afghans, and sometimes even establishing relationships with them, the Security Force Soldiers have an opportunity to see firsthand the difference the PRTs are making in the communities differences that will shape the lives of the people. We actually get to see the progress taking place, said Army Pfc. Kevin Brannon, Khowst PRT Security Force member. When something is supposed to get built, we get the chance to see it happen. Each trip they take has its own risks and benefits, and each time the sun sets over the mountains of Afghanistan, bringing another day and another mission to a close, the members of Security Force know the morning will bring another mission and another opportunity to benefit the future of Afghanistan. The PRT missions strenghthen the bonds between U.S. forces, Coalition forces and the Afghan government. That s what they re here to do. Their missions are worth the risk we take to support them. Left: Navy Aviation Electriciansmate First Class David Burroughs, Khowst PRT assistant operations officer, talks to Afghan children while PRT engineers conduct a quality-assurance inspection on a nearby dam. Above: Spc. Tomm Siler, Security Force member (left), and Army Staff Sgt. Thomas Boyd, Security Force squad leader (right), guard an entry control point during a Khowst PRT quality-control inspection on a school building.
10 NEWS Sept. 24, 2007 Spc. Jonathan William Hood, 70th Engineer Battalion, moves gravel out of the maintenance bay in preparation for a makeover project at FOB Sharana, Afghanistan. Afghanistan-style extreme makeover Story and photo by Army Pfc. Nathan Veach Task Force Rugged Public Affairs FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHA- RANA, Afghanistan - Ty Pennington was not at the construction site. Broadcast cameras were not taping the progress of the project and the Extreme Makeover crew was not installing big-screen televisions in the work area. Despite these absences, the makeover of the maintenance bay housing the maintenance teams of Headquarters Company, 36th Engineer Brigade and the Headquarters Support Company, 70th Engineer Battalion has a multitude of similarities to ABC s Emmy award-winning hit reality T.V. series Extreme Makeover. These Soldiers had a dream about their workplace; some would even say their workspace is their home because of the number of hours they spend there each day. For these mechanics, their maintenance bay is the shelter for their most prized assets, the vehicles they repair. After realizing the improvements they wanted in their bay would not be accomplished due to the overwhelming need for resources in other places around the forwardoperating base, the team took repair matters into their own hands. Army Staff Sgt. Cody Powers, the motor sergeant for Headquarters Co., 36th Eng. Brig., and Army Staff Sgt. Timothy Damrell, the motor sergeant of the 70th Eng. Bn., decided to make the shop refurbishment a team effort. The team chiseled away at the old concrete that was disintegrating from considerable use to pour new concrete in its place. The chipped concrete was making it difficult to get under the vehicles during maintenance. They constructed new shelving to store tools and other mechanics equipment. To make room for additional vehicles, they moved the office to a more appropriate location in the bay. The mechanic teams, like the project team on Extreme Makeover, worked together to get the job done. The project is fun because it s something new for the Soldiers to do and it s building teamwork within our shop, Powers said. With every day of hard work, the mechanics are getting closer to completing the bay. Now that we ve started the work, we re getting all the help we need from the 36th Engineer Brigade and the facilities engineer team on the FOB, said Damrell. All the Soldiers involved in the project were happy to participate in the shop improvements and were working diligently to finish. Although the winner of their extreme makeover is themselves, the mechanics of the two units are just as excited as the T.V. home makeover winners to have improved workspace. Every day we are making our work places better for our Soldiers and for the Afghan people. Through the do-it-yourself project, Soldiers [of the 36th Eng. Brig. and the 70th Eng. Bn.] demonstrated the kind of dedicated hard work we need to contribute to the growth of Afghanistan, said Damrell.
Sept. 24, 2007 NEWS 11 Negligent discharges affect servicemembers By Army Sgt. Jim Wilt Combined Joint Task Force-82 Public Affairs BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan Smoke billowed from the HMMWV after it was struck by several bullets. Paratroopers, who were in a school near where the HMMWV was parked, quickly moved to the source of the small-arms fire. The unit was ambushed -- not by the Taliban. A young Soldier was apparently discussing the operation of an M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon when the weapon fired, disabling the truck. Negligent discharges, such as the example above, have become a common occurrence in Afghanistan. The results of some of the discharges have done more than damage equipment. Some people like to call it an accidental discharge, said retired Command Sgt. Maj. Dave Henderson, the Combined Joint Task Force 82 safety director. But a weapon doesn t accidentally fire by itself. There is negligence somewhere. Since January, there have been 126 reported negligent discharges in the Operation Enduring Freedom area of operation resulting in three deaths and 11 injuries. How do you explain that to a parent? asked Army Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Brooks, the 82nd Airborne Division Special Troops Battalion command sergeant major. It s fratricide, he said. For someone to get injured from a negligent discharge is something sad to tell a parent after their child is over here deployed to defend their country, Brooks added. A negligent discharge can injure or kill someone. Therefore, a servicemember who has a negligent discharge can face punishment for their action. They can be charged with a crime punishable under the [Uniform Code of Military Justice,] said Army Capt. Brendan Gilbert, CJTF-82 trial counsel. Following an investigation, the servicemember s commander determines whether punitive action is necessary and, if so, what the punishment will be, Gilbert said. He has the right to do anything from corrective training to an Article 15 to a summary court-martial to a general court-martial, he said. Servicemembers can also receive a written reprimand, which could go in their permanent file. Gilbert said this can have a lasting effect on a person s career by negatively affecting one s competitiveness for promotions. While one possible response to a negligent discharge can be corrective training, Soldiers can face penalties of up to three months confinement and forfeiture of two-thirds pay for three months, according to Article 134 of the UCMJ. If there are aggravating circumstances surrounding the incident, such as injury to another party or the discharge places a mission at risk, servicemembers can find themselves in even more trouble. If a Soldier is found to be grossly negligent, not just simply negligent, depending on what happened, the Soldier could be charged with other offenses, Gilbert said. CJTF-82 has launched a campaign to curb the number of negligent discharges in Afghanistan. In March, Command Sergeant Major [Thomas] Capel directed everyone in CJTF-82 to train on proper clearing procedures, Henderson said. He also noted the task force is taking other initiatives to prevent negligent discharges by running stories on the radio, television and in unit newsletters. It appears, despite a consistent number of negligent discharges per month, the push for weapons safety is having an effect. One example is CJTF-82 conducting bi-monthly safety checkpoints for vehicular and weapon safety. The random checks began in February and servicemembers had an 85-percent failure rate for properly conducting safe weapon clearing. Since then, Henderson said servicemembers have turned it around and now boast an 85- percent pass rate. It all boils down like everything else; it goes down to the firstline supervisor, Henderson said. Everybody has a sergeant; even Major General [David] Rodriguez [CJTF-82 commanding general] has a sergeant, Henderson said, referring to Capel. It is incumbent on that sergeant to ensure everyone is trained on clearing procedures, he added. Combined Joint Task Force-82 standards tell us anytime you clear a weapon you must be supervised. If a supervisor is there during a weapons-clearing procedure, you will not have a negligent discharge, Brooks said. Regulations regarding the safe clearing of weapons can be found in the CJTF-82 Basic Standards Book, as well as, instructions for properly clearing weapons. If we do the number one thing Combined Joint Task Force-82 says to do, have a supervisor there, you will not have a negligent discharge because now you have two people clearing the weapon, two sets of eyes on that weapon, Brooks said. CJTF-82 General Order # 1 and the basic standards book also dictate when servicemembers can chamber a round in their weapon. A round doesn t go into the chamber when you are on the [forward operating base, ] said Brooks. The only time a round is chambered is when you go out of a FOB, and the leader of that convoy gives the key words lock and load weapons. Brooks said there isn t a need to keep rounds chambered in weapons on the FOB. The atmosphere really doesn t put us in a position to walk around with loaded weapons, he said. Yes, there is a magazine in your weapon, but the weapon is not locked and loaded. If a Soldier was to get into any type of trouble, he will have enough time to lock and load that weapon. The battalion command sergeant major also noted safety reasons for not locking and loading. You don t want to keep a weapon loaded because, when you go into a DFAC or into a PX, someone could accidentally go from safe to fire and accidentally hurt someone, he said. Both Henderson and Brooks believe the end to negligent discharges begins with leaders. It is a leader s responsibility, Brooks said. A negligent discharge can injure or kill another person, damage equipment or place a mission in danger. It can also result in legal action against a servicemember. By properly understanding weaponclearing procedures and adhering to standards, servicemembers can eliminate negligent discharges.
12 NEWS Sept. 24, 2007 ANP receive combat life saver training Courtesy of 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Afghan National Police officers graduated from an Army combat life saver medical course conducted at the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team s forward operating base near Jalalabad. The class, which graduated eight officers, was a joint effort between the ANP and military police from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and is believed to be the first class of its type conducted at the PRT, according to Army 1st Lt. Amanda Newsom, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Special Troops Battalion (Airborne). These policemen were hand-selected by their respective district commanders to become the principle medics for their ANP stations, said Newsom. The class was one day of fast-paced learning and all the major life-saving measures were taught, including treating sucking-chest wounds, abdominal lacerations, amputated limbs, blocked airways and treating for shock. All of the training culminated in a practical exercise conducted at the end of the day. In the exercise, the policemen had just 10 minutes to secure, treat and evacuate their An Afghan National Police member from Nangarhar Province applies a bandage to a Soldier s wounded hand during combat life saver training conducted with the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team. (Courtesy photo) suffering comrades to safety, said Newsom. The simulated wounds varied and the treatments were limited to field-expedient measures. Through their ingenuity and dedication to duty, these ANP didn t let any obstacle stop them from saving a life, said Newsom. The training didn t stop at the PRT. ANP Sgt. Mujahid, from Kuz Kunar District, which is north of Jalalabad, took what he had learned and passed it on to the fellow policemen of his district. According to a release issued by the 173rd STB, the training was focused on the basic first-aid Soldiers would need during that hot minute when their life was on the line and his peers were extremely receptive. Job well done eases farewell for Bagram maintainers By Air Force Capt. Michael Meridith 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - For the men and women of the 492nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit, farewell to Afghanistan means satisfaction for a job well done. With thousands of maintenance actions logged since their arrival here last May, members of the RAF Lakenheath-based unit are proud of their record, despite what they describe as a grueling operations tempo. This was an incredibly focused effort, said Chief Master Sgt. David Dash, the unit superintendent. Everyone stepped up their game and performed spectacularly. The more-than-150 members of the unit will return to England over the coming days, to be replaced by the 336th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Without question, Seymour Johnson has some huge shoes to fill, said Air Force Lt. Col. David Carlson, commander of the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. From launching sorties to daily maintenance to taking care of each other, these Airmen have done a great job and are some of the finest in the Air Force. Those sentiments were echoed by Air Force Brig. Gen. Bill Hyatt, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, who presented members of the unit with the Afghanistan Campaign Medal recently, thanking them for their work and adding, I m proud to have flown your aircraft. One member of the unit received a surprise during the medal presentation when Hyatt passed on a message from Air Force Brig. Gen. John W. Hesterman III, commander of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England, waiving Airman Leadership School and making him a brand-new staff sergeant. Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaron Jenkins, an F-15E Strike Eagle engine mechanic, said he was excited by the news and proud of what he and the members of his unit were able to accomplish during their time here. This was my first deployment, and I thought a lot about what we did here and what it meant, he said. We kept each other motivated because we knew that we were really working to protect our families and our country. I wouldn t want to be doing anything else.
Sept. 24, 2007 NEWS 13 PRTs help rebuild Afghanistan one road at a time Story and photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - A joint effort between the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team based here and Afghan villagers led to the opening of a new road in Bagram District. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bill Hyatt, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, was on hand as well as Parwan provincial and district leaders to mark the ribbon cutting for a new three-kilometer paved road as well as the groundbreaking for a new district building, similar to a county seat in the U.S. We are happy to be here with you today to share this special occasion, Hyatt said. The local government worked hand-in-hand with the Bagram PRT on an assortment of projects throughout the year, to include the two projects that were the focus of the ceremony, said Air Force Capt. Harry Jackson, lead engineer for the Bagram PRT. It is good to conduct both ceremonies today, on the first day of the most holy month of Ramadan, said Abdul Jabbar Taqwa, Parwan governor. The governor, Parwan shura leader Farid Shafaq and Bagram District Chief Kabir Ahmed assisted Hyatt in marking the groundbreaking by placing foundation stones wrapped in brightly colored ribbons at the corners of the area that will eventually become the center. As part of Afghan tradition candy was tossed into the area for good fortune, in the hope that the sweetness of the candy would promote a successful project. According to Jackson, this project was just one of hundreds that PRTs assist the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with. They also interface with provincial governors and lead development efforts across Air Force Brig. Gen. Bill Hyatt, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, cuts the ribbon during an opening ceremony for Gholam Ali Road, a new road built with the assistance of the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team. the country. The teams also cater their programs to fit the needs of particular communities. For instance, if a province needs a new school, the PRT will work with local contractors to help build it. If a road is needed to increase commerce between villages, the PRT will get involved. Through a direct partnership with local Afghan citizens and government, the Bagram PRT is helping to foster good relations and provide a better future for the people of Afghanistan, said Jackson. Dari/Pashtu phrase of the week It s nice to meet you. Dari Az mulagat-ba shama khoosh hal hastam (OZ moo-la-gat-bah sha-mash hoosh haul hash-dahm) Pashtu Da tasoo leedena sokha khoosh hal shooma (Dah tah-soo lee-deh-nah sikha hoosh haul shoo-mah) Young Afghan girls often go bareheaded, but women cover their heads with long headscarves of varying colors. Color trends vary by region. The scarves are tied around their heads, leaving a long end hanging down their backs, which can be drawn across the face. Schoolgirls generally wear white headscarves.
14 NEWS Sept. 24, 2007 Soldiers work out with Billy Blanks in Afghanistan Story and photos by Army 1st Lt. Kenya Virginia Saenz Task Force Pacemaker Public Affairs FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHA- RANA, Afghanistan - Soldiers here had the opportunity to work out with Billy Blanks, the creator of Taebo, who visited here to show his respect and support of Soldiers deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During his stay, Blanks conducted a one-hour workout with the Soldiers. They stretched, worked out and cooled down. Afterward, Billy Blanks sat down and gave the Soldiers fitness advice and motivational support; he told them how much he appreciated their selfless service. I think this was something we needed for motivation; it s great seeing a celebrity at this FOB. We also needed this for inspiration. I didn t know he was such a spiritual person. I loved his words. Him coming out here shows that he is not scared and that his spirituality brought him here; something I will never forget, said Army Staff Sgt. Lucy Audain. He is a fantastic supporter of the troops. The workout was awesome; it brought back memories of exercising to his DVDs at home. The intense workout truly added some spice to my daily workout routine. I wish we could keep him here to Billy Blanks, creator of Taebo, shows his appreciation and support as he gets up close and personal with Soldiers on FOB Sharana after an intense workout. work us out every day. I pray for the safety of him and his family as they travel around the world in our support, said Army Staff Sgt. Lavone Sharp. The workout was one of the hardest workouts I ve done; I used muscles I didn t know I had. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life to meet someone so spiritually and physically fit. Him being here shows how much passion and care he has towards the troops, said Army Pfc. Vontegius Burnett. Thank you for your service for our country and for the world, Blanks said to the Soldiers after the workout. Keep your heads up and don t take anything for granted. We specifically asked to come out to Afghanistan. This is our first time here and we appreciate being able to be here and show our support. Blanks has conducted many tours to show his respect and appreciation for the U.S. Armed Forces. He traveled with family members, including daughter, Shellie, to Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sarajevo, Greece, Africa, Germany, Italy and, now for the first time, to Afghanistan. Soldiers push themselves to work out as Billy Blanks motivates them in an intense workout at FOB Sharana.
Sept. 24, 2007 PHOTOS Photos from the field 15 A window leading to Ahmed Shah Massoud s tomb in Panjshir, Afghanistan, catches the reflection of Alex Tiersky, director of the Defense and Security Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Tiersky was one of 10 NATO parliamentarians visiting Afghanistan to assess Coalition progress. (Photo: Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Bellis) Left: Two Afghan girls wait in line for personal-hygiene products and toys from the Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team at a medical clinic in Mando Zayi. (Photo: Senior Airman Christine Collier) Above: Afghan National Police Maj. Muhammad Omar explains riot-control techniques to Afghan National Auxiliary Police trainees. The trainees are attending an ANAP course on FOB Mehtar Lam. (Photo: Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi) Back cover: An Afghan girl hides behind a balloon animal, a gift from a U.S. servicemember. (Photo: Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Bellis)