Login Get your own Posterous» troopscoop's posterous «Back to blog November 4, 2010 Daily Afghan-Iraq Update/11-03 Dear Interested Reader, AF FST welcomed at FOB Sharana. Construction projects provide job opportunities in Nawa. TF Iron improves FOB Andar. Marines build PB Demazong, while an injured Marine returns to help unit. Marines keep patriotism high at Camp Leatherneck. Iraq: Training pays off for Basra SWAT at graduation. USD-S trains Iraqis to target terrorists. Joanna Viewed 132 times Favorited 0 times AFGHANISTAN STORIES: AF FST Welcomed at FOB Sharana By AF 1st Lt. Mark Lazane, Paktika PRT AF Maj. Michele Holderness, an ICU nurse with the 934th Forward Surgical Team (FST), prepares to record a patient s progress in the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) section of the FST at FOB Sharana, Oct. 27. In order to help provide better treatment for their patients, several FSTs in Afghanistan have been augmented by AF medical professionals, as well as Army critical care nurses. The 934th FST is a team of Army and AF medical providers who treat CF and Afghan casualties from the battlefield and prepare them for a higher level of care. The goal of the unit is to cut down the mortality rate of battlefield injuries, by ensuring that all patients see a medical provider within an hour of their time of injury. Holderness is deployed from Andrews AF Base, Md., where she is a critical care nurse. FOB SHARANA - The roughly 2 dozen soldiers of the 934th FST, an Army Reserve unit from Salt Lake City, Utah, were quite familiar with each other long before arriving at FOB Sharana earlier this year. The FST personnel, which in previous rotations had been split into 2 units at 2 different FOBs, was combined into one large unit to address the growing medical needs on the base. But sometimes, one team, no matter how well they work together, is not enough. posterous.com/daily-afghan-iraq-upda 1/11
As part of a trial period, the FST was soon augmented by several AF medical personnel, including nurses and medical techs, as well as several Army critical care nurses (CCN), who assist in transporting patients to a higher level of care. The AF medical personnel and Army CCNs are among the first in the country to be integrated with an FST, to the great relief of FST members. It was the first time additional personnel had been added to an FST. The welcoming nature of their FST teammates was felt immediately by the newcomers. I don t think any of us really knew what to expect coming in, not having a lot of dealings with the Army or trying to integrate with them before, said AF Capt. Elizabeth Norris, officer-incharge of the advanced trauma life support section of the FST. But, these guys were great; they welcomed us with open arms, and we haven t had any issues at all with not feeling like a team. Sometimes, it s easy to forget that we aren t originally from this unit, said AF Staff Sgt. Joanne Castillo, who serves as a medical tech in the ATLS section of the FST. This unit is a good group of people who welcomed us right in, and everyone gets along great, no matter where we come from. This has been such a great opportunity, said AF Senior Airman Kristina Rosiles, a medical tech in the ATLS section of the FST. At my home base, I work in a family practice clinic, where I do a lot of checking in of patients, vital signs and administrative work. Here, however, it s significantly different." Rosiles, deployed from Sheppard AFB, Texas, is not alone in believing this deployment is considerably different than her duties at home station. The AF personnel definitely appreciate the uniqueness of their deployment. Some of the stuff I get to do here, I d never get the chance to do on a typical AF deployment, working in a military hospital somewhere, said Rosiles. At an AF hospital, I couldn t even dream of working in an FST like I am here. I'm getting some unique experiences here that I'll get to use throughout my AF career. Historically, AF medical teams haven t been on FSTs, said Norris, who's deployed from Hanscom AFB, Mass., where she's a pediatric nurse. That s usually been an Army tasking. So, to get patients directly from the point of injury, as an AF person, it s pretty rare, and that s what we get to do here. Usually, when a medical person from the AF sees a patient, they re a little bit cleaned up; they ve had a little surgery, and they re stabilized, so it s obviously a great experience for all of us to see how they got to be that way. A great experience; a great team environment; sounds like assimilation may not be as difficult as it s made out to be. AF Maj. Virginia Dunn, the ICU officer-in-charge, sets up a patient s intravenous line. Dunn is deployed from Peterson AFB, Colo. posterous.com/daily-afghan-iraq-upda 2/11
Construction Projects Provide Job Opportunities Story by Sgt. Mark Fayloga Abdul Raziq, an Afghan construction worker, dumps gravel on the roof of an annex building in the Nawa District Governor s Center in Nawa, Oct. 21. Construction projects in the governor s center have provided hundreds of Afghans with job opportunities. NAWA Do as much good for as many people possible. That s been a driving force behind the planning of dozens of construction projects. From the larger projects like construction on a brand new shura hall, to the smaller painting jobs, and a/c installation, Master Sgt. Sean Sargeant, along with the rest of the 3rd Civil Affairs Group and Nawa govt, has been able to provide more than 500 Afghans with job opportunities. Along with providing employment to as many as possible, Sargeant has been able to establish a reliable base of local contractors to work with. Rather than have a construction company complete a building from start to finish, Sargeant will have the larger companies complete the primary construction. Local contractors complete the final touches, and other Afghans are hired to complete simple labor, such as basic janitorial work. "It creates a much happier atmosphere to get everyone involved, he said. "Once construction on the larger projects has been completed, the new buildings will create a need for permanent positions. You need cleaning crews and maintenance crews, which creates more and more jobs, Sargeant said. I don t even know how to characterize the change I ve seen, Sargeant said. I can tell you about the new buildings and square footage, but it s not just physical change. You look at the changes in personalities, people, relationships, atmospherics. I think we ve established a great relationship with everybody. We treat them with respect, and I think they appreciate that. Naeem, an Afghan construction worker, puts the finishing touches on a septic tank for an annex building. TF Iron Improves New Home Photos by R.J. Peek posterous.com/daily-afghan-iraq-upda 3/11
GHAZNI PROVINCE - Dining facilities provide an indoor eating area for the Soldiers to enjoy their meals and each other s company, at FOB Andar, Oct. 25. Before a mobile mess tent was established for soldiers to receive prepared meals, soldiers ate wherever they could find a spot to sit. Newly constructed shower tents provide efficient hygiene capabilities. The soldiers of the forward support company were instrumental in the construction and the improvements in the quality of life. The new dining facilities allow for more options during meals. Recently, FSC soldiers helped to build a full dining facility, that let the cooks provide better meals with more variety. Spc. Steven Carter, a generator repair tech, works on one of the generators, to maintain stable power flow. The original establishment of the FOB provided small generators for each primary building. The reorganized power system allows the FOB to operate using generators. posterous.com/daily-afghan-iraq-upda 4/11
Marines Build PB Demazong Story by Lance Cpl. Kenneth Jasik Marines from Charlie Co, Combat Logistics Bn 2, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Fwd) add a roof to a post, while building Patrol Base Demazong, Oct. 16-25. The Marines from CLB-2, 1st MLG (FWD) constructed the PB overlooking the village of Demazong, and hope the presence of ISAF will stop the flow of illegal items coming in from Iran and Pakistan. While Marines built the PB, Georgian soldiers conducted foot patrols in the area, and ANA soldiers set up vehicle checkpoints along the road. HELMAND PROVINCE The Marines worked around the clock for 9 days to complete PB Demazong. To complete the base, they set up Hesco barriers, made wooden structures, and filled sand bags. They [Georgian and ANA soldiers] can attempt to halt the trafficking of illegal items from Pakistan and Iran, by building something that provides a secure area to operate out of, while keeping close to villages and Route 606, said 1st Lt. Brett Scull, plt cmdr. "The mission comes down to helping the people of Demazong," said Scull. Being the first ISAF forces in the area, means that Georgian and ANA soldiers have a greater impact on the security of the area. They hope to prevent IEDs from being built and used by the Taliban. I enjoy helping the Afghan people, said Scull. We do what we can to make their lives better. We've improved routes for them, dug irrigation ditches, and built canals and footbridges. Marine 1st Lt. Brett Scull (center) talks to Afghan civilians near the village of Demazong, as the first step in building a healthy relationship between ISAF and the village. Lance Cpl. Scott Buttrey Jr., a combat engr, fills a Hesco barrier with dirt. posterous.com/daily-afghan-iraq-upda 5/11
Injured Marine Returns to the Fight Story by Lance Cpl. Kenneth Jasik Cpl. Nicholas Ludke, a combat engr with Charlie Co, CLB-2, 1st MLG (FWD), fills a Hesco barrier while helping build PB Demazong, Oct. 18. Ludke, 22, suffered a grade-3 concussion from an IED blast, Sept. 16, but fully recovered and returned to his unit within a month. He joined them on the next mission to build PB Demazong. HELMAND PROVINCE I saw the dirt go up; I didn t hear anything, said Cpl. Nicholas Ludke, as he remembered the day at Fire Base Saenz, near Sangin District, when the IED exploded. Ludke was only a few meters away when he was hit by the tire fragment of a heavy equipment vehicle that had rolled over an IED. The next thing I remember is that I was low crawling and trying to listen to the commands, said Ludke. I couldn t stand up because I was so out of it. We thought we received mortar rounds, and the truck I crawled into happened to be a gun truck. Nobody was in the turret so I jumped up there. With his head swollen from the wound, Ludke fought hard to pay attention to what was happening around him. It felt like my skull was crushed in, said Ludke. When my sgt. saw me he said that I was pretty messed up, and he made sure I got on the helicopter. Ludke wasn t the only one injured by the blast. His plt. sgt. was knocked out by the blast, and suffered shrapnel wounds to his right arm. It amazed me how within a minute we had our staff sgt. on a gurney, and docs helping everyone on the scene, said Ludke. Within minutes, my unit had a helicopter pick us up. Ludke didn t want his injuries to stop him. It was a fight to come out here, said Ludke. I knew if my Marines could see me out there, they would be much better off seeing that I m fine. It was kind of hard, and I was nervous, but now I m glad I came out here. In Demazong, Ludke led his junior Marines with a lot of enthusiasm. He filled sandbags, set up Hesco barriers, installed concertina wire, and helped build bunkers for the PB the same job he was doing before the IED blast. To Ludke, getting the work done is the important thing. He loves the team spirit that comes out when Marines work together to get something done. I love coming outside of the wire, said Ludke, because it s the work of everybody. There's no military occupational specialty for filling sandbags or setting up Hesco. Everyone comes together and gets the job done. I feel like I ve done something in Afghanistan, said Ludke. I ve improved and built things for the Americans, British and the Georgians. When someone asks me what I did in Afghanistan, I ll be able to say I ve helped with force protection with all of the CF. posterous.com/daily-afghan-iraq-upda 6/11
Ludke will be presented the Purple Heart medal in an upcoming ceremony. Marines Keep Patriotism High at Camp Leatherneck Story by Cpl. Shannon McMillan Sgt. John Leavens, lead navigator, 3rd Plt, Alpha Co, Combat Logistics Bn 2, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Fwd), stands proudly next to a guidon display he helped construct for the CLB-2 compound, Oct. 21. Leavens, 31, and Lance Cpl. Devin Reyna, volunteered several weeks of their time to gather materials and construct flag poles to display the National Colors and Marine Corps flag with pride, along with the units' guidons, smaller flags representative of individual units within CLB-2. CAMP LEATHERNECK I wanted to do something that will motivate everyone, said Sgt. John Leavens." Since the completion of the project, the flag display has been utilized for reenlistment, promotion and awards ceremonies, and flying the colors at half mast in memory of a fallen comrade. When someone chooses to have their re-enlistment ceremony in front of something that you built, that s when you know they're proud of it, said Leavens. Whenever I look at the flagpole, I always get courage and motivation, said Lance Cpl. Devin Reyna, 19, metal worker with Maintenance Plt, HSC. Motivation, because of being in Afghanistan and constructing something that makes it that much better for everyone out here. The Marines hard work and dedication will be displayed here as long as Marines are serving aboard Camp Leatherneck. It was very motivating to see Marines take time out of their very busy schedule to hand-make the flag poles and do all the work to put them up, said Sgt. Maj. Tracy Linch, bn sgt. maj. The flags came out awesome; they fly high above the CLB-2 compound with pride and honor to our country and Corps. As the Marines of CLB-2 prepare to complete their tour in Afghanistan, they know they're leaving a monumental piece of patriotism for future units who support the counterinsurgency mission here. When we started the project, we wanted to make sure they will last for the battalions after us, to hold the tradition of displaying the colors with pride, said Reyna. posterous.com/daily-afghan-iraq-upda 7/11
Lance Cpl. Devin Reyna stands proudly next to a guidon display. Sgt. John Leavens (left) and Lance Cpl. Devin Reyna, stand proudly in front of the flag poles they constructed. IRAQI STORIES: NewsBlaze Training Pays Off for Basra SWAT at Graduation By Sgt. Cody Harding Maj. Ryad Hadi, far right, sits with the Basra SWAT team before their graduation ceremony at the Basra Ops Center. The SWAT team has spent weeks training on weapons, tactics and drills to become trainers for the Basra Police Force. BASRA - Their training covered over a month-and-a-half of learning, teaching and practicing their tactics. They were taught how to engage targets, clear rooms and collect evidence. Most importantly, they were given the tools needed to pass the info on. For the Basra SWAT team, the graduation ceremony held at the Basra Ops Center, Oct. 18, was just the beginning. The 10 SWAT team members were presented certificates of their achievement by IA Staff Maj. Gen. Al-Amery, the Basra Provincial Chief of Police. 1st Lt. Christian Kapsen, a plt. leader with 1st Bn., 68th AR Regt., said that the training helps the U.S. Forces complete their mission on the ground, and works with the current plan for the drawdown of forces. "I think it will help improve their capabilities, as well as start to get more recruits through," Kapsen said. "We're training the trainers at this point, so we'll assist with our mission of the Redeployment of Forces process." The SWAT members were trained on squad tactics, weapons handling, tactical site exploitation and other important skills. While the training improved their own skills, the purpose of the course was to prepare them to teach other forces, including new SWAT members. posterous.com/daily-afghan-iraq-upda 8/11
Maj. Ryad Hadi, cmdr of the Basra SWAT team, said that all Iraqi forces can benefit from the training the SWAT members received. "We always need to improve ourselves," Hadi said. "Every time we involve this kind of training, we guarantee that our unit will continue, will improve and will use all of the expertise that will help us in securing all of Iraq, especially Basra." Chaplain (Capt.) Miller Eichelberger, said that watching the graduation represented a profound shift from when he served in Desert Storm, as an infantry officer. "Now, to see them going through the full spectrum ops that we've conducted here to be stable, is wonderful, especially to see how proficient these guys are in their job, and their ability to take control of their country," said Eichelberger. "As you know, all of the Iraqi forces now need a lot of training," Hadi said. "So, this is a part of the whole mission. As long as the American forces are here, we hope that we can benefit from your presence, and your expertise in all kinds of missions." "The difference is that this country has gone through a lot of changes, and I can't say more than I'm just proud of the Iraqi people and soldiers for taking charge of their country, and having pride," Eichelberger added. To Hadi, the graduation meant his police, the best of the best in the Basra Police Force, are ready. "I promise you, all of Iraq's soldiers promise you, we will keep this country safe," Hadi said. "We will sacrifice our lives to keep this country safe." A member of the Basra SWAT team salutes Staff Maj. Gen. Al-Amery, and Capt. Kristopher Thompson, cmdr of Co C, at the Basra SWAT graduation ceremony. The ten SWAT members who graduated are set to train the new generation of IP. USF-I USD-South Trains Iraqis to Target Terrorists Story by Spc. James Kennedy Benjamin Sfc. Carlos Castaneda, psychological ops NCO-in-charge for USD-S, shows staff Brig. Gen. Hussein, chief of staff of the 8th IA Div, and Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs, USD-S dep. comm. gen. for maneuver, some examples of posters, cards and billboards used to inform the public of suspected terrorists, during a targeting board presentation at an Iraqi compound, adjacent to Camp Echo in Diwaniyah prov., Oct. 19. The briefing provided the IA info on how suspected terrorist are filtered from the brigades to become division level threats. posterous.com/daily-afghan-iraq-upda 9/11
BASRA Intel changes every hour, every minute, every day, said Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs. For every target, there is a task, purpose, method and desired effect. The 2-1/2 hour briefing provided Iraqis a better understanding of the roles a division staff plays in determining which individuals or terrorist cells have priority, and how those threats are elevated from brigade targets to division targets. These ops go on every day, along with the other big ops that we do with the ISF, Gibbs said. It takes a team of well-trained experts. Iraqi soldiers were able to compare how U.S. forces conduct a targeting board meeting, and how it differed from their own. Gibbs stressed that every soldier s input is vital to the mission. It's not only officers who do this job, Gibbs said. We believe that every soldier is a scout. We've a lot of junior sgts. They all have input as to what's going on, on the ground. Gibbs added that targeting is a joint effort that can require all branches of service to work together. "Because of targeting board meetings, USD-S has detained about 50 individuals," said a USD-S staff judge advocate. "More than a dozen have been tried in the Iraqi judicial system, and a few have been found guilty," he said. We're happy that you all came today, Hussein said. Hopefully we'll have the opportunity to get together again to learn more from each other. Staff Brig. Gen. Hussein talks with Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs. Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs talks to staff Brig Gen. Hussein, during a targeting board. Comments (0) Leave a comment... To leave a comment on this posterous, please login by clicking one of the following. posterous.com/daily-afghan-iraq-upda 10/11
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