Volume Four, Number 27 - 10-24-09
Mission - Soldier - Family - Team
For the latest news, pictures, and information from 4ID, regularly check:
http://www.carson.army.mil/units/4id/
(Note from Bob - This is a new address for the 4ID web site. It has been moved from Fort Hood to Fort Carson. For the time being, the Fort Hood link is still being forwarded to Fort Carson, before being phased out in the future).
Seven Day Weather Forecast: .
Baghdad, Iraq - Sun, Hi - 85, Lo - 62, light rain; Mon, Hi - 87, Lo - 62, mostly sunny; Tues, Hi - 89, Lo - 63, mostly cloudy; Wed, Hi - 83, Lo - 63, mostly cloudy; Thur, Hi - 85, Lo - 63, thunder showers; Fri, Hi - 85, Lo - 63, scattered showers; Sat, Hi - 81, Lo - 62, scattered showers.
Kabul, Afghanistan - Sun, Hi - 67, Lo - 40, sunny; Mon, Hi - 67, Lo - 41, sunny; Tues, Hi - 66, Lo - 38, partly cloudy; Wed, Hi - 66, Lo - 36, partly cloudy; Thur, Hi - 67, Lo - 36, sunny; Fri, Hi - 69, Lo - 36, mostly sunny; Sat, Hi - 69, Lo - 42, mostly sunny.
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Although 4th EN BN is no longer a 4ID unit, I sadly report these deaths since the 4th EN BN was a 4ID unit from WWI through the first year of OIF.
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of four Soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Oct. 15 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 569th Mobility Augmentation Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, Fort Carson, Colo.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Glen H. Stivison, Jr., 34, of Blairsville, Pa.;
Spc. Jesus O. Flores, Jr., 28, of La Mirada, Calif.;
Spc. Daniel C. Lawson, 33, of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; and
Pfc. Brandon M. Styer, 19, of Lancaster, Pa.
Let us keep the Families and fellow Soldiers of SSG Stivison, SPC Flores, SPC Lawson, and PFC Styer in our thoughts and prayers.
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65 Years Ago This Week - 4ID in Germany - 24-31 October 1944
24 October 1944 - D+140
The enemy line in the newly defined northern sector of the 4th Infantry Division was vague. Small enemy forces were employed forward of the pillbox line. About thirty-two rounds of rockets containing enemy propaganda leaflets were received in the CT 8 area at about 1015. The 4th Infantry Division maintained positions to the immediate west of Siegfried line fortifications, and continued patrols and training.
25 October 1944 - D+141
4th Infantry Division had skirmishes with enemy small reconnaissance patrols during combat, security and contact patrolling.
26 October 1944 - D+142
The enemy continued to employ small patrols. No changes in the activities of the 4th Infantry Division.
27 October 1944 - D+143
There was less enemy activity. Small patrols did operate, especially in the wooded area, while strong outposts were maintained over most of the sector. Mortar and artillery fires continued to harass our front line elements.
28 October 1944 - D+145
Enemy artillery and mortar fires were lighter than previously.
The 4th Infantry Division continued patrolling and rotation of units to rest and training. It continued planning for future operations.
29 October 1944 – D+146
The same method of employing patrols and outposts while its main body occupied the pillbox line was continued by the enemy.
30 October 1944 – D+147
The 4th Infantry Division sent out combat patrols who reported enemy contacts and installations, plus continued training and preparation for future operations.
31 October 1944 – D+148
Some activity was seen amongst the enemy forces in the pillbox line. The 8th Infantry sent out patrols from its 2nd and 3rd Battalions to locate and destroy enemy outposts, locate enemy installations and harass enemy OPL.
The 12th Infantry continued combat, security and contact patrolling by the 2nd and 3rd Battalions. Company A remained attached as V Corps CP guard.
The 22nd Infantry sent out patrols from the 1st Battalion. Enemy positions, including Hellenthal and Hollerath, were harassed by indirect fire from 57 mm antitank guns and from caliber .50 machine guns. Training was conducted for units not employed, with emphasis on woods fighting and infantry-tank coordination.
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Summary for October 1944:
Notes about logistics:
During the period, emphasis was placed on securing winter supplies. Additional blankets (a total of four per man), woolen underwear (two suits per man), and overcoats were issued. Difficulty was experienced in securing sufficient overshoes (larger than size 9 not available), and sleeping bags (only 5,000 for the division). Sufficient anti-freeze solution was obtained to protect only 10% of the vehicles of the division.
Killed or died of injuries: 2 officer, 49 EM
Missing: 1 officer, 14 EM
Seriously wounded or injured: 5 officers, 21 EM
Slightly wounded or injured: 16 officers, 222 EM
Total casualties: 330
Prisoners captured: 207
Total casualties for 4ID from 6 June 1944 to 31 Oct 1944 (148 days of combat):
Killed or died of injuries: 177 Officers and 2,205 Enlisted Men
A total of 18,691 prisoners have been taken since D-Day.
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Soldier remembered as hero
By Jason Hidalgo
Reno Gazette-Journal - October 18, 2009
Some called him son. Some called him friend. Everyone called him a hero. Army Pfc. Kevin Christopher Thomson was honored Saturday at a poignant public memorial service at Mountain View Mortuary in Reno that drew a cross-section of the community he called home for two decades.
From rugged bikers and clean-cut Soldiers to loved ones and complete strangers, plenty of people were on hand to pay tribute to the fallen 22-year-old Soldier. Some wore buttons that featured a smiling Thomson with the words "Home Town Hero" written above him.
Chaplain Anthony Reich noted Thomson's courage for volunteering to serve with a combat unit, knowing full well that he could be called up to the front lines. "He left all the comforts of home to go to a foreign land to fight for what he believed in," Reich said. "He could've done 1,001 things over here, but he went. He gave his best."
Buddies remembered Thomson as an unparalleled prankster who can make friends in five minutes and endeared himself to anyone.
Friend Chris Rabe recounted the times Thomson "scared us half to death" with air horns, a werewolf mask and his infamous driving skills while they were helping him get his driver's license. Rabe also remembered the countless times Thomas tried to convince him that "Ghostbusters" was the "best movie in the world.""All I have are good memories and every single one of them makes me smile," Rabe said. "I've never been more proud of anybody in my life. I'm gonna miss him a lot."
Friend Michael Obi recounted all sorts of childhood misadventures -- including run-ins with wasps and a bullwhip -- with Obi always suffering the painful consequences. Thomson had a knack for surviving such incidents unscathed, causing Obi to liken him to a superhero. Obi couldn't believe that the seemingly invincible Thomson fell in battle in Afghanistan.
Thomson was one of eight Soldiers from the 61st Armored Cavalry Regiment who were killed in an Oct. 3 insurgent attack in the country's remote Kamdesh district. "He was my hero," a tearful Obi said while choking up. "Now, my hero's gone."
Thomson was born in California but spent most of his life in the Silver State. He resided in the area for 20 years and attended Wooster High School.
Thomson was especially excited after being accepted into the Army, Rabe said. Thomson's enthusiasm about the Army was noticeable in a portrait that showed him with a big smile in full military dress uniform. Cheryl Foxcroft, a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, said seeing the photo brought tears to her eyes. "I have a 20-year-old, and I can't even imagine the grief that (Thomson's) family is going through," Foxcroft said. "It just saddens me that there isn't more attention given to fallen Soldiers."
Thomson was laid to rest Saturday afternoon at the Northern Nevada Veterans Cemetery in Fernley. Thomson is survived by his mother, Debora Rouston; and father, Douglas Thomson.
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More news is emerging from the fierce battle on 3 October 2009 - this from the Troop Commander of B Troop, 3-61 Cavalry, 4BCT, 4ID...
The Battle of Combat Outpost Keating
At 6:00AM on October 3, 2009, Combat Outpost (COP) Keating and Observation Post (OP) Fritsche, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan came under complex attack by an enemy force of more than 300 fighters from the Hezb-Islami-Gulbuddin (HIG) and Taliban. The fighters occupied the high ground on all four sides of the COP and initiated the attack with concentrated fire from a B10 recoilless rifle, RPGs, DSHKAs, mortars, and small arms.
The Soldiers of B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, a light Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop in Task Force Mountain Warrior, 4th Infantry Division, fought with ferocity and valor. For the first three hours of the attack, mortar rounds impacted the COP and OP every 15 seconds. The six M1151 gun trucks on the COP withstood several direct hits by multiple RPGs, half of them sustaining as many as 8 RPGs each. The Troop tactical operations center (TOC), helicopter landing zone, aid station, mess hall and barracks were hit from multiple weapon systems, which ultimately set fire to and destroyed more than 70% of the buildings on the COP. More than half of the Troop lost all of their gear and personal property, 23 scouts sustained injuries during the Battle of COP Keating, and eight American Soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice.
“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, and sweat, and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, and spends himself in a worthy cause.” While there are no doubt many heroes of the Battle of COP Keating that fought with valor and saved many lives, the men in the arena that I want to honor are my fallen Soldiers. Their sacrifices saved the lives of no less than 54 of their American brothers. Their courage under fire allowed the remaining men to hold their ground, counterattack, and retake the COP from the enemy.
Sergeant Justin T. Gallegos was being relieved of his guard duties when he immediately moved under heavy enemy fire across an open area to reinforce the southwestern defensive position. When SGT Gallegos made it to that location he immediately called for indirect fires and aviation assets to destroy enemy strong points. Despite receiving heavy and accurate sniper and automatic weapons fire from multiple elevated positions, SGT Gallegos continued to suppress the enemy. Several attempts to push additional ammunition to SGT Gallegos were unsuccessful, but he remained at his position and switched weapons to his personal M4 machine gun, providing covering fire to allow two of his Soldiers to break contact.
Specialist Christopher T. Griffin knowingly exposed himself to enemy fire to resupply and reinforce an M1151 Up-Armored Humvee. Once at the battle position, SPC Griffin, and 8 other Soldiers, were immediately pinned down by a barrage of enemy fire. Selflessly, SPC Griffin instructed the other Soldier's to fall back to a covered position while he provided covering fire for their move.
Sergeant Joshua M. Hardt climbed into an uncovered position, with no regard for his own safety, and reloaded a MK-19 (a 40mm machine gun) and engaged enemy forces until exhausting his ammo supply. Moving quickly under fire, SGT Hardt then led his team of Soldiers to resupply an alternate position, and suppress an oncoming force of 10 Taliban. After his truck was disabled by a barrage of RPGs, SGT Hardt courageously provided covering fire to his two Soldiers, allowing them to safely exfiltrate to a friendly position.
Sergeant Joshua J. Kirk moved under heavy RPG and machine gun fire to secure the COP’s Entry Control Point (ECP) from a growing enemy force. At the ECP tower, SGT Kirk pulled down the Soldier on guard, whose weapon had been hit by an RPG, and set in an alternate machine gun position to regain fire superiority. Still under fire, SGT Kirk called in an indirect fire mission on the north face overlooking the COP to destroy a well protected machine gun nest that was overwhelming his position with RPG fire. In a final act of heroism, SGT Kirk attempted to fire an AT-4 into the machine gun nest to destroy it.
Private First Class Stephan L. Mace had just been relieved of his guard post when the battle began, and he immediately moved back to his truck. With no regard for his own life, Mace moved to a very vulnerable, yet effective, position and assisted his NCO with firing the M2 .50 Cal machine gun. When the position’s crew-served machine guns were damaged and out of ammo, PFC Mace and another Soldier heroically provided covering fire to enable their teammates to move back to friendly positions.
Sergeant Vernon W. Martin, the Troop mechanic, overheard a report that the gun-trucks desperately needed ammunition resupply, so he selflessly volunteered to lead the efforts. Refusing to let the junior Soldiers run into the hostile open area, SGT Martin gallantly crossed the 200 meters of treacherous ground and delivered much-needed ammo to a position that was taking heavy RPG fire.
Specialist Michael P. Scusa, without hesitation, left his fortified barracks and ran twice through 100 meters of heavy machine gun and sniper fire to resupply a guard point that was fixed and low on ammunition. After his second turn, SPC Scusa secured additional loads of 7.62mm ammunition and courageously ran out to resupply Soldier's from his sister Platoon.
Private First Class Kevin C. Thomson, a Troop mortarman, moved quickly under direct enemy fire to man the M240B machine gun emplaced in the mortar pit. While under heavy enemy fire, PFC Thomson attempted to gain a position that could repel the enemy advance and allow the rest of the mortar section to man the mortar tubes.
These eight American heroes fought for their country and died saving their fellow Soldiers. Because of their dedication, courage, and sacrifice, the Soldiers of “Black Knight” Troop repelled the Taliban and HIG, and ultimately kept COP Keating and OP Fritsche from falling into the hands of enemy forces. Their actions would not have been possible without the lethal fires and direct support from the attack aviation pilots of B Co, 3-101st AVN, “Blue Max,” the aircrew of 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Hammer Company of Task Force Chosin, and the 1/C/1-32 AFAR. The American forces that took part in the Battle of COP Keating are responsible for killing over 150 insurgents and injuring an estimated 100 more.
The Battle of COP Keating was a defining moment for the Black Knight Soldiers. While our hearts are heavy, our heads remain high. The tactical success of the battle is due to the decisiveness of my 1st Platoon Leader, 1LT Andrew Bundermann, and the collaborative efforts of the Troop First Sergeant, Fire Support Officer, Platoon Leaders, Platoon Sergeants, and medical personnel. All said, the Black Knight Soldiers are the men who won the battle against overwhelming odds, defeating an enemy force more than four times their size.
I spent most of October 3rd with Hammer Company (the Quick Reaction Force) moving from the OP to the COP in a 6-hour-long patrol that cleared through the remaining enemy strong point as well as COP Keating. My name is Captain Stoney L. Portis, and I’m the Troop Commander for B Troop, 3-61 CAV.
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Artillerymen Save Lives on Battlefield
American Forces Press Service
LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 2009 – Army Sgt. Carlos Medina is relaxing in his room at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam here when his radio breaks the silence. Medina and his unit are needed to provide field artillery support. Medina leaps into action. “Fire mission!” he yells to the other artillerymen who live in the rooms adjacent to his quarters. All are assigned to 4th Infantry Division’s 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.
But his teammates already have sprung into action. The artillerymen have to be ready to go at any time.
Using the M-198 155 mm howitzer, their mission is to use illumination rounds to keep forward maneuvering units from getting ambushed at night and to provide fire support when patrols come into heavy contact.
Having donned their gear, the Soldiers hasten toward the gun line knowing that time is of paramount concern.
Pfc. James Billasano, a 3rd Platoon artilleryman, explained why the initial moments of a fire mission are so frantic. “We drop whatever we’re doing,” the Needville, Texas, native said, “because when we get the call, it’s game time; someone really needs us -- lives can be at stake.”
“It’s a rush,” Medina added. “Once we get the call, we are ready to fire in about five minutes.”
As they head out, the mission still is unknown. “There’s an uneasy tension as you run down to the gun line,” said Army 1st Lt. Regan Tatford, fire direction officer and platoon leader for 3rd platoon. “The uncertainty of not knowing what the mission is for really gets your adrenaline pumping.”
To some of the Fort Carson, Colo.,-based Soldiers, the first minutes are a blur, but not for the Soldiers calling for support. “That initial three minutes seem like an eternity to the guys needing our support, because they desperately need it,” Tatford said. “The faster we do our job, the faster they can do theirs.”
Oftentimes, the enemy is unaware of the artillery until it is too late for them and just in time for the forward Soldiers. “The enemy could be engaging our guys with [rocket-propelled grenades] or small arms,” Tatford said. “If we’re called up, [the enemy] wouldn’t know about us until the round impacts.”
This quick-strike capability is an asset to ground units and has the potential to save Soldiers. “We save lives,” Medina said. “Our job is to give them light to see and to watch their backs, and we’re having success doing that.”
The Soldiers are able to provide support up to 18 miles away, he said, which gives the forward elements greater freedom to accomplish their missions.
The success they’ve had supporting forward Soldiers has given them confidence in their abilities and trust in the skills of each other, Billasano said. “It takes about eight guys and everyone has to be in sync for everything to go smoothly,” he said. “We trust each other’s skills.”
That confidence makes the unit more cohesive and effective, Tatford said. “I’m proud of these guys and what we do,” he said. “We have fired several times toward [Combat Outpost] Nagil when the COP was being directly attacked and helped neutralized the enemy there.”
Though they may be heroes to the Soldiers they’ve supported, the Soldiers remain humble. “It’s rewarding,” Tatford said. “It is a great feeling to have someone come on the radio and say, ‘thanks, you guys really helped us out.’ But it’s our job; it’s what we signed up to do.”
Medina said he’s grateful for the opportunity to serve his country. “I’m proud to be here,” he said. “I feel like we are making a difference.”
(From a Combined Joint Task Force 82 news release.)
Note from Bob - as a former Vietnam Infantryman, I can vouch for the value our Artillerymen provide - and all Infantry Soldiers from all wars feel the same way. Hooah to the Artillery!
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Eastern Afghanistan provinces establish regional peace Jirga
By Air Force Capt. Tony Wickman
Provincial Reconstruction Team-Kunar Public Affairs
October 22, 2009
NANGARHAR, Afghanistan – In a show of unity, more than 300 leaders and elders from four eastern provinces gathered Oct. 22 for the first regional Jirga to talk about peace, prosperity and the rehabilitation of Afghanistan. The provincial governors of Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan and Langham and elders representing tribes, villages and districts gathered at the Nangarhar governor’s compound to lay out their homegrown plan to improve the security and development of the four easternmost Afghanistan provinces.
“Today is a historical day for the eastern provinces for this peace Jirga. For the last couple of months, the eastern provincial governors have talked about peace and prosperity. Today is the day we will all talk about how we get them,” said Shersha Hamdard, the conference master of ceremony said in his opening remarks.
The overarching purpose of the Jirga is to engage anti-government elements and the local population to bring them closer to the government, while maintaining a close relationship with Coalition Forces. “As the Afghan government tries to bridge the gap between them and the people, the Jirga will bring the people closer to their government,” said Fazlullah Wahidi, Kunar provincial governor. “The Jirga will give the people information from the government. They will also decide how to solve problems and prioritize the needs of the people.”
At the meeting, the Jirga approved an eight-point strategy on how to operate and elected a 20-member executive council with five representatives from each of the provinces to operate the day-to-day business of the organization.
According to Wahidi, the people in the eastern provinces are happy to have the new Jirga and that the Jirga works very well in Afghanistan because it is a traditional system in the country. “We have our tribal democracy, and the Jirga is one of the ways we implement the decisions of the majority. The Jirga is a big part of the democratic process,” Wahidi said. “We want to continue to work for peace and security, and people’s participation is very important to peace, security and development. People really want to know what is going on in their provinces, and we are trying to involve people at all levels. This Jirga is a very positive way to do that.”
According to Gul Agha Sherzai, Nangarhar provincial governor, the Jirga is the right approach to the problems facing the eastern provinces. “Today is a day of happiness. We are looking for a security solution in the eastern region and a Jirga is the right approach to our problems,” Sherzai said. “I’m optimistic that we will come up with solutions for the eastern region here today that meet our goal of peace, security and prosperity in the eastern provinces.”
The tone of today’s meeting was also about reconciliation with Taliban and anti-government people.
“It is time to talk with each other about security…to talk about peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. We want peace and a better life,” Sherzai said. “I invite the Taliban who want to be part of the peace to come and join us. It’s time to find a peace and prosperity solution. We should sit with each other to talk about how to bring peace, how to find love in your country and how to find a better life.”
Lutfullah Mashal, Langham provincial governor, pointed out to the crowd that the deaths in the country are unacceptable. “A lot of people are dying…Coalition Forces, Afghans and Taliban. And for what reason? Why do we let bad people come here and do different things in our country?” Mashal asked the crowd. “They are not from here, they are from different countries. We will have women and no men because of the bad people killing our young people. We are responsible for finding the solution to peace, prosperity, social justice and unity in our country.”
Mashal implored the group to work together to bring peace, security and development to the eastern provinces, and thanked Coalition Forces for their efforts. “ISAF forces are not here forcefully and are here helping us. They leave their countries and Families to help us bring peace and prosperity. We have the need for friendly forces because they are sacrificing their lives for our peace,” Mashal said.
It was a sentiment echoed by Jamaluddin Badar, Nuristan provincial governor. “We should work to not let bad people in our country,” Badar said. “We should help the Coalition Forces and not the terrorist groups who bring their fighters here. This is the job of our elders, scholars and theologians…to announce it is better to have peace than to fight.”
Col. Randy George, Task Force Mountain Warrior Commander, told the group the Jirga made a statement about the kind of country the attendees wanted for their families and communities. “You are making a righteous statement about the kind of enlightened future this region of Afghanistan deserves and is capable of achieving,” George said. “This effort to build a secure and prosperous region will succeed with your just leadership, faith and persistence. Your honorable leadership is required to help guide the people of your communities to make the right choices. We are here to help and support the government in this endeavor.
“Through your guidance and leadership your communities can chose, as you are doing today, to band together through formal and informal processes to reject the forces of evil and extremism and create opportunities for greater prosperity and peace,” George said.
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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Keep Watch in Afghanistan
By Army Spc. Derek L. Kuhn
Special to American Forces Press Service
LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Oct. 19, 2009 - Odin was a warrior god in Greek mythology who ancient warriors beseeched for victory and protection in battle. It was said Odin had ravens that would fly over the Earth each day. The ravens brought tidings of events from all corners of the earth.
Soldiers here today also are using Ravens to gather information. But though their Ravens do the same tasks as Odin's informants, they aren't birds. They are unmanned aerial vehicles. The Raven is a portable UAV that provides Soldiers a live video feed both day and night and also has tracking and still-image capabilities.
"If we need to get eyes on something, we'll use the Raven," said Army Staff Sgt. Tyrone Baird, the master trainer for the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. "The Raven has a couple of cameras. The first is the normal day camera, but when it gets dark, we switch to the thermal camera." The Raven also has GPS tracking capabilities, Baird said.
Army Spc. Mitchell Matney, a Raven operator for the regiment's Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, agreed with Baird's assertion and explained the Raven's usefulness. "The Raven allows us to gather intelligence," he said. "We can track targets, gather intel and scout ahead with it."
The Raven's small size allows Soldiers to carry it into the field without weighing themselves down. Matney said the total system weighs about 40 pounds, with the UAV itself weighing only about 4 pounds. "It's modular," the Las Vegas native said. "You can distribute the system throughout the squad, which minimizes the amount of weight each [Soldier] has to carry."
Baird said that makes the Raven ideally suited for Afghanistan's more rugged areas, because Soldiers can put it in flight to scope out an area instead of sending Soldiers up the mountains to investigate.
Matney added he has witnessed first-hand the Raven's capability to save lives. "The last time I was in Iraq," the native of Pahrump, Nev., said, "my [forward operating base] was receiving mortar fire, and we sent the Raven out to find their position. The Raven found where they were. We sent out some guys. They ended up capturing 12 guys and stopping them from hurting anyone."
Though it's an important tool for Soldiers in Afghanistan, the Raven still enjoys a hobbyist type of enthusiasm from its operators. "The Raven is really fun to operate," Matney said. "Flying it is kind of like playing a video game."
Baird agreed and expressed the pride he feels in making an impact while enjoying the simplicity of the Raven. "It is definitely fun to fly," he said, "but the more important thing is knowing that I am contributing many different ways with the Raven. I am proud to be able to serve my country."
(Army Spc. Derek L. Kuhn serves with the 40th Public Affairs Detachment.)
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Troops Re-position to Better Protect Afghans
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2009 - Even as leaders in Washington struggle with the next steps in Afghanistan, troops there are moving to better protect the Afghan people, NATO and Pentagon officials said today.
NATO's International Security Assistance Force is gradually re-positioning its forces as part of the counterinsurgency strategy of protecting the population. When Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the NATO and U.S. commander in Afghanistan, arrived in Kabul, his mission was to institute a counterinsurgency campaign against the Taliban and other terrorist groups. The heart of the campaign is protection of the Afghan people and separating the people from Taliban influence and intimidation.
McChrystal has begun re-positioning forces in Regional Command East. Combined Joint Task Force 82 is coordinating with local and regional officials as the process moves forward. The command has closed two combat outposts and one observation post to date, Pentagon officials said.
"Each closure is coordinated with the Afghan Border Police, who have the mission for protecting the border, as well as local government officials, Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army in the area," a Regional Command East official said.
The command closed Combat Outpost Lowell in Nuristan province's Kamdesh district today. Troops left the facilities at the outpost intact for use by the local community, and Afghan soldiers and police will take over security responsibility ffor the region.
Pentagon officials said NATO forces will continue to work with Pakistani forces across the border as the re-positioning continues, Pentagon officials said. NATO, Afghan and Pakistani officials work together in a coordination cell in the region.
"We are monitoring the situation in Pakistan very closely, and we continually assess the security situation in Afghanistan and adjust our operations to ensure we try to assist our Afghan partners as best we can to maintain the security within Afghanistan," said Army Col. Wayne Shanks, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul.
NATO forces will be re-positioned in other parts of Afghanistan in the coming weeks. "We are re-positioning forces all across Afghanistan to better protect the Afghan people," Shanks said. "You won't see wholesale re-distribution, but movement from remote locations to ones which can prevent insurgent influence on the larger population centers."
American officials are encouraged by the Pakistani effort in Waziristan. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters traveling with him that the "terrorist attacks that have been launched inside Pakistan in recent days made clear the need to begin to deal with this problem. So we obviously are very supportive of what the Pakistanis are doing. But it's very early yet."
More than 30,000 Pakistani troops, supported by close-air support, have moved into Waziristan – an area considered to be the heart of the Taliban presence in Pakistan.
(Donna Miles of American Forces Press Service contributed to this report.)
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ANSF, ISAF distribute supplies to Pakistani refugees
October 19, 2009
KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Force service members with Task Force Mountain Warrior, are providing humanitarian assistance to a recent wave of Pakistani refugees crossing the border into the Bar Sholtan District of Afghanistan’s Kunar province.
The displaced persons claim to be fleeing a recent outbreak of violence in the Federally Administrated Tribal Area of Pakistan, following a recent offensive by Pakistan’s military against insurgent forces operating in the area. More than 40 families have already crossed the border into Kunar province in recent days, and ISAF estimates up to 3,000 may follow in the coming weeks.
“It’s important for us to assist in the immediate response to meet the basic needs of the people,” said U.S. Army Maj. Rodney Roquemore, a chief coordinator for the ongoing relief operations, for TF Mountain Warrior.
After traveling up to 5 days by foot, many Pakistanis were amazed at the progress made in the eastern Afghanistan province. Insurgent forces operating in the FATA led many people to believe the situation in eastern Afghanistan was dire. “I was told Afghanistan was in ruins… I visited Asadabad and I see roads, bridges and a large bazaar… I see now this is not true,” said one refugee.
ANSF and ISAF will continue to supply the incoming persons with as many tents, food and medical supplies as needed.
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Building a road and bridging a gap in Kunar Province
By Air Force Capt. Tony Wickman
Provincial Reconstruction Team-Kunar Public Affairs
October 21, 2009
CAMP WRIGHT, Afghanistan – In Kunar Province, the road to economic success is paved and has bridges linking both sides of the Kunar River together. The provincial government, with the help of Provincial Reconstruction Team-Kunar, is making success a reality with the 18-kilometer Asmar to Nishigam road and Mara Wara Bridge span.
According to Dan Dunleavy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representative to the PRT, the road project is well underway and will spur economic development and increased security in the province. “I’m very pleased with what I saw…they are doing a good job getting the project on track and constructing the road,” Dunleavy said after an assessment Oct. 20. “The road is in a tough place that is frequently attacked by Anti-Afghanistan Forces. Many trucks and transportation vehicles line the riverbed because they were destroyed while traversing this road. Once completed, the road will improve safety in the area by giving security forces quicker access to the area to respond to threats.”
In the long term, Dunleavy said the road will link the villages along the road to the provincial capital and beyond, which will in turn stimulate economic development.
The $5.1 million project was assessed at 30 percent complete. Dunleavy said the project got a little behind because AAF would use cornfields along the road to attack the workers and disrupt traffic. “Now that the corn is harvested, the contractor is putting his workers back on the job and protecting them and his equipment,” Dunleavy said. “Overall, there are more than 100 workers employed on this project and we saw eight different road crews working during the assessment.”
Also during the assessment, the PRT evaluated the progress of the Mara Wara Truck Bridge project and the approach roads. The new bridge, approximately five kilometers north of Asadabad, will link the two sides of the Kunar River when completed in November.
While there are a few construction concerns that need to be addressed with the contractor about the approach road, Dunleavy said the bridge is in great shape and will be a vital thoroughfare linking the province together. It is a sentiment echoed by Dawood, the lead construction engineer on the project. “The bridge is important to the people here,” said Dawood, who like many Afghans only goes by one name. “We have to cross the river very far away, but now we are happy to get this work done and cross the river here.”
Pointing at the old bridge currently used to ford the river upstream, Dawood pointed out the differences between that bridge and the bridge under construction. “This is a concrete bridge and very good and stable. That bridge over there is not stable because it shakes and is very scary,” he said. “This is a very good improvement.”
The construction project is nearly complete and was an economic engine for the province because it employed approximately 300 people from the local area at various times on the year-long, $1 million project.
Dawood said once his company is done with the bridge, they will begin construction on a police station near the bridge. “After this job we will go to work on the construction project on the other side of the bridge. We will hire more local people because it’s honorable to hire local people,” Dawood said. “We have to do the survey first, think about how many people we will need and then hire 200 or 300 workers because it will take two years to build.”
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Rule of Law Conference in Nangarhar
Story by U.S. Army Pfc. Beth Raney, Task Force Mountain Warrior Public Affairs
October 19, 2009
NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Members of the Afghan Legal Rights Departments and Afghan Police from Nangarhar, Kunar and Laghman provinces came together for a rule of law conference at the Nangarhar governor’s palace in Jalalabad, Oct. 11. The intent of the conference was to discuss the strategy for improving the legal system in the region.
The morning was filled with briefings and presentations made by U.S. and Afghan agencies and non-government organizations operating in eastern Afghanistan including representatives from the U.S. State Department, the Supreme Court of Afghanistan, and the Afghan Justice Sector Support Program.
“The conference succeeded in bringing all of these key players together into one room,” U.S. Army Maj. Jeffrey Thurnher, Task Force Mountain Warrior’s legal officer, from Woodbridge, Va., said. “This was the first time all of these police and judicial leaders have gathered together for a regional conference.”
After lunch, the attendees reconvened and divided into three groups. One group discussed building ties between the formal and informal legal systems. In many remote areas of Afghanistan, local elders and shura members resolve disputes and pass judgement outside the formal system of law. The second group discussed improving public awareness of legal rights, and the third worked on improving cooperation between prosecutors, police and courts in order to reduce arbitrary detentions.
“The hope was to develop two or three suggestions for how to handle each of those problems and to challenge the group to begin implementing them,” Thurnher said. “They discussed ways to tackle some of the most challenging problems facing the legal systems of their provinces.”
According to U.S. Army Capt. Craig Scrogham, a native of Richmond Hill, Ga., and Task Force Mountain Warrior’s rule of law attorney, the attendees also discussed a pilot program used in Kabul to track cases more effectively. Scrogham hopes the program will be available in the area soon.
“The timing couldn't have been more perfect because all the ministries joined together in Kabul the week after the conference and signed into law the use of this case-tracking system,” Scrogham said.
“Although we certainly did not develop a comprehensive strategy with just one meeting, we took a great step toward increasing cooperation between the groups and developed some great ideas for making changes,” Thurnher said.
“We have done training for Rule of Law before, but we have never brought all of these groups together for a session before, Scrogham said. “Training normally has been specific to police or to prosecutors or to Huqooq Department officials. Being able to talk to everyone at once was one of the primary benefits of this session.”
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Army Cancels Brigade's Iraq Deployment
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2009 - An Army brigade slated to deploy to Iraq in January was relieved of its deployment orders this weekend without current plans for a new mission, Pentagon and Army officials said here today.
The 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team (Note to my 22nd Infantry readers - this is the brigade that 2-22 IN is in) was off-ramped by Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, because of the improved security situation there, and not to bolster forces in Afghanistan, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.
"This [decision] is based on General Odierno's assessment of the security environment in Iraq," Whitman explained. "It reflects the continuing improvements in the ability of the Iraqi security forces to be able to safeguard their people as well as their institutions."
The 3,500 Soldiers who make up the brigade will continue training and honing their skills, awaiting a new mission, which is the normal posture for troops in garrison. Pentagon officials have no plans, as of yet, to deploy the brigade to Afghanistan, Whitman said.
The strategy assessment involving Pentagon and White House officials and commanders in Afghanistan still is ongoing, and no decisions for additional troops have been made, he added. Cancellation of the brigade's deployment was a decision about Iraq, the Iraqi security environment and the Iraqi security forces that was "based on the situation in Iraq, not Afghanistan," Whitman said.
The brigade was intended to replace the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, an Army National Guard unit from Clinton, N.C. The North Carolina Guard unit still is expected to return from its 12-month deployment on time in February, which will bring the number of brigade-size units in Iraq to 10. That statistic is subject to any future decisions that could be made about forces needed in Iraq, Whitman said.
About 117,000 U.S. service members are now in Iraq.
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Odierno Projects Steep Iraq Drawdown in 2010 Despite Concerns Over Election
Fox News, October 20, 2009
The top U.S. general in Iraq told officers in Baghdad Tuesday that he still expects the troop drawdown to kick into high gear after the January election -- despite concerns that the vote could be delayed and an admission from Gen. Ray Odierno that Al Qaeda will always be a low-level threat in Iraq.
He urged officers to spend time planning for the U.S. withdrawal as a secondary mission, even though their top priority is to support the Iraqi security forces. "My goal is that on One September everybody is going to wake up and say 'Oh my God, we have 50,000 Soldiers on the ground. How'd they do that?' ... Because I want it to be part of our normal operations," he said. "We are good enough to do this. We are good enough to continue to achieve our mission and we are good enough that while we are doing that, to conduct the largest withdrawal of forces since Vietnam."
Following a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Tuesday, President Obama also said he "re-emphasized" his commitment to the Iraqi leader to withdraw combat troops by the end of August 2010 and all troops by the end of 2011.
Despite the official optimism, there are ongoing concerns that militants will try to disrupt the upcoming January election with increasing violence and that bickering in the Iraqi parliament could lead to a delay in the vote.
In an interview with the Times of London, Odierno discussed the possibility that a delay in the election could imperil Obama's plan to withdraw all combat brigades by the end of August 2010. An election postponement could disrupt that timeline, since Odierno has pledged to keep U.S. forces close to current levels up to 60 days after the election. "We would have to make a decision on whether we continue to draw down on the current timeline or delay it," he said. Odierno warned that the Iraqi timetable will "influence" the administration's decision on strategy in Afghanistan. If troops are held back in Iraq, there are fewer available for a second surge in Afghanistan.
But on Tuesday in Baghdad, where Fox News was invited to sit in as Odierno briefed incoming officers at Camp Taji, Odierno provided details on the planned drawdown. He said the troop level would go from 116,000 to 110,000 by the end of 2009. He said that would fall to 105,000 in February after the elections, and then to 50,000 by the end of August 2010.
Odierno addressed the ongoing complications in the country. He said that even though Al Qaeda has been significantly diminished, they will always have a minor presence in the country. He said the goal is for the Iraqi security forces to be able to handle that threat on their own over the next two years, though he admitted they are not up to the job yet.
"Al Qaeda is degraded but they are still capable and resilient," he said, adding that his focus is to eliminate their financial backing. "But it doesn't matter if there's a presence. It matters what that presence is, and can the Iraqi security forces continue to handle that presence and provide internal security?"
Odierno also warned that Iran continues to support insurgents in Iraq and is trying to influence the upcoming election in several ways. He said Iran is trying to ensure that Shia politicians favorable toward Iran stick together, and that the country is trying to "manipulate" the media to create sectarian fears and achieve that goal, as well as build anti-U.S. sentiment.
Odierno called it a "very sophisticated plan to influence the election."
Fox News' Malini Wilkes contributed to this report.
Copyright 2009 - Fox News
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This is significant news for those who have been caught up in "stop loss" actions since the beginning of OIF and OEF. If you are in touch with friends now out of the military who qualify for this payment, please forward this information to them.
Defense Department to Compensate 'Stop Loss' Troops
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2009 - The Defense Department will implement a new program this week to compensate former and current service members for each month they involuntarily served from Sept. 11, 2001 to Sept. 30, 2009, a defense official said.
Congress approved an appropriation bill last summer, giving the department $534 million over the next year for an estimated 185,000 service members affected by the "Stop Loss" authority since 9/11, said Sam Retherford, director for the department's officer and enlisted personnel management office.
In an interview with the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service, Retherford explained that qualified service members will receive $500 for each month served past their contracted end-of-service, resignation or retirement date.
"Stop Loss is very difficult," he said. "Members have obligations and have intended periods of service, then they have plans for themselves and their families afterward. So we're doing everything we can to discontinue the use of this authority and compensate our members."
Survivors of service members killed in combat or who died after their service will be allowed to make claims. Retherford said those Families are entitled to the compensation and shouldn't be forgotten. "We've asked the services to go out there and identify those who've passed away subsequent to their military service or in the conflict," he said.
Those seeking claims have until Oct. 20, 2010 to do so. The services were directed to develop their own online application process and Web sites defining criteria, as well as their systems for seeking out those who qualify and may have lost contact with their service, he said.
Here's where to get information from each service:
-- Army: https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil or e-mail to RetroStopLossPay@conus.army.mil
-- Navy: E-mail to NXAG_N132C@navy.mil
-- Air Force: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss/
-- Marine Corps: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/stoploss or e-mail to stoploss@usmc.mil
Service members must have been discharged honorably, and have sufficient documents proving their case. Service members who were affected by Stop Loss, but later decided to extend or re-enlist also qualify.
"You'll have to submit documentation to show that you were Stop Lossed -- certificate of discharge, separation orders, retirement orders, memoranda from previous commanders or organizations," Retherford said. "Even if you don't have all the correct documentation, we encourage you to submit and articulate the claim, because the service may have the documentation."
The process shouldn't be difficult for most applying for claims. The military departments will verify eligibility to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. "So all the work will be done right up front," Retherford said. "All DFAS will have to do is issue payment."
For those who don't have documents and believe they should qualify, the department included a provision in the policy memorandum that allows them to make their case through a memo from their former chain of command.
Locating former service members and survivors is the most challenging aspect of the program, Retherford said, and the program was designed with that in mind. The department tasks each service to develop its own initiatives to seek out those who qualify.
"Getting the word out is our No. 1 challenge," Retherford said. "Many are former members. Many have no obligation to the military anymore and are scattered across the world right now. Getting the word out for people to solicit the claim is our first challenge."
The retroactive special pay isn't an official end to the Stop Loss authority, but the department plans to phase out its use in fiscal 2011. The department retains the authority in case of a national emergency.
"In this case, we've been frustrated in our attempts to minimize Stop Loss because of the persistent and dynamic nature of the conflict," Retherford said. "The secretary of defense has already established a plan, and we've reduced Stop Loss significantly."
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers
1) A moving update Bob. It's funny what chokes me up these days. This time it was the story of the man standing outside Carson with the "Thank You" sign. I tried to read it aloud to my husband and had a hard time getting the words out. A fellow 4ID vet and us were all down in Cambridge today to watch crew teams race and they found themselves standing on the street talking about you and your updates. The other guy was wearing his 4ID windbreaker, and from what I've seen, the man may not have any non-4ID clothing. (-:
Thanks, Bob, again, for all your hard work. We sure do appreciate you. All my best to Jan. (Note from Bob - Jan thinks all I have is 4ID and 22nd Infantry clothes).
2) Frankly it's wonderful to have someone who "understands" this thing we call " The Army Life". How units can become our Family, how close folks can be without knowing intimate details etc. about one another.
It's the respect and bonds built thru adversity that survive. Good to know you're tending to the business!
3) C'mon - let me hear from more of you...
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I had a great day at the Atlanta airport USO yesterday (Friday). As I've often said in these updates, I've never experienced a bad day at the USO, and Friday was no exception. Highlights included talking to several 4BCT, 4ID Soldiers (Brigade PSD, 2-12 IN, 3-61 CAV, 704 BSB) returning to Afghanistan from R&R. I'm having some good conversations with these Soldiers - always encouraging them and listening to their tales that will become part of 4ID's history. I also talked at length to a 1SG from the 82nd ABN DIV, headed back to Iraq on his fifth deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq since 2002. We agreed, regardless of division or war, all Soldiers experience many of the same things, and we are a unique band of brothers. I gave him copies of three of my 4ID books to take back to Iraq with him.
Continue to pray for our Soldiers and their Families. Hopefully your football team will win this weekend, unless you're rooting for Kansas, OU's opponent this week (Georgia is idle).
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Bob Babcock - "Deeds not Words"
President, Deeds Publishing - www.deedspublishing.com
President, Americans Remembered - www.americansremembered.org
Past President, 22nd Infantry Regiment Society - www.22ndinfantry.org
Past President, Historian, National 4th Infantry Div Assn - www.4thinfantry.org
PO Box 682222, Marietta, GA 30068 - Phone 678-480-4422 (cell)
