War Report

The War Report

American forces are fighting heroic battles in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Global War On Terror, yet the Mainstream Media is largely ignoring these efforts. Hopefully, we can help get the word out here at MNN.

Cobras Strike in Afghanistan

The shriek of the air horn breaks the silence of the day, the peaceful calm of the flight line violently interrupted. In seconds, papers fly, chairs are knocked out of the way, and shouts fill the air as maintainers and aircrew sprint to the aircraft.

By Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones, 1/16/09
Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan

CAMP BASTION, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - The shriek of the air horn breaks the silence of the day, the peaceful calm of the flight line violently interrupted. In seconds, papers fly, chairs are knocked out of the way, and shouts fill the air as maintainers and aircrew sprint to the aircraft.

To the casual observer, it seems nothing more than chaos erupting. But for Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Detachment B, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan, this is an intricate and rehearsed reaction, as each member moves with the rapid precision reminiscent of a NASCAR pit stop.

One hundred meters and thirty seconds later, pilots are already donning their flight gear. Just minutes later, the aircraft are already started, armed and pilots are grabbing last-minute details for the troops in contact from the battalion air officer. As they pull in collective, clawing into the air, the aircraft momentarily shudder as every single ounce of lift is allocated to getting a full load of fuel, rockets, rounds and missiles airborne. As the Cobras disappear on the horizon, silence again fills the air along with the nervous anticipation among the mix of airframers, avionics technicians and ordnance men. They turn-to in preparation for hot reloading, troubleshooting and battle damage assessment, as the next evolution of managed chaos is about to begin.

The Marine Corps' 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, originally scheduled to deploy to Iraq, was redirected a month prior to deployment and by April found itself operating in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Tasked with the mission of training and mentoring the Afghan national police, 2/7 was baptized under the full assault of Taliban and insurgent forces.

They faced rocket and mortar indirect fire, or IDF attacks, direct-fire engagements from small arms, rocket propelled grenades and heavy machine guns, as well as a vast network of improvised explosive device manufacturers and emplacers.

The mission of 2/7 was to establish, train and mentor local ANP units in order to build confidence in their ability to deter and interdict the insurgency. Reinforcements assigned to assist 2/7 with its mission included a combat engineer platoon, a shock trauma platoon, a radio battalion detachment, reconnaissance Marines, DynCorp civilian contractors and personnel specializing in civil military operations.

No deployment is complete, however, without the presence of "Mr. Murphy." The Marines of 2/7 rapidly found themselves deeply engaged in combat operations and quickly realized that their training and mentoring mission would have to be complimented by significant counterinsurgency and combat operations. The mission for 2/7 formally changed and the wheels at Headquarters Marine Corps were set in motion to reconfigure the Marines in Afghanistan for full combat support. Among the shortfalls identified immediately were rotary wing close air support assets.

"Be prepared to leave for Afghanistan as early as this weekend." Those were the words of our executive officer, as he spoke to us on a Tuesday morning in early August, in our ready room aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, Jacksonville, N.C. Even though the squadron had spent the previous months preparing for its fifth deployment to Iraq, rumors had been swirling around about an alternate tasking to provide a detachment in support of 2/7.

In the end, the decision was made to deploy HML/A-269, Det. B, to Afghanistan to support Task Force 2/7. The detachment, comprised of four AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters, ten pilots and approximately forty aircraft maintainers, ordnance men and support Marines, arrived at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, in mid-August of 2008.

Upon its arrival to Kandahar, HML/A-269, Det. B, was initially placed under operational control to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's air combat element formed from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365, also stationed out of MCAS New River.

That first week in-country was filled with a variety of briefs with topics ranging from rules of engagement to first aid. In addition to theater in-briefs and acclimatization, pilots began their orientation flights while the maintainers quickly got acquainted with the aircraft. Frequent IDF attacks reminded everyone that even though Kandahar Air Field was a sprawling multinational base hosting thousands of service members and civilian contractors with a steady flow of U.S. and international heavy-lift aircraft, foreign attack jets, and a wide array of transport helicopters, both civilian contractor and military, it was located in the middle of a dangerous combat zone.

The advantages of Marine Corps rotary wing close air support became readily apparent to the operational forces in Regional Command - South. HML/A-269, Det. B, was comprised of experienced pilots and maintainers, most with two previous combat deployments under their belts.

Within one week of arrival, HML/A-269, Det. B, repositioned from Kandahar to its present home at Camp Bastion and began conducting flight operations in support of 2/7. The mission was simple: provide close air support in direct support of 2/7, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. With no end date established, the Marines of HML/A-269, Det. B, were ready to get to work.

On several early flights in 2/7's area of operations, surface-to-air fire was encountered and dealt with appropriately and effectively. The mission of forward air control (airborne) was also frequently executed to control aviation and surface fires at the outposts. Much like 2/7, HML/A-269, Det. B, quickly found itself immersed in a kinetic fight on a regular basis.

The move to Camp Bastion was a step back in time to the days of the Corps' combined arms exercises at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. A single airstrip, with a small contingent of general purpose medium-sized tents represented the entire Marine Air-Ground Task Force footprint. Looking off to the north, Hildago was replaced by Kuh'e Khvajeh Ultat Baba, and at about the same distance to Gay's Pass was Forward Operating Base Cafferetta, on the edge of a town called Now Zad, a war-torn village that conjures images of no-man's land from WWI. Thankfully, the offensive smell of the waste-water treatment pond, also know as Lake Bandini, was left back at Kandahar.

Built in early 2006, Camp Bastion is the largest British overseas military camp built since World War II and the main British military base in Afghanistan. It is situated northwest of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. Originally quartering only British forces and a small number of U.S. Special Forces and civilian contractors, Camp Bastion became the home of 2/7 and, after a brief stay in Kandahar, home to HML/A-269, Det. B.

In spite of its small size, Camp Bastion revealed itself to be a busy place. HML/A-269, Det. B, shared the air field with British Apaches, CH-47s, H3s, and Lynx. U.S. Army Black Hawks flew out of Camp Bastion, filling the medevac role for the area of operations. In addition to these aircraft that called Camp Bastion home, the airspace was continuously transited by Marine CH-53s and C-130s, Air Force C-17s, coalition unmanned aerial systems and a wide variety of coalition and civilian cargo aircraft.

Task Force 2/7's area of operations was greater than 35,000 square kilometers (more than twice the size of Connecticut), with terrain that varied from flat, open desert to rugged 9,000-foot mountain peaks. Population centers ranged in size from small groups of tents, erected by sheep herders, to cities with populations in the thousands.

Nowhere in their AO was there a safe haven for the Marines that was free from the constant threat of enemy attack. Such attacks were, at times, as simple as pressure plate IEDs, or as complex as coordinated small-arms and mortar attacks complete with support-by-fire positions and maneuver elements.

Using the theater call sign "Abusive," HML/A-269, Det. B, immediately got to work for 2/7 by focusing on a core mission set that centered around close air support, surface and rotary wing escort, and armed reconnaissance. Previous training and experience allowed HML/A-269, Det. B, to quickly get the birds in the air and support the ground troops needing the firepower they had to offer. The detachment quickly established a battle rhythm. In addition to pre-planned missions, HML/A-269, Det. B, was ready at a moment's notice to respond to mission supporting troops in contact. Within the first week after their arrival, the pilots on both shifts became intimately familiar with the various towns and widely varying terrain as a result of supporting tasking and responding to missions throughout all 35,000 square kilometers of 2/7's AO.

Word of HML/A-269, Det. B's arrival at Camp Bastion spread fast throughout the AO and support requests from a wide array of Combined Joint Special Operation Task Force units, Estonian forces and British ground forces started flooding in. The task for the HML/A-269, Det. B, operations officer was to liaise with the MEU operations section in order to balance all of the various requests. HML/A-269, Det. B's primary mission was to support 2/7, however; great effort was put forth to provide support to other units as asset allocation would allow.

The months of September and October found the Marines of HML/A-269, Det. B, heavily engaged with the Taliban and insurgents. Little by little however, the insurgent fighters learned that shooting while "the skinny gray helicopters" (Taliban description of the AH-1W) were overhead was not a bright idea. Soon, the distinctive sound of the AH-1Ws flying overhead was enough to quell attacks on friendly forces. The pilots of the detachment were faced with the feeling, familiar to any attack helicopter pilot, that the "bad guys" were getting away. However, the security that the presence of AH-1Ws overhead provided was often enough for mission accomplishment, even if a round was never fired.

After an initial honeymoon period of relatively little surface-to-air fire as the insurgents reacted to the presence of AH-1Ws in the AO, the situation gradually evolved and surface-to-air fires became more frequent. Along with radio intercepts discussing their attempts to hide from the helicopters, enemy fighters' discussions turned frequently to shooting at those same helos, with airburst RPG's being the weapon of choice. As the threat evolved, the pilots of HML/A-269, Det. B, continually re-examined their tactics so as to best accomplish the mission while reducing the enemy's effectiveness.

Cowardly one moment, brazen another, the insurgent fighters proved to be a resilient and ever-present threat. They were knowledgeable on the alliance forces' rules of engagement and were quick to adapt and change their own tactics, techniques and procedures to exploit the limits of the alliance's ROE. They gave little to no thought to using innocent civilians as human shields. One of the obvious advantages they had was an intimate knowledge of the terrain and population centers. They used this familiarity to mask their movements and to blend in with the local populace.

During the early part of November, the squadron detachment gained a new headquarters element. The 24th MEU departed and was replaced by SPMAGTF-A. Headquartered out of Kandahar, SPMAGTF-A picked up where the 24th MEU left off, taking over command of HML/A-269, Det. B, as well as 2/7.

In late November, after eight intense months of daily combat operations, 2/7 was replaced by 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced). Since HML/A-269 and 3/8 are both stationed in Jacksonville, N.C., the arrival of 3/8 brought a number of familiar faces to Camp Bastion, to include two Cobra pilots from HML/A-269 who were on one-year FAC tours. With their relief-in-place with 2/7 complete, 3/8 rapidly got to work, picking up where their predecessors left off.

In addition to a change in higher headquarters and supported units, November brought another undeniable change - cold weather. Sitting at roughly 3,000 feet mean sea level, Camp Bastion's temperatures regularly dropped below freezing at night and struggled to break the mid-40s during the day. This presented increasing challenges to the maintenance Marines. With no hangar facilities, all maintenance, from the routine "daily and turnarounds" to in-depth phase inspections, was conducted while exposed to the deteriorating weather. Mid-December also marked the official beginning of the Afghan rainy season, which complicated the situation even further. Camp Bastion's dirt roads, combined with the influx of rain and heavy vehicle traffic, created a quagmire.

In spite of the worsening weather, the mission and operational tempo did not change. The expected slow-down in insurgent activity that normally arrives with the Afghanistan winter never materialized. In fact, through the first half of December, the squadron detachment flew nearly as many hours at it had in any previous full month. HML/A-269, Det. B, found itself being requested by external agencies and multinational forces even more than usual during periods of degraded weather, when fixed-wing aircraft couldn't fly. The detachment's capabilities and training allowed it to operate in conditions considered unworkable for any other rotary wing asset in theater.

The AH-1W Super Cobra's all weather capabilities make it absolutely vital to the fight in Afghanistan, especially during the winter months when the weather traditionally takes a turn for the worse. The pilots of HML/A-269, Det. B, realized that their enemies were bound and determined to hold onto any and all tactical and geographical advantages they had secured throughout the recent months.

Looking back on the time that HML/A-269, Det. B, spent in Afghanistan, it is impossible to ignore the improvements made by U.S. and alliance ground forces. Their efforts have assisted the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in weakening the grip of terror to which Taliban and insurgent fighters had been subjecting the people of Afghanistan. The combination of kinetic operations and civil military interactions to include the training of local forces and in-depth counterinsurgency operations has made significant strides toward pacifying the strongholds of the insurgents. The balanced use of the full-range of mission capabilities of the MAGTF once again demonstrated why the Marine Corps is the force of choice when combating an insurgency.

New Combat Outpost Sees Quick Progress in Southern Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2009 - U.S. Soldiers are seeing positive results from their increased presence at the newly built Combat Outpost Terminator in the Maywand district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province.

Within weeks of building a permanent outpost, the Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team reported an increased willingness from local residents to help them and to accept help from them.

"When we first came to the area, no one would talk to us," Army Capt. Chris Brawley, commander of Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment. "As soon as we started building, they began talking to us."

"The Maywand district is used to move supplies, narcotics and medical support for the Taliban," Army Spc. Andrew Gardiner said. "Our goal here is to disrupt the supply routes for the Taliban."

This was a difficult task for Soldiers to accomplish before establishing a permanent presence.

"Before, we came here for a couple of days, but then we would leave and it would be back to business as usual for [the Taliban]," Brawley explained. "People have told us that [within days] of building, the Taliban started clearing out of here."

The Soldiers want to continue to build on this success.

"When we first got here, most people would tell you that it was six months since they had last seen coalition forces, and one day since they had last seen the Taliban," Brawley said. "We want to reverse that. We want to patrol so much that we are a constant presence."

Gardiner said he believes support will continue to grow in the area.

"They are warming up to us, because they recognize we are going to stay here," he said. "Our area of influence will expand as we have more opportunities to get out and talk to people. Each time we patrol, we try to talk to more people. They are definitely more positive about our presence."

Photo: Counter-Piracy Operations

A rigid hull inflatable boat departs the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio. San Antonio is the command ship for Combined Task Force 151. The task force conducts counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Persian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea and was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment. (1/14/09)

Iraqi Security Forces, Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers Detain 9 Suspected Criminals in Northwest Baghdad

By the Multi-National Division - Baghdad Public Affairs Office 1/14/09

BAGHDAD - Iraqi security forces and Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers detained nine suspected criminals during combined operations, Jan. 13, in Baghdad's Kadhamiyah and Mansour Districts.

At approximately 12:15 a.m. Iraqi army soldiers serving with the 3rd Battalion, 54th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division arrested six individuals for criminal activity in Baghdad's Mansour District.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., Jan. 13, in the Shulla community, Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, supported by Soldiers from Company B, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, detained three individuals suspected of criminal activities in Baghdad's Kadhamiyah District.

"Conducting combined operations with the Iraqi security forces and capturing known criminals shows the Iraqi people the commitment of the Iraqi security forces and MND-B Soldiers to provide a safe and secure environment for them to enjoy a normal life," said Maj. Kone Faulkner, 2nd BCT spokesman, 1st Inf. Div. "The Iraqi security forces continue to display their growing capability as they lead the security operations for their country while the Daggers provide minimal assistance and tactical over watch."

Marine advisor recovers five, awarded Bronze Star

1/12/2009 By Cpl. Aaron Rooks , 2nd Marine Logistics Group
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Jan. 12, 2009)

The Marine Corps is moving toward a different mission in Iraq as it progresses further into the early months of 2009.

Forces are currently centering their efforts to transitioning control of terrain and operations to Iraq's military forces with the goal of serving as advisors instead of primary combatants.

The outcome of the Corps' mission lies partly in the hands of Marine advisors serving both past and present in Iraq. These advisors serve among fellow Marines and sailors amidst battalions, brigades and divisions of the Iraqi military, training with them, living with them, eating with them and becoming brothers-in-arms with them.

Maj. Mark Slusher, the deputy operations officer for the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, is one of the many advisors that have served among Iraqi forces. Slusher and the three-week Basra Campaign showed just one example of how Marine advisors can influence the growing Iraqi military.

The Lebanon, N.J. native was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device, Jan. 12, for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against insurgency in the city of Basra that contributed to the success of Iraqi forces in the region.

Slusher served as team leader for Military Transition Team 111 of 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division from Aug. 22, 2008 to Aug. 17, 2008. During this time, he simultaneously advised the Iraqi Army battalion commander and led his 15-man MTT through combat operations that cleared multiple insurgent strongholds and weapons cache sites throughout the city, according to Slusher's award citation.

"It's fire in the belly courage and leadership," said Brig. Gen. Juan G. Ayala, commanding general of 2nd MLG. "It's because of American advisors putting their lives on the line that the Iraqi Army is on its feet."

Ayala, having served as senior advisor to the 1st Iraqi Army Division the year prior to Slusher's tour, said the efforts of American military members make this a very significant time in U.S. and Iraqi history. Ayala went on to say Slusher's efforts epitomize military advisors and show how much of an impact they can have.

Lt. Col. Chuck Western, who served with Slusher as the brigade MTT leader, said Basra was a dangerous place at the time they were there. Slusher's team and the Iraqi battalion were bombarded by continuous mortar and small arms fire in the early days of the campaign.

According to his award, Slusher repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to direct his team's defensive actions and advise the Iraqi battalion commander in combat.

"Mark was able to convince the Iraqi battalion commander to stay in the area where he was at," Western said. "He stayed there shoulder-to-shoulder with the battalion commander. He gave him time to get over his concerns and become a combat commander."

This same quick action and presence of mind was displayed while elements of the MTT were exiting the Basra city limits, April 24, after conducting a combat patrol. One of the transition team's vehicles was attacked by an explosively formed penetrator, which is an improvised explosive device commonly used to penetrate armor at stand-off distances. The device destroyed the vehicles and wounded all five members inside.

Slusher immediately retrieved the injured personnel from the burning vehicle while under steady small arms fire, and moved them to a covered position to administer first aid. His citation said his actions resulted in a successful air and ground casualty evacuation of the injured Marines.

"We operate there alone and unafraid," Slusher said, speaking of how a MTT functions. "Everyone knew their roles and I was truly blessed with the men I had on my team. It's great to know we were able to positively influence what happened in Basra and the rest of the country."

The year 2009 has began with a positive outlook on the future for the country of Iraq as more Iraqi units take charge of military operations in their country. Western said Slusher and the Basra campaign shows just that.

The Basra campaign featured "a Shia government and a Shia force clearing a Shia city," Western said. "The efforts of advisors for the last five years have done this."

Joint Forces Target Foreign Fighters in Afghanistan

From the American Forces Press Service, 1/12/09

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces detained eight suspected militants, including two wanted men, during operations in Afghanistan's Khost and Kandahar provinces Jan. 9, U.S. military officials in Afghanistan reported.

Afghan national police and coalition forces detained three militants in the first operation, including a wanted Haqqani militant. In Sabari District, about 140 miles southeast of Kabul City, the combined force targeted the Haqqani foreign fighter network netting a militant known to coordinate and facilitate the movement of Arab fighters into the region. The militant also is believed to be in contact with senior Haqqani leaders, planning attacks against Afghan civilians and coalition forces, officials said.

The combined force searched the building without incident.

In Kandahar City, coalition forces detained five suspected militants, including a targeted Taliban financier, during an operation to disrupt the organization's ability to fund terrorist activities. Believed to aid the militant organization through funding and other support, the financier is assessed to have direct ties to numerous Taliban commanders in the region.

"These intelligence-driven missions with combined Afghan and coalition forces are excellent examples of the cooperation needed to defeat Afghanistan's enemies," said Zemarai Bashary, an Afghanistan Ministry of Interior spokesperson.

Okinawa Marine Awarded Silver Star

By the III Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs Office, 1/11/09

ALSO SEE: Award Citation (PDF)

OKINAWA, Japan - Gunnery Sergeant Robert J. Blanton was awarded a Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award given for valor in combat, in a ceremony Jan. 8.

Lieutenant Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force and commander of Marine Corps Bases Japan, presented Blanton with the award on behalf of the President of the United States.

According to the award citation, Blanton, currently assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, III MEF, received the award "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy...in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom FY-08."

MilitaryNewsNetwork is proud to feature Pioneer Military Loans.

MilitaryNewsNetwork.com (MNN): Global military news, photos, videos, information, discussions and more for military people worldwide. Serving army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, reservists, veterans, spouses, brats, contractors, dod and civilian employees, supporters, and interested individuals located in the U.S. and around the world.