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American forces are making historic progress in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the
Global War On Terror, yet the
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U.S.
Commander Decries 'Barbaric' Enemy Actions in Afghanistan
Story by Gerry Gilmore, 3/07/2009
WASHINGTON - Insurgents in Afghanistan employ intimidation and
barbaric acts in attempts to cow Afghan civilians to submit to
their will or stay nonaligned in the struggle for the country,
a senior U.S. military officer posted in Afghanistan said
today.
For example, insurgents routinely place threatening letters
onto the exteriors of schools and government buildings during
the night, Army Col. John P. Johnson, commander of Combined
Task Force Currahee, told Pentagon reporters during a
satellite-carried news conference.
Johnson's task force, centered on the 506th Infantry Regiment
of the 101st Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, from
Fort Campbell, Ky., has been in Afghanistan nearly a year. His
headquarters is at Forward Operating Base Salerno in Khowst
province. The command covers an area about the size of
Maryland and is responsible for activities in Paktia and
Paktika provinces, as well.
Insurgents in his area "act in a ruthless and barbaric
manner," Johnson said. During a recent incident in eastern
Paktika province, he recalled, insurgents murdered three
tribal elders after they'd attended a meeting with Afghan and
coalition officials.
The insurgents showed up several days later and "essentially
decapitated" the three elders, Johnson said, and then burned
their bodies atop a pile of coalition-provided humanitarian
goods that was set afire.
"It just demonstrates the viciousness, ruthlessness, a lack of
humanity that [the insurgents] can use to intimidate a
population," Johnson said. "This is a country that very much
is run in large sense by the rumors that are generated through
the population."
News or rumors of insurgent outrages travel to cities and
villages, Johnson said.
"So, it's a very strong and ruthless form of intimidation"
that's practiced by the insurgents, Johnson said.
"They don't just make idle threats, they actually carry them
out in a barbaric fashion," the colonel said.
Insurgent violence has made some villagers afraid to cooperate
with Afghan and coalition officials, Johnson said.
However, he said, increased voter registration in his area of
operations indicates how Afghan civilians "really stand in
terms of wanting to preserve a right to vote [and] for some
representative system that can provide a better way ahead."
Meanwhile, U.S., coalition and Afghan authorities are working
together to confront insurgent propaganda, intimidation and
violence, Johnson said.
"We certainly maximize the utility of the airwaves," Johnson
said. "Radio is very much a strong form of communication that
we use. The enemy also uses it in a much lesser form."
Afghan government and security leaders "get on these radios
and they talk directly to the people," Johnson explained. The
biggest task for the Afghan's anti-insurgent information
program, he said, seems to be finding a cohesive message that
resonates from the national to local levels of Afghan society.
"We continue to work on that. We continue to improve oral
communication with our Afghan partners," Johnson said. "But,
that's critical, I think, to get that message right, from the
village all the way up to the national level."
Afghan security forces are stepping up to confront the
insurgents, Johnson said. He praised the contributions of the
Afghan army's 203rd Corps, which he said has developed the
ability to plan and conduct simultaneous and nearly
independent brigade-sized operations in the past year.
"What threatens the enemy the most this year is the increased
capability and capacity of the Afghan national security
forces," Johnson said. The Afghan army, he said, is "the
backbone of this effort" and is making a difference in the
anti-insurgent campaign.
Johnson's command is a mountainous region that's part of the
U.S.-led Regional Command-East. His task force once had
responsibility for six Afghan provinces. All three of the
provinces now under Johnson's purview are along the Pakistan
border.
A Polish task force took over responsibility for Ghazni
province in November, Johnson said, while an infantry brigade
combat team from the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division has
overseen activities in Lowgar and Wardak provinces since last
month.
Most enemy fighters in his area, Johnson said, are not native
Afghans, but rather foreigners that cross over from Pakistan.
Enemy attacks have increased in his sector by about 20 percent
from a year ago, he estimated.
"We do not see platoons [of insurgents] drawn from the local
population to conduct major attacks," Johnson said. "To me,
this reflects a lack of willingness within the population to
actively support the enemy's efforts and the importance of
external support for them to achieve their goals."
The presence of foreign fighters in Afghanistan highlights the
importance of improving security along the
Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Johnson said.
"Our effort to build up the Afghan border police is essential
to our success here," Johnson said.
Reconstruction and humanitarian efforts continue throughout
his sector, Johnson said, citing the ongoing construction of
the Khowst-to-Gardez highway. When completed, the road will
connect Khowst to the interior of Afghanistan and bring
"much-needed services and security to a very important
population," he said.
Meanwhile, Johnson said, it's imperative to "improve our
ability to properly communicate the true nature of this enemy
to a population bombarded by a relatively effective [enemy]
propaganda campaign, and more importantly, an intimidation
campaign." |
"Panthers," Iraqi Security Force Patrol Concrete Jungle
Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, 3/06/2009
 BAGHDAD
– After long hours walking on patrol, the paratroopers kick up
their dusty, worn boots. They grab a bite to eat or hit the
weights, challenge their platoon leaders to video games, or
just sit around and make fun of each other in the dilapidated
hotel known as Combat Outpost 102.
Located in the Rusafa District, paratroopers assigned to Troop
B, 5th Squadron, 73rd Calvary Regiment, 82nd Airborne
Division, call this home
At home, the paratroopers relax a bit, but never let down
their guard because they live in the heart of where they work.
Living out in the neighborhood where they work is necessary
for these Soldiers to accomplish their mission.
"It's much more effective to live among the community," said
Troop B 1st Sgt. Michael Kelly, a native of Wilmington, N.C.,
and a cavalry scout. "We disrupt the enemy's ability to attack
by being out here all the time and gathering intelligence."
Being in the middle of a crowded, urban environment can have
its benefits for these hardened Soldiers.
"The fact that we are so close to the population, it makes us
a harder target," added Kelley with a grin. "Certainly no one
is going to drop indirect fire on us."
Living and working among the community helps the paratroopers
get a real sense of the combat environment and neighborhood.
"It's absolutely necessary to live out here because we can
keep our ear to the ground and get impressions of the general
public," stated Spc. Matthew Luce, a stocky fire support
specialist with Troop B and a native of Windham, Maine. "It's
essential to be on the ground as much as possible."
Luce continued, "We've trained to do our job and we're in our
element when we're on the ground. Whether we're on a mission
clearing houses or whatnot, everybody cheers up when we're
going out."
The mission for Troop B is to work closely with their Iraqi
security force partners to build security and governance for
the local area according to Kelley. They do this through
constant foot patrols with the Iraqi Police and Army, and
talking to people in the neighborhood while handing out tip
line cards. The cards are written in Arabic and have phone
numbers people can call if they see any suspicious activities.
The ultimate goal is to safely handover a secure area to the
local Iraqi security force as quickly as possible.
The paratroopers are trying to rid the area of insurgents, "So
when we leave they won't still be here," said Spc. Robert
Forster, or "Doc," one of the medics for Troop B and a native
of Sebastian, Fla.
"The ISF are pretty good," added Doc. "During patrols, we've
had a couple of fights they've broken up with groups of drunk
guys fighting."
Though the paratroopers have a few Iraqi interpreters working
and living with them, the language barrier is still sometimes
difficult when training and working with their ISF
counterparts. The way the paratroopers conduct their business
as consummate professionals is easy for the ISF to mimic.
"We have high standards across the board, whether in our kits
on patrol or even in garrison, we are expected to operate at a
high level of discipline," said Luce.
"The ISF follow our example when we patrol. They've been out
with Americans for quite a while and they'll start to mirror
what we do," said Kelley
It's apparent that this technique rubs off on the ISF. During
short halts on patrol, the paratroopers provide 360-degree
security and the ISF dutifully follow their lead.
"They are going to take what they want from us and do it their
own way," added Kelley. "They can't be a mirror image of
ourselves."
Ali Falaha, an Iraqi police officer dressed in a blue IP shirt
and sharp black slacks, carrying an AK-47 assault rifle, who
joins in on the paratroopers' patrols follows the lead of his
coalition force teammates.
"Of course the Americans experience is much better than ours,
but it will be a very warm relationship in the future," said Falaha.
"When they stay here in the cities, it is better because then
they teach us."
It's important that working with the ISF means not just trying
to tell them how things should be done, but showing them how
to do them, added Kelley.
"The Iraqi people feel more secure when we do our patrols and
take time to mingle," said Doc as sweat drips off his brow.
"Occasionally people come and say they have info for us; it
shows they're getting tired of it and they want the war to
end."
With the security agreement for U.S. troops to withdraw from
Iraq looming around the corner, training and patrolling with
ISF daily is paramount for the success and safety of the
Rusafa District and districts throughout Baghdad. For Troop B,
they do this by protecting what they call home for now. |
Afghanistan Fight Turns to Economy, Governance
3/06/2009
FORWARD OPERATING BASE AIRBORNE, Afghanistan - It's hard to
find a good, old-fashioned combat fight in Afghanistan right
now -- even here, surrounded by the battle-hardened,
well-armed infantry and artillery troops of the 10th Mountain
Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
That's partly because it is still winter and most insurgent
fighters are holed up waiting for warmer weather, but also
because the fight has changed across this rural landscape.
Here in Wardak province, just south of Kabul, the fight is not
so much ideological as it is economic, senior military
officials say. And while coalition forces are prepared to wage
a toe-to-toe fight against enemy fighters, they are more
inclined to focus on nontraditional means of separating those
who want to fight, from those who want to live peacefully.
"I can, in an instant, become someone's worst enemy," Army
Col. David Haight, the 3rd BCT commander, said. "But that's
not really the main reason that I'm here. I'm here to try to
help the people."
But fighting has not been far from people's minds here. Until
last month when the 3rd BCT took control of Wardak and Logar
provinces, the area was manned by only a company-sized element
of coalition forces. Because this area is not near the
Pakistan border, coalition forces leaders initially did not
predict a serious threat developing here. But as more intense
fighting began in the eastern part of the country, many
insurgents took advantage of the small coalition presence and
the remote districts.
Kabul is visible from here, and the increased enemy activity
made its residents uneasy, feeling that the soft underbelly of
the capital city was unprotected. The two main highways that
run from Kabul south to Kandahar and Gardez were seeing more
bombings and attacks.
That was until the 3rd BCT took over. The team runs the
overarching Task Force Spartan, made up of more than 2,700
10th Mountain Division soldiers. More than 30 percent are
veterans of the division's last deployment to Afghanistan in
2007.
The base is outside of Maydan Shahr, the provincial capital.
There are more than 410,000 people in Wardak province and
about 292,000 in neighboring Logar province. The two provinces
together make up 3,700 square miles, roughly the size of
Connecticut.
The 10th Mountain troops have tripled the area's combat
firepower, but the attacks they are waging now are aimed at
building infrastructure, helping legitimize the provincial
government and pumping much-needed money into the barren
economy.
"It's an economic war. The enemy here ... he's just looking
for a job," Haight said. "He's going to make a hundred dollars
from the Taliban to carry an [rocket-propelled grenade
launcher] or maybe we can pay him $150 to work on a road --
put a shovel in his hand instead of an RPG."
Haight acknowledged the long-running debate over which comes
first, security or development. His battle plan, he said, is
to work both at the same time.
His troops already have made good use of this time of light
insurgency. Haight has pushed troops out of the base and into
remote combat outposts near the villages, especially in the
Jalrez and Tangi valleys, both of which are historical
hotspots for insurgents.
The soldiers are patrolling the villages daily, talking to
locals and building relationships with tribal leaders.
Haight predicts that by the time enemy fighters return to this
area in the spring, his forces will have established roots in
the communities, forcing insurgents to make a choice.
"He either has to choose to fight us -- and if he does then we
can either kill or capture him and that's good -- or he
chooses to leave, and that's good also, because it separates
him from the people and then the people can get on with
running their lives," Haight said.
The coalition forces work hand-in-hand with Afghan national
security forces. An Afghan army battalion is collocated on the
base. The army is well-trained and capable of conducting
independent operations with the exception of needing logistics
and other support elements supplied by coalition forces,
officials here said.
Haight readily acknowledges the challenges that lie before him
and his men -- an enemy that hides within the communities, a
lack of basic infrastructure, treacherous mountain terrain,
harsh weather and a local population that has had no
experience with, or interest in, a local government.
It is misleading to reference "reconstruction" here. Mostly it
is construction, with little or nothing to start with. This
poses challenges as Haight's troops work through providing
basic, sustainable services such as power and water in an area
where they have never existed.
"Quite honestly, putting a man on the moon is easier than
getting water running in Afghanistan," Haight said.
His biggest challenge, however, is strengthening the local
government and fostering locals' trust in that government. In
some places, insurgents offer a pseudo-government in the
absence of a strong local government in the region. But, they
also seek to expand their control through criminal activity,
intimidation and fighting.
"We're not getting outfought here in Afghanistan by the enemy.
We're getting out-governed," Haight said.
Many in this diverse area are skeptical, having not yet
decided to support the local government or coalition forces.
They do not want to revert to Taliban rule, but they are not
yet sure that coalition forces are here to stay.
But, as Haight moves troops into the remote regions, he said
the dynamic changes quickly and already many locals are
turning in those who support the insurgents.
"These people who are fence-sitters are being pushed over with
a feather," Haight said. "It isn't as hard as I anticipated it
might be."
Haight plans to focus on building roads that will open up the
area for commerce, health care and education. Roads here now
are limited to trails and dry creek beds.
"I honestly believe that is the key to getting them out of the
economic woes that they're experiencing," Haight said.
The commander said he plans other projects as well, such as
schools and medical clinics. Haight estimates he will spend
nearly $100 million in commander's emergency response program
funds before he leaves.
Before his deployment here ends, Haight said there are a
handful of roads in both the Wardak and Logar provinces he
would like to have graveled or paved. Also, Haight said he
hopes to have the Afghan security forces in the area capable
of supporting themselves logistically. And he would like to
see more of the corruption culled from the Afghan National
Police.
Finally, Haight said, he wants people here to be able to trust
and understand the local and provincial government. He does
not predict a "Jeffersonian democracy" any time soon, but if
people come to believe in the government, they will have
eliminated most of the insurgency.
"If they achieve that, that's going to be a high enough
quality of life that the enemy's alternative isn't acceptable
to them. It's too oppressive," Haight said. |
PHOTO:
Census Operations in Zinjali Neighborhood of Mosul
3/04/2009: Iraqi children stand by and watch as U.S. Soldiers
from 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, and Iraqi national
policemen conduct a clearing and census operation in the
Zinjali neighborhood of Mosul, Iraq, Feb. 28, 2009. (Click photo to enlarge.)
 |
Corps'
Artillery Rocket System Poised to Strike in Afghanistan
 3/02/2009
(Click photos to enlarge.)
CAMP BARBER, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - The first
platoon of Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment,
test-fired its first rocket in-country from a High Mobility
Artillery Rocket System at Camp Barber, Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan, Feb. 15.
The El Paso, Texas-based Marine Corps Reserve battery
conducted a full-scale fire mission scenario, proving it's
fully capable of firing and hitting its target within minutes
and with deadly accuracy.
"I thought it went extremely well, and it was good to see the
Marines receive the fruits of their labor," said Maj. Frankie
P. Delgado, the battery commander. "They did great and were on
target."
Within minutes, the battery was able to reach its firing
point, set its rocket pod, receive coordinates and deliver a
global positioning system-aided rocket into a predetermined
grid.
The battery's mission is to support Special Purpose Marine Air
Ground Task Force - Afghanistan as a fire support asset.
According to Delgado, the three-man crewed weapons system
cradles six 200-pound rockets capable of destroying targets
more than 70 kilometers away, striking with an accuracy up to
an impressive eight meters.
Delgado said the battery is at Camp Barber to hit "higher
value" targets, and the system can be used as an alternative
to air strikes.
"We're a great asset when you say you want to engage a
particular target and not put innocent people in danger,"
Delgado said. "We're ready to take the fight to the enemy."
Delgado said he sees the unit being a critical asset to
SPMAGTF-A, and in comparison to most air strikes, the enemy
will never see the system's rocket until it's too late.
Although the Army has previously used the HIMARS in
Afghanistan, the battery's recent test-fire marked the first
time the Marine Corps fired a HIMARS in Afghanistan, creating
a page in the history books for the 150-Marine battery.
"We've been training for a long time, and we all wanted to do
our job," said Cpl. Luis A. Cardenas, a launcher chief with
first platoon.
 The
Marine Corps designated 2/14 as a HIMARS unit in 2006,
transitioning what was formerly an artillery-oriented battery
from its howitzer cannons to the more advanced HIMARS.
"There's no adjusting," Delgado said. "You give us a grid,
we're going to hit that grid."
The battery conducted three years of training in order to
prepare for its receipt and use of the HIMARS and was called
to active duty in October 2008. In November, the battery
received notice to shift its focus toward Afghanistan.
"The weapons systems are 180 degrees apart from each other,"
Delgado said, comparing the HIMARS to traditional howitzers.
"It's a new weapons system with GPS tracking. It's like a
scalpel versus a butcher knife."
Delgado said just one of the HIMARS' six rocket tubes can
inflict the same amount of battle damage as one artillery
cannon, but HIMARS has greater accuracy, mobility and less
chance of being outside its target area.
Delgado also said some of the advantages of the systems are
that they are transportable via C-130 cargo transport
aircraft, lightweight and can get onto a road, drive to a
point, fire and drive back before being detected.
"It's [exciting] and it feels good," Akin said. "For a reserve
unit, I think it's a good thing for the HIMARS to be in
Afghanistan. Our Marines are always motivated and there's a
lot of pride."
Akin said the battery has been at the camp for more than three
weeks and was excited because they got to fire the system for
the first time during the deployment.
"This is the tightest and most professional battery I've been
with thus far, and it couldn't have happened to a better group
of guys," Delgado said. "We are the fire support for SPMAGTF-A."
Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan's
mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations, with a
focus on training and mentoring the Afghan national police. |
Coalition Forces Kill Four Militants in Kandahar
3/01/2009: KABUL, Afghanistan - Coalition forces engaged
several militants this morning, killing four, while conducting
operations in Maywand District, Kandahar province,
approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Kandahar.
Coalition forces learned through intelligence sources that
enemy combatants were using the karez (water irrigation)
system in Maywand District to hide weapons and munitions. When
the assault force arrived at the targeted series of irrigation
holes, they were engaged by armed enemies. Forces responded
with small-arms fire and called in close air support to combat
the enemy. Four militants were killed in the battle.
An initial search of the karez holes revealed several AK-47
assault rifles, PKMs (machine guns) and a rocket-propelled
grenade launcher.
The firefight occurred away from a nearby non-combatant
population. No women or children were seen during the
engagement. No coalition forces were injured. |
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