Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Oregon soldiers return home from Afghanistan (+HD video)

The 2nd Chalk of 1249th Engineer Battalion returns to Oregon from their year long deployment to Afghanistan. The group is landing in Salem Municipal Airport in Salem, Ore.
The unit's primary role during their 400-day deployment to Afghanistan was command and control, while providing support for Task Force Gridley


Oregon Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Cory Larivee, of the 1249 Engineer Battalion, is welcomed home by his family shortly after his unit’s return to the Salem Municipal Airport, in Salem, Ore., Dec. 12. Larivee, of Salem, Ore., and approximately 125 of his fellow Soldiers were part of the second group to arrive on a direct flight to the Salem airport. The first group of 51 Soldiers arrived in Salem on Dec. 8.

A chartered flight is framed by the U.S. Flag, held aloft by ladder trucks from the Salem Fire Department, following the Dec. 12 arrival of the second group of Soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1249 Engineer Battalion following their 400-day deployment to Afghanistan. The flight landed at the Salem Municipal Airport where family and friends waited to greet them. 



more photos: http://www.apacheclips.com/boards/showthread.php?14031-Oregon-soldiers-return-home-from-Afghanistan

R.I.P. - Pvt. Jalfred D. Vaquerano

Bliss private wounded in Logar dies in Germany


Staff report
Posted : Wednesday Dec 14, 2011 12:00:50 EST
A Texas-based soldier died earlier this week after he was wounded in Afghanistan, the Defense Department said.
Pvt. Jalfred D. Vaquerano, 20, of Apopka, Fla., died Tuesday in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries suffered from enemy small-arms fire while deployed in Logar province. Vaquerano was assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, out of Fort Bliss.
Further details were not immediately available.

---

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
            Pvt. Jalfred D. Vaquerano, 20, of Apopka, Fla., died Dec. 13, in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries suffered from enemy small-arms fire while deployed in Logar province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
            For more information related to this release, the media may contact First Armored Division public affairs at 915-744-8406 and 915-203-3769, or by email at dennis.r.swanson4.mil@mail.mil .

Dec. 14., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Evening Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Combined Afghan and coalition security forces discovered two weapons caches while conducting routine patrols in Kandahar district, Kandahar province, today.

The first cache consisted of one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, six RPG rounds, three hand grenades, 1,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and three bundles of detonation cord. All of the weapons were confiscated and will be destroyed at a later date without incident.

The second cache consisted of 14 RPGs, five anti-personnel mines, one 107mm rocket, approximately 120 gallons (500 liters) of explosive material and various improvised explosive device components. Security forces destroyed a portion of the cache on site and confiscated the remainder for destruction at a later date.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache while on patrol in Zharay district, Kandahar province, today. The cache consisted of approximately 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) of hashish. Security forces destroyed all drugs on site without incident.

East

A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a weapons cache while on patrol in Zurmat district, Paktiya province, today. The cache consisted of approximately 5,000 pounds (2,273 kilograms) of marijuana and approximately 132 pounds (60 kilograms) of hashish. Security forces destroyed all drugs on site without incident.

Servicemen receive Military Cross at Buckingham Palace

Private Bryan Johnson with Sergeant Glen Gardiner
 A number of brave Servicemen have received military honours at Buckingham Palace today.
The Military Cross is granted “in recognition of an act of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy.”

Three of the Servicemen receiving their awards today all served with The Royal Regiment of Scotland and each has their own tale of determination and courage to tell.

Private Bryan Johnson, just 24 years old, saved a fellow soldier by dragging him to safety in the midst of a Taliban ambush. Private Johnson had only served 11 months!

Sergeant Glen Gardiner, 35, risked his life by going to assist Afghan Army troops who had suffered a casualty. Two rounds passed through his day sack and he was blown off his feet by a grenade.

Captain Iain Curran, 28, is receiving the Military Cross for helping to recover the body of his fallen comrade while under heavy insurgent fire.

I really love his quote which I think displays the essence of the UK Armed Forces, their humility and motivation to just get on with the job. He said; “To see so many bear huge sacrifices and continue to display the humour and fighting spirit for which Scottish soldiers are famous was reward enough.”

All recipients said they were honoured and humbled to be recognised in this way.

These are just a few examples of acts of exemplary gallantry that are occurring every day on the frontline. Their humility inspires us and reminds us what it is to be British.

Congratulations to everyone receiving their award today.

a post from legionlive.co.uk

Senior Taliban commander killed in Kandahar province

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – Local authorities in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday announced the death of a senior Taliban commander in Kandahar province.

A press release issued by the media department of provincial governor for Kandahar province confirmed the death of senior Taliban commander.

The press release further added, senior Taliban commander also known as Arab was killed along with his three companions following a joint military operation by Afghan and NATO-led coalition forces in Pashmol village Zherai district of southern Kandahar province.

According to security officials, the commander was responsible for organizing insurgency attacks against the Afghan and coalition forces.

Taliban militants yet to comment regarding the death of senior Taliban commander.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Last combat unit in Baghdad before one of final patrols

Photo from nickschifrin

nickschifrin tweeted: Last combat unit in Baghdad before one of final patrols.
B Troop, 1st squad, 73rd Cav, 2nd Brigade, 82nd Air
http://mypict.me/upload/images3/upload/0/331/484/331484908.jpg

District Governor Killed in Helmand Blast

The district governor of Khan Shin, Massoud Balouch, was killed in a blast in southern Helmand province on Wednesday, a local official said.

The incident took place in Khan Shin district in the early afternoon when the truck Mr Balouch was travelling in struck a roadside bomb, provincial spokesman Dawood Ahmadi said.

Two others, including an Afghan policeman, also died. Three others, including another policeman, were wounded.

Mr Balouch was killed while campaigning against drugs in Khan Shin, Mr Ahmadi said.

No group including the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.


from TOLONEWS.COM

New Armed Stealth Drone Heads to Afghanistan (And Maybe Iran, Too)

Predator C AvengerImage via Wikipedia
The U.S. Air Force is sending a single copy of a brand-new stealth drone to Afghanistan. Only maybe not just Afghanistan.
Officially, the General Atomics-made Avenger — a sleek, jet-powered upgrade of the iconic armed Predator and Reaper — is heading to Afghanistan as a combat-capable “test asset.” The Air Force said in a statement that it loves how the Avenger’s “internal weapons bay and four hardpoints on each wing,” will give it “greater flexibility and will accommodate a large selection of next generation sensor and weapons payloads,” as reported by Zach Rosenberg at Flightglobal.
Problem is, you don’t really need those things in Afghanistan. Internal weapons bays, which hide the radar signatures of bombs and missiles, are for stealth: most warplanes don’t have them. And it’s not like the Taliban has been firing radar-guided missiles at NATO aircraft. Besides, there are already dozens of armed drones in Afghanistan. One more isn’t going to make much of a difference.
Which begs the question: Is the 41-foot-long Avenger really meant for Afghanistan? Or is it destined to patrol over Afghanistan’s unruly neighbors, Iran and Pakistan, both of which do have radar-guided missiles? That was a job assigned to the Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel before one of those drones crashed in Iran two weeks ago. We’re sure the Air Force has a few more RQ-170s to throw at Iran and Pakistan. After all, the elusive ‘bots have been spotted in Afghanistan, South Korea and Japan. But the Avenger, which debuted just two years ago, is newer and more capable than the Sentinel, which is widely believed to be a product of the early 2000s.

The Avenger reportedly carries a ground-mapping radar and the same ultra-sophisticated cameras as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, making it a perfect candidate for quietly snooping above, say, suspected nuclear facilities or terrorist camps guarded by air-defense radars and missiles. And for a psychological impact, there’s nothing like an advanced, armed stealth drone to put a dent in Iran’s swagger after Tehran captured an apparently intact RQ-170.
To be clear: The Air Force isn’t sending the Avenger to Afghanistan specifically in response to the Iranian drone capture. The flying branch initiated the Avenger purchase back in July, long before we saw the Iranian military on YouTube apparently poking at a dinged-up Sentinel in what appears to be a high school gymnasium.
It’s also not a sure bet that the Avenger would even see action in Afghanistan. The air war over Afghanistan is winding down, big time. NATO warplanes dropped just 310 bombs last month, compared to 866 in November 2010, according to U.S. Central Command. High-tech drone reinforcements are a more natural fit for escalating surveillance operations over Iran and Pakistan than for the Afghanistan war.
The Air Force purchase is apparently the first for the Avenger. The swept-wing General Atomics robot is compatible with the same ground-based control systems as the Predator and Reaper (and possibly the RQ-170, as well). It’s likely the Avenger will simply slot into existing Air Force drone squadrons.
Along with Boeing’s X-45C and Northrop Grumman’s X-47B, the Avenger represents the likely backbone of the Air Force’s and Navy’s future killer-drone fleets. But first, the Avenger will ply its secret trade over Iran and Pakistan Afghanistan. Totally.


source: danger.com by

Enhanced by Zemanta

R.I.P. - Sapper Elijah Bond

Sapper Elijah Bond. Picture: via MODIt is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Sapper Elijah Bond from 35 Engineer Regiment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham on Thursday 8 December 2011 as a result of wounds sustained in Afghanistan.

Serving with the Task Force Helmand Engineer Group, he was a member of a team that was conducting an engineer reconnaissance task in the Deh Adham Khan region of Nahr-e Saraj (North) in central Helmand, on 6 December 2011, when he was injured in a blast from an improvised explosive device.
His colleagues provided immediate first aid before he was evacuated by helicopter to the military hospital in Camp Bastion, where he received further medical attention. He was then flown under the care of a Critical Care Air Support Team to the Queen Elizabeth NHS Hospital in Birmingham where, on 8 December, he died of his wounds.

Sapper Elijah Cooper Bond

Sapper Elijah Cooper Bond, 24, was born on 10 June 1987 in Havant, Hampshire, and grew up in St Austell, Cornwall. He joined the Corps of Royal Engineers in August 2008 and after completing his Phase One training he moved to Gibraltar Barracks to complete his Combat Engineer training. In 2009 he moved to Brompton Barracks in Chatham where he qualified as an electrical and mechanical draughtsman after a complex and academically demanding course.
After two years of extensive training he arrived in Germany in September 2010 to join 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron, a part of 35 Engineer Regiment based in Paderborn. He arrived at an incredibly busy time for the Regiment and was launched straight into Afghanistan pre-deployment training which included a series of exercises and training packages. Not content with this he volunteered for, and excelled at, the General Purpose Machine Gunners' course and showed considerable intellect by completing the Pashtu patrol language course.
With a vibrant personality, he enthusiastically joined in with the lively Squadron social scene; quickly making friends and establishing himself as a character across the ranks. In quieter moments he proved to be an excellent chess player, as many a more senior member of his Squadron found out to their detriment.
Sapper Bond deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, with his Squadron which became known as Engineer Field Squadron 1, part of the Task Force Helmand Engineer Group. He was deployed as a Combat Engineer in 8 Troop and based at Patrol Base Clifton in the Deh Adam Kahn area of Nahr-e Saraj district.
He leaves behind his mother Lizz, father Mark, sisters Kimberley and Bethany, and brothers Isaac and Jose.

Read more at mod.uk: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/SapperElijahBondDiesInUkFromWoundsSustainedInAfghanistan.htm

Two local nationals killed, seven injured by IEDs in Uruzgan

URUZGAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Two local nationals were killed while seven local nationals and an Afghan Security Guard were injured by insurgent emplaced improvised explosive devices in Uruzgan province, Dec. 6-7.

Afghan National Security Forces led the response to both incidents and evacuated the injured for medical treatment.

On Dec. 6, in Khod village, Shahide district, two local nationals were riding in the back of an ASG truck when the vehicle struck an IED. The local nationals were killed on impact with the IED. In the explosion, an ASG was also wounded, and fellow ASGs brought him to a coalition special operations forces base for treatment.

After receiving medical treatment, the ASG is currently in stable condition. After providing medical treatment to the wounded ASG, coalition SOF recovered the remaining pieces of the pressure plate IED and conducted a follow-on search of the area with ANSF to prevent further civilian injuries.

On Dec. 7, three National District Security members and four local nationals were injured when an IED exploded in a bazaar in Deh Rawood district.

Afghan National Police and Afghan Local Police in the area provided immediate first aid and evacuated the bazaar to prevent further injury, and afterward took the wounded to a coalition SOF base for additional medical treatment.

“The ANSF responded really well to the IED explosions ensuring those who needed treatment received it, and that others were potentially hurt by another detonation,” said a coalition SOF team member.

R.I.P. - Sergeant Christopher L. Muniz

US Army 25th Infantry Sergeant Christopher L. Muniz was killed in action in Kunar province on 11th December 2011 when an insurgent bomb exploded while he was on patrol with his unit.

24-year-old Sgt. Muniz, from New Cuyama, California, served with the Hawaii-based 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He joined the Army in November 2008 as a Signal Intelligence Analyst and was on his first overseas deployment.

Sgt. Muniz’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Posthumous Awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Enhanced by Zemanta

R.I.P. - Specialist Ronald H. Wildrick Jr.

US Army 25th Infantry Specialist Ronald H. Wildrick Jr. was killed in action in Kunar province on 11th December 2011 when an insurgent bomb exploded while he was on patrol with his unit.

30-year-old Spc. Wildrick, from Blairstown, New Jersey, served with the Hawaii-based 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He joined the Army in June 2008 as an Infantryman. This was his first overseas deployment. He was married with two daughters.

Spc. Wildrick’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Basic Parachutist Badge. Posthumous awards include Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, NATO Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Several criminal suspects detained in Baghlan province

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – Gen. Syed Zamanuddin Hussaini, provincial security chief for northern Baghlan province following a press conference on Wednesday said, at least 11 criminal suspects in charges of murder, kidnap and armed robberies in this province.


Gen. Hussaini further added, among the 11 detained criminals at least 5 of them are charged for murder cases, 5 suspects are charged for armed robberies and one of the suspect is charged for kidnap cases.
He also said, the suspects were detained following operations by Afghan police forces from various regions of northern Baghlan province.

According to Gen. Hussaini, an Afghan civilian was murdered in Shamraq area of Pul-e-Khumri city by at least four of the detained suspects and fled to Samangan province and were finally arrested by Afghan security forces along with five others carrying out armed robberies in Salang highway and Ahan Dara of Pul-e-Khumri city.

Gen. Hussaini said, Afghan security forces also seized an AK-47 assault rifle from the detained suspects.
Provincial security chief Gen. Zamanuddin Hussaini said, one of the detained suspect was arrested by Afghan security forces while he was struggling to murder a taxi driver after kidnapping him in Baghlan-Kunduz highway and was taken to Jar-e-Khost area of central Baghlan district.

The freed taxi driver praised the activities of Afghan police forces and urged the residents of northern Baghlan province for further cooperation with the police forces.

Meanwhile, Afghan police forces earlier arrested Qari Yousuf, a local Taliban commander for the charges of a security official assassination in Tala-Barfak district.

Report by Ajmal Omeri, Baghlan province.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Afghan police launch military operation in Badakhshan

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 –
 According to Afghan security officials in north-eastern Badakhshan province, Afghan security forces have launched a search and rescue operation to free at least 11 Afghan police forces who were kidnapped by Taliban militants.


Provincial security chief Abdul Nasrati said, at least 21 Taliban militants have been detained by Afghan security forces and at least two Taliban safe havens have been discovered during the operations.

At least 11 Afghan police forces were kidnapped following clashes in Wardaj district of Badakhshan province around a week ago.

According to security officials, at least three Afghan police forces were killed and 3 others were injured during the clashes.

The fate of the kidnapped Afghan police forces is still unclear.
Enhanced by Zemanta

2 Local Taliban commanders killed in Nimroz province

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – According to local authorities in western Afghanistan, at least two local Taliban commanders were killed in western Nimroz province on Tuesday.


A spokesman for Maiwand 215 Afghan National Army commandment in south-western regions Gen. Mohammad Rasool Zazai said, the two local Taliban commanders were killed following a joint military operation in Khashrod district of western Nimroz province.

The source further added, at least four other Taliban fighters were also detained during the operations.

According to Gen. Zazi, the local Taliban commanders were recognized as Mullah Ibrahim and Mullah Shams-ul-Haq Baloch who were killed during the military operations.

Taliban militants group yet to comment regarding the death of the two local commanders in Nimroz province.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Dec. 14., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition ground forces observed multiple insurgents placing an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, yesterday.

After assessing an imminent threat, the ground forces requested close air support to engage the insurgent position.

Coalition aircraft engaged the insurgents as they were burying the IED, killing several.

No civilians were harmed and no civilian property damaged during the incident.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban facilitator during an operation in Kandahar district, Kandahar province, today. The facilitator moved and emplaced roadside bombs throughout Kandahar City. Multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in Kandahar district, Kandahar province, today. The leader constructed roadside bombs and supplied insurgents with mines, grenades and rockets for use in area attacks. One additional suspected insurgent was detained during the operation.

East

Today, during an operation in Zurmat district, Paktiya province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader. The leader constructed and stored explosives and conducted roadside bomb attacks targeting Afghan forces in the Zurmat and Gardez districts. Multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani car bomb facilitator during an operation in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, today. The car bomb facilitator was involved in an attack in Logar province earlier this month that killed one civilian and wounded nine others. The security force detained one additional suspected insurgent during the operation.

Dec. 13., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Evening Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Combined Afghan and coalition security forces discovered two weapons caches in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Dec. 13.

The first cache consisted of one 107 mm rocket, 100 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition, two rocket-propelled grenades, seven RPG boosters, one communication scanner and approximately 14 pounds (6.5 kilograms) of explosive material. The security forces confiscated all materials for destruction at a later date. There were no reports of civilian casualties or damage to property during the operation.

The second cache consisted of approximately 33 pounds (15 kilograms) of explosive material, two mobile phones, 20 detonators and a roll of detonation cord. All of the weapons were seized by the security force to be destroyed at a later date.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a weapons cache while on patrol in Kandahar district, Kandahar province, Dec. 13. The force received a tip that led to the discovering of the cache consisting of two anti-personnel mines and 11 hand grenades. The security force secured all items for destruction at a later date without incident.

While on a dismounted patrol, a combined Afghan and coalition security force responded to multiple local national tips which lead to the discovery of improvised explosive devices in Nawah-ye Barakzai district, Helmand province. The security force found the IEDs and confiscated all materials for destruction at a later date. There were no reports of civilian casualties or damage to property.

East

In Terayzai district, Khost province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a weapons cache during a routine patrol, Dec. 13.. The cache consisted of two AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines of ammunition, three ammunition carrying vests, 800 rounds of small arms ammunition, one RPG booster and 110 pounds (50 kilograms) of explosive materials. The security force confiscated all materials for destruction and there were no reports of civilian casualties or damage to property.

Search this blog