Friday, November 2, 2012

Operation: Greased Lightning - Veterans Respond to Hurricane Sandy with Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon’s “DC Response Team” clears a tree in the Capitol Hill neighborhood  Left to right: Lourdes Tiglao, Neil Landsberg, Kiara Baginski, Dan Pick.
from Forbes.com
By: Shaun So - Nov. 1, 2012

I joined the military in a time of war to help people in need. I didn’t know it at the time, but my natural proclivity for risk-taking drove me to eight years of service and a 12-month tour in Afghanistan. While my life as an entrepreneur has been wildly fulfilling, I still had a desire to help people in crisis after I left the military, so I joined Team Rubicon.

Team Rubicon is a non-government organizations made up of first responders, medical professionals and military veterans that deploy to global disaster zones in need of assistance.  We’ve responded to disasters in Alabama and Missouri, Haiti, Chile, Burma, Sudan, Pakistan and now to areas affected by Hurricane Sandy.

As everyone now knows, Hurricane Sandy pummeled New York City and much of the mid-coastal area this past weekend and left a path of destruction that is still being assessed at this very moment. I live in New York City and our NYC-based team has been working around the clock with NYC’s Office of Emergency Management(OEM) to rapidly deploy to any areas that are in need of assistance.

In just six days since being activated: we’ve rescued people trapped in floodwaters, delivered thousands of pounds emergency supplies to hard-hit shelters and attended to medical needs of hundreds of evacuees. While we continue to coordinate with OEM and other volunteer organizations to place our services in areas of need, we’re starting to prepare for the relief and recovery phase of the disaster.

Much of what makes an entrepreneur an entrepreneur is a desire to work in high-risk environments. However, another crucial trait of an entrepreneur is to solve problems within those high-risk situations, especially in crises. A message to my fellow veterans, some of you may not consider yourself an “entrepreneur”, however, innate traits of risk taking and problem solving can be stretched to other things like volunteering in times of need.

If you know someone that was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, Team Rubicon has 11 Veteran Emergency Response Teams in the field, ready to work. Fill outthis form and we’ll do our best.
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http://teamrubiconusa.org/update-operation-greased-lightning/

Help & Donate here --> http://fundraise.teamrubiconusa.org/events/team-rubicon-hurricane-sandy-operation-greased-lighting/e21578

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War veterans hit Sandy’s front lines for rescues, cleanup - NBCNews.com

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Insider attacks leaves 4 Afghan police dead in Helmand

At least four Afghan police officers were killed in latest insider attacks in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.

Local authorities in Helmand province said the incident took place Thursday night in Greshk district.

Greshk district security chief Toryalai said, “At least four Afghan police officers were killed after five of their comrades opened fire on them around 10 pm on Thursday night.”

Mr. Toryalai further added the five assailant police officers who were sent to assist the police officers and prevent Taliban attack on the check post, and managed to flee the area after killing their comrades.

He said the all the new police officers including the assailants and the victims were recently hired in Afghan police forces.

This comes as several NATO troops have been killed by their Afghan counterparts however it seems that the wave of insider attacks have also increased among the Afghan security forces.

In the meantime provincial security chief Abdul Nabi Elham confirmed the incident and said they have launched an investigation to find out whether the police officers were killed following a verbal clash or were member of the Taliban group.

At least 50 NATO troops have been killed following insider attacks in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2012, by their Afghan counterparts.

Increased in insider attacks comes amid NATO troops withdrawal from Afghanistan which is due to be completed by 2014, and coalition officials are struggling to boost the capabilities of the Afghan security forces.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Fri Nov 02, 6:50 pm

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Nov. 02., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Kandahar province today.

The arrested leader is suspected of being responsible for organizing improvised explosive device operations, kidnappings and attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

During the operation, the security force also detained two suspected insurgents.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition force detained two suspected insurgents during a security operation in search of a Taliban leader in Helmand province today. The Taliban leader is believed to be responsible for the distribution of munitions to Taliban insurgents and serves as the functional head of a Taliban direct action cell.

East

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator in Nangarhar province today. The detained facilitator is believed to have organized attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and enabled the movement of extremists in central Kunar province. During the operation, the security force also detained two suspected insurgents.

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the arrest of a Haqqani leader in Logar province Tuesday. The arrested leader is alleged to have organized and executed IED attacks.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader in Paktiya province today. The arrested leader is suspected of being responsible for directing attacks against government officials in Paktiya province and also working directly with Taliban leaders to carry out kidnappings and executions of several Afghans. The security force also detained a suspected insurgent as a result of the operation.

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Nov. 02., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed three insurgents, detained four and cleared two improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 1.

Kunar Province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces killed three insurgents and detained four during an engagement in Darah Ye Pech District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Wardak Province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Sayyidabad District and one in Jaghatu District.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Victoria Cross Awarded to Aussie Corporal Daniel Alan Keighran

The Victoria Cross is the highest military honor in order of precedence of the Commonwealth's awards.  It is akin to our Medal of Honor.  There have 99 awards of the VC (or equivalent) to Australians with only 3 of those awards since 1991.

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Corporal Daniel Alan Keighran VC has been invested as the recipient of Australia’s 99th Victoria Cross by Governor-General Quentin Bryce during a ceremony at Government House, Canberra.

His citation reads: “For the most conspicuous acts of gallantry and extreme devotion to duty in action in circumstances of great peril at Derapet, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, as part of the Mentoring Task Force One on Operation SLIPPER” on 24 August 2010.

At the time, Corporal Keighran was a member of the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment which was deployed to Afghanistan with Mentoring Task Force One.

Corporal Keighran is only the third recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia, which in 1991 replaced the British or Imperial Victoria Cross awarded to 96 Australians. He is the first member of the Royal Australian Regiment to receive the country’s highest military honour.

Corporal Keighran said he was surprised and honoured to receive the award.

“This is a very unexpected and humbling experience and I don’t think it has really sunk in yet,” Corporal Keighran said.

“I am very proud of the boys from Delta Company, 6 RAR and how they performed that day. This award is as much for their efforts as it is for mine.

“I would also like to acknowledge my family, friends and especially my wife Kathryn. They have been very supportive throughout my service and deployments and I would like to recognise and thank them.”

The Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley, congratulated Corporal Daniel Keighran, VC on being awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia.

“Corporal Keighran acted with exceptional clarity and composure that spread to those soldiers around him, giving them confidence to operate effectively in an extremely stressful and dangerous situation,” General Hurley said.

“His actions identified and suppressed enemy firing points and turned the fight in our favour.

“Corporal Keighran joins an esteemed group of Australians revered for their courage in combat. The official citation will show that “his valour is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force,” but perhaps the greatest honour comes from one of his comrades who said ‘I would fight to serve with Corporal Dan Keighran in the future’.”

The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, commented on the enduring humility, dedication and mateship demonstrated by Corporal Keighran.

“Corporal Keighran has shown tremendous humility and has continually recognised that his actions were undertaken as part of a team,” Lieutenant General Morrison said.

“His dedication to his mates and to the operation saw him repeatedly put himself in harm’s way that day. He epitomises ‘Duty First’, the motto of the Royal Australian Regiment.

“The valour of his actions and those of the other members of his patrol, are exemplars of the very best in Australian soldiering,” Lieutenant General Morrison said.

Corporal Keighran had several combat tours and is now a reservist. He has been awarded the following honors and awards:
  • Victoria Cross for Australia
  • Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp Iraq and Clasp ICAT
  • Iraq Campaign Medal
  • Afghanistan Campaign Medal
  • Australian Service Medal with Clasp East Timor
  • Australian Defence Medal
  • United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor Medal
  • NATO Non Article 5 Medal with Clasp ISAF
  • Meritorious Unit Citation for 1-MTF
  • Infantry Combat Badge
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Australian Army
Awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia
Corporal Daniel Alan Keighran, VC

Citation

For the most conspicuous acts of gallantry and extreme devotion to duty in action in circumstances of great peril at Derapet, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan as part of the Mentoring Task Force One on Operation SLIPPER.
Corporal Keighran deployed to Afghanistan in February 2010 with the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. On 24 August 2010 he was a member of a partnered fighting patrol with soldiers of the Afghan National Army’s 1st Kandak, 4th Brigade, 205th (Hero) Corps which was engaged by a numerically superior and coordinated enemy attack from multiple firing points in three separate locations. The attack was initiated by a high volume of sustained and accurate machine-gun and small-arms fire which pinned down the combined Australian and Afghan patrol and caused a loss of momentum.
In the early stages of the attack, and upon realising that the forward elements of the patrol needed effective fire support, Corporal Keighran and another patrol member moved under sustained and accurate enemy fire to an exposed ridgeline to identify enemy locations and direct the return fire of both Australian and Afghan machine guns.
On reaching this position and with complete disregard for his own wellbeing, Corporal Keighran deliberately drew enemy fire by leaving the limited cover he had and moved over the ridgeline in order to positively identify targets for the machine gunners of the combined patrol. After identifying some of the enemy firing positions, Corporal Keighran, under persistent enemy fire continued to lead and mentor his team and move around the ridge to both direct the fire of the Afghan and Australian machine gunners and to move them to more effective firing positions.
As the intensity of enemy fire grew, Corporal Keighran returned to the crest of the ridgeline to identify targets and adjust the fire of Australian Light Armoured vehicles. His actions resulted in the effective suppression of enemy firing points, which assisted in turning the fight in the favour of the combined patrol. Moving to a new position, Corporal Keighran deliberately and repeatedly again exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to assist in target identification and the marking of the forward line of troops for fire support elements whilst simultaneously engaging the enemy. Realising that the new position provided a better location for the patrol’s joint fire controller, Corporal Keighran moved over 100 metres across exposed parts of the ridgeline, attracting a high volume of accurate enemy fire, to locate and move the fire controller to the new position. He then rose from cover again to expose his position on four successive occasions, each movement drawing more intense fire than the last in order to assist in the identification of a further three enemy firing points that were subsequently engaged by fire support elements.
During one of these occasions, when his patrol sustained an Australian casualty, Corporal Keighran with complete disregard for his own safety, left his position of cover on the ridgeline to deliberately draw fire away from the team treating the casualty. Corporal Keighran remained exposed and under heavy fire while traversing the ridgeline, in order to direct suppressing fire and then assist in the clearance of the landing zone to enable evacuation of the casualty.
Corporal Keighran’s acts of the most conspicuous gallantry to repeatedly expose himself to accurate and intense enemy fire, thereby placing himself in grave danger, ultimately enabled the identification and suppression of enemy firing positions by both Australian and Afghan fire support elements. These deliberate acts of exceptional courage in circumstances of great peril were instrumental in permitting the withdrawal of the combined Australian and Afghan patrol with no further casualties. His valour is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.
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R.I.P. - Cpl. Alex F. Domion

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Cpl. Alex F. Domion, 21, of Richfield Springs, N.Y., died Oct. 31, as a result of a non-combat related incident in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

            This incident is under investigation.

            For more information media may contact the 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at 910-372-2736.

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from FIF facebook page:

~ In Honor Of Marine Cpl. Alex F. Domion ~

Cpl. Alex F. Domion, 21, of Richfield Springs, N.Y., died Oct. 31, in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary
Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The DoD reports that Cpl. Domion died as a result of a non-combat related incident and states "this incident is under investigation". According to WKTV's website, the family stated "Corporal Alex Domion, originally of Richfield Springs, but stationed in North Carolina, was training Afghan soldiers when a man dressed in an Afghan police uniform pulled out a gun and shot him."

To be updated.

'Like' the tribute to honor this hero
'Share' the tribute, that all may know the sacrifice.
www.FB.com/FIF.HOH
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Marine’s death in Afghanistan investigated
Staff report
Posted : Friday Nov 2, 2012 6:00:57 EDT
Military officials in Afghanistan are investigating the non-combat death of a Marine, according to the Defense Department.
Cpl. Alex F. Domion, 21, of Richfield Springs, N.Y., died Wednesday in Helmand province, officials said in a news release. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.
According to an Associated Press report, Domion grew up in Richfield Springs, a rural community on the Otsego-Herkimer county line 60 miles southeast of Syracuse, N.Y. He enlisted in the Marines in 2009.
Family members told local media outlets that it was his second tour in Afghanistan, the AP reported.
Survivors include his wife, Amber, according to the AP.

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Four Norwegian soldiers injured in Afghanistan

Four Norwegian soldiers were injured and brought to hospital after their armoured vehicle hit a road bomb in Northern Afghanistan late Thursday.

They were part of a coloumn of 7 vehicles with 25 troops which was on its way from Mazar-e-Sharif to Kabul when their SISU was destroyed by the bomb.

The injured were brought to the nearest ISAF camp in the area, where they are now being treated for their injuries.

(Aftenposten)

from The Norway Post
Friday, 02 November 2012 07:38


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Nigerian pirates free 6 Russians, one Estonian

English: Nigeria Location עברית: מיקום ניגריה
 Nigeria Location (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Pirates have released seven sailors - six Russians and an Estonian - seized after an attack on a ship operated by French firm Bourbon SA off the coast of Nigeria, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

A ministry statement said the freed crew, kidnapped on October 15, were "feeling well" and would soon be flown home, but gave no details on how the sailors' release was secured.

After the abduction of the sailors from the vessel, the Liberty Bourbon 249, another nine crew members remained onboard and maintained course toward the Nigerian port of Onne.

The Bourbon is an anchor-handling vessel of the kind used to help supply oil rigs and tow them to a drilling site. The French firm supplies vessels in Nigeria's offshore oil industry.

Pirate attacks are on the rise in Africa's Gulf of Guinea, which is second only to the waters around Somalia for piracy.

Usually boats are attacked in order to steal their cargo, after which the crew is normally freed. But kidnapping has also become a big criminal enterprise in the waters around the delta, the heart of Africa's biggest energy industry.

from REUTERS
Thu Nov 1, 2012 10:27am GMT

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Nov. 01., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – In Helmand province today, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested the Taliban facilitator responsible for the Aug. 7 insider attack in Paktiya province that killed one U.S. service member and wounded three.

During the operation, Afghan troops also seized what is believed to be the attacker's ANA identification card.

Another suspected insurgent was also arrested.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

East

Afghan Provincial Response Company Ghazni, enabled by coalition forces, seized a large cache of explosive material during an operation in Ghazni province yesterday. Following the operation, Afghan and coalition force recovered 1,700 kilograms (3,750 pounds) of ammonium nitrate, a known explosive. All seized materials were destroyed at the location.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani facilitator in Khost province today. The arrested facilitator was directly tied to the suicide bomber attack on Afghan and coalition forces in Khost district June 20. During the operation, the security force also detained a number of suspected insurgents.

An Afghan and coalition security force killed Haqqani leader, Irfan, during a security operation in Paktiya province yesterday. Irfan, also known as Asayal and Hamza, was responsible for directing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and coordinating the movement of weapons and bomb-making materials for the attacks.

Afghan National Police Crisis Response Unit members, enabled by coalition forces, detained more than a dozen suspected insurgents and seized a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosive devices during an operation in Parwan province Tuesday. Following the operation, Afghan and coalition force recovered more than a dozen AK-47 assault rifles, several 82 mm mortar rounds and several hand grenades.

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Nov. 01., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed an insurgent, detained three and cleared four improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Oct. 31.

Khowst Province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Sabari District.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained two insurgents during an engagement in Khowst District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Paktya Province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces killed an insurgent and wounded one during an engagement in Zurmat District. The wounded insurgent received medical care and was transferred to a base for questioning.

Wardak Province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Sayyidabad District and one in Jaghatu District.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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