Mountain Warrior Jan 2010

Vol. 1 | Issue 4

The Mountain WarriorMountainWarriorJanuary 2010 | Vol. 1 | Issue 4

Mountain Warrior | January 2010 Vol. 1 | Issue 4

Please also make an extra effort to stay in contact with your family and loved ones. The holidays are approaching quickly, which can be a difficult time to be apart. By supporting each other and keeping in contact you can alleviate much of this stress and work to build a closer relationship while apart.

You’re doing a great job out there, and I’m proud to serve with you on the Mountain Warrior Team. You are making a difference in one of the greatest international efforts of all time. Thank you for who you are and what you do. God bless you, your friends and family and the United States of America.

Led By Love of Country!Colonel Randy A. George

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Brigade Commander and Command Sergeant

Major’s letterTo the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines

and Civilians of Task Force Mountain Warrior:

As we approach the start of our sixth month in Afghanistan, I continue to be amazed by your brilliant and courageous performances on the battlefield. We knew our fight would be tough. We also knew the enemy would quickly respect and fear the discipline, prowess and lethality we possess as Mountain Warriors. In the last 30 days you’ve combined to kill 6 high value insurgent leaders and over 300 of their misguided followers. The discipline and restraint you use to kill the enemy while doing “no harm” to the local population is remarkable. In many areas, this dynamic has brought local Afghans to come forward to seek and build a relationship with you and the Afghan government for the first time in many years. Your offensive spirit has proven to be the best way to allow the local Afghan leaders to move forward and build a stronger Afghanistan.

Our COP closures in Nuristan and Korengal are a great example of this offensive spirit and have already produced positive effects across our entire AO. The gains of these COP closures in terms of increased blade hours for our aircraft and the maneuverability of several more platoons are already allowing us to chase down and destroy insurgents that infect many of the capillary valleys within our AO. We are also now better postured to conduct combined action with our Afghan National Security Force partners as a result of realignment. Combined action is a difficult mission, but a strong and capable ANSF is critical to our success. We all need to come at this mission with the same aggressiveness we show against the enemy. I know the ANSF in this region are lucky to have such an incredible group of professionals by their side.

Our success as professional Warriors is firmly based upon being experts at the basics. I ask that each and every one of you continue to focus on the fundamentals that make you great. Mountain Warrior is known as a disciplined formation – our ranks are filled with leaders and Soldiers who always do the right thing regardless of how difficult that may be. Continue to be vigilant and maintain that standard. Look after your battle buddy to ensure he/she does the same. Maintain your high morals and stay positive – knowing that you will succeed will carry the day. In spite of our successes, we suffered a great tragedy last month. 10 great Americans from our ranks made the ultimate sacrifice. We will never forget their friendship, their Love of Country or their bravery. Remember them and continue to keep their family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

To the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Civilians of Task Force Mountain Warrior:

We continue doing great work here, and the people of Afghanistan are benefit-ting from your efforts. By helping stabilize this country, we will ensure that Afghani-stan will continue to develop in a positive way. We’ve crested the hill of our deploy-ment and need to stay sharp and follow through with everything we do. Don’t be afraid to vary up your routine in order to keep sharp. Now is a great time to put more time into things like improving your physical fitness and other self improvements.

As a Servicemember or Civilian assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior, you all play an essential role in assisting the team. We have all found this experience extremely challenging and rewarding at the same time. We strive daily up here to provide you with the resources to get the job done; but along the way I expect you to challenge yourself, to learn as much as possible as you adjust to the changes and challenges of this deployment. Take responsibility for your own professional devel-opment, and as leaders or future leaders, encourage your peers and subordinates to do the same. At the same time, remember the basics.

I expect all leaders to know, practice, and enforce discipline and standards, not only in their workplace, but everywhere and at all times. I expect Servicemembers to know, understand and comply with established standards regardless of the situation. In our area, situational awareness is a key to organizational success and safety; always pay attention to what is going on around you and conduct yourself as profes-sionals.

America and Americans understand the sacrifices that we endure and appre-ciate the efforts we are undertaking. I have received numerous calls, letters and e-mails wanting me to pass on their thanks during this season. So, from America: “Thank you for your service to our nation and to our Army.” You should be very proud of what you do day in and day out.

God Bless,CSM Charles V. Sasser Jr.


Contents

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4 Nuristan PRT fights H1N1 rumors

56 984th MP Co

7 TF Lethal

8 The road to peace in Ganjgal

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Chaplains Corner:By Maj. Paul Madej

On the cover: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gilbert Lenz II, from Reno, Nev., with the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team security force, scans the area while observing the site where an improvised ex-plosive device was detonated, 5 days prior, in Lowkar village in eastern Afghanistan’s Nuristan province, Dec. 10. (Photo By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ashley Hawkins)

2-77, ANA knock back attack

3-61 cav works to strengthen ANA

Moutain Warrior Staff:Maj. T.G. Taylor - Public Affairs Officer

1st Lt. Gary Rivera - Deputy PAOSgt. Michael Masterson - NCOICSpc. Eugene H. Cushing - Editor

Pfc. Beth Raney - Print Journalist

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By U.S. Army Capt. Luis Arriola, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment

Afghan National Army Soldiers along with International Security Assistance Forces in Nuristan province successfully defended their bases from an insurgent attack, Nov. 14.

Coalition Forces and members of the ANA’s 4th Kandak at Forward Operating Base Kalagush, in eastern Afghanistan, protected the FOB and Observation Post Loyalty from an hour-long ground assault that saw 16 insurgents killed, including two known Taliban commanders.

There were two main factors that contributed to the successful outcome: credible, timely intelligence and coalition preparedness.

“With the flood of reporting indicating an imminent attack, there was no way we could’ve overlooked the validity of the information received,” said U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan Martinez from Chicago, Ill., 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment i n t e l l i g e n c e a n a l y s t . “We were able to disseminate the information in a timely manner, providing Coalition Forces an adequate amount of time to prepare. With locals willing to provide Coalition Forces accurate information, I believe we’re gaining the trust of the general populace in our area of operations.”

Earlier in the week, numerous reports said an attack against the FOB was imminent. Each report confirmed the legitimacy of the information

ANA, ISAF defeat insurgents in Nuristanreceived from other sources. The Afghan National Defense Service, the Afghan National Police, and the district and local leaders were only a few who contributed to the intelligence gathering effort.

The night prior to the attack, surveillance reports showed flares, tracers and movement on the ridgelines northeast of the FOB at an abandoned OP. Soldiers at OP Loyalty requested fire support to deny the enemy the freedom of movement.

The synchronization of the forward observer, the fire direction center and the gun line produced illumination and high explosive rounds that bombarded the hilltops, disrupting the enemy advances.

As the sun rose over the hilltops the next morning, a group of insurgents attacked OP Loyalty.

“I have full confidence in my [noncommissioned officers] up there,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Riley, a platoon sergeant from Clinton Township, Mich. “They all stepped up.”

The success of the ANA and Coalition Forces in the battle

By Air Force 2nd Lt. Natassia Cherne, Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs

Nuristan Provincial Recon-struction Team servicemembers took to the airways, Nov. 19, to combat misinformation put out by anti-Afghan forces about the growing H1N1 flu virus epidemic in eastern Afghanistan’s Nuristan province.

U.S. Navy Lt. Jennifer Dreiling, from McLean, Va., the senior medical officer, and U.S. Navy Lt .j. g. Stacy Gross, from Lakeville, MN, the information operations officer for the PRT broadcasted the public health messages about the virus on Radio Kalagush, a

U.S.-funded Afghan radio station that broadcasts from Forward Operating Base Kalagush.

According to Gross, the messages informed people how to react to the common cold or H1N1, signs and symptoms, and what to do if they suspect they have H1N1.

AAF in Nuristan province have been spreading misinformation on how the H1N1 is contracted and where it comes from.

“Part of the aim of the messages themselves is to dispel those rumors like you can contract the disease by eating pork or that H1N1 was brought to Afghanistan and spread by Coalition Forces,” Dreiling said.

According to Gross and

Dreiling, every radio message that Nuristan PRT puts out with useful information about the virus, is another opportunity to take power away from the enemy’s information campaign.

Dreiling felt that the radio messages were successful.

“The radio messages makes the people feel like they have control of their own situation, and it’s empowering for them to know what’s going on around them,” she said.

The Nuristan PRT releases public health radio messages at least once a week, and the radio stations replays them throughout the week.

Nuristan PRT battles H1N1 misinformation

U.S. Army Capt. Luis Arriola

can be largely attributed to good training.

“Rehearsals, not being compl-acent and a lot of drills kept us on the edge,” said U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Coryell from Cheyenne, Wyo., the unit’s Fire Direction Center primary computer operator.

The mortar team was one of the first groups to respond to the attack. They delivered 43 rounds of high explosives onto their targets, resulting in six enemy killed in action.

“We do a lot of dry fire missions and rehearsals for direct and indirect fires,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles Moss, the artillery and mortar teams’ platoon sergeant.

“My guys know where to go and what to do, its muscle memory,” he said.

The triumphant outcome of the battle increased the morale of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and ANA at FOB Kalagush.

“I’m ready for round two!” exclaimed U.S. Army Sgt. Geovanni Carrasquillo, the fire direction chief from Puerto Rico.

Afghan National Army Soldiers provide fire support to Soldiers at Observation Post Loyalty, Nov. 14. Co-alition Forces and Afghan National Army at OP Loyalty and Forward Operating Base Kalagush suppressed small-arms fire from 15 to 20 anti-Afghan forces, with Coalition Forces reporting no causalities.

1-221 Cavalry Regiment

1-12 Photos

14 Rough Riders

15 Kunar PRT helps link citizens

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FOB Fenty water Dawgs4th STB in picutres Contibutions of a C Med MedicFallen Heroes

Awards and Reenlistments18Honoring those we’ve lost

Happy New Year Mountain Warriors:

We’ve said goodbye to TF Palehorse and TF Chosin and hello to our new teammates TF Lighthorse and TF Rock. As I travel throughout the battlespace talking to each one of you, all I could think of is the camaraderie we all share. I know that war takes us away from our families and friends back home, but it also has a unique way of bonding us together in ways we never think possible. Many of you have mentioned to me that you see the light at the end of the tunnel. ME TOO! As we look ahead toward the end of the deployment it’s important to prepare for the change of going home. Your leaders are conducting an initial assessment on each of you. It’s important that we continue to conduct these assessments, and our own personal assessments, to stay in tune with our physical, spiritual, and emotional resiliency. Colonel George and our leaders at Division continue to ensure that we have access to the best resources available to assist us during this transition time. Don’t be afraid to ask for the assistance. And don’t be afraid to suggest help to a buddy in need. STAY FOCUSED! TAKE CARE OF ONE ANOTHER! CONTINUE TO SUCCEED!

Vol. 1 | Issue 4Mountain Warrior | January 201076

Mullahs enjoy a meal after a shura held in the Manogai District of eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Nov. 18. The meeting was an opportunity for local elders to speak about their concerns for the area.

TF Lethal meets with Mullahs in Manogai

Courtesy storySoldiers from 3rd platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry

Regiment, Task Force Lethal, and Afghan National Security Forces met with elders in the Bar Kanday village in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Dec 8.

During the meeting, the Soldiers spoke with the elders about providing assistance in repairing damaged buildings in the village after an anti-Afghan forces attack.

The day before, the villagers began a protest against the AAF after enemy fighters had set up a DSHK-A machine gun firing position near their village, which was to be used to shoot at International Security Assistance Forces and

ANSF at an outlying base in Kunar province.The AAF responded by firing a rocket-propelled grenade into the

village, which damaged the mosque and angered the villagers.After the attack, the villagers formed together and drove the AAF

from the village.The Soldiers and ANSF spoke about the attack with the elders and

provided supplies for the villagers to repair the damage.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Mark A. Zambarda, a platoon leader assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, speaks with a local elder about repairing damage caused by a Rocket Propelled Grenade attack in Bar Kanday village in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Dec. 8.

Bar Kanday villagers drive out AAF after RPG attack

Courtesy storyU.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Eric D. Eisenhofer, from Huntsville, Mich., the operations sergeant for headquarters

platoon, 984th Military Police Company, and U.S. Army Sgt. Stephanie K. Fredricksen, from Goldendale, Wash., a radio telephone operator for the platoon, both received Navy Achievement Medals for expertly performing their duties, Sept. 5, in support of the Afghan National Army Observation Post Tango. They recieved the Navy award because they work side-by-side with U.S. Navy Police every day. Eisenhofer and Fredricksen competently tracked and effectively adjusted fire on anti-Afghan forces attempting to overrun the OP. Their expert employment of numerous battlefield operating systems and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance allowed them to quickly establish Positive Identification of the enemy, rapidly relay the situation on the ground to the landowner, obtain clearance for fires; enabling them to effectively adjust fire, bracket, and neutralize the enemy attack and discourage future attacks.

Their actions contributed not only to the long term security and safety of the OP but, had a noticeable impact on the moral of the Afghan Soldiers manning the OP in a crucial area of the Kunar province.

MP Soldiers earn Navy Achievment Medal

Courtesy storyAug. 14, U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Brendon J. Wade,

from Las Vegas, Nev., a gunner with 1st Squad, 1st platoon, 984th Military Police Company, returned fire on enemy positions that had engaged part of his squad. The six-Soldier element on the ground was escorting transport that was filled with AK-47s that was going to be issued to the Afghan National Police.

Even after being pinned down by small arms fire at the training area, the Soldiers did not allow the anti-

Afghan forces to stop the issue of weapons and the vital training for the newly formed ANP. This show of bravery did not go unnoticed by the ANP and was the main instrument for the ANP at Barge Matal to become a functional defending force that became capable of helping the people of Afghanistan.

This was a testament of what these Soldiers did everyday for 46 days. The actions taken by these Soldiers will go down in history not just for the Army but for the Military Police Corps.

Fire fight: MPs return fire, continue mission

U.S. Army Spc. Kevin M. Wood, from Grand Rapids, Mich., takes a break on top of a mountain in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province. Wood is a driver for 2nd platoon, 984th Military Police Company.

U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Danielle Miller, from Missoula, Mont., a platoon medic with the 984th Military Police Company, instructs the Afghan National Police of the Alingar District on basic first aid prior to the Afghanistan Presidential elections.

U.S. Army Sgt. Chris Y. Lee, from Seoul, South Korea, a team leader in 2nd platoon,demonstrates to the Afghan National Police how to safely search a suspect. U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Michael A. Hayes, from Flint, Minn., a driver in 2nd platoon, plays the suspect.

984th MP CompanyStories about the Military Police in action

By U.S. Army Pfc. Beth Raney, TF Mountain Warrior PAO

Citizens and elders from the Pech River Valley and Afghan National Army Soldiers from the 2nd and 3rd Kandaks conducted a community gathering at the Belda Gathering Grounds in the Nangalam District of Kunar province, Nov. 5, 7, and 11.

More than 300 Pech River Valley citizens attended the first two days of the gathering, which was intended to build a sense of pride in the community and make villagers aware of counter-improvised explosive device measures and the Voice of the Pech radio station.

“This was truly a success; it shows that local Afghans (from Nangalam) are willing, capable, and ready for peace, prosperity and progress after years

of carnage,” U.S. Army 1st Lt. Gregory S. Sullivan, an information operations officer with 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, said.

To spark additional interest, the gathering hosted a cricket tournament between the top two teams from the valley and a volleyball tournament between the four best teams in the valley.

More than 800 Pech Valley River citizens attended on the third day, where there was a foot race and a bike race held.

“[The] Nangalam Extravaganza is the epitome of the Afghan sense of spirit and pride in their communities, which underscores devotion to their fellow man,” Sullivan said.

Nangalam Extravaganza builds Afghan pride

Courtesy StoryMullahs, Afghan National Army Soldiers, government

officials, and Task Force Lethal Soldiers from the Manogai District of eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province, came together for a shura in the Manogai District Center, Nov. 18.

The shura, which was organized by the ANA Mullah and Manogai District government officials, was a chance for the Mullahs to voice their concerns about what is happening in the Pech River Valley.

The Task Force Lethal Chaplain and the S-3 were unexpectedly invited to attend the shura and were asked to speak at the gathering.

Mullahs talked about their desires to establish a madrassa in the valley to teach students locally instead of Afghans travelling to Pakistan just to be taught incorrect teachings about the Koran.

TF Lethal was able to pay respects to the Mullahs and show that they will respect and work with them and establish a better understanding between the Mullahs and TF Lethal.


1-12 Red Warriors: Photos from the frontlines

1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry Regiment

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Members of Task Force Wildhorse, along with a local contractor, donated school supplies to the children of the Mashala Kamar School,

in the Qhargayee District of eastern Afghanistan’s Laghman province, and received an update on the construction of the school, Dec. 23.

The construction on this co-ed school is expected to be finished on schedule early next year.

The school’s construction was nominated by locals through the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and will be maintained by Sayeed Husnee, the Laghman Director of Education.

The school supports the Afghan government’s intent to provide education to the children of Laghman, including girls, who were not allowed an education by the Taliban. Nearly 300 children received supplies which will help bolster the government’s legitimacy.

This will be a safe, secure and private environment for children to receive an education.

Mashala Kamar School in Laghman province shows progress

Sayeed Husnee, Laghman province’s Director of Education, stands with the children who will attend the co-ed Mashala Kamar School in the Qhargayee District of eastern Afghanistan’s Laghman province.

CERP as a budget shura held in Alishang DistrictBy U.S. Army Pfc. Beth RaneyTF MTN Warrior PAO

Members of Task Force Wildhorse and the United States Agency for International Development met with Mohammad Qasim, the sub-governor of the Alishang District of eastern Afghanistan’s Laghman province, and the district development council at Combat Outpost Najil, to discuss the Commanders Emergency Response Program becoming part of the district’s budget, Dec. 23.

U.S. Army Maj. Mike Glynn, the head of TF Wildhorse’s Civil Military Operations, and Jodi Rosenstein, a representative of USAID for Laghman province, were on hand to speak to the Maliks.

Projects will be committed to villages that are supportive of the Afghan government and are willing to sign a “green” contract. The majority of villagers are supportive of the government but they need to remove the anti-Afghan forces from their villages.

The villagers must take ownership and provide the security necessary to bring development. Maliks must decide what projects are important to their village and nominate them through the district sub-governor.

Zabit Ashuraf, the most influential Malik at the gathering, commented, “The reason we do not have security in these villages is not the coalition’s fault, it is our fault. We need to work through the GIRoA to bring development to our villages; we need to secure them so development can come.”

Villagers from the Alishang District of eastern Afghanistan’s Laghman province gather at Combat Outpost Najil, to discuss the Commanders Emergency Response Program becoming part of the district’s budget, Dec. 23.

By U.S. Army Pfc. Beth Raney TF MTN Warrior PAO

Members of Task Force Wildhorse donated cricket equipment to the Laghman Cricket Team, Dec. 24.

Also, in order to improve their training facility, a bulk Commanders Emergency Relief Program Project was created.

There are about 30 cricket teams in Laghman, and because of a lack of facilities, they have to travel to Peshawar to compete. A new field will allow the players to train and compete locally in Laghman, with hopes to qualify for international tournaments next year.

Cricket is a very popular sport in Laghman and the team members hope a new field will get the youth involved and offer them an alternative to war and drug abuse.

The field is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.

Laghman Cricket team receives equipment

U.S. Army Capt. Doug Moore, a member of Task Force Wildhorse, stands with two Laghman province cricket players as they hold cricket equipment.

By U.S. Army Pfc. Beth RaneyTF MTN Warrior PAO

Mountain Warrior | January 2010 Vol. 1 | Issue 410 11

Road to peace in GanjgalRoad to peace in Ganjgal

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Chosin, and members of the Afghan National Security Forces rolled their armored vehicles to a stop outside the Ganjgal village, Dec. 3.

Enemy fighters began moving through the village as U.S. Army Capt. Justin L. Saxe, a native of Cody, Wyo., left his vehicle and began to approach the village.

“It was a pretty tense moment,” he said.

Saxe recalled hearing enemy radio traffic delivering instructions to the fighters to kill all the Americans as soon as they entered the village.

“When we first showed up, I thought for sure we were going to get into a fight,” Saxe, the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Task Force Chosin, said.

Saxe’s mission in the valley was meant to be one of peace.

Three months before, three U.S. Marines and one U.S. Navy corpsman, who were part of an embedded training team, were killed in the same valley while working with their Afghan partners.

The Soldiers of Task Force Chosin crossed the 200 meters from their vehicles to the village and called out to the elders with a loudspeaker.

“We went up there to talk to the people,” Saxe said. “To show them that there is a reason for cooperating with us.”

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Frederick M. O’Donnell, the commander of Task Force Chosin, said the objective of the mission was to disrupt the insurgents in the villages of Ganjgal and Dam Dar Ye.

“This was to be accomplished primarily by non-lethal means, and

meant to overcome the stereotypes by which coalition are frequently labelled,” he said.

To accomplish this, and show that International Security Assistance Forces and ANSF were not anti-Muslim, the Soldiers came bearing gifts of prayer rugs and Korans.

“In these very poor villages, most cannot afford a Koran,” O’Donnell said. “Coalition [brought prayer rugs and much needed mosque refurbishment items, to include concrete, paint, and new mosque speakers. These items were presented up-front, to set the

appropriate tone for the visit.”The approach worked. The fighters

fell back and the elders came down to speak with the Coalition Forces.

During the discussion, the ANSF and ISAF forces spoke with the elders about security and development, explaining that the valley must have both to ensure stability.

“These discussions, and our desire for development, help drive a wedge between the insurgents and the populace,” O’Donnell said.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jacob A. Miraldi, of Norwich, Vt., the leader

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Chosin, conduct a reconnaissance patrol in the Marawara District Dec. 2.

By Spc. Eugene Cushing | TF Mountain Warrior

of 3rd platoon, Company A, Task Force Chosin, led one of the platoons involved in the operation.

Miraldi said the purpose of the mission was to establish a presence for the Afghan government in the valley, and described the results as a real victory for the Afghan government.

“This was a preliminary mission,” he said. “To ensure we have the support of the elders there.”

Miraldi explained that the objective was to secure the area to build a road, and bring the Afghan government to the people of the

Ganjgal.O’Donnell said that this battle

is one for the populace, and the Ganjgal operation permitted ISAF and ANSF forces to establish a foothold in the area.

“Success will be defined in small increments,” he said. “These villages are not only separated from [the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan], ANSF, and local government, but local villages as well. These people are isolationists. Progress will be slow, and we have to be patient and understanding of that.”


Story and Photos By U.S. Army Spc. Eugene Cushing Task Force Mountain Warrior Public Affairs

Soldiers from Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Destroyer, conducted M-16 rifle training with Afghan National Army Soldiers at Check Point Lion’s Den in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Dec. 8.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ben R. Salentine, of Colorado Springs, Colo., the platoon leader for 3rd platoon, Troop B, started the day by meeting with ANA 1st Lt. Rasul, platoon leader for 2nd company, 6th Kandak, to discuss the overall goals of the training.

“My goal for the future, for my Soldiers, is to help them perform this job,” Rasul said.

“That’s why I’ve brought my unit down here today, to help your men train with the M-16,” Salentine replied.

According to Salentine, it is important to train the Afghan Soldiers with the M-16 to modernize their military operations and to synchronize their combat prowess with the NATO forces they serve alongside.

Rasul said this was the first time his Soldiers were getting in depth knowledge of the NATO-style weapons, which will eventually replace the ANA’s Soviet-era arsenal.

“Before, we had the oldest weapon,” Rasul said. “And now we have the professional weapon.”

Salentine’s Soldiers were not doing much of the actual training though. ANA Sgt. Anwar had already taken charge of the class and was guiding his fellow Soldiers through the training.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kristopher N. Moore, a section leader in Troop B from Joplin, Mo., watched over the 12 ANA Soldiers disassembling M-16s, trying to lend a helping hand whenever he saw his Afghan counterparts struggling.

Moore noted that the Afghan Solider leading the class was a

reflection of a trend he has been seeing.

“I see the [non commisioned officers] starting to take charge more,” he said. “Just a little bit ago he didn’t know anything about this weapon, now he’s training his men.”

This is exactly what the U.S. Soldiers are trying to accomplish.

Salentine said the goal behind this strategy is to create subject

matter experts within the ANA that will lead to a higher level of understanding and efficiency in their training.

“The whole idea behind the technique we use to train the ANA, is to further the development of their NCO corps,” he said.

According to Salentine, as training improves, so will the Soldiers, resulting in a better ANA and a stronger Afghanistan.

Afghan National Army Sgt. Anwar and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kristopher N. Moore, of Joplin, Mo., assist an ANA Soldier in reassembling an M-16 rifle at Check Point Lion’s Den in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Dec. 8. Anwar, a noncommissioned officer assigned to the 1st platoon, 2nd company, 6th Kandak, led the class while Moore, a section leader assigned to Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, assisted him with the training.

Afghan National Army Sgt. Anwar, from the 2nd Company, 6th Kandak, explains the importance of the M-16 rifle’s firing pin to his Soldiers at a training class held at Check Point Lion’s Den in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Dec. 8. Anwar led his fellow Soldiers in the class, representing the ANA’s noncommissioned officer corps as a teacher and a mentor.

3-61 Cav works with ANA to strengthen AfghanistanHolidays around the AO

Photo by Pfc. Beth Raney



Photo by Sgt. Michael Masterson

Photo by Sgt. Michael Masterson

Photo by Sgt. Michael Masterson Photo by Pfc. Beth Raney

Photo by Spc. Eugene Cushing

Photo by SrA Ashley Hawkins

Photo by SrA Ashley Hawkins


By U.S. Army Sgt. Tracy J. SmithTask Force Rough Rider Public Affairs

U.S. Army Spc. Cameron Bryant, a medic with the 108th Cavalry Regiment, was expecting another routine mission guarding the Saracha Bridge, in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, Dec. 3, but what happened was anything but routine.

“We were pulling up and there was a body on the side of the road with a crowd of people around it,” recalled Bryant, a native of Woodstock, Ga. “When I [saw the injured man], I immediately checked for a pulse. It was faint.”

The injured Afghan man was hit while riding his motorcycle in an apparent hit and run. Using

an interpreter and hand signals, Bryant was able to get help from the Afghan bystanders in bandaging and stabilizing the victim.

“I had the interpreter tell one of the locals to keep him calm while talking to him, so he could stay conscious,” Bryant said.

The Afghan man not only suffered from severe lacerations and fractures, but also showed signs of internal injuries.

According to Bryant, prompt action made the difference between life and death, but it was his training that made the biggest difference.

“You never really think that it’s going to happen but you have to be ready for it and after

Rough Rider medic saves Afghan motorcycle victim

By U.S. Army Sgt. Tracy J. Smith48th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

Before the sun rose over the Tora Bora mountains in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, Dec 8, eight Soldiers from the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team began the challenge of their lives, to be named the Georgia National Guard’s Best Warrior of 2010.

The physical fitness test portion of the 2010 ‘Rough Riders’ Troop of the Year/Soldier of the Year competition was the first in a series of events for the chosen. The Army’s PFT is a standard segment for the U.S. Army’s overall Soldier of the Year and NCO of the Year competition.

The stunner came in the guise of a reflective fire stress competition. This required the troops to perform ranger runs in full combat load from Forward Operating Base Hughie to the range at FOB Finley-Shields.

“I never expected this right after a PT test,” U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Fones, an automobile specialty parts retailer living in Atlanta, said, visibly exhausted.

“This competition gives me a chance to see what my limitations are and so far I haven’t reached them,” Fones, the NCO troop representing the unit headquarters, said.

In the end, the segment was the only non-scored event but it was not without purpose. The rifle range event was a test of endurance simulating combat’s physical stresses.

“It could be a tie breaker later on,” Rough Rider’s Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Recker said to the exhausted eight. “This was basically to help you learn something about yourself.”

Knowledge was put to the test in the next phase. Warrior Tasks performance testing, another competition standard, put individual troop performance on the score slate.

The most challenging of the seven tasks was the Call to Fire. Each competitor received a situation report, map of an impact area with a requirement of planning and coordinating the call for fire support.

The toughest part was satisfying the hardnosed grader, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Cooper.

Cooper, a fire direction control chief for Troop C, spent several months with a small team in Kunar province’s Pech Valley and incorporated his real situation experience into the competition.

“This competition is very real,” the Cobb County, Ga., sheriff’s deputy explained. “I kept track of fire missions and what’s more realistic than what we do downrange. I’m using that to their advantage.”

When the dust settled and the squadron formation was called to announce the winners the surprise was in who was not awarded.

Each participant qualified for an Army Achievement Medal but only six would leave with that prize. The two deselected for the AAM,

Troop A’s Sgt. William P. Bookout and Headquarter and Headquarters Troop Spc. Merv Vidal, were congratulated for having what it takes to move forward but Recker told them to prepare for more hard work the road ahead; encouraging the squadron Soldiers to take ownership of making their fellow troops successful.

“They will be receiving a bigger award later on when they return with the [48th] Brigade level titles,” Recker said. “No longer are they the property of Alpha or HHT, they belong to all of us. They are our brothers to help along in winning this thing. When you see them, don’t let them walk idly by. Drill them on the Warrior Tasks, make them disassemble their weapons, give these men the tools necessary to bring home the prize for the Rough Riders!”

108th ‘Rough Riders’ troops aim for bragging rights: 48th Brigade Soldiers compete for Squadron Troop & NCO of the Year Honors

U.S. Army Sgt. William P. Bookout, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment noncommissioned officer from Rome, Ga., stand by for instruction during the Squadron’s Troop and NCO of the Year competition at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.

Kunar PRT helps link citizens together with new roadsBy Air Force Capt. Tony Wickman, Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs

Getting through downtown Asadabad just got easier thanks to 4-kilometers of new roads that were completed, Dec. 13.

Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team engineers completed their final quality assurance check prior to a dedication ceremony with Fazlullah Wahidi, Kunar provincial governor, and village elders on a clear, warm day.

The $935,000 worth of roads took nearly a year to complete and used concrete and double-bituminous surface treatment to pave the roads that will benefit hundreds of families and businesses in the city. It is a welcome improvement according to several residents and shopkeepers.

Sherzada, a general store owner who has been in business for three years, said the new roads make a difference in the lives of the people working and living in Dam Kalay village and Asadabad.

“Before, the road was all muddy and wasn’t good for my business. The people of this village and me were getting our clothes dirty while walking here,” Sherzada said. “Whenever we were doing

shopping in downtown, it would take more time for us to come here. But, the new road now makes us feel safer and cleaner. It also makes the trip shorter and it’s a benefit for everyone in the village.”

According to U.S. Navy Lt. Derek Elling, PRT engineer, it was a good project with only minor issues. He said that unlike many of the other road projects the PRT is working on, this wasn’t a continuous 4-kilometer road but rather smaller segments of roads linking different parts of the city together.

“The overall quality of the road is good. There was a 700-meter section of road that wasn’t complete when we got here (in July) that we had to decide whether it was going to be DBST or concrete because it is in a washout area. That was what we QA’d before the dedication ceremony,” said Elling, a native of Norwood Young America, Minn. “There were minor things that need to be addressed—a small section of the road broke off and a culvert needs to be repaired—but overall it is good road.”

Elling said a positive sight while doing the QA/QC patrol was seeing locally hired people cleaning the new streets.

“We were able to see the workers hired by the Central

Asia Development Group (a non-governmental organization implementing partner for the U.S. Agency for International Development) out cleaning the road,” Elling said. “The NGO is doing some good work and are on the frontline of things. They pay people directly to go out and do jobs like clean the street, which eliminates the threat of corruption and graft.”

In his remarks to the gathered crowd of more than 50 provincial leaders and tribal elders at the dedication site, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joseph Cantlin, PRT chief of military-civilian operations, praised the Kaihan Construction and Engineering Company for their efforts.

“This morning the PRT walked up and down the road to see that the contractor did a good job and built a good road for the city of Asadabad,” said Cantlin, a native of Ft. Belvoir, Va.

Cantlin said the desire of the PRT is that the road will improve governance and development in the area.

“The PRT is very happy that we can be here on this beautiful day in Asadabad to celebrate the opening of this new road,” Cantlin said.

14

(Above) Local workers clean-ing the streets in downtown Asadabad watch a Provincial Reconstruction Team-Kunar patrol conduct a final quality assurance and quality check on a new 4-kilometer road

through the provincial capital prior to a dedication ceremo-

ny, Dec. 13.

(Above) A Provincial Re-construction Team-Kunar patrol conducts a final quality assurance and quality check in downtown Asadabad on a new 4-ki-lometer road through the provincial capital prior to a dedication ceremony, Dec.

13.

(Left) U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joseph Cantlin (left), Provincial Reconstruction Team-Kunar chief of civil-military operations, and Fazlullah Wahidi (right), Kunar provincial governor, pull back the curtain to dedicate a 4-kilometer road through Asadabad while distinguished guests watch, Dec. 13.

15

Vol. 1 | Issue 4Mountain Warrior | January 201016

By U.S. Army 1st Lt. Caitlin C. Clark, 704th Brigade Support Battalion

The water treatment specialists of the logistics platoon in Company A, 704th Brigade Support Battalion, Task Force Blacksmith, play a very important role in the combat support team.

While they may not directly support the fight, they provide an invaluable commodity important to the health and welfare of every one on Forward Operating Base Fenty in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.

This commodity is the water they treat, test, and purify for use in facilities around the FOB,

including the dining facility, medical clinic, showers and latrines.

The water used in the showers and latrines is treated with chlorine to prevent the growth of bacteria, but the water sent to the medical and dining facilities on the base go through a much more extensive process to ensure that it is safe for both human consumption and up to high medical standards.

The water section utilizes two 3K Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units to draw water from a well and purify it. The water is also tested periodically to ensure water quality and that no contaminates such as bacteria or nuclear, biological, or chemical

threats have entered the water.At only six months into their

deployment, the water section has pulled more than 17,000,000 gallons of water from wells located all over the FOB.

More than 1,500,000 gallons of this water has been purified for use in the DFAC, medical clinic, and Green Beans World Cafe.

The water provided by these water treatment specialists is often taken for granted, however their hard work and diligence should not be overlooked.

So, next time you take a shower or eat a meal prepared at the DFAC, remember that it was the hard work of a water treatment specialist that enabled you to do so.

FOB Fenty Water Dawgs: Behind the Scenes

4th Special Troops Battalion in pictures

Staff Sgt Patricio Caliboso, battalion

Personal Security Detail platoon Sgt., and Capt. Jason Higgins

await an awards ceremony

on Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields.

Newly promoted Staff Sgt. Randy Wickerd accepts his promotion certificate from Capt. David Rittenhouse, the commander of Company B, 4th Special Troops Battalion, Task Force Gryphon. Dec. 3.

Sgt. Erica Smith receives an Army Achievement Medal from Capt. Jeremy Vaughan at an awards ceremony on Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields, in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Allen P. Brooks, the 1st Sgt. for Task Force Mountain Warrior’s Military Intelligence company, conducts a patrol during a battlefield circulation to check on his Soldiers.throughout Task Force Mountain Warrior’s area of operations.

U.S. Army Soldiers, Warrant

Officer Steven

Kambouris, Sgt. 1st Class

Timothy Keesecker,

1st Lt. Darick Waguespack,

Chief Warrant Officer 3

Chad Field and Sgt. 1st Class Matthew

Swope take a break after completing a run at Forward Operating Base Fenty, Nov. 15.

By U.S. Army 1st Lt. Elena Sequeira, 704th Brigade Support BattalionU.S. Army Spc. Cassandra Benes has been stationed at Fort Carson, Colo., since

March 2007. She deployed with the brigade in 2007 and was awarded the Combat Medical Badge while serving in Iraq.

Currently, Benes is the 2nd squad leader of the evacuation platoon, 704th Brigade Support Battalion, Task Force Blacksmith, serving in eastern Afghanistan. She conducts weekly combat logistics patrols in Task Force Lethal’s area of operations with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment’s forward support company. She has served as a medic on over 40 supply convoys since being deployed to Afghanistan. Not only does she continue to regularly go out on convoys, Benes still conducts patient care in Forward Operating Base Fenty’s Medical Treatment Facility, maintaining the skills she needs on the battlefield.

She continues to not only treat injured people brought to the treatment facility, but has also assisted the Forward Surgical Team with incoming trauma patients.

The Contributions of a Charlie Med Medic

17

“Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting, but rather let me be glad that such heroes have lived.”

- Gen. George S. Patton

Fallen Heroes- October 24 through December 5

U.S. Army Spc. Cassandra Benes, a medic with Com-

pany C, 704th Brigade Support Battalion, takes care of a patient at the aid station on Forward Operating Base Fenty.


Task Force Mountain Warrior is heading into the seventh month of our deployment and it is time to start looking towards what we are going to do when we redeploy. Some of us have already made those

decisions by reenlisting to stay at Fort Carson or an assignment of choice. For the rest of us it is time to consider our future and where we want to spend our next assignment. If you are in your reenlistment window

your first stop should be your servicing career counselor to see what your reen-listment options are. If you are an initial or mid-careerist and have CONUS and OCONUS assignments available. Now is the time to make a decision before you are put on orders and don’t have a choice.If you are not in your reenlistment

Retention NCO’s Letter:

window then you can update your assign-ment preferences through the “Assign-ment Satisfaction Key” or “ASK“. “ASK” provides the capability to

post assignment preference information directly to the Total Army Personnel Database.U.S Army Human Resources Command (HRC) Enlisted Person-nel Management Directorate (EPMD) assignment managers will use this information when considering you for assignments.Under the old “Dream Sheet” days, you could choose from 230 CONUS locations and 280 OCONUS locations, but had little chance of being assigned to any of the locations.”ASK” requires you to select two CONUS locations from a Divisional Installation Listing and one CONUS location from a more expanded listing.You may select

three of four OCONUS locations.By providing you with realistic location op-tions, their goal is to match Army readi-ness requirements with your preferences.You are contributing to the overall deci-sion process and your vote counts.While U.S Army Human Resources Command (HRC) must still fill unique assignments, the majority of assignment locations will be available for you to select.Those who decline to submit preferences will be assigned according to the needs of the Army.

Led By Love of Country!

JAMES L. PUGSLEYMSG, USA

Senior Career Counselor

By Master Sgt. James L. PugsleySenior Career Counselor

[email protected]@afghan.swa.army.milstephen.m.cabana@afghan.swa.army.milluis.a.gutierrez@afghan.swa.army.milcarmen.herron@afghan.swa.army.milzildjian.j.charley@afghan.swa.army.milmartha.e.berry@[email protected]@[email protected]

MSG PugsleySFC DavisSFC CabanaSSG GutierrezSSG HerronSGT CharleySSG BerrySGT LytleSFC DoneySSG Holman

4th IBCT, 4th ID1-12 IN2-12 IN2-77 FA3-61 CAV704th BSB4th BSTB759thMP1-32 IN7-17 CAV

FOB FentyFOB RamrodFOB BlessingBagramFOB FentyFOB FentyFOB Finley-ShieldsFOB FentyFOB JoyceJalalabad

831-6051841-6011481-2155431-5102831-6058831-6089SVOIP 776-9711831-6442481-3508831-6152/6153

CAREER COUNSELOR DIRECTORYNAME UNIT LOCATION PHONE EMAIL

19

Awards and reenlistments

The FY10 Task Force Mountain Warrior Retention program

1st and 2nd Battalions, 12th

Infantry Regiment

3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry

Regiment

2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery

Regiment

1st Squadron, 122nd Cavalry

Regiment

4th Brigade Special Troops

Battalion

4th Brigade Support Battalion

1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry

Regiment

3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry

Regiment

759th Military Police Battalion

Mountain Warrior | January 2010

Hey There!Want to see your pictures in the Mountain Warrior? Shoot us an e-mail or send your photos to: [email protected] and you just might see your photos in the next issue!

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Mountain Warrior Jan 2010