War In Afghanistan Daily News - November 18, 2008

Coalition Forces Kill Militants, Destroy Weapons Cache in Afghanistan American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2008 – Coalition forces in Afghanistan killed five militants today and destroyed a weapons cache in Farah province, military officials reported.   Troops tracked the militants to a remote location northwest of Farah city, where they were seen loading weapons into a vehicle from a weapons cache. Coalition aircraft used precision munitions to destroy the militants, weapons and vehicle. No civilians or man-made structures were near the operation, officials said. In other developments, coalition forces detained 14 militants during multiple operations to disrupt the movement of foreign fighters and thwart attacks against coalition and Afghan forces in eastern Afghanistan yesterday. In the Tagab district of Kapisa province, coalition forces captured a targeted militant believed to be a Taliban commander who plans and conducts such attacks, along with five others. The force searched the compound without incident while protecting 19 women and 25 children during the operation, officials said. In a separate operation, coalition forces detained four insurgents following a search of a compound in the Waghez district of Ghazni province. The operation targeted a local Taliban commander believed to be in contact with senior Taliban commanders in the region. The militant is also suspected of planning and coordinating attacks in Ghazni that kill and injure innocent civilians and coalition forces, officials said. In another operations in Ghazni yesterday, coalition forces detained four suspected militants, including targeted al-Qaida and Taliban-associated individuals, in the Zurmat district. These militants are suspected of coordinating and aiding the movement of foreign fighters to carry out attacks into the region, officials said. (Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.) Related Sites: U.S. Forces Afghanistan http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51985 Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 38 Militants in Helmand Province American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2008 – Afghan and coalition forces killed 38 militants Saturday in Afghanistan’s southern province of Helmand, military officials reported. Afghan and coalition forces were conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in the Nahr Surkh district when they identified armed militants operating in the area. The combined forces engaged the militants with direct and supporting fires, killing 38 and destroying two of their vehicles. One militant was wounded, treated and taken into custody by Afghan forces. The combined forces confiscated an 82 mm recoilless rifle, a machine gun and several AK-47s from the site. Also Saturday, the coalition killed five militants and detained 18 during operations aimed at dismantling the al-Qaida and Haqqani foreign fighter networks in eastern Afghanistan. In Zurmat district, troops detained an al-Qaida terrorist known to finance militant operations and to assist Taliban leaders with the movement and training of Arab and foreign fighters into Afghanistan. The al-Qaida associate was detained during one of several operations targeting the network in Paktia province. Those operations resulted in five armed militants killed and eight militants detained. Searches conducted during the operations revealed rocket-propelled grenades, several dozen hand grenades, multiple AK-47s and other military equipment. These items were destroyed to prevent future use. In Khowst province, Afghan and coalition forces netted a Haqqani militant also known to facilitate the movement of foreign fighters into Afghanistan. During the combined operation, the force discovered 10 additional men believed to be militants and seeking safe haven as they moved into Terezai district to conduct attacks. The combined force also found multiple hand grenades and other military style equipment in the compound. Also Saturday, Afghan National Army Commandos of the 205th Commando Kandak and coalition forces destroyed an insurgent drug processing and distribution facility after engaging enemies in the Spin Buldak district, Kandahar province. The combined forces discovered the remote facility after receiving reports of illegal activity in the area. Four insurgents fired on the troops with small arms as they approached the compound. The troops returned fire, killing the insurgents. The facility contained one ton of narcotics, several 55-gallon drums filled with drug processing chemicals and other drug processing equipment. All of the contents were destroyed on site. (From U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.) Related Sites: U.S. Forces Afghanistan

Nations Team Up to Train Afghan Doctors By Army Spc. Mary L. Gonzalez Special to American Forces Press Service BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Nov. 17, 2008 – Medical professionals from the United States, Egypt and Korea have partnered to train Afghan doctors. Afghan doctors receive hands-on training from Egyptian physicians at the Egyptian field hospital on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The doctors are performing surgery on a local woman who sought care Nov. 12, 2008. Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Mary L. Gonzalez   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The 90-day course, which began in early November, is the first of its kind in Afghanistan, said U.S. Army Maj. Paul R. Brezinski, Task Force Med plans and programs officer. Five physicians from Kapisa province have enrolled in the course so far. Students divide their time here between the Egyptian and Korean field hospitals and the U.S. Craig Joint Theater Hospital. “We saw this as an opportunity to utilize the Koreans, the Egyptians and ourselves to help train the physicians of Afghanistan so that they can take care of their own people,” said U.S. Army Col. Dave Geyer, Task Force Med commander. Students attend lectures at the Korean hospital, do hands-on training at the Egyptian hospital, and focus on life, limb and eye trauma at the U.S. hospital. “It has to be full coordination because here at the Egyptian field hospital not all of the facilities are available,” said Col. Mohamed Abd Elbaky, commander of the Egyptian field hospital. “So, for example, we don’t have ultrasound [equipment], so we will have to go to the Korean or the U.S. hospitals.” Each hospital brings a different skill-set to the table, Brezinski said. “At the U.S. hospital we do a lot of trauma cases, so they will see that aspect in the U.S. hospital,” he said. “They are going to see a lot of patients and clinical issues here at the Egyptian hospital that, quite frankly, we don’t see that often at all in the states or in Egypt or in Korea.” Afghan physicians, essentially, are getting the best of three medical communities. “This is a great thing,” said Dr. Sarem Park, medical director of the Korean hospital. “I think diversity is a very important element in any area. The Koreans have a unique way to learn and teach others and give knowledge. The Egyptians also have their own way; the Americans have their own way. “The Afghans also have to find their own way through seeing what the differences are between them and others,” Park said. “Through diversity and cooperation I am sure they have a good chance of finding their own way as well.” To attend the course, Afghan doctors commute two hours each way, Brezinski said. Geyer said they have plans to do away with that long commute. “Our hope is to actually build a campus here on Bagram, on the post, so they can actually stay here,” he said. “We haven’t got that far in the process yet; we are still looking for funding for some of those issues, but that is our eventual goal.” With housing available for students, not only will local doctors be able to attend, but people from other organizations as well. “We have plenty of interest,” Brezinski said. “There will be Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and Ministry of Public Health physicians who would like to come here. It’s really a capacity issue with us. Once we have housing, we’ll have more capacity to take residents on.” (U.S. Army Spc. Mary L. Gonzalez serves in the Combined Joint Task Force 101 Public Affairs Office.)

Related Sites: U.S. Forces Afghanistan NATO International Security Assistance Force

A physician at the Egyptian field hospital trains an Afghan doctor as he takes the blood pressure of a local man who sought care on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2008. Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Mary L. Gonzalez   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

Coalition forces provide medical care to severely injured 14-year-old boy

Written by Headquarters United States Forces Afghanistan

Monday, 17 November 2008

KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition forces Friday provided medical care to a 14-year-old boy who had been severely injured by an improvised explosive device in Shaheed Hasas District, Oruzgan province.  The boy is currently in stable condition. The boy was riding a donkey on a dirt road near his village when the donkey stepped on an IED.  The boy’s father rushed the boy to a nearby Coalition forces medical facility. The boy suffered shrapnel wounds to his face, neck and left thigh.  He also suffered a jaw injury.  His wounds were too severe to be fully treated at the initial Coalition forces medical facility he was taken to, so he was later transported to a Coalition forces hospital in Tarin Kowt District, Oruzgan province, where he underwent surgery for his wounds.

Coalition service members wounded in IED attack

Written by Headquarters United States Forces Afghanistan

Monday, 17 November 2008

KABUL, Afghanistan – Two Coalition service members were wounded in western Afghanistan and have been evacuated for medical treatment after their convoy was attacked by a suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) early this morning in Herat.  During this attack, two vehicles were also damaged. ANP and ANA have secured the scene, and the incident is under investigation.

 18 Nov. 2008
PR# 2008-625

Kabul Military Training center transforms soldiers

Afghan National Army recruits attend grenade instruction during Basic Warrior Training at the Kabul Military Training Center, Nov. 15. (ISAF photo)

KABUL, Afghanistan - Regular Afghan citizens are transformed into soldiers on a daily basis at the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC).

KMTC is the main training location for the Afghan National Army Training Command and the ‘force provider’ for Afghanistan’s national defense. The center provides initial Basic Training to recruits and advanced training for Non-commissioned and Commissioned Officers. 

KMTC is located in 20,000 acres outside Kabul and has more than 8,000 recruits in training at any given time.  The goal of the KMTC is to provide Afghanistan with a skilled army capable of disarming and dismantling illegal factions, fighting terrorism and assuring the security and progress for the political process for Afghanistan.

“It is the duty and responsibility of the Army to serve the people and maintain the sovereignty, independence, and borders of our country,” said Col. Sharif Ahmad, Chief of Staff Operating Course at KMTC. “That’s why we train our soldiers.  Our Army is in a basic state. If we had a good Army we wouldn’t have aggression from Al Qaeda and our other enemies.”

KMTC is supported by the Combined Training Assistance Group, housed at Camp Alamo within the training grounds, which provides 250 mentors from a multinational force.  French, American, British, Romanian and Polish personnel assist Afghan instructors by providing feedback on lesson plans and operations but are only there to assist; all training is conducted by Afghan instructors.

“There is always an Afghan giving the class,” said Captain Rob Simmons, Combined Training Assistance Group. “We provide mentors for the instructors.  “If the Afghans are going to stand on their own two feet they need to be able to deliver the instruction without any kind of mentorship.  Plus Afghans listen better to an Afghan.  An Afghan instructor giving his own experience and relating those experiences to the lesson he’s giving—students respond well to it.”

The training center offers several courses including Basic Training, Advanced Combat Training, Officer Candidate School and Non-commissioned Officer Academy.  The Basic Training course is 10 weeks long and is required for all new recruits.  During Basic Training recruits are trained on various military topics with the goal being the production of soldiers who are all “infantry first.” Advanced Combat Training follows the initial course and focuses on the speciality the recruit will perform during service. The Officer Candidate School and NCO Academy concentrate on molding future leaders of the Afghan National Army. More than 30,000 service members train at KMTC every year and another 8,000 train at satellite locations in Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Gardez, Kandahar and Darulaman. 

On challenge the KMTC faces is the literacy rate among new recruits. 

The soldiers who can read and write are assigned positions in the areas of logistics, medical services and communications. The soldiers who cannot read and write attend training three days per week to improve their abilities. 

“We see 20 to 30 percent of recruits coming in that are literate” said U.S. Army Major Brian Foley, Combined Training Assistance Group. “It’s a struggle right now but that’s a result of 30 years of war.”

British forces see improvements in Kabul

A British soldier performs a foot patrol in Kabul, Nov. 16. (ISAF photo)

KABUL, Afghanistan - Members of ISAF’s Force Protection Company conducted a foot patrol in Kabul Nov. 16 in order to establish a presence in the area and meet with local civilians.

The 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, of the British Territorial Army is in charge of force protection for the headquarters base.  The battalion soldiers are trained in the tactics and operations necessary to provide perimeter security, in addition to conducting foot patrols around the city. 

“Out of all the tasks we perform here in Kabul, getting out and patrolling is what we enjoy the most because that’s what we are, infantry soldiers,” said Delta Platoon’s Second in Command Sergeant Major Tony Archer, from Middlesbrough.

The 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment is a reserve unit that was called to duty in May.  The soldiers have been in Kabul for three months and have seen a variety of improvements in the city during their tour.

“People are friendlier; they get to know our faces, know who we are,” Lance Corporal Kenny Wilson of Kingston Upon Hill said. “Throughout the city there is development everywhere; there are new buildings getting built left, right and centre.  There are new road surfaces being laid. Traffic lights, street lights, electricity, running water and sewage systems have improved in certain areas.  Community spirit is a lot better.  You see more people out, and more women getting involved in daily activities.”

The regiment’s soldiers will be in Afghanistan for another three months, then will return home to their civilian jobs.  Being a reserve unit, all members work part time for the service and have civilian jobs in their hometowns. The unit is comprised of school teachers, security guards, salesmen and a variety of other professions.  Their various backgrounds and professional experiences help bring a wide breadth of knowledge to this deployment.

While performing foot patrols is tiring duty, many of the soldiers find it rewarding, especially when they interact with the children of the city.

“The kids on the street are fantastic,” Wilson said. “They’ll run up to you and say hello, try to get sweets off you; they’re just kids like everywhere else.  They’re just fantastic people.”

ANSF, ISAF defeat two insurgent attacks

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF defeated two insurgent attacks in eastern Afghanistan Nov. 16.

In Nangarhar, insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades at the civilian-populated district center of Khogyani and a nearby ISAF base. Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and ISAF forces returned fire by ground and air in defence of the area. A number of insurgents were killed, and one is in Afghan custody. No civilians or soldiers were injured.

Insurgents also attempted to attack an ISAF base in Bermel district, Paktika. ISAF soldiers returned fired in self-defence and called in attack helicopters. A large number of insurgents were killed, while again no civilians or ISAF soldiers were injured.

“We commend the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police for their outstanding defence of their fellow citizens. Their capabilities are improving, and ISAF will continue to support them in defeating these enemies of peace,” said Brigadier General Richard Blanchette, ISAF spokesperson. “Although no civilians were injured, the insurgents’ attack on a district center only re-emphasizes their complete disregard for Afghan lives. This further solidifies ISAF’s steadfast support of the Afghan government in our joint mission to make this country more secure so that the Afghan people can go about their business without fear of attack from such murderers.”

ISAF, Pakistan coordinate strike on insurgents

KABUL, Afghanistan - Insurgents attacked an ISAF base in Paktika Nov. 16 leading to a coordinated artillery strike into Pakistan.

The ISAF base received two separate rocket attacks from a location within Pakistan. Following the second attack, ISAF soldiers were able to identify the origin of the enemy rocket launches. Upon positive identification, ISAF coordinated with the Pakistan military and fired a total of 20 artillery rounds on the enemy location. The artillery fire caused a secondary explosion at the rocket launch site, which indicates additional munitions in the location.

ISAF and Pakistani soldiers observed all fired artillery rounds. The Pakistan soldiers assured ISAF that they would engage any insurgents attempting to flee deeper into Pakistan.

There were no ISAF casualties.