Afghanistan Daily News - January 8, 2009
Egyptian field hospital re-opens
BAGRAM
AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (January 7, 2009) – The El Salam Egyptian Field
Hospital, which sees more than 7,200 Afghan patients a month, reopened
here Jan. 5,
after almost a month of closure due to a staff transition.
During the closure, the hospital staff added a gastroenterology clinic, day-care unit and a tropical medicine consultant to the list of services.
Members of the Egyptian Army and Egyptian Air Force deploy to Afghanistan every six months to work with the Afghan people at the hospital. Since arriving in Afghanistan, the new staff has also improved the hospital by streamlining patient admission.
“Every patient coming in the security gate goes through the general practice station where a brief medical history is taken. From there they are directed to the most relevant clinic,” said Col. Ahmed Gaber, hospital commander.
“The day care unit is a four-bed unit for patients who only need a few hours of observation or simple [medical] procedure,” said Col. (Dr.) Hossom Abdallah, chief doctor. “This saves on bed space in the overnight unit.” Full Story
January 8, 2009
Release Number 20090801-03
Afghan civilian injured in accident
Kabul, Afghanistan — An Afghan civilian on a bicycle was injured in a collision with a coalition vehicle at about 11:00 a.m. today. The local man was offered but declined transportation to a medical facility for examination. The circumstances of the accident are being investigated.
“While all the facts surrounding this accident are not known at this time, we certainly take seriously our responsibility to avoid circumstances where Afghan civilians are placed at risk,” said Brig. Gen. Steven P. Huber, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix Commander. “We will work with local law enforcement officials to determine the facts and take action as appropriate once the accident investigation is completed.”
Aviation units transfer authority in northeastern Afghanistan
| Written by Sgt Charles Brice | |
| Thursday, 08 January 2009 | |
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“TF Palehorse, we must not underestimate the gravity of the task which lies before us,” said Lt. Col. Jimmy Blackmon, incoming commander of 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. “We are wise to expect disappointments, many unpleasant surprises, but we may be sure that the task which we have freely accepted is one not beyond the capability or determination of our division, our brigade or our task force.” Task Force Outfront leaves Afghanistan with numerous accomplishments including winner of Army Aviation Association of America Air Sea Rescue award for a medical evacuation hoist mission in the Korengal valley, and the 101st Airborne Division commanding general’s nominee for the Lt. Gen. Ellis D. Parker award, for combat aviation unit of the year. Story |
Spirit of America’s Generous Support Aids Marines, Afghan Forces in Counterinsurgency Operations
By Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones
Posted on 01.08.2009 at 08:22AM
Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan
HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Spirit of America,
a nonprofit organization supported solely by private contributions, is
offering their generosity to Marines and Afghan national security
forces in their fight against the ongoing insurgency in the Helmand and
Farah provinces of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Spirit of America has arranged to spend a start-up amount of $50,000 of
its collected donations toward the purchase of supplies and equipment
to be shipped to and distributed by 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment
(Reinforced), to Afghan national security forces and the local
populace. Plans for the procurement of an additional $500,000 of
much-needed medical supplies are also underway.
As the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task
Force – Afghanistan, Marines with 3/8 train, mentor and partner with
Afghan national security forces as they work to provide a secure
environment for the Afghan people. Story
Afghan media learn about close air support
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- The
455th Air Expeditionary Wing, together with the Bagram Media Operations
Center, hosted its first Afghan media day Jan. 5.
Fourteen journalists and cameramen from
various Afghan news agencies received an up-close look at close air
support in Afghanistan, complete with tours of the F-15E Strike Eagle
and the A-10 Thunderbolt II and a briefing from Brig. Gen. Mike Holmes,
455th AEW commander.
According to General Holmes, the conflict in Afghanistan is just as
much an information war as it is a kinetic one. Department of Defense
Public Affairs strives to provide timely and accurate information;
however succeeding at the information war becomes a challenge when
competing with an enemy who is not concerned with facts. Since the
insurgents are good at getting their story out, in order for balanced
media coverage it becomes essential for U.S. and coalition forces to
engage the local media. Story
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Field Surgical Team gives gift of hope
Army Capt.
John Gasko administers anesthetics to a local girl during a Christmas
Day surgery. The Field Surgical Team performed skin grafts on two small
Afghan girls who were burned in a local village. (Courtesy Photo)
by 1st Lt Amber Balken
Zabul PRT public affairs
1/6/2009 - FORWARD OPERATING BASE LAGMAN, Afghanistan -- It
has been said, it is better to give than to receive. Nothing could be
more true this holiday season as the 2nd Forward Surgical Team gave two
Afghan girls a second chance at life.
The girls were burned in a cooking fire in their home in late December.
Desperate for help and unable to get the care they needed in a remote
area of Zabul Province, the family traveled for five days into the City
of Qalat.
Initially not offered care at the provincial hospital, the last resort
was for the family to come to the gates of the Provincial
Reconstruction Team compound in Qalat. Story
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