War On Terror News

Memorial Day 2011

This Memorial Day is not only somber for me, but also brings more sadness.  I was given the opportunity to observe a Military ceremony for Memorial Day. 

As a Soldier, I was never a fan of ceremonies, but this is the one that should be given great importance.  It is not to say that other Military ceremonies shouldn't.  I have a high regard for many of the ceremonies of the Military, but too many have lost their significance. 

Perhaps, as a Veteran, I put more value on Memorial Day than I did as a Private, but it was my NCO's as a Private that taught me the meanings, that put an emphasis on the "why's" of the ceremonies, not least of which was Memorial Day.  Perhaps, when one has a particular person they remember, Memorial Day is more important.  I don't share those names with the public.  They are for me to remember. 

So, it saddened me to watch this ceremony, which included the families of the fallen, because few seemed to have put much thought or weight into the meaning of it.  It seemed they were going through the motions, but not the meaning.  This is a leadership issue.  It is the leader's responsibility to teach the Troops why we do the things we do.  The Leadership seemed more concerned with the picture before the ceremony than the ceremony they used as an excuse to take the picture.  I do not expect this is a military wide problem, but I was particularly disturbed with the attitudes of leadership at multiple levels.

War in Afghanistan News - 30 May 2011

The HiG found the only one brave enough to face an armed opponent was a woman who they sent to her death, armed with an RPG.

Five Haqqani minions have been interred to the Iron Bar Motel, along with 3 Taliban Thugs.

More than 2 tons of marijuana, 50 lbs of Heroin, as well as explosives, munitiions and weapons were captured in recent days.

Early reports on 9 civilians killed omitted key information that the enemy had forcibly taken the compound and were engaging Marines, while failing to allow the civilians protection or departure.  I'm sure the MSM will correct their reports.

MG Toolan On 9 Civilians Killed Alongside Taliban Yesterday

Commander Regional South West ISAF statement

The following statement is by Maj. Gen. John Toolan, commander Regional Command South West, International Security Assistance Force.

KABUL, Afghanistan – On behalf of the coalition, the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force Gen. Petraeus, and Commander of the ISAF Joint Lt. Gen. Rodriguez I want to offer my sincere apologies for the nine civilians who were killed during the incident in Now Zad District, Helmand province that occurred May 28.

USS John F Kennedy Aircraft Carrier to be Commissioned post 2015

Navy Names Next Aircraft Carrier USS John F. Kennedy

            Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the next Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier will be named the USS John F. Kennedy.

            The selection John F. Kennedy, designated CVN 79, honors the 35th President of the United States and pays tribute to his service in the Navy, in the government, and to the nation.

            "President John F. Kennedy exemplified the meaning of service, not just to country, but service to all humanity," said Mabus.  "I am honored to have the opportunity to name the next aircraft carrier after this great sailor and inspirational leader, and to keep the rich tradition and history of USS John F. Kennedy sailing in the U.S. Fleet."

American Blogger Charged with Insulting Thai King

American Faces More Than 15-Year Sentence in Thailand for Insulting Monarchy

Daniel Schearf VoA News Bangkok: Thai police have arrested U.S. citizen Lerpong Wichaikhammat, 54, and charged him with defaming the revered monarchy for an alleged offense dating to a four-year-old post on his blog.

Insulting the monarchy, known as "Lese Majeste", is a serious crime in Thailand that is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Rights groups and academics have criticized the controversial law and say Thai authorities abuse it for political purposes.

Palestinians Renew Vows to Violence If Israelis Don't Stop Building Homes

Israel Seeks to Tighten Grip on Jerusalem

Robert Berger VoA News Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his Cabinet in Jerusalem's disputed Old City, instead of the usual meeting place in West Jerusalem.  The message was clear: Jerusalem will not be divided with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu said the world should know that the people of Israel are faithful to Jerusalem and their heritage.

He said Israel's position on a united Jerusalem is firm, and its hand is stretched out in peace to its Arab neighbors.

Video: IED Crew Meet HellFire

Warning: Graphic

Celebratory?  Yep, those terrorists were planting explosives, which may have killed my Brothers, or may have killed civilians.

RIP SPC Adam S Hamilton

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Spc. Adam S. Hamilton, 22, of Kent, Ohio, died May 28 in Haji Ruf, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

RIP PFC John C Johnson

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Pfc. John C. Johnson, 28, of Phoenix, Ariz., died May 27 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

Video: E/2/8 Marines Take it to the Enemy

Marines in Contact.  Not even God has Mercy on the Enemy's Souls:

 

Iranian Arrested for Espionage in Egypt

Egypt Arrests Iranian Diplomat on Spying Charges

VOA News: Egyptian security officials say police have arrested an Iranian diplomat in Cairo on charges of spying.

Authorities Sunday said Iranian diplomat Qassem al-Husseini was detained and questioned for "passing information" to Iran's intelligence services.  There are reports that the diplomat also was trying to recruit other agents to work as spies in Egypt.

Iranian officials have denied that al-Husseini was arrested. They said he was at work Sunday in Iran's Cairo mission.

Egypt and Iran have not had full diplomatic relations since 1979, when Iran underwent its Islamic revolution and Egypt made peace with Israel.

Instead of embassies, each country has a lower-level mission in the other's capital.

Islamists Explosively Kill 2 Iraqis in Abu Ghraib, Iraq

Double Bomb Attack West of Baghdad Kills 2 Iraqis

VoA News: Iraqi officials say a double bomb attack in a town west of Baghdad has killed an Iraqi soldier and a firefighter and wounded 10 other people.

Authorities say the first explosion was outside a liquor shop in Abu Ghraib early Sunday. Iraqi security personnel and firefighters rushed to the scene and were hit by the second blast as they arrived. Iraqi soldiers and firefighters were among the wounded.

Insurgents in Iraq often have tried to maximize casualties from an attack by creating a small explosion to lure security personnel to a location before setting off another blast.

RIP Bbdr Karl Manning

OTTAWA - One Canadian Forces member was found dead from non-combat related wounds at approximately 5:30 a.m. local Kandahar time on 27 May 2011 at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Zangabad, located 45 Kilometres southwest of Kandahar Airfield.

Bombardier Karl Manning, from 5^e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada based at CFB Valcartier, Quebec serving as a member of the 1^er Royal 22^e Régiment Battle Group was found dead from non-combat related wounds.

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

AQ Takes Yemeni Town As Obama Presses for Ouster of Yemeni President

Suspected Al-Qaida Militants Take Over Yemen Coastal Town

VOA News: Residents say hundreds of militants gained control of Zinjibar on Friday.

There are reports of fighting lasting into Saturday, resulting in casualties.

Zinjibar is the capital of Abyan province in southern Yemen, one of the areas considered a stronghold of al-Qaida.

Airman Builds Afghan Children's Coffins

Airman uses carpentry skills to preserve children’s dignity
by Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary USAF-C

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – Some of the heat has burned off as the summer moon rises overhead. An airman labors over scrap pieces of wood in a makeshift workshop under a canopy of camouflage. Fitting pieces of wood together, the shape of a tiny coffin emerges.

The contract providing coffins for deceased Afghans has expired. The Role 3 Hospital here immediately began making alternative plans until a new contract can be negotiated. Americans selflessly stepped in to continue the role after their British counterparts brought the deficiency to their attention.

Pictured: Master Sgt. Jason Reininger, 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Detachment 1 Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility, aerospace medical technician, builds a child-size coffin that will be turned over to the Role 3 hospital at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. Sgt. Reininger volunteered to build the coffin after finding out there was a need for one. Sgt. Reininger is a Reservist deployed from the 419th Medical Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah.

1-63 Armor Honors SFC Clifford Beattie, PFC Ramon Mora Jr

 ‘Dagger’ Brigade holds memorial service for two fallen Soldiers
by Spc. Daniel Stoutamire 1st ID

BAGHDAD — Soldiers and leaders from around the 2nd “Dagger” Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and United States Division – Center came together for a memorial service May 26 at Camp Liberty, Iraq, to celebrate the lives and mourn the passing of two of the Dagger brigade’s fallen heroes, Sgt. 1st Class Clifford Beattie and Pfc. Ramon Mora Jr.

Beattie, 37, and Mora, 19, both with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st “Dragon” Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., died Sunday, May 22, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

“We mourn the loss of two true American heroes, Sgt. 1st Class Clifford Beattie and Pfc. Ramon Mora. They were husbands, a father, brother, friends, leaders and comrades-in-arms,” said Lt. Col. Michael Henderson, commander of 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment. “We are trained to understand that loss is an inherent risk in our chosen profession, but no matter how much you may prepare for a loss of those around you, the grief will always be there.”

Islamists Shoot Dead 2 Paki Muslim Policemen

Gunmen Kill 2 Police in SW Pakistan

VoA News: Police in Pakistan say unknown gunmen have killed at least two policemen in the country's southwestern province of Baluchistan.

Officials say the officers were attacked Sunday at a checkpoint in the provincial capital, Quetta. Three other people, including two bystanders, were injured in the shooting.

The Associated Press reports a police official saying the dead officers were from the area's minority Shi'ite community, which is often the target of attacks by Sunni militants.

Baluchistan province is rife with Islamist militancy, a local insurgency, and sectarian violence between majority Sunnis and minority Shi'ite Muslims.

Dan Choi Arrested at Gay Pride Moscow Protest

Dozens Detained at Gay Rally in Moscow

Jessica Golloher VoA News Moscow: For the sixth year in a row, gay-rights activists have tried to stage a parade in Moscow.  But dozens of people were arrested after the activists clashed with counter-protesters.

Russian officials have detained three global gay rights leaders, and dozens of others, after they tried to stage an unsanctioned rally near the Kremlin.

Police say a small crowd of marchers, some waving rainbow flags and others carrying signs that read, “Russia is not Iran,” was attacked by an ultra-Orthodox group who had successfully lobbied the Moscow city government to ban the event.

File photo courtesy of This Ain't Hell.

The leader of Russia’s Orthodox Union, Leonid Simonovich, said people should not be allowed to hold a gay pride parade.

Marines Able to Recover and Return to the Units in Afghanistan

'Return to Duty’ patients find safe haven at CASF
by Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary USAF-C

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – The “Return to Duty” program has allowed more than 1,100 service members the opportunity to rest, recover and return to their units.

“Because of the Return to Duty program…more and more Marines and other service members are returning back to their units rather than be sent home,” said. Col. John Collins, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Operating Location—Bastion director. “That ability alone has been a real game changer because we’re not constantly having to get replacements in.”

The program is a safe haven for Wounded Warriors, which is run out of the contingency aeromedical staging facility here. For the Marines, it’s an interim fix until a concussion restoration care center on Camp Leatherneck is built. This facility will function in the same capacity as the CASF.

Sangin Shura Renders Unity

  District Governor Reaches Out to Sangin Villagers
by 1st Lt. Timothy Irish RCT-8, 2nd MarDiv

PATROL BASE MATEEN, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - The Sangin District Gov. Mohammed Sharif visited his constituents in the village of Tughay today for the first time.

Villagers of Tughay, in what is commonly known as “the green zone,” received the governor during one of their weekly meetings on Patrol Base Mateen.

Pictured: PATROL BASE MATEEN, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Elders from the village of Tughay, located in the "greenzone," listen to the district governor address various issues May 27. The Sangin District Governor Mohammed Sharif attended along with the District Chief of Police Col. Ghulie Khan Khudiram and the commanding officer for 1st Battalion, 5th Marines Lt. Col. Thomas Savage. Many of the elders admitted not knowing who the district governor was before the event.

Tennessee Woman Sends Handmade Quilts to Cover the Wounded

Handmade quilts cloak wounded warriors in love
by Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary USAF-C

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – Service members categorized as critical care aeromedical transport team patients all leave the contingency aeromedical staging facility with a very special package: a handmade quilt stitched with love.

Shortly after the January arrival of the current CASF team, quilts began appearing at the clinic. Wanting to provide something special for the wounded warriors and hoping to provide a touch of home, Jill Shaver, from Murfreesboro, Tenn., began fashioning homemade quilts.

“We’ve found that there are so many people who just want to help but don’t know how,” said Lt. Col. Barbara Persons, 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Detachment 1 CASF commander. “These quilts are a testament to how much people care.”

Khost Governor Notes Security, Foundations of Future

Khowst governor lays the cornerstones for education

CJTF-1: KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Provincial Gov. Abdul Jabaar Naeemi arrived in Jaji Maidan to lay the cornerstones for two new boys’ and girls’ schools, May 26.

Naeemi said the schools send a strong message that the government supports a unified tribe which maintains tight security and rebuffs insurgents regularly.

“I love the people of Jaji Maidan,” said the governor to hundreds of the district’s elders, mullahs and residents prior to opening the school construction sites.

Pictured: Khowst Provincial Governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi speaks during a shura in Jaji Maidan, May 26. During his visit, he broke ground for two new schools to be built in the district. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Lohr)

Aussie Special Operations Honor SGT Brett Wood

Australian Defence Force pays tribute to a fine soldier

Australian soldier Sergeant Brett Wood, MG was farewelled from Afghanistan yesterday in a moving memorial service and ramp ceremony at Multi National Base- Tarin Kot.
 
Sergeant Wood was remembered as an exceptional soldier who dedicated his career to serving his nation, his mates and his family.
 
The Commando was killed in action on 23 May 2011 during a partnered Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and Afghan National Security Forces mission.  
 

War in Afghanistan News - 29 May 2011

 Three Talib Thugs fertilize the grounds of Afghanistan, along with an Haqqani Leader.

Another Haqqani Leader led his 5 cowards into surrender.

Following their plan, A Talib leader led twelve of his thugs into surrender.

Numerous munitions and weapons were captured, while the enemy murdered 7 at a Governors Meeting, including General Daoud and the Provincial Police Chief.

Tailor the way you get your War in Afghanistan News
ISAF Details Follow:

RIP 1LT John Runkle, SSG Edward Mills Jr, SSG Ergin Osman, SGT Thomas Bohall, SGT Louie Velazquez, SPC Adam Patton

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of six soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            They died May 26 of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.  They were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

            Killed were:

            1st Lt. John M. Runkle, 27, of West Salem, Ohio;

            Staff Sgt. Edward D. Mills Jr., 29, of New Castle, Pa.;

            Staff Sgt. Ergin V. Osman, 35, of Jacksonville, N.C.;

            Sgt. Thomas A. Bohall, 25, of Bel Aire, Kan.;

            Sgt. Louie A. Ramos Velazquez, 39, of Camuy, Puerto Rico; and

            Spc. Adam J. Patton, 21, of Port Orchard, Wash.

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

Video: Female Engagement Teams: Important Non-Combat

It's important, and it's not a combat patrol:

 

Video: Op Dragon Strike

This ain't Hollywood, but it is combat.  This is a seemless US-Afghan joint-op and the enemy is pinned down.

 Did you notice the fear in his voice?  Nope, neither did I.  Now let's figure out who is going to finish them off.

PLO to UN: Meet Our Demands Or We'll Get More Violent

Senior Palestinian Predicts Violence if Statehood Blocked at UN

Carolyn Presutti: A senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization - Hanan Ashrawi - says the Arab Spring events of the past few months have had a major impact on the Middle East, including the reconciliation of the rival Palestinian groups, Fatah and Hamas. But, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the U.S. Congress earlier this week that Israel will never talk peace with the Palestinians as long Hamas plays a leading role.

Political violence in Yemen. NATO airstrikes in Libya. Millions promised by the world's industrial giants for democratic change in the Middle East. All are elements of what's called the Arab Spring.

But there are no signs of spring between Israelis and Palestinians.

WaPo: Pakistan Concerned About Islamist Infiltration of Military

Newspaper: Pakistan's Military Concerned About Infiltration

 

VOA News: A major U.S. newspaper says top Pakistani military officials are increasingly concerned their ranks have been infiltrated by Islamists who are aiding militants in a campaign against the state.

The Washington Post reported late Friday those concerns have grown "especially acute" since U.S. commandos killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in a secret raid earlier this month in Pakistan.

Libyan Army Barracks Explode in Tripoli

Explosion Rattles Libyan Capital

VoA News: A huge explosion rocked Tripoli Saturday in what could be a rare, daytime NATO airstrike.  The French News Agency says white smoke could be seen rising from the blast site, described as army barracks near the residence of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Earlier Saturday, explosions from suspected NATO airstrikes lit up the night sky over Tripoli. Libyan state television said the strikes targeted several buildings in the capital.  Meanwhile, Russia – Libya's long-time ally – has offered to mediate a deal to help oust Mr. Gadhafi.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Mr. Gadhafi “should leave.” The Russian leader commented Friday at the end of a G-8 summit in France, where he also announced that he was sending an envoy to the Libyan rebel stronghold Benghazi. Several Western powers have previously called for Mr. Gadhafi's departure.

Earlier Friday, forces loyal to Mr. Gadhafi renewed efforts to regain control of rebel-held Misrata, Libya's third largest city. Fierce fighting between the two sides took place in several parts of the city.

UPDATE: NATO says it targeted a vehicle storage area in a complex where leader Moammar Gadhafi sometimes lives.

Preserve And Honor

Some refreshing news this Memorial Day Weekend:

I didn't find his site from the MSM, though they've reported on it.  I found the Preserve and Honor website because he linked to a story on Project Honor.  I looked around his site, and finding no donation buttons or ads, I sent him an email, only knowing his name. As I looked a little further, I found the press page.  And this kid is doing the right thing for the right reason.  My fallen Brothers are NOT just numbers and they should not be a cash cow.  He understands this.

I was a little apprehensive as I clicked the "Two Ways You Can Help" link.  I was worried that my hopes would be dashed with a request for money.  No, he is asking you to help in his efforts, to correct any errors in spelling, to add to his catalog of their awards, to send him a picture of their headstone.  He's not asking for much, just for you to go visit your local heroes and help him set a database to honor them.

He has a facebook page for his efforts.

What I did not expect was that he was a high school student, but it did not surprise me to find his family has a long history of Military Service.

Italian "Peacekeepers" Attacked in Hezbollah Controlled Lebanon

Blast Wounds 6 Italian UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon

VOA News: Security officials in Lebanon say an explosion hit a United Nations vehicle in the southern part of the country Friday, wounding six Italian U.N. peacekeepers.

Officials said the blast apparently targeted the U.N. convoy as it was moving near the city of Sidon.  The Italian government confirmed the casualties and retracted an initial report that one of the men had died.

No one has claimed responsibility for the incident.

The explosion happened on the U.N.'s International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, a day where peacekeepers commemorate their colleagues killed at U.N. missions around the world.

A U.N. peacekeeping force of about 12,000 soldiers and 1,000 civilians is deployed in southern Lebanon to monitor the border with Israel following the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.  There are about 120,000 peacekeepers worldwide from 115 countries.

[UNIMIL is one of the oldest peacekeeping missions in the world, with a continuous presence in Lebanon since the 1980's.  It has proven completely inept at preventing multiple wars and has ceded control to Hezbollah, an illegal military organization and terrorist organization, in the South.]

Gazans Flood Through Egyptian Border

Hundreds Enter Egypt Through Reopened Gaza Border Crossing

VoA News: Hundreds of Palestinians crossed from the Gaza Strip into Egypt Saturday, taking advantage of the Egyptian government's newly eased restrictions on its border with Gaza.

The new interim government in Egypt started regular hours Saturday for the Rafah crossing, which is the only official entry point outside Israel into Gaza. Officials say they are operating the crossing under rules that were in place prior to the start of the Egyptian blockade in 2007.

In Wake of N.African Uprisings, Refugees Suffer

Tensions Remain High in Refugee Camp Near Tunisia-Libya Border

Lisa Schlein VoA News Geneva

The U.N. refugee agency is appealing to international donors to step up aid for thousands of refugees and migrant workers caught up in deadly disturbances over the past week at a camp near the Tunisia-Libya border.  The UNHCR is also urging countries to resettle refugees who cannot safely return to their home countries. 

Serious disturbances broke out May 22 in Choucha camp in Eastern Tunisia.  A fire at the camp killed four Eritreans and destroyed 20 tents.

Until then, more than 4,000 migrant workers and refugees, mainly from Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan who fled the conflict in Libya had been living in the camp.  Many had been waiting for more than two months to be transported home or to another country of refuge.

Islamists Murder 8 Paki Muslims

VoA News: Officials in northwest Pakistan say a bomb blast has ripped through a restaurant at a market, killing eight people and wounding 10 other people.

Authorities say the attack happened Saturday at a bazaar in the Salarzai area of the restive Bajur tribal region near the Afghan border.

Local officials say two pro-government elders were among dead.

Taliban militants have targeted members of the Salarzai tribe in the past because the tribe has formed a militia to drive the militants out of the region.

Video: Hawkeye Farmer-Soldier Improves Bee Hives in Afghanistan

The story of bees

 

Airborne Cavalry Secures Afghan Border

Bravo Troop 1-38 Cav. Secures Afghan-Pakistan Border
by Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski 16th MPAD, RC-S

WEESH, Afghanistan (May 27, 2011) - Soldiers from B Troop, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, located at the crossing points of Pakistan and Afghanistan and provide security to these land bridge areas that facilitate trade.

Soldiers from B Troop, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, located at the crossing points of Pakistan and Afghanistan and provide security to these land bridge areas that facilitate trade.

Pictured: Soldiers assigned to Blue Platoon, Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, conduct a patrol toward the Friendship Gate at the Weesh, Afghanistan border, May 15. Afghan Border Police and Soldiers deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C., routinely patrol the area for suspicious activity and illegal items.

At the Weesh border crossing-point in Spin Boldak District, the troop, deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C., work alongside Afghan border police to maintain a defensive overwatch.

Karzai Calls for Afghans to Take Over Night Raids, 7 Dead in Suicidal Blast

VoA News: Afghanistan's president has called for NATO forces to stop conducting “special operations and night raids.”  In a statement Saturday, Hamid Karzai said Afghan forces should conduct these missions itself. Mr. Karzai has criticized NATO's nighttime raids, which are unpopular among Afghans, and are blamed by many Afghans for causing civilian deaths.

But NATO defended the raids Saturday, saying they are necessary to gain ground against the leaders of the Taliban insurgency. The statement said NATO would work with Afghan forces to eventually transition the raids from NATO-led with Afghan participation, to Afghan-led.

Meanwhile, a suicide bomber struck a governor's compound in northern Afghanistan.  A VOA reporter said the blast occured Saturday morning at the Takhar province governor's house. Details are still emerging but casualties have been reported.

A suicide bomber has struck a governor's compound in northern Afghanistan, killing at least seven.  The spokesperson for Takhar province told VOA nine people were also wounded in the explosion in Takhar province's Taloqan city Saturday morning, including the governor.

The spokesperson said General Dawood Dawood, the police commander in northern Afghanistan, is among the dead. He said a provincial police chief was among those killed.

Troops in Kabul Pack Goodies for Afghans

Service members prepare donations for Operation Outreach Afghanistan
by Staff Sgt. James Lally 26th MEB

KABUL, Afghanistan — Service members from the Kabul Base Cluster sorted and packaged donated items for Operation Outreach Afghanistan on Camp Phoenix here May 26.

On Camp Phoenix, volunteers have been collecting donations for the organization. OOA is an organization located in Afghanistan made up of volunteers from the U.S. Military, International Security Assistance Force, NATO and several civilians that help Afghan children and families.

Pictured: Service members from the Kabul Base Cluster sort and package donated items for Operation Outreach Afghanistan on Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 26.

Army Lt. Col. George J. Harrington, executive officer, Task Force Yankee, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and chairman and president for OOA on Camp Phoenix said, “Task Force Yankee works in partnership with OOA within the Kabul Base Cluster to provide humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people. This important work facilitates the Commander’s counter insurgency philosophy. OOA is designed to facilitate donations from friends, family and others from the States, and repackage them into individual packets for distribution by coalition and Afghan security forces. By providing such basic needs as school supplies, Task Force Yankee and OOA help the Afghan people learn to better trust Coalition and Afghan forces. Ultimately this reduces the ability of the insurgency to influence the local population,” said Harrington.

A/2/30th Infantry Push Into Talib Territory

Task Force Slugger, ANSF continues push into Nerkh

CJTF-1: WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Task Force Slugger soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, part of TF Patriot, pushed westward into the Nerkh District of Wardak Province, Afghanistan, focusing on security during their latest operation, May 23-25.

The three-day operation, based out of a Joint Security Station in Nerkh, emphasized detaining insurgents in the area.

Pictured:Task Force Slugger U.S. Army Capt. Andrew Miller (left), commander of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force Patriot, from Baton Rouge, La., gives a mission update to U.S Army Brig. Gen. Gary J. Volesky (right), deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-1 and 1st Cavalry Division from Spokane, Wash., at a joint security station in the Nerkh Valley of Wardak Province, Afghanistan, May 24. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Brian P. Glass)

U.S. Army Capt. Andrew Miller, commander of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 30th Inf. Regt., 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division and native of Baton Rouge, La., led the main offensive effort.

“We’re ... trying to target some enemies and some specific targets,” said Miller. “We have patterns of life on a few different guys (insurgents); and what we’re trying to do is, instead of being terrain focused, we’re trying to focus on them and detain them.”