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webmasterb@nationalvoicesite.com Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 23 in Helmand Engagements Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2010 – Twenty-three enemy fighters are dead after insurgents attacked Afghan and coalition forces conducting a combined dismounted patrol on three separate occasions in the Sangin district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported. During the first engagement, Afghan and coalition forces returned fire with machine guns, mortars and a light anti-armor weapon. When the insurgent fire continued, the force called for artillery rocket fire and successfully suppressed the threat. During several additional small-arms engagements with insurgents, coalition forces called for artillery rocket fire and air support. Over the course of the engagements, coalition forces struck three insurgent firing positions located inside compounds, one with an aircraft-fired precision-guided munition and two with artillery rocket fire. The combined force ceased fire when women and children moved into the area where the insurgent fire had originated. According to initial reports, up to 14 insurgents were killed in the first engagement. In the second incident, insurgents attacked a combined Afghan and coalition patrol with small-arms, machine-gun and mortar fire from a tree line. The patrol positively identified the insurgents’ firing positions and responded with small-arms, machine-gun and mortar fire. When insurgent firing continued, the patrol fired artillery rockets. According to initial reports, up to five insurgents were killed in the engagement. In the third incident, insurgents attacked a coalition patrol base with small-arms fire. Coalition forces positively identified the insurgent firing positions and returned the insurgents’ fire with small-arms, machine-gun and mortar fire. The forces also fired a portable missile at an insurgent firing position in a compound. When the insurgent fire continued from multiple firing positions, coalition forces called for air support. A coalition aircraft struck an insurgent position that had been used on three separate occasions throughout the engagement with a precision-guided munition. The insurgent fire ceased following the air strike. Initial coalition reports indicate up to five insurgents were killed in the third engagement. In other news from Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition forces killed three known manufacturers and facilitators of roadside bombs during an operation today in Wardak province. Elsewhere, Afghan and coalition security forces captured a Haqqani terrorist network subcommander who was in charge of operations in Paktia province, as well as two of his associates, during an intelligence-driven operation overnight in Khost province. The security force discovered a pistol, a grenade, multiple bayonets and loaded ammunition magazines at the scene. They did not fire their weapons, and they protected the women and children during the search. In Kapisa province’s Tagab district yesterday, an Afghan civilian was killed by a group of unknown gunmen. During a combined Afghan and coalition security patrol, a speeding vehicle approached the convoy. When the vehicle stopped short of the convoy, a man jumped out of the vehicle and ran from the patrol. The vehicle's driver then attempted to block the patrol's access to the fleeing man. The man ran over a hill and around a bend in the road - out of sight of the patrol - in what appeared to be an attempt to avoid Afghan and coalition forces. A nearby coalition helicopter in support of the patrol responded and tracked the fleeing man. Shortly afterward, the helicopter crew saw the man hit with small-arms fire from an unknown location. The man fell, bleeding from the chest. The helicopter crew guided the patrol to the fallen man, and the patrol's medic tried unsuccessfully to save the man's life. As it began to evacuate the body to the local Afghan police station, the combined patrol was ambushed by about 25 insurgents. The engagement lasted for nearly five hours, and the coalition force was engaged with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. About 10 insurgents were killed during the engagement. Because a populated area was nearby, officials said, Afghan and coalition forces were precise and restrained in their use of force. Once the patrol returned to the coalition base, the local police chief took custody of the Afghan civilian's body to turn over to the family. The police chief said he would begin an investigation into the murder. Lewis and Clark Keeps Pakistan Flood Response on Track
By Kim Dixon, Military Sealift Command Public Affairs USNS LEWIS AND CLARK, At sea (NNS) -- USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1), with its 130 embarked civil service mariners and nine military department members, is a key contributor to the ongoing humanitarian assistance being provided to flood-ravaged Pakistan. Military Sealift Command's dry cargo and ammunition ship Lewis and Clark helps keep ships responding to the Pakistan crisis supplied with food, fuel and other supplies, enabling them to remain at sea, on station and able to provide help to a country where thousands are reported dead, and millions are reported displaced or homeless. Prior to the news of Pakistan's devastation, Lewis and Clark was replenishing U.S. and coalition navy ships conducting counter-piracy operations in the Red Sea. Immediately after reports of the Pakistani crisis, Lewis and Clark was diverted to the Gulf of Oman to join the humanitarian assistance team. In response to the disaster, USS Peleliu (LHA-5) was tasked to provide heavy-lift capability with its embarked helicopters to the Pakistani government. Lewis and Clark arrived on station in the Arabian Sea Aug. 11 and assumed a pivotal role as the resupply bridge for U.S. ships providing disaster relief. One of Lewis and Clark's first missions was to off-load humanitarian assistance and disaster relief kits to Peleliu, who in turn delivered them to Pakistan. Lewis and Clark carried a standard cargo allotment of humanitarian and relief kits, designed to support 2,500 disaster survivors. Kits included five-gallon water containers, tarps, blankets, insect repellent, surgical masks, water purification tablets and basic personal hygiene items for victims of the disaster. Helicopters from Peleliu and members of the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit began delivering humanitarian aid supplies to the government of Pakistan Sept. 6. A sustained replenishment cycle was necessary to allow Peleliu and embarked Navy and Marine Corps helicopters to continue their support to the Pakistan government and military disaster relief efforts. Lewis and Clark began transiting to and from port in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, loading the ship with supplies and then returning to sea to replenish Peleliu while it remained off the coast of Pakistan. Lewis and Clark transited to and from port in seven- to 10-day cycles delivering food, fuel and cargo to Peleliu – allowing the ship to remain on-station to provide support to the overall relief efforts. Lewis and Clark's two embarked Aerospatiale SA-330J Puma helicopters have delivered more than 800 pallets of routine, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies, in addition to transporting more than 50 personnel transiting to assist in relief operations. "I feel like we make a difference," said Able Seaman Paul Chaffin, a civil service mariner aboard Lewis and Clark. "I think every time we supply a Navy ship, we are supporting those who directly support those affected by the crisis." MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners. Obama Gives Reminder of U.S. Mission in Afghanistan By Lisa Daniel WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2010 – President Barack Obama today used the eve of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States as a reminder of why U.S. forces still are in Afghanistan. “We are there because that is the place that al-Qaida launched the attack that killed 3,000 Americans,” he said at a White House news conference. “We want to make sure we dismantle al-Qaida and that Afghanistan never again is used as a base for attacks against the United States.” Obama said the day before the anniversary of the attacks is a good time to remind people of why U.S. forces still are in Afghanistan after nine years. Although the U.S. military entered Afghanistan in the fall of 2001, Obama said, “seven years of drift” from the mission before he took office derailed progress. Now, he said, progress is being made in training Afghan security forces, promoting political settlements, encouraging the government to provide services, and reducing corruption. The president said U.S. officials will continue to pressure Afghan leaders to root out corruption in their government, and will look within to ensure that the United States does not contribute to the problem by having on its payroll Afghans involved in corruption. “We’re a long way from where we need to be,” the president said, but he noted that progress can be seen in the number of government officials Afghans have indicted for corruption. “We’re going to keep putting pressure on that front,” he said. “If we’re saying publicly that’s important, our actions have to match up across the board.” Obama also said U.S. forces have not given up on capturing or killing al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Removing the two “would be extremely important to our national security” and is a priority for the administration, he said, but he added that “it doesn’t solve all our problems.” The persistence of U.S. forces has made it harder for al-Qaida to operate, Obama said, noting that bin Laden “has gone deep underground.” Still, Obama said, he is optimistic that bin Laden and Zawahiri will be captured or killed. Obama to Award Medal of Honor to Afghan War Vet By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2010 – The Medal of Honor will be awarded for the first time to a living veteran of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, White House officials announced today in a written statement. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta received a phone call from President Barack Obama yesterday, thanking him for his service. Obama informed the infantryman that he would receive the nation’s highest award for his service and extraordinary bravery in battle, the statement said. The event occurred Oct. 25, 2007, in eastern Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. Giunta was a specialist at the time and rifle team leader. He served in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based out of Vicenza, Italy. Giunta overcame being separated from his unit, evaded potential enemy captors and risked his life to rescue two fellow soldiers. His unit was divided during the gun battle. One fellow soldier was exposed to enemy fire when Giunta left his cover to pull the soldier to safety. The enemy continued to engage Giunta and the soldier as they worked to link up with their squad. During the movement, Giunta noticed two insurgents carrying the second soldier, trying to take him captive. Giunta immediately engaged the combatants, killing one and wounding another. He provided medical aid to the soldier while others provided security. The soldier eventually died of his wounds, but Giunta’s actions prevented him from staying in enemy hands. The White House statement did not say when Giunta will receive his medal. Giunta, 25, is a native of Iowa, and enlisted in the Army in November 2003. He deployed twice to Afghanistan, and currently is stationed in Vicenza. He will become the eighth Medal of Honor recipient for actions in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Air Strike Kills Operative Planning Pre-election Attacks Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2010 – A coalition air strike last night killed a senior enemy commander involved in bombing attacks in Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul, military officials reported. Intelligence sources had been tracking Nur Mohammad for weeks, officials said, and he was planning attacks leading up to Afghanistan’s Sept. 18 parliamentary elections. "This was a very successful strike which stopped a very dangerous individual from conducting further attacks against Afghan civilians and Afghan and coalition forces," said Air Force Col. James Dawkins, director of International Security Assistance Force Joint Command’s Combined Joint Operations Center. "The Afghan people deserve to cast their votes without fear of attacks from the insurgent groups. We are continuously tracking them and taking action before they're able to carry out their plans." Intelligence sources tracked Nur Mohammed and two armed insurgents to a field in Kabul province’s remote Musahi district. After careful planning to ensure no civilians were present, coalition aircraft conducted a precision air strike on the insurgents. A follow-on ground security force confirmed that Nur Mohammad and his two associates were dead. The security force also found automatic weapons, grenades and bomb-making materials. In other news from Afghanistan, an Afghan and coalition security force detained eight suspected insurgents in Zabul province yesterday while in pursuit of a Taliban commander operating in the province’s Qalat and Shah Joy districts. The commander directs, facilitates and personally conducts roadside-bomb attacks on Highway 1, a major route used by civilians. Afghan and coalition forces did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search. In Kandahar province yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces detained five insurgents, including a Taliban commander operating in the Arghandab district and Kandahar City. The commander orchestrated and ordered attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and profited from weapons trafficking in the region. The security force also found weapons, pistol belts, magazines and body armor. They did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search. Afghan and coalition forces in Paktia province detained three insurgents yesterday, including a Taliban facilitator for small and medium weapons and bomb-making materials. The commander was also involved in coordinating future attacks in the province. The security force did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search. Also yesterday, Afghan and coalition forces in Khost province detained several suspected insurgents while in pursuit of a Haqqani terrorist network facilitator responsible for planning and executing indirect-fire and bombing attacks in the Sabari and Musa Khel districts. The security force did not fire their weapons, and they protected women and children throughout the search. Afghan and coalition security forces conducted more than 40 operations in 12 Afghan provinces in the past week, officials said, leading to the capture of dozens of commanders, facilitators and commissioners for the Taliban and Haqqani networks. Clear rules of engagement and extreme measures taken to avoid civilian casualties resulted in more than 85 percent of the operations conducted without shots fired. Afghan-led operations resulted in more than 20 targeted individuals captured and three killed. In the north, a Taliban commissioner for six Takhar province districts was captured in the Darquad district Sept. 4. The commissioner facilitated foreign fighter suicide bombers while leading attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces in the province. Additionally, the security force killed Attallah, the Taliban district commander for Darquad during the same operation. In the bordering provinces of Khost and Nangarhar, security forces targeted several insurgent leaders, operatives and facilitators. Throughout the week, the assault force detained three Haqqani network leaders and killed Hazrat Muhammad, a Taliban commander who conducted attacks in Nangarhar. Two additional Taliban commanders were also detained. In other eastern provinces, separate assault forces captured a Taliban bomb-attack operative, facilitator and subcommander, significantly degrading the networks in the region, officials said. Assault forces in the south over the past week captured eight Taliban commanders and facilitators in Kandahar, Helmand and Zabul provinces. In Kandahar province alone, six Taliban leaders were detained, including the deputy district commander for Dand.
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