Chuck Simmins | July 2, 2009 |

Garrett spoke of the “warrior ethos” that guides soldiers: place the mission first, never accept defeat, never quit, and never leave a fallen comrade.

“These are just words to some people,” Garrett said. “But the warrior ethos is a way of life to Staff Sergeant Begaye. Amazing acts of bravery and valor were commonplace that grim day. But this morning, we recognize Staff Sergeant Begaye for his courage - and we are thankful for the opportunity to serve with such a man.”

Category: Afghanistan, Heroes, Military, WOT Heroes, War on Terror | 1 Comment »
Tags: 503rd Infantry Regiment, American Indian war hero, hero, Native American war hero, Navajo war hero, Nuristan province Afghanistan, purple heart, silver star, Staff Sgt. Conrad Begaye

Chuck Simmins | July 1, 2009 |

Petty Officer 1st Class Garrison Hardisty, project supervisor, said he had no doubt in Church’s ability to adjust to the challenge, and proof of that is the recent completion of the MEB-Afghanistan COC.

“That’s what Seabees do, we make do with what little we have,” Hardisty said.

Category: Afghanistan, Marines, Military, War on Terror | 4 Comments »
Tags: MEB-Afghanistan COC, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion-5, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Landon Church, Seabees in Afghanistan

Chuck Simmins | June 30, 2009 |

Coalition forces launched precision airstrikes overnight, June 29, against senior Haqqani commanders and command posts in the remote mountains of western Khost province.

Category: Afghanistan, Terrorist Death Watch, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: Haqqani network, Khost province Afghanistan, Khost-Gardez Pass, one of the most lethal Taliban organizations

Chuck Simmins | June 29, 2009 |

“Their anthem is relatively new,” Bushera said. “Many of them don’t even know it. I felt it was extremely important for the Iraqi people to hear their anthem and have pride in it. This was a good way for them to have pride in their freedom.”

“It builds nationalism,” Skaar added. “You can see the emotion on their faces when they hear the song. When we did it at the Romanian ceremony at Adder, some of them actually broke into applause when it was finished!”

Category: Iraq, Military, Our Best: Military Women, Rebuilding, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: 34th Red Bull Infantry Band, american sings the Iraqi national anthem, Iraqi national anthem, Sgt. Brenda Bushera

Chuck Simmins | June 29, 2009 |

Nearing the end of the meeting, a young Soldier stood up and asked them, with everything they’ve experienced, if they would be willing to return for another tour in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Every one of the Soldiers nodded.

“Sure, we’d go back,” one of them said. “We’re here with you right now, aren’t we?”

Category: Iraq, Medicine, Military, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: Operation Proper Exit, purple heart, Sgt. Christopher A. Burrell, Sgt. Robert Brown, Staff Sgt. Jamal Hogan, Wounded warriors

Chuck Simmins | June 28, 2009 |

The local United Service Organizations (USO) office and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) coordinator for 34th Red Bull Infantry Division are teaming up to create an oasis in the middle of the Basrah desert for servicemembers and civilians to escape the pressure of operations.

Sarah McConnell, USO director here, said the center, housed in a former dining hall, already has undergone a “soft opening,” meaning there are some services already available.

“We have 13 Internet stations set up already, along with 18 phone lines for people to call home,” McConnell said. “Both services are free of charge to anyone who uses them.

“We wanted to get something started for the troops here right away,” she continued. “We’re not fully functional yet, but we got the computers and phones set up so we could at least offer some services.”

Category: Iraq, Military, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: 34th Infantry Division, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, Morale, United Service Organizations, USO, Welfare and Recreation

Chuck Simmins | June 26, 2009 |

Soldiers with the 120th Combined Arms Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, and a family of Iraqi dairy farmers are spearheading a program to increase milk and cheese production in this community, the first dairy initiative the North Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers have started with the Iraqis.

Capt. Sara Woods, Civil Affairs Team 31, said the intent is to revitalize the area’s dairy industry.

Using microgrants, the pilot farm will be used to build a well and buy cheese-making equipment. The farmers’ part of the program begins with them logging their dairy production.

Category: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: dairy production in iraq, dairy products produced in iraq, iraqi dairies, Iraqi dairy industry, milking cows in iraq

Chuck Simmins | June 25, 2009 |

When ISAF troops reached Belanday a number of insurgents, including two wearing suicide vests, tried to escape. Approximately 25 insurgents were killed in the engagement with one being captured and currently being detained for questioning.

Category: Afghanistan, Terrorist Death Watch, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: Afghan National Security Force, Belanday Afghanistan, Farah province Afghanistan, International Security Assistance Force, Kandahar province Afghanistan

Chuck Simmins | June 25, 2009 |

A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated in the Iraqi city of Taza in Kirkuk province, killing at least 82 Iraqi civilians and wounding approximately 200, June 20.

Taza Police and Iraqi emergency services responded quickly by securing the area, beginning rescue efforts and transporting the wounded to a local hospital for medical care. Residents from several neighboring villages also arrived to assist in the rescue.

Category: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: 1st Cavalry Division, Kirkuk Province Iraq, Taza Iraq, Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device

Chuck Simmins | June 24, 2009 |

This operation has been achieved in many ways due to the arrival of extra US troops into the south of Helmand. The increase has provided ISAF with a massive boost in capability which we believe will significantly change the balance in the province.

Category: Afghanistan, Our Allies, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: Babaji Afghanistan, Black Watch in Afghanistan, Camp Roberts, ISAF, Kandahar Airfield Afghanistan, Operation Panchai Palang, Operation Panther’s Claw, Regional Battle Group (South), Royal Regiment of Scotland

Chuck Simmins | June 24, 2009 |

Francey presented Col. Cornel Pavel, FOB Delta Romanian contingent commander, with a Rail Gunner Certificate of Appreciation. Certificates were given to the entire contingent.

The Romanians have provided intelligence and unmanned aerial vehicle support to FOB Delta since 2003. They are scheduled to depart in late July.

Category: Iraq, Our Allies, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: allies in Iraq, colalition partner in iraq, romanian army in iraq

Chuck Simmins | June 23, 2009 |

The lakes form a unique attraction in the mountainous Bamyan region. Formed by glacier water nearly 400 feet in depth, they give the appearance of being cut from the stone that forms the mountains around them.

After a presentation from the officials at the ceremony, guests of the inauguration were treated to rides on paddle boats and a meal prepared on site.

Category: Afghanistan, Rebuilding, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: Afghan national park, Band-e Amir lakes national park, national park in Bamyan Afghanistan, New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Force Warrior

Chuck Simmins | June 23, 2009 |

It was a study in contrasts. Where FOB Adder was sprawling, FOB Kalsu was snug, and the two units were at wholly different points in their deployment. While the Soldiers at FOB Adder were new, fresh off their transfer of authority ceremony, the Soldiers of the 172nd Inf. Bde. were more than halfway done with their deployment and were getting ready to do end of tour awards. “I’m pretty set in my ways,” said Maj. John Lawrence, a Madison, Maine., native and battalion personnel officer for the 172nd Inf. Bde.

Category: Iraq, War on Terror | No Comments »
Tags: 34th Infantry Division, FOB Adder, FOB Kalsu, Minnisota's Red Bulls, Red Bulls, Staff Sgt. Angela Amundsen