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Major route construction projects near completion in Helmand

Major route construction projects near completion in Helmand

Marine engineers with 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) have nearly completed two major route construction and improvement projects in Helmand province. As of Jan. 3, elements of the Okinawa, Japan-based 9th Engineer Support Battalion completed the road surfacing phases of Routes Red and 611, which each provide north and south passage on their respective sides of the Helmand River. Additional measures are now being put into place over the course of the next month to ensure … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Marines, Military, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Solar energy project in southern Afghanistan

Solar energy project in southern Afghanistan

A single solar panel is mounted above a shop, a wire runs from the panel into the shop and attaches to a car battery, providing the only source of power for the shopkeeper. The storeowner operates a small photography studio, where he takes photos in his shop and prints them out for his customers. Situations like this are common for the shopkeepers in Nawa district who do not have a central power source. Many residents throughout the … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Green, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Female Engagement Teams Support Troops

Female Engagement Teams Support Troops

At barely 39 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the two women of Female Engagement Team 6 warmed their red, sniffling noses by drinking hot chocolate out of canteen cups. It was early morning and they had little sleep from the cold night before. The Marines began dressing in their body armor, preparing for their upcoming day of work. Sergeants Jessica Lugo and Autumn Sekely were getting ready to go out in support of Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Military, Our Best: Military Women, War on Terror

Afghan women learn life-saving techniques

Afghan women learn life-saving techniques

Thirteen Afghan women received life-saving first aid training at a provincial women’s development center shura held in Paktya province, Nov. 1. U.S. servicemembers assigned to the Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Nebraska Agribusiness Development Team, both located on Forward Operating Base Goode, taught the women how to treat burns, lacerations and abrasions. U.S. Air Force medics Tech Sgt. Rebecca Rose, with the ADT from Coleridge, Neb., and Staff Sgt. April DeLuna, with the PRT from San … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Medicine, Our Best: Military Women, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Electric Power for Kandahar

Electric Power for Kandahar

A small contingent of soldiers play a huge role in improving and maintaining southern Afghanistan’s electric power infrastructure, primarily in Kandahar City. These non-commissioned officers, deployed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ only active duty unit, the 249th Prime Power Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C., are all prime power specialists assigned to Task Force Breshna Barq. Established in the summer of 2010, the task force’s primary mission is bringing more and more reliable power to … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Apples Pressing Impresses Afghans

Apples Pressing Impresses Afghans

To improve the economy in Wardak province, soldiers from the Georgia Agribusiness Development Team and Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment’s Task Force Slugger worked together to teach local farmers how to use an apple presser in Maiden Shahr district Sept. 20. The soldiers already conducted the class in the Jalrez district, which local villagers came to in good numbers. So, it seemed to be a no-brainer to bring the class to Maiden Shahr. “We mostly … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Marine pilot returns to Afghanistan in command

Marine pilot returns to Afghanistan in command

It’s Sept. 12, 2001. The wreckage from the attacks the day before still smolders. An aircraft carrier with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit lies off the eastern shore of the United States. Several CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters with engines running rest on the deck. The flight lead is a young Marine captain, Alison Thompson. Her freckles and biting blue eyes are veiled by her visor and flight helmet. She wants to take off. “We had six 53s turning … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Marines, Military, Our Best: Military Women, September 11, War on Terror

100 K Afghan Troops Complete Literacy Training

100 K Afghan Troops Complete Literacy Training

The Afghan National Army graduated 1,287 soldiers from Basic Warrior Training at Kabul Military Training Center, July 28, including a special commemoration marking the graduation of the 100,000 Afghan National Security Force literacy program trainee. ANA soldier Mohammed Khalil, graduating with BWT Kandak 162, was chosen to represent the 100,000th literacy graduate. He was awarded a commemorative certificate and writing pen. “Education is vitally important. When we become educated, it gives us the ability to recognize our … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Education, Rebuilding, War on Terror

The youth of Sangin

The youth of Sangin

More than 85 children from around Sangin attended the Sangin Youth Outreach Shura held by Female Engagement Teams assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, at Forward Operating Base Jackson, Aug. 17. “It is important to work with the youth of Sangin because just like the kids in the U.S., they want to grow up to be something,” said Sgt. Juanita Towns, the FET 13 team leader. “So it is just best that we try to … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Humanitarian Assistance, Marines, Military, Rebuilding, War on Terror