Maj. James J. Peak, a chaplain assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Airborne Division, celebrates Mass with soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division at Combat Outpost Charkh, here, Dec. 10. Peak, a Spokane, Wash., native conducted the first Mass at COP Charkh since August. Photo by U.S. Army Cpl. Cooper T. Cash

Soldiers assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, celebrated Catholic Mass at Combat Outpost Charkh here Dec. 10.

This was the first Mass offered at COP Charkh since August due to the non-availability of a Catholic chaplain.

“In the holy Mass, we receive spiritual strength from God to persevere,” said Spokane, Wash., native U.S. Army Chaplain (Maj.) James J. Peak, a chaplain assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Airborne Division.

Soldiers from COP Charkh make enemy contact nearly every day. Such activity leads some Soldiers to embrace their faith more strongly.

U.S. Army Spc. Angel Diaz, a combat medic assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, celebrates Catholic Mass at Combat Outpost Charkh here, Dec. 10. Diaz, a Dallas native, said, “Mass has helped bring me closer to God, which is good in this environment.” Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Cooper T. Cash

“This is the first Mass I have celebrated in nearly 15 years,” said Dallas native U.S. Army Spc. Angel Diaz, a combat medic assigned to Co. B. “Mass has helped bring me closer to God, which is good in this environment.”

DVIDS
By U.S. Army Sgt. Cooper T. Cash

Spc. Matthew Mortensen (center) of Olathe, Kan., a combat medic with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, shows high spirits, with Pfc. Juan Ortega (left) of Belen, N.M., and Pfc. Jorge Cruz of Waterbury, Conn., after he was shot in the shoulder by sniper fire while on a presence patrol in Baghdad, Dec. 10. Mortensen was sent back to the United States for rehabilitation and recuperation and anticipates returning to his platoon in Iraq in February. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Ryan Nolan, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div.)

“I was probably two feet from my door of my truck when I heard gun fire and it felt like someone just cracked me in the right shoulder blade with a hammer,” said Spc. Matthew Mortensen of Olathe, Kan.

The combat medic with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, was part of a presence patrol conducting a neighborhood search, Dec. 10, in an area historically known for weapons caches, rockets and mortars.

As the patrol walked the streets, a mounted element went from check point to check point providing security for them. Having reached the last check point, Staff Sgt. Manoj Prasad of Watertown, N.Y., and Mortensen dismounted to maneuver the trucks into a static security posture, when shots were fired.

“I saw a bullet hole in his shirt, and when I cut it open all I could see was blood,” said Prasad. “I looked for an exit wound and couldn’t find one.”

Being the medic on scene, Mortensen provided first aid care to himself after he was injured until he reached the Joint Security Station Loyalty aid station. Combat medics are responsible for providing first aid and frontline trauma care on the battlefield with the primary role to provide medical treatment to wounded soldiers.

“After I was shot, I had my platoon sergeant examine for a wound and he found one on my right shoulder blade,” said Mortensen. “Then I jumped into the truck, threw off my kit because I couldn’t reach my right side with my kit on. After I took it off, I started cleaning up some of the blood with gauze then I used the package for the gauze and created a pressure dressing over the wound just in case it penetrated my chest cavity. I didn’t know what happened to the bullet so that was the only thing I was really worried about”

After the initial treatment, Mortensen was medically evacuated to another JSS. Mortensen kept his composure throughout the event and was able to provide Prasad with the proper medevac procedures for entering the JSS.

The day following the incident, Mortensen was awarded a Purple Heart and a Combat Medical badge while he was in the hospital at Victory Base Complex.

The Purple Heart is awarded to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The Combat Medical Badge is a decoration of the United States Army which was first created in January 1945. The badge is awarded to any member of the Army Medical Department, pay grade colonel or below, who are assigned or attached to a medical unit (company or smaller size) which provides medical support to a ground combat arms unit during any period in which the unit was engaged in active ground combat.

Mortensen was sent back to the United States for rehabilitation and recuperation. After spending a month back in the States, he anticipates he will return to his platoon in Iraq sometime in February.

DVIDS
Story by Sgt. Jennie Burrett

A Bakhshabad village elder speaks with U.S. Army 1st Lt. Sean Mahard, platoon leader, 2nd Platoon, Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, about getting the village an electrical power generator in Logar province, Sept. 4. Photo by Spc. Derek L. Kuhn

What would it be like to go without computers, MP3 players and video games systems? How about upping the anté and adding air conditioning and light bulbs to the “off-limits list?” To most Americans, the thought of not having such modern day luxuries could be considered “cruel and unusual” punishment.

However, for Afghans living in the rural, rugged mountainous areas, such modern amenities are found few and far between.

Soldiers of Able Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based out of Fort Drum, N.Y., and their Afghan National Army partners are not standing idly by as many Afghans in the Baraki-Barak District of Logar province do without some “modern day essentials.” They are providing some remote villages with electrical power generators in a project affectionately known as “Extreme Make Over: Afghan Edition.” The intent is to help increase the quality of life for the Afghans–one small village at a time.

Recently, they visited the villages of Ahmadak and Bakhshabad to offer the local Shuras the generators and to arrange a day for pick up at Joint Combat Outpost Baraki-Barak.

“We came out here to show the Afghan people that their government and the U.S. are trying to make their lives better,” said 1st Lt. Sean Mahard, platoon leader, 2nd Platoon, Troop. A, 3-71 Cav. “We want to empower them to see the good we are doing,” the Rocky Hill, Conn., native continued, “and that we are here to help.”

The day began as any normal patrol with Soldiers readying their gear, checking their vehicles and taking care of various other tasks. But, unlike normal patrols, they weren’t looking for insurgents. The Soldiers were looking for someone to talk to about the generators.

As the convoy rolled into each village–first Bakhshabad, then Ahmadak, the locals were stand-offish; few wanted to speak to the Soldiers or the accompanying ANA. However, their demeanor quickly changed.

“They were skeptical at first, but they warmed up to us,” said Spc. Jacob Beynon, a medic with 2nd Platoon. “They really liked the idea of having light at night.”

The villagers became very eager to get the generators as they spoke with the Soldiers.

“They were excited and grateful,” said Mahard. “A Bakhshabad elder said, ‘We have 100 families without power’ and the generators we are providing will give these families electricity.”

As the mission wound down and the Soldiers began to leave Ahmadak, Beynon reflected on the mission.

“It is always good to do missions like this,” the Spring, Texas, native said, “it gives you a ‘warm and fuzzy’ feeling.”

Mahard happy about how the mission turned out echoed Beynon’s sentiment.

“It is an honor to be part of a military that wants to help others,” said Mahard. “I’ll be proud to tell my friends and family about this when I go home.”

Prior to leaving at the end of the day, arrangements for the local villagers to pick-up the generators were made, and most came away feeling a little more human.

DVIDS
Story by Spc. Derek L. Kuhn

Jared Monti - Medal of Honor awardee

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died in Gowardesh, Afghanistan, on June 21, 2006, when they encountered enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades during combat operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Calvary, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:

Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti, 30, of Raynham, Mass.

Staff Sgt. Patrick L. Lybert, 28, of Ladysmith, Wis.

DoD

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Jared C. Monti, a Military Occupational Specialty 13F Fire Support Specialist, was a Targeting NCO assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. He distinguished himself by acts of conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty against an armed enemy in Gowardesh, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.

On 21 June 2006, SFC Monti, then a staff sergeant, was the assistant patrol leader for a 16-man patrol tasked to conduct surveillance in the Gowardesh region. The patrol was to provide up-to-date intelligence, interdict enemy movement and ensure early warning for the squadron’s main effort as it inserted into the province. As nightfall approached, the patrol was attacked by a well organized enemy force of at least 60 personnel. Outnumbered four-to-one, SFC Monti’s patrol was in serious danger of being overrun.

The enemy fighters had established two support-by-fire positions directly above the patrol in a densely wooded ridgeline. SFC Monti immediately returned fire and ordered the patrol to seek cover and return fire. He then reached for his radio headset and calmly initiated calls for indirect fire and close air support (CAS), both danger-close to the patrol’s position. He did this while simultaneously directing the patrol’s fires.

When SFC Monti realized that a member of the patrol, Private First Class (PFC) Brian J. Bradbury, was critically wounded and exposed 10 meters from cover, without regard for his personal safety, he advanced through enemy fire to within three feet of PFC Bradbury’s position. But he was forced back by intense RPG fire. He tried again to secure PFC Bradbury, but he was forced to stay in place again as the enemy intensified its fires.

The remaining patrol members coordinated covering fires for SFC Monti, and he advanced a third time toward the wounded Soldier. But he only took a few steps this time before he was mortally wounded by an RPG. About the same time, the indirect fires and CAS he called for began raining down on the enemy’s position. The firepower broke the enemy attack, killing 22 enemy fighters. SFC Monti’s actions prevented the patrol’s position from being overrun, saved his team’s lives and inspired his men to fight on against overwhelming odds. SFC Monti epitomizes what it means to be an NCO. Because of his personal sacrifice and selfless service to the Army, the men of his patrol are alive today and continue the fight.

SFC Monti’s name will adorn our new Fort Sill Call for Fire Training Center. The “Monti Call for Fire Training Facility” will be used to train future joint fires observers. Sudents will be trained on jointly approved tactics, techniques and procedures in support of Artillery, Naval Surface Fire Support and Aviation. Upon graduation, the students will take with them the knowledge, skills and inspiration the Monti Call for Fire Training Facility provided to fight effectively and win on today’s modern battlefield.

Fires – Ft. Sill publication

Marker honoring Jared Monti at COP Monti

This guy is my son, SFC Jared C. Monti. He died 6-21-06 trying to save the lives of 3 of his fellow soldiers.Brian Bradbury would have survived if the cable lifting him up to the helicopter didn’t snap..he fell to his death. The helicopter pilot lost control due to that mishap & he crashed & died. Jared was shot twice while trying to save his comrads. Patrick was dead before he hit the ground, Jared was killed while trying to retrieve his body. The medic trying to save his life was also killed. He managed to save one soldier his name is Derek. My son did what his does best looking out for his “boys” as he called them. He gave his life to save another and it’s not the first time he risked his life saviing his platoon. He received 2 Bronze Stars for both instances, the first one on his first tour in Afghanistan. I miss him more than words can express, will grieve his loss till the day I die but I have never been so proud.

That’s who this guy was!

Janet Monti
Gold Star Mother

Honnold Forum

Someone You Should Know – Pundit Review

Medal of Honor Awards for July 23 – Castle Argghhh

A Kuchi elder shakes hands and accepts cooking oil from Ali Khashe, deputy governor of Afghanistan’s Wardak province, June 8, 2009. Sacks of beans, sugar, flour and rice brought in by U.S. soldiers were distributed by Afghan officials in an effort to ease tensions between the Kuchi and Hazara tribes. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Rob Frazier

Every summer, the Kuchi tribe migrates through the Daymardad district of this central-Afghanistan province, allowing their animals to graze in the open pastures belonging to the Hazara tribe. This frequently has sparked violent territorial disputes.

After hearing of the conflict, U.S. forces at Forward Operating Base Airborne approached Wardak Gov. Mohammad Halim Fidai about a peaceful way to resolve the fighting between the two tribes.

“The mission was inspired from the age-old conflict between the Kuchi nomads and the Hazara,” said Army Maj. Joe Asher, deputy civil affairs officer for the 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team. “Three weeks ago, we went to Daymardad, and it was a very positive step for us. The Kuchi elders said they would not migrate if they were given food, water and vaccination supplies for their animals.”

Once learning of a possible solution, soldiers from 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, delivered the first installment of humanitarian aid to the Daymardad people.

“We hope this demonstrates that we’re saying, ‘Hey, we’re taking the steps to alleviate your problems,’” Asher said. “Although this is funded by us, it’s important for the Kuchi and Hazara to know this is enacted by the Afghan government.”

The first delivery included sacks of beans, sugar, flour, rice and boxes of cooking oil. Asher added that a second shipment of humanitarian aid likely would be made within the next week.

“We plan to follow this up with water, tents and veterinarian supplies,” Asher said. “This way, the Kuchi won’t have to move their livestock, because they will have what they need.”

Ali Khashe, deputy governor of Wardak province, was on hand to greet the soldiers and meet with the Kuchi tribesmen prior to handing out the food. Inside the district center, Khashe fielded questions from the elders regarding water and vaccination requests for their livestock. Khashe told them he knows their issues cannot be solved all at once, but that he hopes they understand the leaders are working as hard as possible to meet their needs.

“The governor’s office is trying to solve their problems,” Khashe said. “It’s our priority to convince the two tribes to live like brothers.”

The deputy governor said the humanitarian aid is a step in the right direction, and another example of coalition efforts to help the Afghan people.

“The district center and the people here all know the U.S. comes to help,” he said. “They are very happy, because everyone knows the U.S. forces came to help rebuild Afghanistan. We are very grateful for their assistance.”

Asher said that with U.S. assistance and cooperation from the Wardak government, the humanitarian aid will signal the start of a change for the Kuchi and Hazara tribes in the Daymardad region.

“Hopefully, this will result in the first nonviolent summer between them in a long time,” he said.

DoD
By Army Sgt. Rob Frazier
Special to American Forces Press Service