Afghan-international forces seized enemy weapons caches, captured or killed numerous insurgents, and reopened a long-closed school during recent operations conducted across Afghanistan, military officials reported.

In the July 22 Afghanistan news:

– An Afghan National Directorate of Security force discovered a large quantity of improvised explosive device-making material in a rock quarry in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province last night. The cache contained about 1,900 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, more than 5,400 electronic fuses, about 3,200 meters of detonation cord and 275 kilograms of black powder. The ammonium nitrate and black powder alone could be used to make more than 100 IEDs. The Afghan force asked for International Security Assistance Force help in destroying the cache.

“This find demonstrates the ever-increasing capability of the Afghan National Security Forces to operate independently,” Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director, said. “It also takes a large number of potential IEDs out of the hands of the insurgents whose indiscriminate use of IEDs endangers innocent Afghan civilians as well as Afghan and coalition forces.”

– Afghan and coalition forces captured a Taliban improvised explosive device facilitator in the Behsud district of Nangarhar province last night. The security force targeted a compound outside Jalalabad in pursuit of the facilitator and Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to peacefully exit the buildings. After the occupants were interviewed, one of them led the security force to a different compound where he thought the targeted individual was residing. Once the second compound was secure, the combined security force detained the facilitator who peacefully surrendered and identified himself to the security force. No shots were fired and the women and children present were protected by the security force.

– An Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents in Ghazni province last night while in pursuit of a Taliban subcommander who facilitates weapons and provides operations support for the Taliban in the area. The security force went to a remote compound in Gelan district to search the area. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for the occupants to exit the buildings and then cleared the compound. After the compound was secure, the security force detained two suspected insurgents for further questioning. No shots were fired and the women and children present were protected throughout the search.

– Afghan and coalition security forces last night struck at the Taliban leadership in Kandahar, capturing a senior Taliban commander and a member of the district military commission in Nad ‘Ali, Helmand province, who commands the movement of insurgent fighters and equipment through the Nad ‘Ali district. The joint security force also detained another suspected insurgent in the same operation. The joint security force targeted a compound in Daman district on the outskirts of Kandahar City. All of the residents complied with the instructions of the joint security force and peacefully exited the compound. After interviewing the residents, two suspected insurgents were detained for further questioning including a senior Taliban leader and one additional suspected insurgent.

In July 21 Afghanistan news:

– Afghan National Security Forces with International Security Assistance Force partners officially reopened a school that had been closed for 12 months due to facilities falling into disrepair. Over the last two months, the combined force engaged local tradesmen to build a new wall and metal gates, a school yard, plant trees and bushes, repair the existing water pump, install new windows and build new chairs and benches for the students. The reconstruction work now allows students to attend classes four days a week. Prior to the official opening, Afghan officials and local elders distributed school supplies to the approximately 200 students who attend the school each day. Extra school supplies have been given to the school for the expected 500 students who will attend the school in the future.

A local Afghan leader said, “It is magnificent that we are here today at the reopened school. Much has improved with the security situation to allow the school to reopen, and we are thankful of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team and Lithuanians for rebuilding the school.” Combined forces are committed to assisting the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in rebuilding and repairing education infrastructure to educate Afghanistan’s children.

In July 20 Afghanistan news:

– An Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents and captured an improvised explosive device maker along with additional suspected insurgents in Kunduz province. The security force went to the first of a series of targeted compounds in the village of Qareh Khani in the Chahar Darah district in pursuit of a Taliban sub-commander who facilitates weapons and orders IED and rocket attacks against Afghan civilians and Afghan and coalition forces. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to peacefully exit the targeted compounds.

One heavily armed individual ran outside the compound and engaged the security force. The combined force returned fire, killing the insurgent. The combined force then moved to clear and secure the building. While clearing the area, the security force was engaged by an insurgent barricaded within one of the buildings and another insurgent in the courtyard. Returning fire, the assault force killed the insurgents. After the compound was cleared and secured, the assault force detained the IED maker and an additional suspected insurgent for further questioning.

Evidence collected at the scene directly linked the IED maker to a pressure plate IED attack that occurred less than three kilometers from the targeted compound on April 14. Additionally, several other IED related incidents have occurred in the immediate area over the last two years. IED materials including blasting caps and wire were found at the compound.

“This is another key capture toward ensuring the safety of the innocent Afghan civilians residing in Chahar Darah district,” said Col. James Dawkins, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. “The Taliban’s indiscriminate use of such tactics has killed hundreds of innocent civilians just this year.”

At the second compound, two armed males ran from the buildings into some thick vegetation. Afghan forces called for the individuals to peacefully surrender however, they engaged the combined force and were subsequently killed. After the compound was cleared and secured, the security force questioned the remaining residents. One suspected insurgent was detained by the security force for further questioning. The women and children present were protected throughout the searches.

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A combined force of more than 600 Afghan and International Security Assistance Forces are conducting operations against al-Qaida and Taliban insurgents in Kunar province June 27.

At present, a number of insurgents have been killed in the attack against al-Qaida and Taliban leadership in the area.

ISAF and Afghan authorities confirm three of their forces have died in the battle, including two U.S. service members.

“We will continue to take the fight to the enemy alongside our Afghan partners,” said Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, commanding general of Regional Command-East. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones in the fight against our common enemies, the Taliban and al-Qaida”.

The combined force has taken precautions to prevent collateral damage, and ISAF has no reports of injuries to civilians.

The fighting is ongoing.

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Left to right, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason Brown, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Travis Brown and U.S. Army Sgt. William Ebel, 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, Katterbach, Germany, salute during the national anthem on May 2 after receiving the German Gold Cross Medal, which has never been awarded to foreign troops before, for their bravery evacuating wounded German Soldiers while under fire near Kunduz, April 2. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Chlosta. Click on this photo for more pics of the ceremony.

ISAF

Fourteen Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Europe’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade received the German Bundeswehr’s highest award for a single act of valor, for their support of Bundeswehr units during a battle in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, April 2.

During an April 21 visit in Berlin with Dr. Karl-Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, was given the Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in Gold medals to take back to Afghanistan for presentation to the 14 aviators.

The Soldiers are assigned to Companies A and C, 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation, based in Katterbach, Germany. They are:

Capt. Robert McDonough
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Steven Husted
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason LaCrosse
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Nelson Visaya
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason Brown
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sean Johnson
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eric Wells
Staff Sgt. Travis Brown
Sgt. William Ebel
Sgt. Antonio Gattis
Sgt. Steven Schumaker
Spc. Matthew Baker
Spc. Todd Marchese
Spc. Gregory Martinez

ISAF

Under an overcast sky, on the same airfield where they carried wounded German Soldiers to safety only 5 weeks before, 14 U.S. Soldiers were awarded the highest German medal for bravery, May 12.

International Security Assistance Force Chief of Staff German Army Lt. Gen. Bruno Kasdorf, presented the German Gold Cross of Honor medals to the medical evacuation helicopter pilots and crew from the 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, Katterbach, Germany.

The German Gold Cross is equivalent to the U.S. Medal of honor, only four other German Soldiers have ever been awarded it. The medal is for outstanding deeds at the risk of one’s life.

The aircrew rescued eleven German Soldiers who had come under attack by insurgents during a dismounted patrol outside the Chahar Dara district, southwest of Kunduz, on Apr. 2.

“It is an honor for me to day to hand over these badges to the U.S. servicemembers, who risked their lives to bring their German wounded comrades to safety,” Kasdorf said.

On that day, the German Soldiers had been on a foot patrol searching for IEDs when insurgents attacked them with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.

The volume of fire was so intense that the American MedEvac helicopters couldn’t land on their first attempt.

“I was the responsible person on the ground for getting the helicopters to the landing zone,” German Paratrooper Master Sgt. Patrick Bonneik, joint terminal attack controller, said. “My biggest concern was that they would leave us. You could see the sparks coming off the helo [from small arms fire].”

The helicopters made a successful second attempt to land. They continued their rescue mission under fire as they evacuated the dying and wounded German troops back to the PRT Kunuz base.

Rocket propelled grenades passed under one of the helicopters by 10 yards, added the bearded Bonneik.

“Our doctors said, if the helicopters wouldn’t have landed three more would be dead,” Bonneik said. “They’re amazing Soldiers. On that day, those guys showed – [guts]. They just did what they would’ve done for an American unit. It was extremely brave.”

“My thought was just for the wounded Soldiers,” after the ceremony a tearful U.S. Army Sgt. Steven Shumaker, crew chief, 5th Bn., 158th Av. Regmt., said. “My own safety wasn’t a concern. Our goal was to get those guys out or die trying.”

Three of the Germans rescued later died from their wounds. The other eight survived.

After the ceremony concluded the German Soldiers and Americans lined up and faced each other like at the end of a tightly contested sports match.

They shook hands with each other and then each and everyone gave the other a hug, a deep heartfelt embrace. One could sense that these Soldiers had shared a life changing moment in time.

“We didn’t know each other before,” Bonneik said, “but now we’re like brothers.”

Afghan National Army soldiers board their C-17 cargo plane for their flight to Turkey at the International Security Assistance Force airport in Kabul. These soldiers are flying to Turkey for training in leadership and the military skills required to operate as a special operations unit. The transportation and training is part of joint cooperative training and funding agreement with Turkey and Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Quillen

Afghan National Army troops boarded a C-17 cargo plane at the International Security Assistance Force airport for a flight to Turkey to take part in the first of a series of extensive training opportunities in securing the development and defense of Afghanistan.

The 119 ANA troops are the first group to take part in military training for several weeks of specialized operations. It will be conducted primarily by Turkish forces with assistance from American forces and includes courses in leadership along with the skills necessary to perform in the capacity of a special operations force unit.

“I already have 30 years of experience, but when the army told me about this training and that I would participate, I was excited,” said Col. Abdullah Nuri, the senior ranking officer of the 119 troops. “This is a strong opportunity to develop my skills, as an officer and as a soldier, and come back to Afghanistan to teach what I have learned to others.”

Once their training is complete, the Afghan soldiers will be split up and sent to all regions of Afghanistan to develop and conduct their own courses with their fellow soldiers.

The Afghan soldiers were selected for a variety of reasons including experience, demonstrated leadership and competent military skills, academic performance and a strong desire to perform at their best.

“This is the first time that we have worked with such a diverse force,” Nuri said. “So many nations have come to Afghanistan to help us and teach us. We need to take advantage, and use the skills they teach us to make ourselves strong, so we can be a true partner on the world stage.”

Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan funded the transportation with training provided by Turkey. The training will be ongoing with a new group of soldiers being flown to Turkey each month.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Quillen
NTM-A

Afghan and international forces seized enemy weapons and killed insurgent attackers in operations in Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported.

The Afghan National Army, supported by an international security patrol, destroyed 16 rockets and a mortar round in Kandahar province, Feb. 7-8.

The Afghan soldiers were patrolling near Darivshan village when they received a tip about a weapons cache from an Afghan civilian. The soldiers went to the site and recovered 16 107 mm rockets. The following day, the same patrol element found an 82 mm mortar round in a garden near Shotor Gardon village.

An Afghan-led patrol in Paktika province, Feb. 8, found a large weapons cache after receiving a tip from a local resident in the Wazah Khwah district. The cache contained 54 artillery rounds, four mortar rounds and 18 fuses.

Also yesterday, a combined Afghan-international patrol discovered more than 20 mortar rounds in the Garm Ser district of Helmand province. Another combined patrol found 11 hand grenades and a rocket-propelled grenade round in the province’s Kajaki district.

In a Feb. 6 operation in Helmand’s Garm Ser district, an International Security Assistance Force patrol found 83 artillery rounds in a field.

On Feb. 5, an Afghan-international security force in the Musa Qaleh district of Helmand province killed two insurgents who attacked them with small-arms fire. Later, the force was engaged by more small-arms fire from different locations. A sniper supporting the patrol returned fire, killing another insurgent.

In another operation, Feb. 5, a combined force found about 1,000 rounds of small-arms ammunition, a belt of shotgun rounds, assault-rifle magazines and binoculars in the Garm Ser district of Helmand province.

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