U.S. Army Sgt. Jasmine J. Butler, 510th Human Resources Company, 101st Sustainment Brigade, assists a Service member at the Bagram Air Field post office in preparing his package for shipment to the U.S. Photo by 1st Lt. Andrew Adcock

Mail delivery in Afghanistan sets new yearly and holiday records as joint sustainment forces bring holiday cheer to U.S. Service members.

“Since January 2010, teams of postal professionals in Afghanistan have moved the largest amount of mail in Afghanistan’s history, more than 54,517,638 pounds,” said Lt. Col. Donald Brown, chief, Postal Operations Division, 3rd Human Resources Sustainment Center, 1st Theater Sustainment Command. “In 2009, 34.4 million pounds, and in 2008, 19.2 million pounds was delivered.”

Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan also reports that the amount of holiday mail delivered exceeded the amount of mail delivered for all previous years since Operation Enduring Freedom began in 2001.

The JSC-A is responsible for all sustainment operations in Afghanistan, including postal operations. The 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, a Mississippi Army National Guard unit, assumed responsibility for JSC-A in October.

“The success we’re experiencing this season with the mail surge is the culmination of the collaboration of many,” said Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Dowd, commander, 1st TSC.

The 1st TSC, based in Kuwait, provides support for all postal operations for Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.

“[Worker’s] efforts and the support of our families and friends back home have ensured a positive result this holiday season. There’s nothing better than getting that package from home. We understand that and we worked hard to ensure our troops got those packages,” said Dowd.

Using a variety of transportation methods, including fixed-winged aircraft, helicopters and convoys, mail has been moved throughout Afghanistan with the help of many commands. The 3rd HRSC reports mail has been moved without major delay or backlog despite increased operational tempo.

The U.S. Central Command’s Deployment and Distribution Operations Center based in Kuwait also played an important role in the postal delivery process. One of the missions of CDDOC is the coordination of available aviation assets within theater to move mission essential cargo, one of which is mail.

“Mail is the number two morale booster behind going home on R&R. We all understand that because we all enjoy getting mail,” said Rear Admiral Thomas C. Traaen, commander, U.S. CDDOC. “The logistics team really rallied behind ensuring that everyone received their mail in a timely manner. It has been a great team effort. It was our pleasure to assist in bringing the holiday spirit to our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. They deserve it.”

Packages from loved ones in the U.S. to a service member deployed in Afghanistan, completes its journey on average in less than 10 days, meeting the U.S. Central Command’s standard of 16 days for parcels and 12 days for letters, said Brown.

From the United States, mail is transported by air directly to Bahrain and then transported to the respective hubs at Kandahar and Bagram, Afghanistan, where it is then off-loaded, sorted, and moved to its final destination.

“The total amount of U.S. holiday mail delivered throughout Afghanistan from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 is 12.6 million pounds. This is the equivalent of covering every square inch of six football fields in palletized mail with approximately 2,800 pounds per pallet. By the end of December, we estimate to have received more than 13.4 million pounds,” said Maj. William T. Smith, chief, JSC-A Human Resources Operations Branch. “In 2009, the holiday mail delivered was 6.4 million pounds.”

Two of JSC-A’s units, the 101st Sustainment Brigade, from Fort Campbell, Ky., and the 43rd Sustainment Brigade, from Fort Carson, Colo., carry out sustainment missions throughout Afghanistan. For postal operations, they utilize human resource companies (HRCs).

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert W. Monohan, American Forces Network Theater Maintenance Technician, looks on as Staff Sgt. Jessica L. King, AFN Bagram News, picks up holiday packages for her unit at the Bagram Air Field post office. Photo by 1st Lt. Andrew Adcock

The 510th HRC, an active duty unit from Fort Eustis, Va., assigned to the 101st Sustainment Brigade, operates the military post office at Bagram Airfield.

“The successful movement of over nine million pounds of mail this month at Bagram was a tremendous effort from a ‘team of teams’ that ensured everyone forward in combat received their mail and packages from their loved ones,” said Col. Michael P. Peterman, commander, 101st Sustainment Brigade. “Our entire Lifeliner staff gained a newer understanding and appreciation for the hard work that our postal service/UPS/DHL workers put in yearly to ensure that every American gets their mail in hometown USA.”

The 328th HRC, an Army Reserve unit from San Antonio, Texas, assigned to the 43rd Sustainment Brigade, operates the military post office at Kandahar Airfield.

“This is another demonstration of the support soldiers, who are the linemen and women of football, so to speak. Their numbers are seldom called, but they are critical to the mission. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved in delivering mail to our service members, and I commend them on a job well done,” said Col. Edward M. Daly, commander, 43rd Sustainment Brigade. “The monumental efforts of these superstars truly made a difference by bringing the spirit of Christmas to Afghanistan.”

Other significant contributors to the successful mail delivery missions are the mobility sections at the JSC-A and its subordinate brigades.

“The JSC-A and its subordinate brigades’ ability to match available airlift platforms against the daily mail requirements contributed to the success of the mail delivery missions. The use of contracted fixed and rotary aviation support was critical for ensuring the successful ‘last mile’ delivery of the mail to the foxholes,” said Smith. “The coordination between the postal requirements and mobility’s resourcefulness has been a key component to mail delivery in Afghanistan.”

Due to the holiday rush, a call was sent out for volunteers to assist with the unloading and sorting of mail at the Bagram and Kandahar mail hubs. Soon, service members from every branch of the military, in the ranks of private to general officer, were found working all hours to ensure their fellow troops received their holiday packages on time.

“All along the line, from the continental United States to the CENTCOM postal units, to Kuwait-based 1st TSC and the CDDOC – military and civilian alike – made this season’s mail flow successful. And, in the true spirit of coalition partnership, the Royal Air Force delivered U.S. holiday mail to Herat,” said Brig. Gen. Philip R. Fisher, commander, JSC-A.

The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force used one of their C-130 military aircraft to assist the JSC-A in reaching the mail delivery milestone.

“The cooperation and hard work is a great success story and all should be proud of their work. The efforts of those involved with the holiday mail service have been phenomenal. The postal units in Bagram and Kandahar, the 101st and 43rd Sustainment Brigades, and the volunteers throughout Afghanistan diligently worked to make sure all deployed in the Combined Joint Operations Area-Afghanistan received their mail from the millions of pounds of packages and letters sent from loved ones at home,” said Fisher.

Mail delivery has a tremendous impact on the morale of Service members. During the holidays and due to the amount of mail received, military post offices within Afghanistan increased the number of mail calls for units to pick up mail.

“This is my first Christmas away from home. Although it’s hard to be away from home during the holidays, it’s great to be able to send and receive mail. The postal service has allowed me to stay connected with my family and friends back home. Mail call is easily one of the highlights of my day,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bradley Monahan, assigned to Fighter Attack Squadron 122, Kandahar Airfield.

DVIDS
Story by Lt. Col. David Jolly

Lance Cpl. Brady Gustafson, a machine gunner with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, stands in from of the battalion at perfect parade rest, despite the amputation of his right leg below the knee. Gustafson received the Navy Cross and a meritorious promotion to corporal during a ceremony March 27 at Lance Cpl. Torrey Grey Field. Photo by Pfc. Michael T. Gams

Lance Cpl. Brady Gustafson’s parents describe him as “reserved, loyal, stubborn and determined.”
This was proven in action July 21, 2008.

His loyalty to his fellow Marines, his stubborn nature when he refused medical treatment and his determination under enemy fire as a machine gunner with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment earned him the Navy Cross, and a place among the ranks of such Marine Corps legends as Lewis ‘Chesty’ Puller, Daniel ‘Dan’ Daly and John Basilone.

He received this medal, the highest awarded by the Navy, for his deployment to Afghanistan is support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Navy Cross was pinned on his chest by Lt. Col. John M. Reed, the commanding officer of 2/7, and meritorious corporal chevrons to his collar by Maj. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser and Sgt. Maj. Randall Carter, the commanding general and sergeant major of 1st Marine Division, at a ceremony held March 27 at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Grey Field. The ceremony included speeches from his former and current commanding officers.

Gustafson accepted his medal at a perfect position of attention, despite missing his right leg below the knee. His entire battalion was in attendance as well as Marines from across the nation, former service members, family and friends.

According to eyewitness accounts, Gustafson’s actions that fateful day in July 2008 met and exceeded the requirements for a Navy Cross.

On July 21 Gustafson was manning the turret of the lead vehicle, a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, or MRAP, during a four-vehicle mounted patrol riding through the streets of Shewan, Afghanistan.

That’s when things got ugly.

The patrol came under heavy fire from machine guns as well as rocket-propelled grenades from hidden insurgent positions.

One of the RPGs hit Gustafson’s MRAP, piercing its armor, rendering the driver unconscious and partially amputating Gustafson’s right leg.

Despite his injuries, Gustafson remained vigilant on his M240B machine gun, locating and accurately firing on several insurgent positions, some as close as 20 meters from the vehicle.

He remained in the turret, reloading twice and firing over 600 rounds, while Lance Cpl. Cody Comstock, an Anderson, Ind. native, applied a tourniquet to his leg.

After regaining consciousness, the driver, Cpl. Geoffrey Kamp, an Indianapolis native, put the vehicle in reverse and pushed the disabled vehicle behind them out of the kill zone.

Not until both vehicles were safe from the heavy insurgent fire and all the Marines had evacuated the burning vehicle did he allow himself to be removed from the turret for medical treatment.

“I knew I was hit,” he said. “I guess the adrenaline kept me going.”

Gustafson humbly stressed that he was only doing his job, nothing more.

“Anyone I served with would have done the same,” said the Eagan, IL native. “Heck, if it wasn’t for everyone else out there, I wouldn’t have made it.”

After being treated by corpsmen at the scene, he was transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and then to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Upon regaining consciousness after surgery, Gustafson called his parents to tell them what happened, said the 21 year-old.

“We were worried about him,” said his mother, Kim Gustafson. “But we knew everything would work out, God does have a plan after all.”

During 2/7’s deployment to Afghanistan, “the extraordinary became ordinary,” said Lt. Col Richard Hall, 2/7’s commanding officer during the deployment. “I underestimated my Marines and I’m in awe of what they accomplished.”

Known as the hardest hit battalion in the Marine Corps during 2008, 2/7 lost over 20 Marines and sailors and sent over 80 home with serious injuries during their eight month deployment to Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Brady Gustafson received the Navy Cross and a meritorious promotion to corporal during a ceremony March 27 at Lance Cpl. Torrey Grey Field.

Gustafson is now looking to the future and says he is looking forward to a bright future outside of the Marine Corps.

“I took a lot of photos in Afghanistan,” said Gustafson. “I’m going to go to college in the fall and try and make a career out of it.”

Cpl. Brady Gustafson never faltered during the ambush and his heroism helped save the lives of all the Marines involved.

The valor and courage displayed on the streets of Shewan that July day embodied the core values of the Marine Corps and sets an example for all to emulate and be proud of.

“I’m proud of all the Marines,” said Kim. “There are so many heroes, I’m so lucky to count my son among one of them.”

United States Marines
By Pfc. Michael T. Gams,
Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command 29 Palms

For additional information about our wounded warriors, please visit:
WarriorCare.Mil
Wounded Warrior Resource Call Center 1-800-342-9647

Many wounded warriors who have served in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom have paid the price for their participation in combat. Depending on that price, many view not only themselves as a hero, but those who were lost.

“I was just doing my job. I think we all were,” said former U.S. Army Spc. Susan Downes, who was injured in late 2006 while serving a one-year deployment to Afghanistan. “You know, heroes, I think we all deserve that title. I mean, we’re going over there and putting our lives out there. You know, we’re getting injured for the people here.”

Downes doesn’t regret her participation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, but rather she welcomed the chance to serve her country after her husband was medically discharged in late 2004. Soon after his discharge, Downes made the decision to don the Army uniform and follow in her husband’s footsteps. She enlisted on Dec. 29, 2004.

“I missed the military lifestyle. I missed the friendships that [I] made. Just the whole camaraderie … everybody together,” Downes said. “I wanted something … more from my life.”

Transforming From ‘Girlie Girl’ to Soldier
Soon after Downes joined the U.S. Army, she underwent six months of training and was sent to Afghanistan to serve a one-year deployment. Then in her early twenties, Downes had to undergo a major transformation from what she calls her “girlie-girl” days of high school. After her training, she was assigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade’s 95th MP Battalion, 230th Military Police Company in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

“The excitement … that I was serving my country because of the war and everything and I knew I would probably be deployed [as an] MP,” Downes said. “I knew that when I signed up and I was ready to go because… it would make me feel proud of myself [for] serving the country and going over there and doing what I thought … was right and what I needed to do.”

Her career choice as an MP was rooted from her desire to join the FBI. “I had this whole big plan, go serve for five years … take some school while I was in there, and maybe go [criminal investigative division] … and, after that, try the FBI,” said Downes.

But, as plans often do, they changed for Downes on Nov. 28, 2006 when she was severely wounded in combat while deployed to Afghanistan’s Lowgar province, about an hour south of Kabul. She had just returned from a two-week R&R.

“The day I was injured I had actually gotten back from R&R like two days earlier,” added Downes. “[My supervisor] asked me to volunteer for a mission, and I accepted as a gunner. And, it was a good morning, it was a peaceful morning.”

Downes added that most people probably don’t comprehend the beauty of Afghanistan. “Believe it or not, Afghanistan has some really pretty scenery,” said Downes. “[On the day I was injured,] the snow was already coming down and I felt really great that morning. I had a lot of motivation, I guess because I was back with my unit and I was happy to actually go back out again.”

And, as fate would have it, on her unit’s last mission to the area, she suffered such severe injuries that many of the medics tending to her believed she might die.

A Life-changing Moment
On the morning of Nov. 28, snow was accumulating quickly and the temperature was falling.

“About 30 minutes into the mission, all I remember is actually getting cold because the snow had started to fall down really fast,” added Downes. “And, I was fixing my neck gator up and that’s the only thing I remember.”

Downes, who was in the lead Humvee that morning, was in the only vehicle of the three-vehicle convoy that was destroyed in the roadside bomb blast.

Downes and an Afghan interpreter survived the blast, but two others — Staff Sgt. Michael A. Shank, 31 of Bonham, Texas and Spc. Jeffrey G. Roberson, 22, of Phelan, Calif. – were killed.

Downes believed that her survival was largely due to how she was positioned in the Humvee. “In the truck, I was the lead gunner. [I] had the .50 caliber … [and] I was standing up,” she said. “I never sit down because you can’t really get any kind of good security when you’re sitting down. I think if I had been sitting down in that truck that day, I wouldn’t be here.”

When the lead armored Humvee was struck, the vehicle flipped on its side, pinning Downes. “The gunner’s shield was actually on top of my legs holding me down in the truck,” she said.

Several members of her unit attempted to pull her from her pinned location, but were only able to remove her after her unit collectively assisted in lifting the one-ton Humvee.

Once Downes was removed from her pinned location, she would not only lose both of her legs from the knee down, but would also suffer several setbacks before receiving medical treatment, namely, a four-hour wait for a MedEvac due to hazardous weather.

“They refused MedEvac because we were in the mountains and the snow was coming down pretty hard. It was a blizzard pretty much by then,” Downes said.

The Longest Day
The unit’s only other option to save Downes’ life was to transport her to the nearest NATO hospital, and eventually to Bagram Air Base in Kabul. On the first leg of the six-hour convoy to the nearest hospital, she had lost nearly all of her blood supply. Upon arrival to the NATO hospital, the medics discovered that the hospital had run out of Downes’ blood type — O negative.

Downes said the medic in charge had to make a life or death decision for her: He gave her O positive blood in attempt to keep her body warm during the remaining convoy to Bagram.

“The medic in charge that day actually made that decision … so he could keep my body warm,” Downes said. “But either way, he said I could have died, but he wanted to at least keep my body war enough until we got to Bagram.”

Not only did Downes survive the bomb blast, but she endured 10 hours of life and death survival. For her, the guiding force to remain in the fight was her two children, who were living stateside with their father.

“I knew I had something to live for so, I think having my children, I think that really is what, you know, kept me alive, kept me fighting,” Downes said.

Downes remained at Bagram for a few days prior to her transfer to Landstuhl, Germany. On Dec. 3, she was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center here where she remained in rehabilitation for the next year and a half.

While at Walter Reed, an occupational therapist introduced Downes to the idea of using a therapy dog.

“I’m an advocate about these dogs. I want to get every solider a dog. It is … one of my main goals,” Downes said.

Since leaving rehabilitation, Downes and her family and her therapy dog, Leila, have moved back to her hometown of Tazewell, Tennessee. Prior to her move back to Tennessee, Downes was hired by a local construction company to manage their administrative department.

Downes now has new goals for herself. “I want to go back to school. I like graphic design, and that’s what I want to go into,” she said.

DoD
By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service

A pair of Defense Department reports published June 27 on Afghanistan describe progress with regard to the country’s security and national forces.

The studies, which analyze results of Operation Enduring Freedom through March, were mandated by Congress and represent the first installment of what are slated to be semi-annual progress updates.

The Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan depicts a “fragile” security environment in much of the country. It concludes, however, that coalition forces’ counterinsurgency approach has demonstrated how a hybrid of military and nonmilitary resources can create stability and connect Afghan citizens to their government.

Underscoring the fragility of situation in Afghanistan and its tendency for rapid change is the fact that some of the report’s assertions about security success — based on information available several months ago and earlier — no longer are as solid as once believed.

For instance, the report highlights Khowst province in eastern Afghanistan as an example of a once-troubled region transformed by counterinsurgency operations.

“Khowst was once considered ungovernable and one of the most dangerous provinces in Afghanistan,” the report states. “Today, tangible improvements in security, governance, reconstruction, and development are being made.”

But Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday expressed concern that attacks in NATO’s Regional Command East section of Afghanistan, which includes Khowst province, rose 40 percent from January to May.

Gates, in a news conference yesterday, attributed the rise in violence to militants using Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province as a staging ground for launching attacks in Afghanistan. But the report does not identify threats emanating from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region — which Gates called a recent phenomenon — as a primary security challenge.

Challenges outlined in the report include the narcotics trade and the Taliban. These militants regrouped after their fall from power and have coalesced into a resilient insurgency, according to the report, which notes a rise in insurgent violence in 2007. More that 6,500 people died as a result of suicide attacks, roadside bombs and combat-related violence, it said.

Despite coalition success in combating them, Taliban operatives are likely to maintain or even increase the scope and pace of terrorist attacks and bombings in 2008, the report concludes.

“The Taliban will challenge the control of the Afghan government in rural areas, especially in the south and east,” it states. “The Taliban will also probably attempt to increase its presence in the west and north.”

The security report credits a plus-up of U.S. forces over the spring with reinforcing Afghan and international forces’ momentum, and for enabling the Afghan national security forces to grow quickly – from 70,000 to 80,000 army personnel by 2010.

Meanwhile, the report states, the deployment of a U.S. Marine Corps Marine Air Ground Task Force is bolstering the ability of NATO’s International Security Assistance Forces to maneuver troops in Regional Command South.

The other security and stability highlights outlined in the report are:

– The Afghan National Army had taken the lead in more than 30 significant operations at the time of the report, and the force has demonstrated increasing competence, effectiveness and professionalism.

– Since 2001, Afghanistan has made significant progress rebuilding its national political institutions. Afghans wrote and passed a new constitution in 2004, 8.1 million people voted in the nation’s first presidential election, and 6.4 million voters helped reestablish the National Assembly after 32 years without a legislature.

– The gross domestic product, per capita income and foreign direct investment all are up since 2001. Afghanistan’s domestic revenues have grown considerably, and international reserves have nearly doubled since 2004.

Key points from the report titled, “United States Plan for Sustaining the Afghanistan National Security Forces” include:

– The capabilities of the Afghan National Army are improving steadily, with a long-term army posture that also may include a more robust army air corps capability and a larger force.

– The Afghan National Police force is making steady progress, but its capabilities still lag behind those of the national army. The current police force has not been sufficiently reformed or developed to a level at which it can adequately perform its security and policing mission; however, coalition governments are working to improve the police capabilities, with a target force size of 82,000 personnel.

– An independent, capable army and police are critical to counterinsurgency effort, thus it is crucial that coalition partners dedicate the necessary resources and personnel to ensure that the mission to develop the Afghan national security forces is a success.

DoD
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

No medal listed but the story reads like a citation, DSC or MoH?

DVIDS

Miller found himself willingly leading a team of Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition soldiers Jan. 25 during a combat reconnaissance patrol in Kunar Province near the Pakistan border. Insurgents hiding in a structure attacked Miller’s team. A fellow teammate called for close-air support to drop ordnance on the insurgent position, disrupting their attack. When the combined patrol moved toward the structure to check for any remaining enemy threats, insurgents again fired using heavy weapons.

Miller’s team captain was seriously wounded within the first minutes of the attack. While his commander was moved to safety, Miller returned fire. At great personal risk to himself, Miller remained at the front of the patrol and continued to lay down suppressive fire on multiple insurgent positions, allowing his wounded commander to be pulled out of the line of fire, ultimately saving his life. Miller’s personal courage under intense enemy fire enabled the entire patrol to gain cover and return fire. Even while injured by direct enemy small-arms and machine gun fire, Miller continued to employ his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and grenades to suppress enemy fire and protect his teammates.

Miller enlisted as a Special Forces trainee Aug. 14, 2003. He graduated from Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., Jan. 6. Miller graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course Sep. 26, 2004, and the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course March 4, 2005. Miller received his coveted Special Forces Tab and was promoted to Sergeant after graduating from the Special Operations French Language Training Course Sept. 30, 2005. That same day he was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Force Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

He deployed to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom from August 2006 to March 2007. During this deployment, Miller received two Army Commendation Medals for Valor for his courage under fire.

Miller returned to Afghanistan for his second tour in October 2007, where he served as a weapons sergeant for his team.

Ashley completed the memorial by stating, “The motto of our Regiment is “Free the Oppressed.” Special Forces soldiers have long lived by this creed and today, we all carry this torch. Robby sacrificed his life bringing freedom to the oppressed people of Afghanistan. He placed his life on the line so that others would have a chance to experience freedom.”

Miller is survived by his parents and seven brothers and sisters.