november battlecry: 100 days
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The official deployment magazine for the 172nd Infantry Brigade's 2011-2012 tour in Afghanistan.TRANSCRIPT
TheTHE OFFICIAL DEPLOYMENT MAGAZINE OF THE 172ND SEPARATE INFANTRY BRIGADE
OCT 2011
Battlecry
Editorial Team Maj. Joseph BuccinoEditor-In-ChiefTF Blackhawk Public Affairs Officer
Staff Sgt. Charles CrailLayout Editor/Writer/Photographer TF Blackhawk Public Affairs NCOIC
Spec. Robert HollandEditor/Writer/PhotographerTF Blackhawk Public Affairs Specialist
Contributing EditorsGareth JenningsGuest PhotographerIHS Jane’s Defense Weekly
1st. Lt. Ryan DeCamp (Air Force)Writer/PhotographerPaktika Provincial Reconstruction Team
Ssgt Makenzie Lang (Air Force)PhotographerPaktika Provincial Reconstruction Team
Staff Sgt. Luke GrazianiWriter/Photographer7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Spec. Jacob KohrsPhotographer55th Combat Camera
Spec. William BegleyWriter/Photographer7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BattlecryTheNOVEMBER 2011
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Postal Address:Task Force Blackhawk Public Affairs OfficeFOB SharanaAPO, AE 09311
Contents Letter from the Editor - Revisionist History in Afghanistan Blackhawk Briefs - COL Bohnemann & CSM Boom 100 Days
What Winning Looks Like Staying Positive When Life Isn’t
TF 3-66 - The Watchmen - Embed TF 1-2 - 5 Days, 5 Battles TF 2-28 - Enemy at the Gates 172 Support Battalion - The Black Storm - Serving Inspiration TF Gilas - Ready to launch shadow - Going beyond kinetics 1-77 FA - A glimpse into the future: Afghan Artillery - ECP: Tip of the spear for Sharana’s security
PRT - Jessica Patterson - Soldier, rest!
Letter from the Editor: Revisionist History in Afghanistan
“The easy narrative is to blame Afghanistan, a country that managed to repel both the British and Soviet armies in their primes and frustrate all manner of occupiers. But to throw hands up in exasperation and say Afghanistan, with its tribes and conservative traditions, is an ungovernable place impervious to change is to cower behind a convenient historical falsehood.”
- Aryn Baker, Endless War
In Paktika, as in most of Afghani-stan, the fighting season ends with the onset of cold weather. As snowfall restricts movement across the country, the insurgents move back into Pakistan to rearm for the spring offensive. This has largely already begun in our area.
With what is likely to be a final fighting season with surge-level forces, the government and Afghan security forces must make signifi-cant gains before the drawdown of US forces begins in earnest. The spring of 2012 thus represents a decisive point in the fate of Paktika province and the entire country.
However, perhaps the best hope for Paktika, as for all of Afghans, is not in the future, but in the past. Not in the revisionist history told on CNN and MSNBC, but in actual history, in Afghanistan’s very re-cent past.
Many pundits, politicians, journal-ists, pseudo-journalists, and self-styled social scientists spend plenty of time and money explaining to the American public that Afghani-stan has always been a cauldron of violence and poverty and that the country, with its isolating geogra-phy, never has been governed and never will be capable of entering the globalized economy. The ter-rain and demographics, they say, long ago combined with a lack of real capital to seal off any introduc-tion of modern society. The prob-lem with the statements is that they are simply not true and, in fact, they deteriorate when faced with
factual events.
As recently as 1961, under the rule of Mohammed Zahir Shah, Afghanistan began moving into modernity, socially constructing the concepts of sexual equality and religious tolerance. Far from a poverty-ravaged “graveyard of empires,” Kabul actually exported food to eastern Asia. All of that changed with the fracture of the country following the 1978 coup and the subsequent Soviet inva-sion.
Prior to the onset of seemingly endless war, Afghanistan was on the cusp of globalization. Under Shah’s etatist economic policy, as memorialized by the 1956 to 1961 Afghanistan Five-Year Develop-ment Plan (FYDP), the country exported karakul pelts to London, fruits to Northern Ireland, and cot-ton to the Soviet Union. Machinery and expertise were imported and irrigation and communications sys-tems were improved by the central government.
This context is generally not presented in most current media accounts of the war effort here. Sir John Keegan recently told ABC News that Afghanistan is and always will be “unstable, fractious and ultimately ungovernable,” that the instruments of industry can-not and will not evolve society in Afghanistan. In 2009, Diane Fein-stein told CNN that Afghanistan “cannot sustain a central govern-ment.” In 2010, Eric Margolis wrote “Afghanistan is fundamen-
tally ungovernable.” No main-stream media outlet blinked an eye at these statements.
The revision of history is visible in public discussions of Afghan cultural tendencies as well. Has-sina Sherja wrote in a 2010 article published by the Washington Post, “For centuries now in Afghanistan, women have been denied human rights by official government.” Social evolution was made impos-sible, she wrote, by the country’s own “blood-soaked history.”
How do these accounts square with the following recollection of Mohammad Qayoumi, author of “Once Upon A Time in Afghani-stan,” of his childhood in Nagahar in the late 1960’s:
A half-century ago, Afghan women pursued ca-reers in medicine; men and women mingled casually at movie theaters and universi-ty campuses in Kabul; facto-ries in the suburbs churned out textiles and other goods. There was a tradition of law and order, and a government capable of undertaking large national infrastructure proj-ects, like building hydropow-er stations and roads, albeit with outside help. Ordinary people had a sense of hope, a belief that education could
How, indeed, does Erik Prince’s rendition of Afghan history as “a land of savages with a 1200 AD mentality,” a place where a woman risked death by stoning for failing to wear a burka outside, reconcile with the below pictures of 1958 Kabul published by American photographer Harrison Forman, pictures which look like 1958 New York?
The narrative of Afghanistan as an ungovernable society has been told so many times by so many scholars that it has become truth to most of folks my age who developed an un-derstanding of the country after the US invasion in 2001. It is indeed true that no invading power has been able to control and govern the people of Afghanistan since Alex-ander the Great, nearly 2,500 years ago. However, this is largely due to Afghanistan’s historical rejec-tion of imperial control, its stub-born individuality, and its lion-like defense of its land. The Afghans are historically loyal, fiercely independent, and, believe it or not, undefeated in war. Afghanistan is one of the most conflict-ridden places on earth, but it is not unsal-vageable.
The brigade is now 31 percent complete with its mission in Paktika province, eastern Af-ghanistan. Themati-cally, this issue revolves around our initial 100-day benchmark. However, 100 days should serve not only as
a reflection of the past, but as a forward-looking barometer.
Spring 2012 represents the final opportunity for Afghanistan to solidify the gains in security and governance made since the surge of US forces announced by President Obama on that November evening at West Point two years ago.
Afghanistan’s dependence on for-eign aid must cease. Despite main-stream media reports, the country does indeed have an economic future.
The people of Afghanistan, from the central government to the farmers of Orgun, must realize that destiny is theirs to mold. The story of Afghanistan as a cursed, apoca-lyptic land of untamable savages is theirs to refute. The country can either collapse like a house of cards with the withdrawal of units such as ours and with the diminishment of the infusions of funds, or she can stand on her own and develop into an economic force in Central Asia. In order to believe that great social
evolution, and with it industrial advancement, is possible in its future, Afghani-stan must only look to its past.
Sharan dis-trict will never resemble mid-town Manhat-tan. Paktika will likely never host a tourist center. How-
ever, all of eastern Afghanistan is indeed governable in its current state, at least at the local level. Its own past proves it so.
As Americans, our own words tell us that Afghanistan’s economy must be tied to ours. Our anec-dotal revision of history speaks of an Afghanistan than has never and can never sustain itself. In fact, Afghanistan must divorce herself from the foreign aid that is tied to security operations. It must evolve away from a warlord-driven economy to an economy focused on small-scale agriculture produce, horticulture, and livestock.
In this edition, we look to our own past, as we reflect on the impact we have made here throughout the first part of our tour. I encourage our readers to continue to expand their knowledge base of the history and economic infrastructure of Af-ghanistan throughout the remain-der of this deployment. Ahmed Rashid’s Jihad, and Vali Nasr’s The Vanguard of the Islamic Revolution are recommended entrants into the complexity of the problem set here.
Keep reading.
open opportunities for all, a conviction that a bright future lay ahead. All that has been destroyed by three decades of war, but it was real.
Joesph Buccino
As you read this, Task Force Blackhawk has completed the first 100 days of this
deployment to Afghanistan. The attached magazine attempts to cap-ture the many different scenes and Soldiers performing their duties during that time.
While no mission in combat is easy, the Soldiers and Leaders of Task Force Blackhawk often make it look easy.
Command Sergeant Major Boom and I continually observe our great Soldiers conducting their missions to the highest standards and we could not be happier with their performance. No matter how rough the day has been, most of our Soldiers find a way to walk around with a smile on their faces. I can tell all Families back home in Germany and our friends around the world that they have much to be proud of.
For the past several months, this Brigade has completely focused on our combat mission here in Af-ghanistan.
That focus would not be possible if it were not for the fantastic work of our Rear Detachment. I have heard of the great job they are do-ing for our Families and Soldiers at Grafenwoehr and Schweinfurt and would like to extend a special thanks to them.
MAJ Deraney heads up a special team of officers and NCOs that tirelessly take care of the numerous issues that arise on the home front.
Finally, I feel the need to again thank the numerous Family mem-bers and volunteers that do so much on a daily basis to make Task Force Blackhawk a Family.
BLACKHAWKS!
THE BLACKHAWKMESSAGES FROM THE 172ND SEPARATE INFANTRY BRIGADE
COL Edward T. Bohnemann
Edward T. Bohnemann
The Strength of our Nation is our Army. The Strength of our Army is our Soldiers.
The Strength of our Soldiers is our Families. This is what makes us “Army Strong!”
Families and Friends of the Black-hawks, rest assured your Soldiers are “Army Strong.” I read the above saying several times daily as it is posted in my office. I can’t help but be grateful to our great families and friends in Germany and those in the states. Your prayers, well wishes and concern for our Soldiers bring us safety.
You, our Families and Friends, have been a combat multiplier to our Blackhawks who defend nearly 400 kilometers of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Our Soldiers have shown the resil-iency needed to go from being in a firefight with the Taliban to giving high fives to Afghan children in a local village 30 minutes later. They are well trained and do the right thing for the right reasons daily. This is what is expected of our Soldiers in a counterinsurgency fight and they do it with honor. These Blackhawk Soldiers are the
new “Greatest Generation” and are proving it daily in some of the most austere conditions.
I also thank our great rear detach-ment which consists of Family Readiness Liaisons, Family Readi-ness Groups, Leaders and Soldiers and the Grafenwoher/Shweinfurt support agencies who all work tire-lessly on our Soldiers behalf. Our rear detachment team as a whole helps us focus the mission as they take care of the Families left be-hind.
You can be very proud of their many accomplishments as we stand up the Afghan Security Forces and make the insurgents very sorry they ever chose to cross paths with a Blackhawk.
Again, your unwavering support, prayers and communications with our great Blackhawk Soldiers serv-ing on the point of the spear bring us safety.Thank you all for your steadfast devotion to our men and women in harm’s way.
We wish you the best Thanksgiv-ing possible while your loved one is away and you will all be in our thoughts on that special American Holiday.
BRIEFSMESSAGES FROM THE 172ND SEPARATE INFANTRY BRIGADE
CSM Michael W. Boom
Michael W. Boom
On August 7th 2011, Task Force Blackhawk began its journey in eastern Afghanistan by assuming responsibility of Paktika province. On 15 November, the brigade reached 100 days into its mission here.
The first 31 percent of the brigade’s deployment has generated stunning successes; the brigade broke through the enemy’s elusiveness in early October with a series of air assaults that disrupted insurgent operations and offered a foothold for the provincial government.
Of course, we have faced crushing heartbreak as well, and in this
100 Days
magazine we will honor the memories of Sergeant Matthew Harmon, Corporal Joseph VanDreumel, Staff Sergeant Daniel Quintana, Chief Petty Officer Raymond Border, Staff Sergeant Jorge Oliveira.
As the fall season set in and mercury fell on thermometers, the brigade dug in, placing suffocating pressure on the terrorist networks that prey upon the villagers here.
With the first 100 days behind them, the Soldiers of the 172nd Infantry Brigade look to the winter season to continue to push the presence of Afghan forces and district government officials.
We here at the “Battle Cry” use this benchmark to look back on the struggles and successes of your Soldiers. With 9 months remaining in the mission, we look back at the first 100 days with 100 images of Task Force Blackhawk in Paktika.
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4 DAY 7
DAY 6
DAY 5
ALL IN A DAYAn astounding level of complexity is involved in conducting and sustaining counterinsurgency operations in a place with a virtually nonexistent road network and economic infrastructure. From foot patrols in mountains to supply convoys across desert expanse, each day holds new adventures and blurred senses of time’s passage for Soldiers across the task force.
DAY 8
DAY 9
COMMON GOALWhether we are on foot or in a truck, building the future or breaking down the obstacles of the past, we all work towards a common goal day in and day out. We all strive to set the conditions for a brighter tomorrow in Afghanistan.
DAY 10
DAY 11
DAY 12
ONE HILL AT A TIMEThe illusion of a quick victory here, an immediate return on our emotional and physical investment in this land, ended very quickly in this deployment. Afghanistan is ancient, the strife we seek to overcome nearly as old as the land itself. We all quickly learned to take this fight one day at a time, focusing on the hill we are on rather than the thousands remaining ahead of us.
LEGENDARY Any strategic, military, or political discussion of Afghanistan begins with its mountains. They dominate the landscape, boxing inhabitants into fixed, isolated territory. These mountains present a paragon of the beauty and wonder of nature, beauty few American’s will ever witness as intimately as our Soldiers have.
DAY 13
DAY 14
HUB OF THE WHEELNothing moves Soldiers and supplies faster, ends a fight quicker, or evacuates the wounded more rapidly than the helicopters of 1-227 Aviation Regiment who support the Blackhawks in Paktika.
DAY 15
DAY 16
DAY 17
DAY 18
DAY 19
DAY 20
DAY 21
DAY 22 DAY 23
ON THE ROAD AGAINIf a particular terrain feature dominated the pace and architecture of combat operations in October, it was the Paktika road network. Operation Black Storm, a brigade level operation, involved over 300 kilometers of roadway from hardball to dirt tracks. Over 100 vehicles traverse the western side of the province.
DAY 24
DAY 25
DAY 26
DAY 27
CONTRAST OF CONFLICTAfghanistan is a land of subtle color differences in both landscape and people. A country lacking absolutes, its essence becomes blurred with distance. Only upon close inspection-close enough to capture the grit and suffering-is the Afghan truth revealed.
DAY 28
DAY 32
DAY 30
DAY 31
DAY 29
DAY 33
THE PEOPLE WE’VE METOur journey through darkness has taken us beyond the walls and wire of our bases and into the villages and towns of the Afghan people. They, the impoverished, the tormented, the insulated, are the most striking aspect of our odyssey. On Day 34 we saw the rarest of images: an Afghan women outside. She fled at the sight of the camera, believing herself not a vision acceptable for the eyes of this world, despite her natural, if not rugged beauty, much like the land of Afghanistan itself.
DAY 34
DAY 35
DAY 36
DAY 37
DAY 38
DAY 40
DAY 41
DAY 39
THE LONG HARD SLOGThere are areas in Paktika where vehicles just can’t go. Thus, combat power is projected on foot. With an average weight of 75 to 100 pounds of carried equipment, walking through mountains becomes a collision between will and physical ability.
DAY 42
MICRO TERRAINA single photo can never capture the true complexity of the terrain here. Where as we all can imagine towering mountains and desert plains, this series of photos were all taken within a 2-mile radius to show the intricacies in between. From desert roads to water filled streambeds, Soldiers weave in between stone buildings and pass through dense groves of trees before passing through the centuries old latticework of farmlands.
DAY 43
DAY 44
DAY 45
CONNECTING PEOPLEThe central task of any government lies in the provision of resources for its constituents. Blackhawk Soldiers regularly connect Paktika residents with their government by providing security for governmental projects, from waterways and irrigation to schools and roads. Today Afghanistan is socially and economically centuries ahead of the country of ten years ago.
DAY 46
CONNECTING PEOPLEThe central task of any government lies in the provision of resources for its constituents. Blackhawk Soldiers regularly connect Paktika residents with their government by providing security for governmental projects, from waterways and irrigation to schools and roads. Today Afghanistan is socially and economically centuries ahead of the country of ten years ago.
DAY 47
DAY 48
TOP DOWN LEADERSSergeant Major of the Army speaks with senior NCO leaders at FOB Sharana while visiting TF Blackhawk.
Pashtun Warriors: An Afghan Journey
DAY 49
Pashtun Warriors: An Afghan Journey
“There is no other dream nor other waking world and there is no other tale to tell. On this road there are no godspoke men. They are gone and I am left and they have taken with them the world. Query: How does the never to be differ from what never was?”
-The Road, Cormac McCarthy
DAY 50
DAY 51
“The legacy of our actions hinges on the quality of the Afghan forces weleave behind.”
Lt. Col. Curtis D. Taylor, Black Knight 6
DAY 52
DAY 53
TEAMWORKIntelligence and information sharing across the formation is critical to the brigade’s success out here. Tactics, techniques, and procedures are shared across the brigade to facilitate a common understanding of the threat.
DAY 54
DAY 55
DAY 56 DAY 57
DAY 58
DAY 59 DAY 60
DAY 61
UNSUNG HEROESA command sergeant major recently pointed out to me that despite the importance and glamour offered by the front line infantry and combat arms branches, they could never accomplish their mission without the legion of support personnel keeping them supplied, repaired and stocked with the equipment they need to wage war. In no theater of operations is this truer than Afghanistan.
DAY 62
DAY 63
DAY 65
DAY 66
DAY 64
DAY 67
DAY 68
DAY 69
DAY 71
DAY 70
DAY 72
FIRE BRIGADEWhen the report came in of a fire at FOB Tillman, the units based at Sharana snapped into action. Volunteers begged to go help fight the fire, support units began pooling resources to send forward and every available Soldier stepped forward to load fire extinguishers on to aircraft bound to aid their brothers-in-arms.
Those on the ground called it a lucky hit, a random instance of chance. An insurgent rocket struck a generator that ignited a fire that spread through a handful of buildings.
The arid environment presented the danger of spreading fire destroying the entire base. Like a Wild West boomtown, Soldiers and civilians alike linked together to rush fire-fighting equipment to the edge of the flames.
Through their hard work and daring, from the infantrymen of Charlie Tank to the staff at the brigade headquarters, teamwork defeated potential disaster.
DAY 73
DAY 74
FIGHTING TO SAVEMedical personnel from the forward surgical team in Orgun-E race to treat a critically injured Afghan girl while the flight medics watch. Evacuated from the site of an IED strike in Bermal district that killed two members of her family and wounded a dozen more, she was operated on to save her shattered limbs then transported to an Afghan hospital for recovery.
Editor’s Note: This photo does not contain a wounded U.S. Soldier. The Afghan Girl depicted in this photo fully recovered from her injuries thanks to the efforts of these mediacl professionals. The photo has been approved for release through all applicable channels.
EYES IN THE SKYYou can hear it while patrolling along a remote mountaintop along the Pakistani border. A tinny buzz, similar to a lawn mower, somewhere above. The sound is that of an angel; something invisible, yet reassuring providing a blanket of security. The sound indicates to the grunts that someone on their side is watching.
DAY 75
DAY 76
TOP OF THE WORLDLike mythical Griffins, we perch atop mountains, building nests of sandbags. We have bodies of lions and wings of eagles.
DAY 77
DAY 78 DAY 79
DAY 81 DAY 80
DAY 82
DAY 84 DAY 83
PAKTIKA PIT VIPERSThey are not mortar men by trade; they are infantrymen, mechanics, and tankers who have cross-trained to fire the 120mm mortars at COP Margah. In the unforgiving sun, through the fire and under fire they provide supporting fires for their brethren. Judging by this images, they are loving every minute of it. DAY 85
DAY 86
DAY 87
DAY 88
DAY 89
DAY 90
CRAZY, BRAVE OR BOTHThe most deadly weapon used by the insurgency in Afghanistan is the IED. TF Blackhawk has lost four Soldiers to these nefarious devices in as many months. Yet for one small group of warriors, seeking instead of avoiding is the daily drill. Handling crude contraptions capable of obliterating armored vehicles is their mission; saving lives is their calling.
DAY 91
DAY 92 DAY 93
DAY 94
DAY 95
DAY 96
DAY 97
DAY 98
DAY 99
END OF THE BEGININGThe start of fall and the passage of our first 100 days in Afghanistan mark an intriguing crossroads in our journey. We have learned a great deal and paid a painful price. The respite offered by winter’s harshness will allow us to buttress our gains so far, and our gained knowledge will allow us to buttress our gains. Our increased situational awareness will allow us to push even further in the spring. Each day the Blackhawks are one step closer to accomplishing the mission we set out to do 100 days ago...
Giving hope.
Day100
What Winning Looks LikeCombat Outpost Waza Kwha and the Case for Afghanistan
COP WAZA KWAH, AFGHANISTAN - Nov. 3, 2011 marked a historic day
for the Afghan National Security Forces as well as all of Afghanistan as the 7th Kandak, 2nd Zone Af-ghan Border Police (ABP) accepted responsibility for combat outpost Waza Kwah from the 172nd Sepa-rate Infantry Brigade. The International Security Assis-tance Force Joint Command and the Afghan Ministry of Interior ap-proved 7th Kandak, 2nd Zone ABP as a force capable of providing security to southern Paktika. Due to their stunning success in intervening insurgents and foreign fighters, the government of the United States and the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghani-stan agreed that the 7th Kandak is ready to assume full responsibility for the security of southern Paktika. A transfer of authority ceremony
was held at COP Waza Kwah.“Today we have the opportunity to witness the 7th Kandak assume primary responsibility for the secu-rity of southern Paktika,” said Col. Edward T. Bohnemann, 172nd SIB Commander. During his address, Bohnemann spoke to the 7th Kandak Soldiers. “This transition is a sign that the commanders at the highest levels in both the government of Afghani-stan and the Coalition Forces be-lieve that you are ready to assume the security in southern Paktika on your own; clearly you are defeat-ing the enemies of Afghanistan and will continue to do so in the future.”
“Beginning today you will show the terrorists, that they cannot stand and fight you man-to-man, face-to-face,” continued Bohnemann. “This transition marks a great opportunity
for the true protectors of Afghani-stan to control security in their own country.” The official transition of COP Waza Kwah by Bohnemann and Col. Zahir Gul, Executive Officer, 2nd Zone ABP as well as the lowering of the United States colors and the raising of the Afghanistan colors formalized the transfer of authority During the ceremony the honor-able Mohibullah Samim, governor of Paktika Province, addressed all those in attendance. Looking back ten years ago there were no Afghan security elements, nothing throughout the entire coun-try, said Samim. He explained that ten years later Afghanistan now has the Afghan National Army, Afghan Uniformed Police, and the ABP. The 7th Kandak taking charge is
“It’s Afghans who must secure their country. And it’s Afghans who must build their nation”
-Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., December 9th, 2009
Maj. Joseph Buccino
a very proud moment for all of Afghanistan, said Samim. Samim referred to the ABP Sol-diers as “the sons of Afghanistan,” and said whatever they do today will be a path to building a future for the children of Afghanistan. Samim also expressed gratitude to Task Force 3-66, the Black Knights, for helping the 7th Kan-dak achieve the goal of taking on the responsibility of securing southern Paktika. In his closing remarks Samim urged the ABP Soldiers to loyally serve Afghanistan and the people of Afghanistan. Col. Zahir Gul, executive officer, 2nd Zone ABP, also addressed those in attendance. During the past three years there has been a lot of growth within the ABP due to extensive training and they are now able to secure southern Paktika without American forces, said Gul.
Gul has met and spoke with the elders of the local population and explained that any achievement the ABP has had is because the people of Afghanistan have supported his Soldiers and stood by the ABP. To the Soldiers of the 7th Kandak, Gul said, continue to serve the people of Afghanistan, continue to earn the people’s trust and one day the people will have pride in the 7th Kandak’s service. After the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Gordon Davis, CJTF-1 deputy commanding general for Afghan National Security Force develop-ment, explained, “this is another step in the progress towards Af-ghans securing Afghanistan.” Of the entire shura body of Waza Kwha district entering the COP to sanction the transition, Davis said, “it was a wonderful display of popular support.”
As the provincial council of Pak-tika and the elders of Waza Kwha discussed security operations in a post-ceremony reception, Lt. Col. Curtis D. Taylor, commander of
Task Force 3-66, explained the sight thusly to a reporter from the Washington Post. “This [the Afghan local government demon-strating support for their security forces] is what winning looks like.”
On November 3rd in a small out-post in south Paktika, the forces of the Afghan border police demon-strated our exit strategy.
Maj. Joseph Buccino
If you are reading this article and you are enjoying being sepa-rated from your loved one or
family member because of this de-ployment, please stop reading right now and contact your unit or rear detachment chaplain; you need an emergency intervention. If, how-ever, you find yourself not having a good time and not enjoying this time of separation, do not contact the chaplain. Please trust me when I say that your reac-tion is 100 percent normal. It truly is the other group that I worry about. If you are currently experiencing your first deployment, then you have joined the thousands of Soldiers, spouses and Family members that have already concluded that deployments are not fun times. The truth is there is not much about a deployment separation that is enjoyable. It has been said that the two best days of the deployment are the first pay-day when you receive all the extra deployment money and reunion day. After that first big payday passes, you quickly decide that all the other paydays are not worth the emotional cost of separation. In deployment, things seem to go wrong at an even more alarming rate than normal. The kids seem to get sicker. The car seems to have more issues. School creates more stress. The line at the Commis-sary seems to be longer and move slower and a whole host of other issues seem to crop up that you never anticipated. Looking at four months of deployment behind you with quite a few more months to go before it is completed, you might find yourself wondering if you can maintain your sanity for the remainder of the deployment. You
might also be wondering what else could go wrong to make your life even more complicated.Many couples at this point in the deployment can find that the com-munication that they have with one another has taken a decidedly nega-tive tone. Whether it is in phone calls, emails, Skype conversations, IM or letters (do we still write let-ters?) it is not uncommon to focus on all the things that are going
wrong or on all the things that you do not like about the deployment. Both the Soldier downrange and the Family members back home can easily be overcome with a neg-ative focus and negative comments about their experiences. After OIF I, some of us chaplains were conducting an after action report at our installation for all the chaplains in the unit. When asked “what was one of the big things you had to guard against while deployed,” a good friend of mine said it best. His response was, “You have to guard against getting caught up in the common negativity.” It is so true. Most people can easily get consumed by focusing on all the things that are not positive in their lives. The stress of deployment only exacerbates that tendency. I certainly believe that it is impor-tant to be able to share your nega-tive experiences and thoughts with the one you love. That is actually a healthy part of any relationship. It is also a healthy way to deal with stress. It is good to be able to tell someone who really cares and
whom you really trust the things that have you down or the things that concern you. Please do not hear me say stop doing that. But think of what it would be like I only shared with my wife Myra the negative aspects of this deploy-ment. Imagine how she would feel like if she never heard any-thing positive from my mouth. It would not take very long before
that would begin to weigh on her and really start to depress her. Not only that, it would also cause her to worry about me more than she should. In that situation, I have done her no favor. In the same way for me, I would be quickly weighed
down and burdened if all I ever received from home was negative news and a negative perspective on life. It would soon become an extra burden on me that adds to the already demanding burdens of being deployed. I cite an ex-ample from my deployment to Iraq in 2003. Myra and I were trying to adopt a little girl while I was deployed. The process started out very well and everything was on track. The girl was born, my wife was able to be at the hospital for the delivery, and it seemed like everything was going even better than planned. Then reality joined our little fairytale adoption. Sud-denly we ran into some legal snags due to some issues with the birth mom. The next several weeks were filled with one setback after an-other. Every time I was able to call home, which was not very often, the news was all about what was going wrong with the adoption. It became a very frustrating and depressing time. All the negative news was starting to overwhelm me, and I could not do anything to change what was happening.
CH (MAJ) Kevin ForresterSTAYING POSITIVE WHEN LIFE ISN’T
It has been said that the two best days of the deployment are the first payday when you re-ceive all the extra deployment money and re-
union day.
After that first big payday passes, you quickly decide that all the other paydays are not worth
the emotional cost of separation.
Again, we need to be able to express negative news and issues with those we care about. But it is most critical that we learn to have a balance between negative news and positive news. By balance, I do not mean an even 50/50 splint between negative and positive updates. What I really mean is more along the lines of 25/75 split between the negative and positive events of life with the positive being far more prevalent than the negative. In his book The Marriage You Al-ways Wanted, Gary Chapman talks about how to share a criticism with your spouse. The rule he has come up with is that before you share one criticism, you need to share at least three positive things with him or her. Now, I am not talking about sharing a negative criticism here but the principle is just as valid. Before you talk about a big downer in your life to your spouse or significant other during this deploy-ment, you need to be able to share at least three positive things that are currently happening. I realize that at this point some may be saying, “Well, what if there are no positive things happening in my life at this moment?” My response
is that it is extremely rare that you ever have nothing positive going on in your life. The problem is that for too many of us, it is always eas-ier to see the negative rather than the positive. So we must figure out how to see the positive. In 1897 Johnson Oatman, Jr. and Edwin Excell wrote the famous Christian Hymn “Count Your Blessings.” The whole premise be-hind this now classic choral is that when we face tough and discour-aging times in life, we need to be able to sit down, separate ourselves from our troubles and take stock of the good things that are happening in life. In the hymn they say that when we do that, “it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” Oatman and Excell recognized that in life there are many things that are going well for us that we often fail to take stock of or pay atten-tion to. We usually just take these things for granted. Even during a separation due to a combat deploy-ment, positive things happen on both ends. I can truly say that God has been good to me while I am out here, and I need to give credit where credit is due. Likewise, my wife and kids can say good things
are happening in their lives even at a time in life when none of us really likes our current circum-stances. We must be able to train our heart, mind and eyes to see beyond the negative, which is an inevitable part of any deployment. We must be able to see the good things that so many are currently experiencing. I am not saying, however, that we need to pretend negative things are not taking place or that the nega-tive experiences of a deployment are not having an impact. The bad feelings are part of our current real-ity. What I want to help you avoid is overwhelming your partner with all negative issues and feelings. Doing that does not benefit either partner, and in most circumstances your partner is not in much of a po-sition to help with the issue. I wish to reiterate that I am not saying do not share the unfortunate experi-ences of your life or the bad emo-tions you are having during this deployment. It can be very healthy to do so and to know that your spouse or partner understands what you are going through. My counsel to you is not to focus exclusively on what is negative in your life to your loved one. It will just serve to further wear him or her down. When we take the time to find what is good in our lives, it serves to refocus our lives on the good things since seeing the bad is often not too difficult. When we recognize what is going well for us and what we have to be thankful for, it has a tremendously positive impact on our own countenance and it will brighten our day. When you share those “blessings,” you get to relive them and you do much to brighten up the life of the one with whom you share it. If we all work hard to share more positive than negative, we will find that the negative expe-riences become more manageable for all. Count your blessings and share them in all your conversa-tions, letters and emails.
The Black Knight Soldiers have not slowed the pace since we first hit the ground over 100 days ago. This past month our Soldiers have carried out a significant amount of missions including a two week operation that consumed virtually the entire task force. This operation, like every other was accomplished with great success and it all stemmed from the tremendous perseverance and selfless service of the Black Knight Soldiers. I couldn’t be prouder of the formation and everything the unit has achieved so far.
Every Black Knight Soldier has done an incredible job throughout the deployment, but I want to take a minute to recognize two Soldiers in particular. SGT Matthew Goins of Apache Company and SPC Joshua Gether of Hammer Company were November’s NCO and Soldier of the month. Their hard work and achievements during this deployment
rotation have been an inspiration to the entire formation. The Task Force is full of some incredible leaders and Soldiers and I’m truly honored and grateful to distinguish these two individuals.
In our time in Afghanistan, the Black Knights have done an excellent job guiding the Afghan Forces and helping them take over and win this fight. Their performance mirrors the tremendous efforts the Black Knights’ Friends and Families are putting forth in Germany. I want to thank the FRGs for all of their strength and support you’ve shown since we hit the ground back in July. I want to especially thank the HHC FRG for their excellent performance during their 3-day drive at the Grafenwoehr Commissary. All of the families have shown us
great support and continue to inspire us every day.
The Black Knight Families have been doing some great things and the entire formation feels it. I want to especially draw attention to the Facebook pages put together for our two fallen heroes, SGT Matthew Harmon and CPL Joseph Vandreumel. These have made a tremendous impact on their friends and families and I encourage everyone to get on Facebook and like these two pages.
The Black Knight Family here in Afghanistan and back in Germany have shown tremendous strength, courage and love throughout this entire deployment so far. Keep up the great support you’ve shown and I promise you our Soldiers will continue to persevere through this deployment and accomplish our mission.
The Black Knights have recently completed our first 100 days in Afghanistan, a significant landmark in our deployment. Since we hit the ground we’ve conducted multiple Afghan-partnered
operations that have produced great progress towards the overall security of Afghanistan. The most significant of these operations was the transition of one of our company outposts to the Afghan National Security Forces, on 3 November. This transition was the largest transfer of responsibility in the ten years Coalition Forces have been in Afghanistan. We completed the tran sfer with a ceremony recognizing the accomplishments of the Afghan Forces including three Afghan heroes who we honored with the Black Knight Medal of Freedom because of their instrumental role in leading the Afghans and facilitating the transition. Men like them have shown us that the Afghans are dedicated to protecting their country and are capable and motivated to take over their own fight.
In addition to the great progress and successes we’ve seen from the Afghans, our Black Knights have shown tremendous achievements. Every Soldier has been actively involved in taking the fight to the enemy, interacting with the Afghan people, and working with the Afghan Forces through partnered patrols. Our Soldiers help train our Afghan partners every day, teaching them the necessary skills, techniques, and mentality to take over their fight and protect their fellow Afghans.
I can’t help but admire the strength and hard work every Soldier in the formation has demonstrated since we hit the ground. They’ve made an incredible sacrifice and as we begin sending some of the Troops back home to their families for rest and relaxation I can truly say that they’ve earned and deserved it. I know I can count on you to make sure they get the rest they need to return ready and motivated to finish our fight.
Our Soldiers are doing great things here in Afghanistan and I know that their hard work is driven by the Black Knight friends and families back home. You’ve done a tremendous job supporting the formation with numerous care packages that the Soldiers receive every day. Every e-mail, phone call and piece of mail you send helps remind them again both what they’re missing and what they are fighting for. We can’t thank you enough for the support you’ve shown to the Black Knights. Please continue to provide the strength our Soldiers need to win this fight so that we can all come back to Germany soon!
Daniel V. RobbinsCurtis D. Taylor
LTC Curtis D. Taylor
3-66 Armor
BATTLEFIELD BRIEFSMESSAGES FROM THE BLACKHAWK BATTALIONS
CSM Daniel V. Robbins
3-66 Armor
Black Knights! Mounted and Ready!
KNIGHTS
As twilight drifted into dark-ness, the people of Sharana slipped through doorways
and sped off in cars. Night was falling and, in this solar-powered economy, there is little reason to be out past dark.
An eerie silence settled over the
economic hub of Paktika province, Afghanistan.
“Last time we were here after dark,” said Sgt. Troy Springer, a stocky infantry team leader with a friendly smile that often shifts to a mischievous grin when he pauses between statements, “It was
straight-up spooky.”
The mission for the night was two-fold and straight forward.
“The first part is simple,” said 1st Lt. Stuart Barnes, platoon leader for ‘Bandit’ platoon, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regi-ment. “We will be conducting an IO [Information Operations] attack by distributing leaflets about the recent IED activity around the bazaar.”
Afghan Uniform Police would be distributing the leaflets and talking with locals about the threat of the IEDs.
In recent weeks, an insurgent cell had been highly active, though in-effective, in the bazaar of Sharana. Placing IED in the roadways along which police and civilians frequent, it is believed their intended targets
The WatchmenA NIGHT SPENT IN THE TOWN OF SHARANA
Staff Sgt. Charles Crail
have been the law enforcement and local civilians rather than the U.S. forces in the area.
Fortunately, no injuries had yet re-sulted from their attempted attacks.
On the first of November, two indi-viduals belonging to this cell were spotted digging in a roadway just outside of the bazaar area.
As they left the area, U.S. Apache helicopters followed and later engaged the individuals, killing one and seriously injuring the other.
AUP and U.S. forces later found and destroyed the bomb they had emplaced.
As the police talked with locals, the U.S. Soldiers worked on the sec-ond part of the mission, locating a suitable observation post within the bazaar itself.
The plan was to re-enter the ba-zaar with a small team of U.S. and AUP equipped with thermal imag-ing systems to see if the third and final member of the IED cell might show himself along with any new recruits.
Locating a suitable rooftop with ad-
equate perimeter security and wide fields of view, the patrol wrapped up the mission and returned to base.
Walking down darkening roadways as shops closed up and car head-lights blazed down the road, the plan was to eat dinner and return
quietly and unseen under the cover of darkness.
Entering the nearby base, the plan quickly shifted with the report of a suspected IED found just a few blocks away.
Disappointed to miss the weekly special meal of steak and seafood, two teams from Bandit kitted up and headed back outside the wire with the promise from their platoon mates that to-go plates would be waiting for them upon their return.
The transition from day to night is sudden and complete here in Afghanistan. Bustling roads were became devoid of traffic, save for the occasional AUP patrol.
Storefronts that during the day boldly display their array of goods had transformed into metal shut-tered lock boxes.
The hum of generators and the echoing whistles of the night
watchmen replaced the sound of chattering voices and machinery.
Business owners in the area pay these men to walk the streets and alleyways at night to ward off thieves. Their flashlights can be seen darting between doorways and past locked gates like ethereal spirits of the night. Their whistles serve as a way to communicate and monitor each other’s status over the distances and darkness of night.
Where people once strolled and conducted business, packs of feral dogs now wandered, fed and barked as our patrol moved past.
The number of dogs that appeared after dark was staggering. Mixed in groups of two to four, one pack consisted of no less than 12 dogs all running together.
A lone stray quickly recognized the true power of our patrol and adopted us. She alternated between zigzagging ahead of the squad as
a scout, to bouncing along behind no one in particular wagging her tail happily like a puppy about to be fed.
We never fed her; we feared she may be rabid.
When other strays would sound the alarm of our passage, she would race to the front and place herself between the squad and the offend-ing canine.
She never barked because we never spoke. She followed the lead of her adopted pack.
After crossing the bazaar for the second time that day, the patrol came to the park located in the center of the district.
The size of at least six football fields, the park consisted of a playground, a garden, and empty fields dissected by raised walkways converging from the four sides to an empty fountain in the center.
Along these walkways was the IED.
The device was particularly ne-farious; using ball bearings and a remote control, the device was de-signed to kill pedestrians while the triggerman watched and activated it for the greatest effect.
The intended target could only be imagined in an area used for com-munal relaxation and social gather-ings.
Explosive ordinance disposal experts dispatched from Forward Operating Base Sharana were able to quickly render the device inert and then destroy it.
From the park the patrol moved to and mounted their vehicles. Wait-ing inside were cold to-go plates of steak and sweet potatoes. At ten at night ater walking for hours, even a
cold meal tastes gourmet.
Pulling into an alleyway, a smaller segment of the platoon dismounted again and made their way to the selected rooftop for the night.
The approaching winter could be felt in the air as a light breeze picked up near midnight. Bundled warriors looked like armed va-grants huddled into corners of the roof to watch and listen.
The outside world stayed silent throughout the night. Inside the building was a different story.
On a lower floor where men would rotate in to thaw from the night, a group of local entrepreneurs worked through the night sewing custom clothing for Eid shoppers in the days ahead.
We watched, we socialized with
the night crew, we monitored the random patterns of the night watch-men as they patrolled unarmed.
The IED villains never surfaced, but sure enough, the locals would hear of the police and U.S. stake-out on the roof from the all-night tailors.
There were no red-handed appre-hensions or last stand Alamo fire fights from the observation post. The mission was mostly just cold and boring, completely lacking in action or the building blocks of a good war story.
All that remained from the night were chattering teeth and a last-ing legacy in the community that their police are out there. Out there watching and waiting for the bad guys.
EMBEDJohn Dyfed Loesche
As an embedded reporter vis-iting Captain James Perkins and his Apache Company
2-28, Task Force Black Knights at Combat Outpost Sar Howza in Paktika province in September, I learned a lot about the war, about soldiering, and about my own trade. I discovered that sometimes the best ideas for good stories come not from editors but from the sub-ject of your reporting itself, in this case the Soldiers. Major Joseph Buccino, the bri-gade’s PAO and editor-in-chief of this magazine, recently wrote an insightful article about com-bat journalism. He called some of the freelance reporters who came through his office “war tourists;” amateur journalists more interested in seeking thrill than in reporting on the conditions in Afghanistan. Though I’m not a freelancer, I have to admit to being guilty of this, if
only slightly. This desire to pursue action is, however, where journal-ist and Soldier often intersect. By default, good Soldiers and good reporters want to be where the ac-tion is. I decided to turn this notion into a story of my own. Axel, the photographer, and I had already been with Apache Com-pany in Sar Howza for a few days when one morning we mounted the MRAPs and drove in a convoy a few miles to the southeast down the dusty main route called “Jeep” in the direction of the city of Orgun. We made our way to Gulreddin vil-lage and a stretch of road that once had been held by insurgents. To secure the area, the Apaches helped build two outposts for the Afghan National Army on two peaks over-looking the potholed highway. Right by the side of the road they had also set up a checkpoint
manned by the Afghan National Police. On this day, the Apaches had loaded an armored truck with building materials from the outpost to build a wooden shelter for the police.
With us on this trip was Lieutenant Chad Christian from Alabama. We decided to have a look around and agreed to follow Christian through a dried-up wadi and up the side of a hill. What looked like an easy stroll turned out to be an Olympic-level challenge for us, with the 8,100 foot elevation torturing our lungs and legs. We finally got to the top of the hill sweating under our helmets and ballistic vests and were greeted by Staff Sergeant Aires from Cali-fornia and Specialist Gloria from Michigan who had set up an obser-vation post to secure the site. It was in situations like this that I learned the most about the war and the Soldiers. Sitting on the hilltop
John Dyfed Loesche, a journalist with German news agency dapd, first visited the 172nd Infantry Brigade back in March 2011 during our Mission Rehearsal Exercise in Hohenfels, Germany. Along with photographer Axel Heimken, John also visited the brigade at our pre-deployment Rendezvous ceremony and maintained contact with the Blackhawks during the first 30 days of our deployment. John and Axel visited Apache Company, 2-28, Task Force 3-66 this past September and will again
visit the brigade this spring.
in the sun observing the moun-tainous terrain around us, Aires and Christian talked Axel and me through the relationship between NCOs and officers. We learned how a platoon leader would have a hard time controlling his element without his platoon sergeant whom he exceeds in rank but not in experience.
In turn Axel and I shared some thoughts on our own trade. For example, we explained that it is not difficult to find a good story amidst all the new and unusual impressions. For us, two Germans, just sitting on a hilltop in eastern Afghanistan with three American soldiers based in Germany was a story in itself. However, our customers, the read-ers back home in Germany, want to read of thrilling adventures, fire-fights and political turmoil. That is one reason why many journalists, Major Buccino’s “war tourists” for example, try to get to places with a lot of insurgent activity. After sitting on the top of the hill overlooking the beautiful land-scape for some time we had MRE side dishes. I happily unwrapped a honey barbeque beef sandwich fol-lowed by an apple sauce energy bar provided by Aires. A couple of hours had gone by and we got up, said our goodbyes and started walking down the hill when Aires shouted he had an idea for a story. Previously we spoke about how the enemy in this war was elusive and how some Soldiers wish they would get to engage the enemy face-to-face. The attitudes of Sol-diers varied greatly on this matter. Some seemed genuinely frustrated by the lack of kinetics while others were happy about not getting fired
upon. Aires thought it would be a good idea to do a story on this topic. A few days later, when visiting 1st platoon, Apache Company, 2-28, Task Force 3-66 in COP Mata Khan, we decided to put together a story for our news agency. The working title was “TIC or no TIC?” TIC is the acronym for “Troops in Contact.” Essentially any act in which Soldiers are fired upon is considered a TIC.
We started off predicting that most Soldiers by the nature of their profession would want to get into contact. We found out there was no standard response within the platoon. I interviewed Staff Sergeant San-tamaria who is from a rough part of Los Angeles and was on his first deployment. He said he had seen enough shootings and shooting victims in his youth. He was going to do whatever his job required him, but was not too excited about getting into a fight in Afghanistan. I then spoke with Staff Sergeant Colter from South Carolina. He had enough enemy shots fired at him on a previous deployment in the Korengal valley in Kunar Prov-ince, when his base was close to being overrun. Amazingly, he was excited to repeat such experiences. Back in Sar Howza I spoke with seasoned combat veterans Staff Sergeant Puchalsky from New York State and Sergeant First Class Albanese from New York City, who got into firefights during previous deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. They both said they would certainly not dodge a direct fire exchange, but had been shot at enough. Puchalsky made the point that
getting into a firefight is a rite of passage for young infantrymen. Al-banese added he had been keen to fight when he first enlisted. Now, 16 years later, he’s married with two kids. Life had changed for both of them and their lust for combat had subsided, replaced by familial responsibilities. I was not surprised that the younger Soldiers on their first deployment like Corporal Rose from New York and Specialist Skauge from Min-nesota said they had joined and trained to fight and that was what they wanted to do. Then came Spe-cialist Gloria who did not fit any pattern: 26, first deployment, two kids, wanted a fight. Specialist Wisely from Oregon rationalized the desire for combat action thusly: as a mechanic he would have a hard time if he had to go a year without touching an engine. His comrades were infan-try, they trained to fight and this is what they wanted to do. Axel and I were pretty happy about what we had gathered and thought this slideshow had a definite human interest element and were thankful that Staff Sergeant Aires gave us the hint. The piece thoughtfully and respectfully portrayed the Soldiers and their attitudes towards their profession.
Many journalists are critical of em-bedded reporting, arguing that the journalist cannot report objectively living with the Soldiers. But if the aim of one’s reporting is to find out what the United States military is doing in Afghanistan, close contact with the Soldiers is essential.
I hope all Blackhawks return safely to their Families and loved ones in Bavaria at the end of their deploy-ment, TIC or no TIC!
BATTLEFIELD BRIEFSMESSAGES FROM THE BLACKHAWK BATTALIONS
As the Black Scarves head into their fourth month of deployment, winter is right around the corner. This year’s winter season in Afghanistan
will bring a few changes for the Battalion. As most of the families have heard, the Battalion will relocate to a different part of Eastern Afghanistan. Although we cannot discuss specific dates, the Black Scarves hope to be fully settled in by the end of the calendar year. Everyone will also be glad to know that the Soldiers of the Black Scarves are more than prepared for the upcoming weather and most are looking forward to the change from the summer heat from a few months ago.
Moving the entire task force presents some challenges as well as some advantages. The primary advantage is the increased command and control developed when all companies once again fall under Task Force 1-2. What does this mean for the Soldiers and their Families? Most importantly, this means that Able and Venom Company will be back with the Black Scarves again.
With 1-2 taking full control of each company again, we here at the battalion headquarters will ensure that your Soldiers receive any packages you send. The new addresses for each company will be published very soon and any mail that is sent to any company’s current location will be re-routed to our new area of operations.
Brian D. WoodallEarl B. Higgins
LTC Earl B. Higgins
1-2 InfantryCSM Brian D. Woodall
1-2 InfantryWe ask that Families remain patient with this issue and understand that our support elements are doing the best they can to ensure proper delivery of mail and packages. We, the Black Scarves leadership, assure you that for operational, logistical, and tactical reasons, this move is great for all of us.
The Black Scarves held their first FRG video conference with Rear Detachment Company on November 15 to discuss any concerns from our Families and friends. This was the first opportunity to see some of the
Families since the Battalion deployed. We want to thank the Families that attended and ensure them that we are working diligently to address their concerns.
The Battalion T-Shirts have been ordered and will be delivered very soon. We thank all the Families and Soldiers who supported this effort as it improves the morale of the entire unit. We thank our extended Family for contributing so much time in supporting the Battalion T-Shirts. If you have not received your
shirts or sweaters, we ask that you bear with us as they will be sent out very soon.
We thank all the Families for their love and support. Your strength is a source of stability for every member of the Black Scarves family. Please continue to remain positive as we complete our mission in Afghanistan.
SCARVES
FIVE DAYS - FIVE BATTLESBLACK SCARVES AIR ASSAULT INTO ENEMY TERRITORY
Historically, Logar province has been a Taliban strong-hold. Almost all Afghan
and Coalition Soldiers who have entered the province in the past have come under attack. Look-ing to change this, Soldiers of Bravo Company, Task Force Black Scarves, along with Afghan Na-tional Security Forces during a five day mission Oct. 17—21.
The goal, according to U.S. Army Capt. Michael Roesler, of White Bear Lake, Minn., company com-mander, was to disrupt insurgent activity, facilitate Afghan govern-mental control, as well as expand ANSF influence.
The “Battle Cry” staff has the high-lights of this operation covered in this day-by-day narrative.
DAY ONE: Bravo company, along with its Afghan partners, landed in
the middle of the night just outside of their first objective, the village of Kut Kay. The operation involved clearing several qalat housing structures east of the village. At 1004, the forces took their first enemy contact. “It was a pop shot with an AK-47 assault rifle or a PKM,” said 1st Lt. Laurent Lundy of Everett, Mas-sachusetts, platoon leader, second platoon, Co. B, TF Black Scarves. After the enemy broke contact, the
forces went ahead and cleared the location and established a patrol base in an empty qalat.
“We found approximately 13 rocket-propelled grenades, 23 deto-nators, 3 RPG boosters, several feet of detonator cord, and a few sticks of TNT,” said Lundy. “It was the biggest one we have found so far. It felt pretty good, the guys were excited, you could see it in their eyes.”
Spec. William Begley
Later, the explosives ordinance disposal team destroyed the cache before the Soldiers made camp in the cleared qalat.
DAY TWO: Day two’s mission involved a deliberate clear of the Maani Bazaar, a local market with shops located on both sides of a dirt road.
Intelligence reports pointed to an enemy attack in the form of an improvised explosive device or an ambush, but the threat did not ma-terialize as the troops moved into the bazaar.
Instead, the locals in the bazaar reacted in a friendly manner wel-coming both ANSF and coalition forces into their marketplace.
The day did not go without con-tact. While one team was in the bazaar, insurgents fired upon the security element watching from a nearby hillside, with a rocket propelled grenade landing inches from the Soldiers.
Closest to the blast was Spc. Benjamin Brock from Ankeny,
Iowa, sniper, with the headquarters platoon, TF Black Scarves.
“We heard a loud bang from our six o’clock and when we turned around we heard like a second of the round before it impacted,” said Brock. “Everybody was stunned right at first. So we hopped over our makeshift fighting position and took cover down the other side of the hill.”
“We got everybody together and figured out everybody was all right,
then we went back up and tried to get eyes on whoever shot the RPG,” Brock said.
After the RPG attack, the Soldiers returned fire, killing several insur-gents.
Later on, Capt. Hukmyar Namu-tillah, 3rd company commander, 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 203rd Corps, Afghan National Army, conducted a shura with the locals. Namutillah told them to end the destructive influence of the Taliban and embrace opportunities provid-ed by the local government, such as education and health care.
“[Let us] seize the opportunity to end the destructive influence of the Taliban and to embrace the op-portunity that the government of Afghanistan is providing for them,” he said. “It is up to you. It is your responsibility to make this positive change for the future.”
DAY THREE: Karl von Clasewitz once elucidated combat thusly: “war is the province of danger.” This maxim became prescient on
Spec. William Begley
day three, the objective of which was the establishment an outpost north of the village of Omarkhel. In order to do this, first platoon occupied ruins on a hilltop that overlooked the bowl below. They took contact almost immediately and returned that kind of firepower that the Black Scarves can deliver.
With a .50 Caliber machine gun mounted on one six-wheel vehicle, and a MK-19 grenade launcher mounted on another, the Afgan forces and Black Scarves returned a ferocious rate of fire.
When the opportunity presented itself, the forces moved quickly to clear the origin of the contact and killed several insurgents.
DAY FOUR: With the memories of the previous day’s fight still fresh in their minds, the soldiers struck out early with the objective of clearing Azurkhel village.
The village population was recep-tive with a good mixture of men, women, and children.
“The kids came out to greet us, the elders and the rest of the villagers came out to greet us,” said Lundy. “We were able to maneuver easily about in the village, which is typi-cally not the way it goes.”
With the villagers’ cooperation, the clearing operation began and ended in a relatively short period of time.
“They (ANA) were actually sitting and breaking bread with the locals, which is a good sign,” said Lundy. “Nonetheless, the threat remains the same. We do have chatter today saying that they are going to try to shoot down a helicopter, and con-
tinue attacking coalition forces.”
The Soldiers were on a ridgeline west of the village of Azurkhel when they started receiving fire from about five enemy insurgents from the south, four to six hundred meters away. There was a small amount of intermittent fire going back and forth between the coali-tion and insurgents, which lasted about an hour.
“We did end up shooting an in-surgent in the leg that was on a motorcycle fleeing the area with a weapon,” 1st Sgt. Todd Bair from Bountiful, Utah, Co. B’s senior
enlisted advisor said. “Later on the ANA destroyed the motorcycle.”
After a short break, which many took to eat a quick lunch, the forces moved on to prepare for the mission.
The village of Muchkhel was just a few kilometers away. That afternoon the company found an outpost and secured it from a neighboring qalat. The forces spent the rest of the evening there without incident.
DAY FIVE: The mood around the qalat on day five was upbeat.
The men were ready to finish their mission and return to Forward Operating Base Altimur for a hot shower and a warm meal. Laughter could be heard coming from all around the camp as the Soldiers recanted stories and told jokes.
While the ANA and some Black Scarves Soldiers made their rounds clearing the village at Muchkhel, Cpt. Michael Roesler from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, commander, Co. B commander, purchased a sheep from the village mullah.
Later on, the sheep became the main course at what Bair described as a “sheep-a-que”.
With the village successfully cleared, some of the ANA Soldiers procured some vegetables and began to prepare the dinner. When the meal was ready, the sheep was served to all the forces and to some of the locals who were invited to join the festivities.
“I think things like this go a long way in our relations with the ANA
and the people,” said Roesler. “It shows them that we aren’t much different than they are. I think this actually makes us a little more hu-man to them.”
As the Chinooks descended to move the company back to COP Altimar, shots rang out. The black Scarves took immediate action, rolling the .50 cal. and the MK-19 into position to return fire.
As the Taliban ran for cover, darkness settled in and the forces prepared to come home.Afterwards, Bair expressed his thoughts on the mission. “The biggest thing for all of us is that we took a lot of contact during the last four days, and everybody’s okay. No injuries or scrapes and that’s due to individual Soldier disci-pline,” Bair said.
Supporters of the Black Lions, during the month of September, your Soldiers have taken the fight to the enemy and proven their capabilities as a fighting force to be reckoned with. The
characteristics forged in training exercises before deployment are on display daily here in Paktika: leadership, skills and tough discipline.
Non-Commissioned Officers form the backbone of the Army, and ours have proven themselves to be the foundation of our success so far in combat. Throughout the Task Force, NCOs have stepped up and succeeded in every mission in unforgiving terrain and difficult situations. I am proud of their accomplishments, and I’m sure you are as well!
Over the past month I’ve travelled to each of our posts, and am happy to report to you that our Soldiers are well led, well equipped, well fed and housed. Where we found austere conditions, we are constantly improving them while confronting our enemies with constant patrolling, vigilance, and aggressive strikes. Everywhere I go I am impressed with the fighting spirit, tenacity, and dedication to duty by each one of our warriors. Quite simply, this formation is the cutting edge of our nation’s military. Each time another Command Sergeant Major visits one of our companies, I am immensely proud of the way our Soldiers conduct themselves and the steadfast discipline that is readily apparent.
Over the next couple of months we will continue to punish the enemy, expand the area
we control, and improve the capabilities of our Afghan partners. If we can instill in our partners a fraction of the leadership and skills our Soldiers possess, we will be successful here in East Paktika. Thanks to all of you for keeping the homefires burning while your Soldier is away, and for the support you give each day in countless ways. I hope you enjoy hearing about what your Soldier has accomplished, and seeing what the Black Lions are doing throughout the pages of the “Battle Cry.”
Love of Country Conquers!
To all the families, friends and supporters of the Black Lions: greetings from Eastern Paktika Province, Afghanistan! Over the past month we have fully integrated with our partnered
units of the Afghan National Security Forces and continued to conduct operations throughout our area of operations. All of our eight formations and over 1000 Soldiers are performing outstanding and we are proud of the positive impact they have on the lives of the Afghans in our area. The Soldiers and leaders of our formation have displayed the discipline, standards and skills that are representative of the quality of our Army and those who serve our Nation. Based upon their performance, we are confident in their ability to accomplish our goals and mission. The actions of our Soldiers continue to provide hope and faith for the people of Afghanistan.
One of our major objectives is to professionalize and develop the Afghan Security Forces. We have seen some great signs of a growing and productive relationship with our partnered units over the last couple of months. The Afghan soldiers and police have responded well and show continued progress and improvement. There is no doubt that we will continue this success over the course of our deployment as we set the conditions for the local population to begin choosing their security forces and government over the insurgents. With autumn upon us, the weather is beginning to cool and the days are getting shorter. With signs of winter coming we are busy improving our bases so that when the snows start we will be warm and protected from the elements. It helps that we are the best equipped Army in history. The Army outfitted us with cold weather gear that is simply second to none. Elite ski and mountaineering teams would be envious if they saw the outerwear we have been issued. So you can rest assured that your Soldier will stay warm and dry despite the difficult climate that we face. We would like to thank each and every one of you for the amazing support you have given to the Soldiers of our Task Force. We are all looking forward to completing our mission and returning home with honor. Love of Country Conquers!
Joseph CornelisonJohn V. Meyer III
LTC John V. Meyer III
2-28 Infantry
BATTLEFIELD BRIEFSMESSAGES FROM THE BLACKHAWK BATTALIONS
CSM Joseph C Cornelison
2-28 Infantry
LIONS
Enemy at the Gates
Staff Sgt. Charles Crail
October 7, 2011, the ten-year anniversary of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, started like any other day at Combat
Outpost Margah in Eastern Paktika Province, Afghanistan. “The day started off as usual,” said Sgt. Bekzod Alimbekov, team leader with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment. “I came on guard at zero-six and it was pretty much a really nice morning.” Joining Alimbekov in the tower overlooking the entry control point to the outpost was Pfc. Jorge Garcia manning the M240B machine gun. “October 7th was a normal day,” said Garcia. “We were just scanning our sectors and I was actually almost about to get off shift.”The morning routine continued as Soldiers went to chow, shaved and came on or off shift, Alim-bekov said. Little did they know that they would play a key role in the largest engagement in eastern Af-ghanistan since 2009.
Enemy at the Gates
The first rockets screamed through the air and impacting from three different cardinal direc-tions shortly before 8 a.m. from launch sites ringing the outpost. “Sgt. Alimbekov instructed me to seek cover, so I did,” Garcia said. As Alimbekov watched and reported each new impact to the command post, others on the small post moved into bunkers and other protective shelters.
Counter fire to silence the enemy onslaught was ordered and the mortar men of Company C ran from the safety of the bunkers to their firing positions then back under cover between the rocket impacts.
They were on the verge of being pinned down by the incoming fire, said Sgt. Thomas Haas, one of the mortar men who manned the 120mm mortars. The effect the insurgents were looking to inflict on the defenders was taking hold. The defend-ers’ heads were down as they sought shelter from the falling rounds. A half-hour into the onslaught, the insurgents made the decisive move. “About thirty-minutes in from taking [indirect fire], Pfc. Garcia and I were talking,” said Alim-bekov. “And that is when I realized… I saw the black truck.” Scanning their section of the defensive perim-eter, Alimbekov and Garcia noticed a vehicle at a high rate of speed, quickly closing in on the perimeter wall, Garcia said.
“At first I thought it was just a truck driving through,” Alimbekov continued, “And I thought it had no significance to me. But then I realized it sped up and got on the actual road to the base.” The fight then turned on a series of split-second second deci-sions that determined who would live and who would die on COP Margah. Alimbekov radioed the sighting of the truck to the command post, reporting the direction and quickly diminishing distance from the gates.
As the truck passed the warning signs leading to the gate without slowing, Alimbekov requested permission to engage. “What happened was, there were just too many explosions around, so could not hear the orders to fire,” he said. “I had to make a decision. I looked at Garcia, and he looked at me and I said, fire.” Garcia’s response was two simple syllables, “Roger.” Both Soldiers immediately began engaging with machine gun fire. “I proceeded to hit the driver’s window,” Garcia recalled. “And Sgt. Alimbekov, as well, proceeded to shoot at the vehicle.”
“I saw Garcia’s rounds impacting, blowing out the wheels and going into the engine compartment,” Al-imbekov said describing the details he could see through the remote
turret cameras that were zoomed in on the target. While Alimbekov and Garcia fought desperately to stop the fast approaching vehicle, 1st Sgt. Richard Mitchell, Co. C’s senior ranking enlisted Soldier, snapped into action. Charging from the company com-mand post, he and three other Soldiers ran from cover without hesitation to the exposed roof where Alimbekov and Garcia were
manning their bunker. “The enemy likes to shoot RPG’s,” said Mitchell. “I like to shoot Mark-19’s.”
The MK-19 40mm grenade launchers sit in key positions around COP Margah. Mitchell’s dash for the exposed roof was intended to bring this weapon system to bear on the approaching truck. Riddled with bullets the truck rolled to a stop just in front of the final turn to the front gate, Alimbekov said. At this point he observed the driver slump down in the cab as Mitchell’s MK-19 rounds began impact-ing on and around the vehicle, joined by rifle fire from the three other Soldiers now occupying the rooftop defenses. Five to six seconds
after it stopped, the truck bomb detonated. As the blast wave ripped across the base, Soldiers indoors and out were knocked to the ground. Doors were blown open, some ripped from their hinges. Shelves in the barracks buildings collapsed and belongings were thrown from their shelves as if a major earthquake had rocked the base.
The front gate of the base, though, still stood intact as peices of the
“I just knew that I needed to stop it or it is going to end up bad.”
truck rained down from the sky.As those around him were knocked flat, 1st Sgt. Mitchell continued to grip the MK-19 trigger and fire into the target, absorbing the blast wave and receiving the only injury inflicted by the insurgent attack that day.
Indirect fire and sporadic small arms fire continued for the two hours after the detonation of the truck. Reports from detained local fight-ers indicate the insurgents planned to suppress the defenders with a rocket barrage, allowing the truck to reach the front gates of the base and create a breach in the outer wall, said Maj. Eric Butler, senior intelligence officer for the 172nd Infantry Brigade. The small arms fire that continued after the explosion were insurgent ground forces prepared to storm the base following the truck bomb in order to kill additional defenders,
Butler concluded. Due to the quick actions of the attentive defenders, and the dar-ing actions of those who raced to support them on the roof, the attack stalled out.
While insurgent rockets continued to fall for the next two hours, over a hundred rockets in total, striking around COP Margah and among the houses outside the base before tapering off under the artillery and air support directed by the 2-28 tactical operations center.
The main effort, the truck bomb, had already failed. The insurgents would not win this day. For their actions on October 7, Sgt. Alimbekov and Pfc. Garcia were awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor. 1st Sgt. Mitchell and the Soldiers who followed him onto the roof that day, sergeants Joshua Hadley, Terence Kaiser and James Soehner,
they were awarded the Army Com-mendation Medal. “When I saw the truck,” said Al-imbekov after being asked about his valor award, “I just knew that I needed to stop it or it is just goingto end up bad.” Garcia credited his leaders and the training they provided him both before deployment and in Afghani-stan. “You are taught not to flinch,” Garcia said. “To make sure you do your job and protect the members to your left and to your right.” “I obviously had a very experi-enced team leader who helped direct me throughout,” he said. “He told me when to stop, and when to engage.
“I looked to him for guidance, and his guidance and my training paid off,” Garcia said.
BATTLEFIELD BRIEFSMESSAGES FROM THE BLACKHAWK BATTALIONS
efforts of our Bravo Maintenance Company, our vehicle readiness peaked just in time for these missions. The Bandits also sent maintenance teams to the transit nodes to fix any vehicle that was damaged or broken convoy operations.
Finally, these operations would not have been successful without the great men and women in the trucks that traveled extremely difficult terrain and high threat areas in order to load and then backhaul 49
containers and over 100 vehicles. Our Alpha Company was instrumental in leading the convoys, but every one of our companies provided Soldiers to fill every available seat on the convoys. I can’t begin to describe the courage and professionalism displayed by all the convoy personnel. All the Blackhawks involved in these missions heroically displayed the values of the American Soldier.
Blackhawk Family – thanks for your thoughts and prayers as we
executed these challenging missions. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for here!
God speed.
It is an absolute honor to be a part of the Blackhawk Brigade and participate in our achievements this month. The Black Talons contributed significantly
during two major brigade operations during October and early November: the transfer of one of our forward locations to the Afghan National Security Forces and the retrograde of battle-damaged vehicles from our “air centric” (resupplied via helicopter with little to no ground support) locations. I would like to detail a few of these achievements in my column this month.
First, no major operation succeeds without good planning, and the Blackhawk staff worked with the Black Knights, Gilas, Black Lions and Black Talons to develop two great plans for these operations. The brigade synchronized the maneuver forces and enablers; aviation, ISR, route clearance, logistics vehicles and material handling equipment; to accomplish both missions. The Talon staff’s planning was on target as both missions included the right amount of vehicles and tie-down equipment to haul every item.
Secondly, we put every available logistics truck into the transfer operation and every available lowboy trailer into the damaged vehicle retrograde operation to maximize our lift capabilities. Through the outstanding
Brad Eungard
LTC Brad Eungard
172 Support
TALONS
The Black StormBlackhawks storm into, out of Waza Khwa
The brisk air blew across the pitch-black desert, whis-pering over dark hulking
mounds in the distance.
Faint twinkling lights near the horizon line estimated the distance of the long serpent of a convoy drawing near.
Soldiers of the 172nd Infantry Brigade had been driving for days through impossible terrain to reach Combat Outpost Waza Khwa.
Recently the 172nd Inf. Bde. began the herculean challenge of packing, air-lifting and line-hauling all the US Army’s equipment and sup-
plies out of Waza Khwa to prepare the outpost to be handed over to Afghan control. The effort was named “Operation Blackstorm” and it was the first of its size and type to be conducted in Afghanistan.
“From what I understand, this is one of the largest locations that has been turned over to the Af-ghans,” said US Army Lt. Col. Brad Eungard, commander of the 172nd Support Battalion, 172nd Inf. Bde., Task Force Blackhawk. “(Waza Khwa) used to be a battal-ion forward operating base, but we had a company sized element there for TF Blackhawk - lots of build-ings, lots of containers that have
been left over from a battalion size formation so the task of closing that down was much more than just a company COP.”
The operation began simultane-ously in Forward Operating Base Sharana and COP Waza Khwa.
Equipment and supplies were des-ignated for shipping out of Waza Khwa while the gigantic convoy was being assembled and readied at Sharana.
“Once we got the word that it’s official and we were going to be transferring this place to the ANSF (Afghan National Secu-
Staff Sgt. Luke Graziani
rity Forces), we started prepping equipment, packing what we could and identifying what needed to go and where it needed to go,” said 1st Lt. Andrew Peavy, a native of Tallahassee, Fla. assigned as executive officer for Battery C, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery, TF Blackhawk. “We started originally by moving a lot of elements by air - equipment that could go back to Sharana or could go to other loca-tions.”
Virtually all Soldiers from the bri-gade were called upon to support the operation; some drove armored trucks in the convoy, some assisted ground support efforts at the heli-copter landing zone or fuel point, some secured critical passes along the route.
Over the course of the 20 day operation, seemingly minor details became burdensome tasks.
“We fell into about 5,000 empty 55 gallon barrels,” said Peavy. “We can’t just give them away, we can’t just throw them away, because they have the potential to (be) IEDs. We brought in local workers to work for us. They cut the tops and bot-toms off and we come in and flatten them down. We’re able to sell them as scrap metal instead of being a hazard which is what they were. We’re not going to profit from it, (the profit) will go to the local district and the people who need it the most.”
The convoy from FOB Sharana to COP Waza Khwa was long and arduous. Initially planned on tak-
ing many days, with a FOB along the route as a rest stop, the convoy managed to make it in much less time and with less incidents than expected.
“Everybody had talked about how bad the route was,” said Cpt. Grant Thimsen, a native of Sioux Falls, S.D. and commander of Co. A, 172nd SB, 172nd Inf. Bde., TF Blackhawk. “Expectations were that is was going to be a pretty rough ride. Everything went smoothly.
Thimsen went on to explain that he and his team were one “piece of the cog” of a much larger machine.
“It was a brigade effort,” Thimsen clarified. “Without support of the brigade commander, the engineers,
Convoys of Afghan and Coalition Forces stretched for miles across the southern Paktika landscape. Moving a battalion sized element of equipment out of COP Waza Kwha required a brigade sized effort, from transportation and construction experts to move the equipment to combat patrols to secure the route. The month long opera-tion was an overwhelming success that transitioned Afghan National Security Forces in complete control of southern Paktika’s security.
the BRT (brigade reconnaissance team) and without the support of TF 3-66, it really would have been a difficult mission to accomplish.”
Blackstorm was recognized by the highest levels of U.S. command and the Afghan government as a staggering success, leaving Afghan forces capable of securing and maintain South Paktika with only minimal assistance from coalition forces.
“I believe the brigade commander has great confidence in the bor-der patrol forces that are in Waza Khwa,” said Eungard. “I believe that this is in line with where general Allen wants us to go, with transitioning battle space and en-abling them and letting them prove to their people that they are compe-tent in providing security. The great victory for us, I think, (is to have) these competent afghan forces securing people - the people have faith in them, faith in their govern-ment, and will continue to support their government and not allow any Taliban influence in the area.” ONE BARREL AT A TIME
“We fell into about 5,000 empty 55 gallon barrels,” said 1st Lt. Andrew Peavy. “We can’t just give them away, we can’t just throw them away.”
MIND IF I JOIN YOU?Local raction to U.S. troop presence can be an indicator of a village’s overall inclination towards the government and insurgency. Curious elders approaching Soldiers without fear is generally a good sign.
Serving inspirationFeeding the frontlines
Food is pretty high on the short list of things every sol-dier needs to sustain combat
operations. The Army provides sol-diers with everything to fight and win wars, to include the sometimes good, sometimes not-so-good Meal Ready to Eat, aka the MRE.
An MRE has all the essentials a soldier needs to sustain him for one whole meal – an entrée, a side dish, a snack and even two pieces of minty fresh gum.
What an MRE doesn’t have, how-ever, is the love and care provided by a dedicated Army cook. While an MRE can sustain the Soldier, hot chow maintains motivation.
SFC James Nichols, a native of St. Louis, Mo. assigned to Battery C, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery, Task Force Blackhawk, assisted by two junior enlisted soldiers, worked at a gruelling pace for three months to ensure that the Task Force Blackhawk Soldiers had hot chow at every meal, every day.
“Balancing the workload, at the beginning, was a challenge,” said Nichols. “Eventually continuity came into play and it all worked out.”
Nichols and his crew prepared, cooked and served the meals on their own. There was no morn-ing shift and no night crew. There
were no days off and virtually no free time. Three Soldiers prepared hot meals all days long, into the night, with no backup, driven by an almost superhuman drive, a refusal to let their supported Soldiers go without hot chow.
“I joined the army intentionally to become a cook,” said Pfc. Tyus Hymes, a native of Hemet, Calif. and assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Bat-talion, 66th Armor Regiment, TF Blackhawk. “I love it when they come in and compliment me on the food that I make. Every time I get a compliment it puts a smile on my face and makes me want to try harder.”
Soldiers assigned to TF Blackhawk, prepare items for the following day’s menu at Combat Outpost Waza Khwa. Preparation and time management are essential when operating at high demand and minimal staff. These three soldiers run the entire dining facility through four meals a day, seven days a week.
Staff Sgt. Luke Graziani
Pfc. Tyus Hymes moves steaming hot chicken from a cooking pot to a serving pan at Combat Outpost Waza Khwa. The pot had recently been pulled from an impro-vised barbeque pit. Hymes uses food thermometers to ensure all items are cooked to the proper temperature before being served for that day’s menu.
It was hard work, yet they found comfort in knowing they were providing a necessary service for fellow Soldiers.
“Providing hot meals as much as we can for as long as we can increases morale and sustains morale,” Nichols explained. “Ev-eryone deployed deserves and likes a home cooked meal.”
A warning was given by brigade leaders before coming to Waza Khwa to bring an MRE or two along because the dining facility could only sustain one hot meal
each day. However, the tireless soldiers at the dining facility took it upon themselves to provide three hot meals and a midnight chow every day.
“It’s not about me,” said Spc. Christopher Isaac, a native of Staten Island assigned to Btry. C, 1st Bn., 77th FA, TF Blackhawk. “It’s about the soldiers. It’s about giving the same attention that I was given and 100% more to them.”
Nichols and his crew may have had the best dining facility in theatre, until the Waza Khwa dining facility
closed its doors for good on Octo-ber 3rd, 2011, as the outpost was transitioned to Afghan control.
“Our goal was to do the best we can do each and every day, day in and day out (and) leave a reputa-tion and a mark,” Nichols reflected. “This is our passion - this is what we love to do. Our satisfaction is when we see a (Soldier) come into our facility to consume a good quality meal and walk away with a smile on their face.”
“Our satisfaction is when we see a Soldier come into our facility to consume a good quality meal and walk away with a smile on their face.”
KIDS ON A ROLLThe children of Paktika appear to American eyes to be much more involved in the daily activities of their parents, reminiscent of American children of the 1800’s. From household chores of the young girls, to boys in the fields and the marketplace, children are visible in abundance. They learn the trades of their agrarian society through hands on experience passed on through the generations.
“Our satisfaction is when we see a Soldier come into our facility to consume a good quality meal and walk away with a smile on their face.”
Greetings from FOB Rushmore to all the Families and friends back home in Germany and stateside. We are within days of the 4-month mark of being deployed to
Afghanistan. It seems time is passing faster than usual and soon our Soldiers can join their loved ones back at home. As we transition from fall to winter here in Afghanistan, we can already feel pleasant temperatures embracing us, putting the exhausting heat in the past.
During the month of October, we sent our first group of Soldiers for some well-deserved mid-tour leave, with many more scheduled in the upcoming months. This is the time to kick back and spend
some quality and relaxing time with the Family. I’ve got a ways to go before I go on R&R, but I am looking forward to seeing my loved ones in a few months as well.
As we transition from fall to winter here in Afghanistan, we can already feel pleasant temperatures embracing us, just beautiful weather all around putting the exhausting heat in the past. Thank you everyone for your continued support to our Soldiers and Sappers, and on behalf of Task Force Gila we would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Take care of each other and stay safe.
--First to Cross! Blackhawks!
To the Friends, Families, and Fans of Task Force Gila, I trust everyone is staying warm and enjoying the Fall weather along with preparing for Thanksgiving! We truly have
much to be thankful for within the Task Force this year, as 2011 was the fourth time in eight years that Task Force Gila came to together not just as a team but a family.
As our deployment heads into its fourth month, know your Soldiers continue to provide premiere support to enable security and stability operations in Afghanistan, while our Rear Detachments and Family Readiness Groups in Schweinfurt, Grafenwohr and Stuttgart continue to unite and take care of our families. The sense of unity and family spirit we’ve built within Task Force Gila is inspirational and will undoubtedly carry us thru the Holiday Season and rest of the deployment. Thanks for your continuous support and silent sacrifice.
Our specialty platoons’ high-degree of discipline and professionalism sparkled alongside our ANSF partners as they continued police training programs, established and maintained reliable communications networks, and leveraged our vigilant intelligence collection teams’ expertise to continuously build Afghan capability and target the Taliban. These efforts led to tangible results from the inauguration of the first Afghan Police NCO Academy in Paktika, to improving the quality of life for our Soldiers with the NFL on Sundays, and the fusing various intelligence reports to drive operations and provide better security for the Afghan people.
Be sure to take advantage of the long weekends throughout the month of November to rest, reflect and give thanks to not just our veterans but one another for the selfless service and sacrifice each of you make on a daily basis. Thanks again for your tireless support and outpouring of care packages and goodies – they have brightened up many days for our Soldiers and are always appreciated.
-- First to Cross! Blackhawks!
Jason W. StewartJayson C. Gilberti
LTC Jayson C. Gilberti
9th Engineers
BATTLEFIELD BRIEFSMESSAGES FROM THE BLACKHAWK BATTALIONS
CSM Jason W. Stewart
9th Engineers
The Tactical Unmanned Aeri-al Systems (TUAS) platoon, 504 Military Intelligence
Company, 9th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Gila, began operations at a new flight line here at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Oct. 8, and the planes are flying along with the platoon’s excitement.
According to1st Lt. Laura Topping, from Fairfax Station, Virginia, and the TUAS platoon leader, the new flight line location is greatly enhances their operational capabili-ties.
“Our last location was kind of stuck in a whirlwind bowl,” said Topping. “This location is a bit better because a lot of the weather that comes in will just circle around us.” There are a lot of aviation regula-tions that the TUAS platoon has to abide by, just like any other airfield. The previous airfield had a few problems that were just too much to ignore. “Our runway was literally right outside the doorway of our clam-shell tent, which was not in line with the regulations. You’re not supposed to have any structures near the immediate area of the flight line,” said Topping. Complicating the situation was the close proximity of manned aircraft runways and flight paths, not to
mention the contours of the earth itself.
“The other runway had a big cliff near the end of it,” said Topping. “The unit before us had a bit of an accident where the vehicle went over the cliff.”
At a cost of more than million dol-lars per aircraft, preventable losses due to location or crowded skies made the new location all the more logical.
The new flight line is lifting the spirits of the platoon because they are getting more flight time. At
Ready to launch shadowNew runway keeps UAV’s and spirits flying
Spec. William Begely
home station Grafenwoehr, Ger-many, with the 172nd Infantry Brigade, the weather and restrictive aviation regulations kept them from getting as much flight time as they would like.
Sgt. Stephen McCarty of Gaines-ville, Florida, maintenance non-commissioned officer for the TUAS platoon, said he enjoys hearing comments from his fellow Soldiers. “I had a guy tell me that he saw the UAV’s up there. So they knew right
where the bad guys were, it really helped them out,” said McCarty.
Pvt. 1st Class Joshua Blanco of Miami, Florida, UAV operator, said he is getting to live out his dream of becoming an aviator.
“I always loved aviation,” said Blanco. “I wanted to fly any air-craft. And as an enlisted Soldier, it’s kind of hard to find a job where you can actually pilot aircraft. So to me it’s just like flying the real thing.”
Blanco has amassed over 250 hours of flight time under his belt, and says he never gets tired of telling people what he does for his job.
He also likes the fact that he really feels like he’s an important part of the effort here.
“You know that you’re making a difference in the mission,” said Blanco. “That’s a great feeling.”
Spec. William Begely
When the IED detonated, it vaporised the 3,200 pound mine roller
attached to the front of the 2nd Brigade, 203rd Corps Afghanistan National Army HMMWV. The soldiers inside were safe, protected by the modular design of the roller itself and the armor of the vehicle.
The HMMWV though, had signifi-cant front-end damage and was no longer mission capable.
Enter the mechanics on Forward Operating Base Sharana, not American mechanics, but Afghan.
“They are working really hard, really motivated,” said Sgt. Israel Rosario from Puerto Rico, shop foreman for headquarters company, 9th Engineer Battalion, Task Force Blackhawk. “We’ve been putting in very late nights together. Some-times working until midnight or one in the morning.”
The Americans though are not in
charge of the Afghan shop crew, they are simply facilitating their transition into the hard stand facili-ties on the FOB, Rosario said.
When the 172nd Infantry Brigade arrived earlier this summer, the ANA manned their own facilities separate from the Americans.
“We were visiting them on their compound once a week for the first month,” said Sgt. Benjamin Sharp from Missoula, Mont., who works daily helping to teach the ANA mechanics the computerized-paper-work side of the job.
The ANA compound lacked much of the capabilities the Americans had come to consider standard equipment, Sharp said.
In reality, they were working in the open with no maintenance bay, simple tools, Sharp continued, it only made their job tougher.
The solution was simple; invite the ANA to share facilities and work side by side with their American counterparts.
“I really enjoy working with Sgt. Rosario and the rest of the guys in the shop,” said Afghan Army Sgt. Arabarab Khatebullah, shop fore-man for the 2/203rd maintenance section. “They are teaching us a lot. Good techniques for working on the HMMWV.”Khatebullah has been working on
Going beyond kineticGila partnered mechanics keep ‘em rolling
Staff Sgt. Charles Crail
HMMWV’s for only eight months, compared to Rosario’s seven years of experience.
“They like to work on the ve-hicles,” said Sharp. “They don’t know everything yet, but they have been making steady progress in the last two months we have been working side-by-side.”
Rosario and Sharp agreed, the big-gest barrier to their progress was not lack of experience but rather the language barrier.
“Without the language barrier,” Sharp said, “they would be com-parable to our guys working on a new vehicle, easily.”
“Some of our guys don’t even grasp the more advanced concepts behind how things work as quickly as they do,” Sharp said. “They have a good base understanding of the mechanics, and pick up more complicated concepts, like transfer cases and cooling systems, very quickly.”
The main thing the American me-chanics are teaching Khatebullah and his crew are not mechanical or maintenance concepts, but instead they are helping mentor the transi-tion from a paper based tracking system to a computerized one.
“They are not quite there yet,” said Rosario, “but they are progressing well.”
“We’ve helped get the technical manuals translated into Pashtu and other forms as well,” Rosario continued. “And it is really helping the transition.”
Khatebullah meanwhile rarely
looked up from his work as he bus-ily prepped the HMMWV for a re-placement radiator. They had been hard at work for the last five days on this particular vehicle he said, and they have six more vehicles waiting to be worked on.
The mine roller was a loss, but through hard work and dedication by the Afghan mechanics, Rosario said, the HMMWV itself should be ready to roll back out in just a few more days.
We received a visit from Major General Daniel Allyn, the Combined Joint Task Force - 1 (CJTF-1) Commander. MG Allyn repeatedly expressed his appreciation of the support that we provide throughout Paktika. He understands that we have a major impact on Force Protection and encourages the battalion to continue to move forward with our mission.
The Falcon Soldiers of FOB Boris recently received media coverage from David Kuhn, reporter for The Huffington Post and The New York Times reporter. Mr. Kuhn was able to capture our ANA partnership mission as well as the daily obstacles and common hardships our Soldiers gracefully overcome. During my
conversation with him, he wanted to show the American public the personal side of Soldiers deployed away from their friends and Family. We expect to see his article released within the next 30 days and hope to accurately display the positive influence our Battalion has made in Afghanistan thus far.
With these many changes taking place, we are so thankful to see that your support remains unwavering. With the holiday season fast approaching, we understand that the months cannot go by fast enough.
Until we are able to meet again please do not wane in your encouragement.
The war in Afghanistan requires adaptable and flexible leaders. In order to progress the knowledge base and operational experience of our artillery officers, we continue
to challenge our junior leaders with new responsibilities as the fighting season draws down. It is essential for our battalion to develop well-rounded artillerymen that have experience as Fire Direction Officers, Fire Support Officers, and Platoon Leaders.
This encourages our junior leaders to understand the battleground from different perspectives and how these roles come full circle in support of a greater mission.
Not only did the battalion improve its leadership capabilities, we also recertified the fire direction centers and gun crews in order to ensurethat our soldiers are ready to meet the challenges ahead. SFC Cruz and SFC Ernst are conducting Battlefield Circulation so that they can offertheir expertise, ensuring our Platoons maintain our high standards in providing fires and improving each section. I am confident in the capabilities of our Soldiers; however, we must not get complacent with our roles in this fight.
As we transition areas over to the Afghan Security Forces, Afghan leaders and soldiers are moving closer to taking over the fight against the insurgency in their country. C Battery did a great job in accomplishing their mission as a Battlespace Owner and, upon completion of the successful transition of south Paktika to Afghan control, relocated to provide fires within other area of the Brigade. These soldiers will, without a doubt, acclimate themselves to the area and continue the mission.
Christopher Cardoni
LTC Christopher Cardoni
1-77 Field Artillery
FALCONS
BATTLEFIELD BRIEFSMESSAGES FROM THE BLACKHAWK BATTALIONS
CSM Jerome S. Sligh
1-77 Field Artillery
FALCONSFIRST
Afghan National Security Forces are just beginning to take a serious leadership
role in the war on the Taliban and Haqqani networks.
Though the Afghans have always fought, they lack the sophistication of a modern fighting force. Step-by-step they are becoming a sharp and disciplined machine.
What the ANSF lack is viable, accurate and timely fire support systems.
This is not critisisim, this is just reality.
That’s where I come in. My unit, HHB 1-77 FA, is partnered with D30 Battery, 4th Kandak /2 Bri-gade / 203rd CORPS Afghan Army.
The Battery is a D-30, Russian made 122mm howitzer, equipped unit that operates in Paktika, Afghanistan. The aging Russian howitzer systems are prone to mal-function and the unit is beset with the logistical problems typical of a emerging military force.
Instead of using computers to cal-culate firing data, the Afghan fire direction center uses maps, charts and a long sheet of paper with the firing solution written in pencil.
Couple this with the consideration that in most areas of Afghanistan less than 10% of the population is literate, and you realize that the level of education required to serve in the Afghan artillery is well above average for the country.
This is basic, bare-bones artillery.
Fire missions that would take U.S. troops under 2 minutes regularly take over 8 minutes, negating the usefulness of indirect fires in all but some situations.
When you add the lack of educa-tion with the hurdles inherent in agin equipment, the progress we are making is all the more pro-found.
Not long ago in Paktika, our Afghans were able to demonstrate their skill providing night-time illumination fires on known enemy engagement areas.
If you have never seen a D-30 shoot its full charge, you really don’t know what you are missing.
The propellant efficiency is not as refined as U.S. propellants; pic-
A glimpse into the future: Afghan Artillery
ture comparing a cap gun to a fire cracker in regards to sound, smoke and fire.
The report from the gun is mas-sive with a giant fireball and smoke cloud. Smoke and debris lingers in the air for minutes after firing much like a muzzle loading civil war cannon. There is never any doubt in an observer’s mind where the fire is coming from.
With all of this, the Afghans are using a system made in 1963 by the Soviets.
The doctrine of the time didn’t place much emphasis on accuracy. The focus was instead on placing a large volume of fire into huge areas with no real concern for civilian casualties or the forward line of troops; precisely opposite of the
counterinsurgency doctrine guiding our efforts in Afghanistan.
No meteorological data is incorpo-rated into the firing solution, nor is shooting strength or round –to-round changes in muzzle velocity. These are inherent inaccuracies in their shooting system but it is their system and it is far more sustain-able than ours.
After we leave the Afghans will be shooting these D-30s against the Taliban. They will purchase sup-plies from former Soviet republics and will be repairing these guns without U.S. assistance.
Our Fire Direction Advisor has said many times “if these guys had U.S. M119s and computers, I would have them shooting as accurately and as quickly as us in a month,
and they could really start killing Taliban.”
The truth is that for all of their shortcomings the Afghans are solid and motivated. They have good crew drills. The cannon crewmen are every bit as effective as their U.S. counterparts.
The fire direction crewmen are smart, mathematically inclined, and eager to learn.
Their forward observers need little direction, only equipment.
In a nutshell, the Afghans have master the fundemental basics.
The chief observer demands that he train his men and explains in english, “We really don’t need a class; just give us a target and we
Capt. Nate MooreA glimpse into the future: Afghan Artillery
will kill it.”
I can’t help but admire their war-rior spirit.
When not serving on the gun line, they do what our artillerymen do; they are infantry.
One day after a long mission the D30 Battery came through the gate of the forward operating base. Their Ford Ranger had several bul-let holes.
Our Soldiers asked what happened.
Without fanfare, bragging or self pity they explained that they had been in a fire fight.
“Everyone is ok but we need more ammunition”, they said.
“Why?” we asked.
They had used every round of
ammunition they carried to in-cludetheir crew served weapons.
That seems to be the Afghan way: intense, serious, quiet and driven…but highly inefficient.
Our mission as their partners is to make them more efficient against the Taliban and Haqqani Networks or any other future threat that might emerge agains tthe poeople of Af-ghanistan.
I named this entry A glimpse into the Future because that is what I earnestly hope it is.
It is not unreasonable to assert that with proper guidance, logistical growth and integration into the Afghan maneuver elements these men are in many ways carrying the future of Afghanistan on their backs.
This is the future I see.
THE AFGHAN SYSTEM“I can’t help but admire their warrior spirit.”
ECP: Tip of the spear for Sharana’s security
The dry, dusty air intermin-gles with the almost con-stant smell of diesel exhaust
from the many generators and vehicles in the area.
Trucks roll through along with foot traffic from the many local nation-als who have come to work on Forward Operating Base Sharana. Danger potentially lurks with each visitor or vehicle. It’s just another day at work for the guards at the entry control point. The guards along with Afghans em-ployed by the Kabul Bahl Security Services, headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan, are responsible for security, as well as making sure no vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, drugs, or weapons carried by a person make it past security.
“Most of the local nationals just want to come here and work, then go home at the end of the day,” said Sgt. Christopher Carrigan, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, non-com-missioned officer in charge at the personnel control point, just one part of the elaborate base access puzzle.
Another part of the puzzle is Sgt. Marcus Christian from Auburn, Alabama, NCOIC at the entry con-trol point, FOB Sharana.
“We get on an average 1500 to 2000 people come through the gate on a daily basis here,” said Chris-tian. “It will probably slow down during the winter months, but dur-ing the summer months until now that’s what the average has been.”
That’s not all the Soldiers and KBBS do at the ECP.
“The other thing that we do other than security is help out the lo-cal nationals coordinate with the forward surgical team to get injured people onto the FOB for medical treatment. We’ve had people suf-fering from gunshot wounds, IED blasts, and car accident victims all come through,” said Christian.
In addition, Christian said that it’s tough because they have to search the victims and their vehicles just like any other vehicle. The rules don’t change just because some-one’s hurt, said Christian.
With the knowledge that IED’s are responsible for killing the highest percentage of Soldiers in Afghani-stan during Operation Enduring Freedom, you might think that the potential for an enemy attack would weigh heavily on the minds of the ECP guards. Christian how-ever, doesn’t worry about it.“We are all well trained,” he said. “This is my fourth deployment, it’s not something I dwell on.”
“I feel good about where I work,” said Carrigan, “it gives me the opportunity to work with the local nationals, and by monitoring the ra-dios and doing my job, I can make sure my guys are staying safe.”
SPec. William Begley
Despite the recent loss of two heroes, PRT Paktika’s morale and commitment to the mission remains high.
While profoundly affected by this event, PRT Paktika pulled together, working to honor and remember our brothers in arms, all the while continuing to carry out our mission.
The motivation and can-do attitude they continue to demonstrate is a true testament to their warrior spirit. The amazing support we received from the New Jersey National Guard Family Readiness Group, TF Black Knights, and TF Blackhawk helped to bolster spirits and encourage us to maintain our battle rhythm during a difficult time.
We will continue to execute the mission of supporting the government of Afghanistan in its governance and development initiatives, a task which is critical for transitioning this country to full Afghan control and bringing our Soldiers home.
In the meantime, all the support from back home, including letters and packages, keeps our spirits high.
The challenges to success are many; Paktika province is one of the most austere and remote places in the country. As we work to overcome them, we keep our spirits high by building unit cohesion through barbeques, movie nights at our very own “drive-in” under an outdoor tent, sporting events, and celebrations of unit history like the recent 236th Navy Birthday.
Keeping our hearts and minds clear and positive is critical to achieving the ultimate goal: winning the hearts and minds of our Afghan partners.
Thanks for all your support!
Edwin Rivera
Commander Tim Young
Provincial Reconstruction Team Paktika
BATTLEFIELD BRIEFSMESSAGES FROM THE BLACKHAWK BATTALIONS
The provincial reconstruction team has been hard at work over the last month. Between two forward operating bases, we’ve conducted more than 40 missions directed at linking the
government and the people for a better, more stable future.
Our civil affairs team has continued an agricultural training program that has helped Paktikans across the province. We’ve helped organize training near FOB Boris, Zerok and Sharana. In conjunction with TF Gridley, A two week training program at the Center for Education Excellence was put together that educated 45 people on agricultural issues.
The impact of farming on the provinces 400,000 residents can’t be understated. The surveys and studies we see show at least 70 percent of the people here are employed in a field related to farming. The work of the PRT and the 172nd help not just improve district economies, but provide a steady source of food that can sustain local villages year round.
A major effort of our team is to help link the local government and their residents. We’ve done that by assisting Dr. Ehsanullah, the provincial education director, in reaching out to schools in neighboring districts. At the same time, we also have an economic summit in the works that will talk about business opportunities for local Afghans. That is all in conjunction with the province’s director of economy.
The PRT’s engineers have just completed work on a new courthouse in the capital of Sharan. Construction on the 1450 square foot building began in June 2010 and finishes in November. The facility will be run and operated by the local government and help increase their ability to provide the rule of law and justice to their people.
In conjunction with the 3-66 and the Forward Surgical Team, the PRT’s medical staff provided two medics from a local Afghan National Army battalion two weeks of intense training. These skills are vital to ensuring our Afghan counterparts have the skills needed to care for each other in the future.
As you can see from the various units I’ve mentioned above that we partner with, we can’t do our mission alone. The help we get from other units in the province and beyond are appreciated every step of the way, and the PRT thanks you for your support. Likewise, we cannot do any of this without the phenomenal support from the friends and families back home. Thank you!
Sergenat Major Edwin Rivera
Provincial Reconstruction Team Paktika
Tim Young
Edwin Rivera PAKTIKA
JESSICA PATERSONBUILDING PAKTIKA THROUGH DIPLOMACY
Jessica Patterson is currently the Civilian Team Leader for Provincial Reconstruction
Team Paktika. Her work with the U.S. State Department has brought her to several different countries including Israel, Chile and Algeria. Her work has focused on topics such as immigration, human traf-ficking, illegal drugs, money laun-dering and terrorist finance among others. Patterson graduated from Rice University in Houston, Texas with a B.A. in Behavioral Sciences and French. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. She speaks Eng-
lish, Spanish and Pashtu. Patterson also learned French, Hebrew and Italian. She sat down with Public Affairs to talk about her career and her job so far with the PRT.
Q: What is your job as the civil-ian team leader for PRT Pak-tika?
A: I am a State Department For-eign Service Officer. I work in governance, reintegration and rule of law. The idea is that I partner with the PRT as we focus on governance and development, trying to strengthen the district and provincial Afghan government by
helping identify where there are faults in their system so that they can work towards being able to provide services to their people. Another aspect of my job is to in-teract with the 172nd, helping them accomplish their mission in light of cultural and political context.Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job here?
A: There are several! I think one is that I have found people, older people, that have seen so much, particularly so much war, and at great risk to themselves they continue to find ways to serve their country and move forward. You
Staff Sgt. Makenzie Lang
sometimes see corruption and the threat to peoples’ lives is real but it is incredibly admirable when you see their commitment to their coun-try. Another reward is having the opportunity to work with the U.S. military on a tactical and strategic level. Honestly, it has been impres-sive to see some of these company commanders who have such varied jobs, having to deal with kinetics and planning operations but also trying to help facilitate long term stability. They have done a great job with trying to find ways to work together to help advance our mission.
Q: What has been the most challenging part of your work here?
A: One thing that has been challenging is walking into a culture and a context that is very complicated. Here in Paktika you’ve got a Pashtun culture, 30 years of war, people that have come from Pakistan, and multiple insurgent net-works. It makes it diffi-cult to understand people’s motives - the people who really want to better their country and the people who are interested in serving them-selves or helping the insurgency. Discerning who I need to spend time with and who is a real partner in this effort is tough.
Q: Any notable successes so far?
A: Definitely. When I first got here the government and people were immediately turning to the PRT and U.S. to have their needs met. We have consistently tried to show them how their own processes
work and urge government officials to be proactive in that. Now we‘re seeing those efforts begin to pay dividends. Recently the provin-cial leaders went to Kabul to ask the central government for some things. They asked them for 12 specific things and only asked U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mr. Crocker, for one thing. In the past you would have seen those num-bers reversed. Also, we have seen some interest from lower level fighters and a few commanders who are exploring the possibility of reintegrating. The opportunity to get people off the
battlefield is how this war is go-ing to end. The past two months have been particularly encouraging in that some of the tribal leaders, mullahs, government officials, and members of the Paktika Peace Committee who are forward-leaning and energized about our mission have come together to reach out and speak to Afghans about seeking to build their country instead of fighting. Q: How does this assignment compare or differ from previous assignments?A: Typically, when working over-
seas, I work in an embassy and my engagements are with national level people dealing with central government and different political parties, including opposition par-ties. Here, I am focused much more at the provincial level. Also, I have not previously worked with the military in this capacity. I also have not worked in a war setting before. My mission is usually to increase cooperation between countries for many reasons and to prevent war, yet in this context I am working to try and bring war to an end.
Q: How do you think you can implement what you have
learned and experienced here in your future en-deavors?
A: I think my experience working here with the U.S. military is going to be valuable for the rest of my career. Obviously, we are all aware of the stresses and pressures you feel on your own but when you are part-nering with others you need to understand the context in which they are working.
Understanding the different pres-sures the military faces and how military bureaucracy works is in-valuable. In diplomacy you always need to ask a lot of questions and not assume you’ve understood the situation before you’ve had more insight, otherwise you make bad decisions based on faulty under-standing. My time in Afghanistan is heightening that understanding even more - to be slower to make snap judgments, slower to assume that my initial read is accurate, and to be wisely cautious.
Soldier, rest! Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o’er,Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking:Dream of battled fields no more.Days of danger, nights of waking.
In our isle’s enchanted hall,Hands unseen thy couch are strewing,Fairy strains of music fall, Every sense in slumber drewing,
Soldier, rest! thy warfare o’er,Dream of fighting fields no more:Sleep the sleep that knows know breaking,Morn of toil, nor night of waking.
- Sir Walter Scott
Soldier, rest!
11th Hour
The Armistice Agreement signed by Germany and the Allies in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on the morning of No-vember 11th, 1918, made ef-fective at 11 a.m. that same day ended the hostilities that defined the first-quarter century of American history. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the Great War was won, a victory born of the ultimate sacrifice of 53,402 American service members.
92 years later, the brigade honored Veterans Day with the opening of a new fitness center memorializing the service and
sacrifice of Sergeant Matthew Harmon, who, along with Cor-poral Joseph VanDreumel, gave his life to the nation’s cause on August 14th, 2011.
Earlier in the day, LTC Curtis D. Taylor, commander of Task Force 3-66, explained to his subordinate leaders the basis for American military service: the notion that some things in life are worth dying for. It is through the context of this un-usual awareness of purpose, this understanding of life unknown to most of the American popula-tion, that we should remember Matthew Harmon and Joseph VanDreumel.
On September 10th, 2011, Staff Sergeant Daniel Quintana left his wife, children, and earthen vessel in a small village in east-ern Afghanistan, killed while emplacing crew-served weapons during an enemy engagement. On October 19th, Chief Petty Officer Raymond Border and Staff Sergeant Jorge Oliveira gave their lives while preparing a local road for improvement.
In the eleventh hour of their lives, Harmon, VanDreumel,
Quintana, Border, and Oliveira did not wither in the face of death. The icy fingers of fear did not constrain their actions; they were true to the values they proclaim.
In opening the Sgt. Matthew Harmon Memorial Fitness Cen-ter, LTC Taylor referenced the book of John, chapter 15, verse 13, a passage befitting a biblical measure of personal sacrifice, the New International Version of which reads, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
The Blackhawks are not free of the death of our comrades. Their photographs remain on the wall, their sacrifices remain in our hearts, hushed reminders of the greatness of which man is capable. So much silence sur-rounds us, the living. So much sadness projected at the loss. So much hope proposed at their heroism.
In closing this chapter of the brigade’s deployment, it is fitting that we honor the five men no longer standing with the Blackhawks. Their Families live on, having themselves paid an unthinkable sacrifice. Their memories live on, lives for-ever defined by their final acts. Their dreams, fears, and ambi-tions define mortals who, for one last moment, acted as gods.
11th Hour
The future of Afghanistan is built upon the sacrifices
we make today.