Freedom Watch Staff Contents Oct. 20, 2008 Commander, AFN Afghanistan Air Force Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt

Superintendent, AFN Afghanistan Senior Master Sgt. Brent Squires

Editor/Print NCOIC Tech. Sgt. Kristina Barrett Layout/Design 3 Air Force Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald

Layout/Design Afghan forces receive Senior Airman George Cloutier NATO weapons Graphics Support Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael McCool

The Freedom Watch magazine is a weekly publication of AFN Afghanistan and Combined Joint Task Force 101. 4 Commander, CJTF-101 Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser Public Affairs Director, CJTF-101 New stragegy to broaden Army Lt. Col. Rumi Nielson-Green scope, coordination Freedom Watch, a U.S. Department of Defense publication, is published each Monday by the AFN Afghanistan’s Print Section located in Bldg. 415, Room 205 at Bagram Air Field, Af- ghanistan. Printed circulation is 5,000 copies per week. In accordance with DoD Instruction 5120.4, this DoD magazine is an authorized 5 publication for members of the U.S. military overseas. Contents of the Freedom Watch are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed Soldiers, Sailor secure by, the U.S. government or the Department of safe passage Defense. Deadline for submissions is noon local each Friday. All submissions are subject to editing by AFN Print Section staff, which can be reached at DSN 318-431-4458.

An Afghan National Policeman pulls security at a village in Kohistan District in Kapisa province, 6 Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jean-Paul Li)

Realism in training

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Coalition and Afghan forces and information operations. Where is your unit deployed fr JTF Paladin is a permanent unit unit?assigned to the theater personnel rotate in and out of the unit but the unit fl U.S. Army stays here. Joint Task Force Paladin What’s the history of your CSM David Puig, JTF JTF Paladin was established in 2006 and quickly grew to -IED Country, Branch of Service: a brigade-sized command with personnel providing CIED unit?The mission of JTF Name of Unit/Offi ce/Shop: support throughout the entire theater of operations. Person Making Submission: Paladin Command Sergeant Major What’s the mission of your Paladin is to provide intelligence based Counter (CIED) support to all U.S. forces throughout the theater of operations. This is accomplished through attacking the IED networks, defeating the IED threat, training the U.S., 8

Taking back the youth

Members of Joint Task Force Paladin at Bargram Air Field, Afghanistan pose for a photo. (Photo by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kimberly Crawford) 1 NEWS in Afghanistan SECAF visit by Article III of the Geneva Con- ventions, we continually work to ecretary of the Air Force Michael B. improve processes that relate to SDonley spent the day at the 380th detainees.” Air Expeditionary Wing Oct. 12, 2008. This program was created as a Donley visited result of recommendations made the wing to by the International Committee of gain a better the Red Cross. understanding The existing video teleconfer- of the infra- ence program, which allows direct structure and U.S. provides medical video conversations between de- capabilities of assistance tainees and family members, has one the area been proven to improve detainee behavior, helping to prompt the of respon- .S. Forces – Afghanistan provided creation of this new program of sibility’s most medical attention to a local national U face-to-face visits. diverse bases. child who came to a Forward Operating Video teleconferences will con- “I’ve been looking forward to Base in the Khogyani district of the tinue to be available for detainees coming downrange to see how the Nangarhar province in northeastern and their families. United States Military, and especially Afghanistan. the Air Force, has been doing,” Donley At approximately 4:30 p.m. a child said to an assembly of Airmen during was brought to the gate of a Forward Militants killed his visit. The Secretary’s tour included Operating Base for medical attention for fghan National Security a visit to the 380th’s tenant unit, the a gunshot wound. It is unclear how the Forces and Coalition Forces 363rd Training Group. This group child was shot; however, prior to him A killed 12 mil- hosts and orchestrates aerial exercises being brought to the FOB the Afghan itants in Sha- and tactical training in both joint and National Army was conducting a live- heed Hasas combined fields. fire rifle range on the base, practicing District, Oru- with numerous kinds of weapons. The zgan prov- situation is under investigation. Taliban captured ince. U.S. Forces - Afghanistan gave immediate The forces attention and then medically evacuated embers of the National were con- him to a hospital where he was treated Directorate of Security and ducting a security patrol when they M and then released. Coalition forces captured a Taliban were attacked by militants. commander Local Afghan villagers told and three Face-to-face visits ANSF and Coalition forces that additional militant fire killed 10 Afghan civil- persons of he U.S. military now provides ians in a nearby village. interest in Troutine face-to-face visits between Militant fire also injured three Kandahar detainees held at women and six children who sought province. the Bagram The- out Coalition Forces for medi- NEWS BRIEFS Hafiz Abdul Khaliq, a known Taliban ater Internment cal care. All of the injured were commander, and three militants were Facility and their medically evacuated to a Coalition located through intelligence reports families. hospital where they are being treat- in known safehouses in Panjwayi “We understand the positive impact ed for their injuries. District. these types of programs can have on the Shortly after the engagement, Hafiz Abdul Khaliq is responsible mission here in Afghanistan, particularly ANSF and Coalition Forces met for several attacks against Afghan in terms of detainee behavior,” said Brig. with local leaders and family mem- National Security Forces and Coalition Gen. James McConville, deputy com- bers of the deceased, who expressed forces. manding general of support for Com- their gratitude for Coalition Forces No NDS or Coalition forces were bined Joint Task Force-101. “Not only in treating those injured by the in- injured or killed during the operation. do we meet the standards put in place surgents. 2 Afghan forces receive NATO weapons By Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn Graham Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan fghan National Security Forces will Areceive a huge capability and mobil- ity boost throughout the next year. The ANSF will receive more than 6,000 up-armored vehicles and more than 75,000 M-16 rifles from Combined Secu- rity Transition Command - Afghanistan. “This is great,” said Army Maj. Charles McPhail, chief of plans and requirements. “The Afghan National Army will become a modernized army with Humvees and NATO weapons. This transformation will help usher their forces into the 21st century.” McPhail cited the M-16 rifle’s accura- cy and durability since its introduction as U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn Graham the primary weapon for the U.S. military ANA soldiers receive M-16 rifles at the Afghan national weapons depot. more than 30 years ago. The Russian-built AK-47 has been military leaders prefer the M-16 rifle. “The Afghan government wanted a the primary weapon of the ANA since its “Accuracy will always be more im- weapon that doesn’t waste shots, which formation, but Afghan government and portant than lots of shots,” said McPhail. is the reason they asked for the M-16.” Afghanistan’s solution primarily political, general says By Gerry Gilmore American Forces Press Service

he war against radical Islamists operating in Afghanistan Twill be won, despite the challenges, the senior U.S. mili- tary officer in the country said. “I am more convinced than ever that the insurgency will not win in Afghanistan,” Army Gen. David McKiernan, commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, told Pentagon reporters. The White House is conducting a review of Afghanistan operations and strategy, as insurgents there have ramped up operations against U.S., Coalition and Afghan forces. McKiernan has requested that additional troops be sent to Afghanistan to help quell rising violence in some eastern and U.S. Department of Defense photo by R. D. Ward southern provinces committed by Taliban, al-Qaida and other U.S. Army Gen. David McKiernan briefs the Pentagon press corps terrorists. The four-star general told reporters he is optimistic on operations in Afghanistan. about defeating the insurgents. Most Afghans, he said, “do not “The idea that it might get worse before it gets better is want a return of the Taliban; they don’t want a return of a radi- certainly a possibility,” the general said. cal form of government, such as the Taliban.” McKiernan cited increased foreign fighter activity in He added U.S. military analysts see “greater insecurity” in eastern Afghanistan along the border with Pakistan as a key some eastern and southern sections of Afghanistan. concern. 3 New strategy to broaden scope, coordination in Afghanistan By Donna Miles the people that are killing American Forces Press Service Afghans, Americans and all our Coalition part- he changing situation in Af- ners.” Tghanistan, particularly increased Mullen expressed violence along the Afghan-Pakistan hope that progress in border, warrants a full review of U.S. Iraq will continue, en- strategy there to broaden its scope and abling force reductions improve interagency coordination, the to continue and freeing top U.S. military officer said. up forces to meet addi- Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman tional requirements in of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted the Afghanistan. But he em- increased sophistication of al-Qaida and phasized that the chal- Taliban operatives in the border region. lenges in Afghanistan Mullen shared concerns expressed Courtesy photo demand more than mil- by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen says it’s time for a itary might – a point Gates Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice new strategy to broaden scope and coordina- reiterated to his NATO counterparts. and others that the border region has tion in Afghanistan. “It is not just about boots on the become a safe haven for insurgents. licit poppy industry that helps to finance ground,” Mullen said. “It is really three “Things have changed enough in Af- the insurgents. pieces. There is the security piece, the ghanistan and Pakistan to warrant a re- Gates told NATO defense ministers development and economic piece as well view of our over- at a conference as the political and diplomatic piece, all strategy there, “Things have changed enough in Budapest, and all of those things have to come and in fact, part in Afghanistan and Pakistan to Hungary, that he together.” of the effort is to The strategy review will address better warrant a review of our overall wants the alli- try to ensure bet- ance to confront ways to coordinate these efforts, he said, strategy...” ter coordination the drug lords in while broadening the focus on Afghani- Navy Adm. Mike Mullen on both sides of Afghanistan. stan to include Pakistan as well as India. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that border, which “Part of the Mullen noted that both countries have is a safe haven for problem we face long historic links to Afghanistan and an insurgents,” the admiral said. is the Taliban makes between $60 million important role to play there. Compounding the problem is Af- and $80 million a year from the drug traf- “This review comes at a time when, ghanistan’s poverty which creates con- ficking,” he said. “It is not only corrosive clearly, we are going to have to adjust,” ditions that fuel insurgencies and the il- to good governance, it also directly funds he said.

4 NEWS in Afghanistan Soldiers, Sailor secure safe passage in Afghanistan By Air Force provide security and blocking positions Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace during the trip. Combined Joint Task Force 101 “We’ve got to be watchful and ready Public Affairs to act at all times,” said Curiel, who explained that an ever-present threat of “Stay alert and stay vigilant,” shouted vehicle bombs and other threats exist a chiseled-face Soldier during a pre-con- from enemy forces. voy briefing at Camp Eggers. Curiel’s team is a hinge pin to allow Army Staff Sgt. Carlos Padilla was servicemembers ground transportation one of five servicemembers charged with between the missions of Combined securing the safe passage of troops from Joint Task Force-101, with headquarters Camp Eggers to Bagram Air Field. at Bagram, and the Combined Security

Like the fingers on a hand, each U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace Transition Command Afghanistan head- member of the five-man team is para- Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Hildebrand quartered in Kabul. mount to the mission, said Padilla, who drives an armored bus from Camp Eggers to Despite the vitality of their mission, ferries troops across Afghan roads. Bagram Air Field as Soldiers in a silver truck not a single member of Curiel’s team is Moments later, Army Sgt. 1st Class provide security for an Oct. 4 convoy. a transportation servicemember by mili- Ramon Curiel ordered the three Soldiers Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt tary specialty. and the Navy Sailor on his team into their Hildebrand drove the Rhino as Padilla Curiel, Padilla, Rosas and Rosales all respective positions, loaded the passen- rode ‘shotgun’ and served as the team’s proudly proclaimed their “11B” roots as gers aboard an armored bus known as eyes and ears. Meanwhile, the convoy Army infantrymen. Hildebrand normal- “the Rhino,” and set off on their journey commander, Curiel, rallied Army Staff ly is an administrative specialist on the from Kabul to Bagram. Sgts. Ruben Rosas and Eddy Rosales to USS Boxer, homeported in San Diego. New look: Letters to the Editor Freedom Watch Magazine debuts latest redesign Welcome to the new look of Freedom Watch Magazine. We of this page to open up the world of Afghanistan – its have just completed a redesign of the magazine in order to better people, culture and history. Check in every week to serve our customer. learn more about the country and people you are here There will be some things that remain the same, such as bring- to help. ing you news and feature stories from all over Afghanistan. We Finally, the individual profile and unit spotlight pages have incorporated four new sections into the magazine – a forum are our way of highlighting the people who make the mission. for readers to provide feedback, an Afghan culture page, and in- Freedom Watch is accepting submissions for these pages. See dividual profile and unit spotlight pages. the individual profile of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Glenn Light The feedback forum is this column. This is the place for you on page 10 and the unit spotlight on JTF Paladin on the back to provide feedback to the Freedom Watch staff. If there’s some- page. Email us at [email protected] for information thing we’re doing right, let us know. If there’s something we’re on submitting an individual or a unit. Photos must be at least 9 missing, drop us a line and tell us. inches x 12 inches, 300 dpi or the highest possible resolution. Contact us at [email protected]. All submissions Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing from will be edited for content and the writers will be identified by you. their initials and location. We have also introduced an Afghan culture page. It is the goal – The Freedom Watch Afghanistan staff

Have your say - email the editor at [email protected] Submissions will be edited for content and length. Authors will be identified by initials and location only.

5 Story and photos by Air Force Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald

66 ontainers housed with large rooms, small rooms “They are the one of two in Southwest Asia,” said Langley. and rooms within rooms filled with tunnels and “Each facility is a replica to towns or housing districts in its area spider holes; hallways equipped with sound sys- of operations, giving the training units a realistic feel.” tems, cameras and infrared equipment. Movable A similar facility can be found in Kuwait. mannequins remotely controlled and dressed ac- Army Master Sgt. Gregory Boseman of the 101st Sustain- Ccording to the type of enemy combatant- these are part of the po- ment Brigade, said the M-MOUT training his unit received was tential environments expected by Soldiers “outside the wire.” quite valuable. Realism in training is the goal of the mobile military “This is as close as to the real thing as we’re going to get ,” operations on urban terrain site at Bagram Air Field, accord- said Boseman, a Wilmington, N.C., native. ing to William Langley, M-MOUT information management Boseman’s unit is part of the Afghan National Army Partner- technician. ship Program. “It’s important for training units to enhance their skills in an “We’re mentoring the ANA,” he said. “We not only want to environment with the same settings and cultural surroundings provide logistical support in training them but also train them on they’ll encounter across the wire,” Langley said. “There are how to survive on the battlefield. “I’m really pleased with this many different scenarios that can be planned and executed, giv- training and I’m very proud of my team.” ing the teams a realistic look at the expected or unexpected so Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Britton, M-2 gunner for the 101st they can adjust accordingly.” BDE, said the M-MOUT course is helping his team prepare for Engineers built the M-MOUT facilities to be replicas of the their new mission of training the ANA. houses some units may find while in Afghanistan. “This mission, filled with Soldiers from different MOSs, Since its inception in 2003, several units have used the fa- started about halfway through our deployment,” said Britton, a cility - from special forces to security forces; physical security native of Ashland, Va. “I’m confident this training will help us teams, Army Ranger units and special civilian services units. make the ANA an even stronger force.”

(Left page) Sgt. Gabriel Scameheorn, left, and Cpl. Axel Ar- riaga, 101st Sustainment Brigade, prepare to enter the mobile military operations on urban terrain training site as part of a training scenario.

(Left) Army Sgt. Ivan Cortes and other 101st Sustainment Bri- gade Soldiers prepare to clear a building at the mobile military operations on urban terrain training site.

(Bottom left) Sgt. 1st Class Lionel Duckworth gives Sgt. Au- gustine Pekanyande, left, and Sgt. Matthew Britton, right, tips on how to properly enter and clear a building.

(Bottom right) Master Sgt. Walter Cash, 101st Sustainment Brigade, conducts an after-action review following a series of scenarios.

7 By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ray Lewis 7th Marine Regiment

School officials in the Delram District of Farah province faces,” said Gunnery Sgt. Omar Palaciosreal, Team 2 chief, were only hours away from reopening a boys’ school when 3rd Civil Affairs Group, TF 2/7. Taliban members crept to the school site at night and etched In an effort to ensure a safe environment, the Marines of death threats into the newly-constructed concrete walls. Company G and Weapons Company maintained security by This effort by the Taliban to dissuade school officials from patrolling outside the school. Members of the Afghan Na- reopening the school proved futile, and the school’s opening tional Police and Afghan National Army were also on hand, marked the first cooperative effort between the local Afghan but mainly to interact with the children and to show support community and U.S. forces to restore the education system. for their community. Together with support from local residents and the Marines Following the opening ceremony, ANP and ANA officials of Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special passed out soccer balls to the children and distributed gifts Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, school that included backpacks filled with school supplies. officials have shown the Taliban they are eager to take back “We’re just here for support,” said Palaciosreal, a Moreno control within their community. They remain committed to Valley, Calif., native. “We want them to take the lead. This is strengthening the minds of their youth – young males whom their show. It’s their people handing out stuff to them. It’s an- the Marines feel may be more easily influenced by the Taliban. other image that will be etched in their minds. They’re going Despite the threats, hundreds of local school children, rang- to start thinking differently about the Taliban. They’re going ing from age seven to 15, were excited to get their first look to think, ‘The Taliban is wrong.’” inside the new school. School officials were determined not to let the Taliban “It felt absolutely gratifying to go into the school and see death threats scare them or their students away from the more than 650 kids just waiting there with big smiles on their school. One teacher said he wanted to send a message to the

Marine Cpl. Ericka L. Garcia meets Afghan kids at the reopening of a boys’ school in Delaram, Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Sgt. Ray Lewis) 8 Taliban that nothing can stand in the way of a child’s educa- Agency for International Development (USAID), an indepen- tion. dent government agency that conducts foreign assistance and “School is where kids learn right from left and right from humanitarian aid. Funds for the outer wall construction were wrong,” said Abdul Ghariv, a teacher at the boys’ school. “It’s provided by ARSIC-S, while various items purchased to refur- where we open our kids’ minds.” bish the school’s interior were funded by USAID. Through the use of an Afghan interpreter, Ghariv was able “The grant was used to renovate and enhance the inside of to express his excitement and tell the Marines how he felt the school with desks, chalkboards and school supplies, and about educating the youth in his community. for the labor workers to put the desks together,” said Staff “We teach them about math; we teach them about religion Sgt. Christopher S. Gonzales, project coordinator, 3rd CAG. and physics; we teach them about everything,” Ghariv said. “Rather than sitting down on a dirt floor and not being able “The school is important because it is for everyone.” to study, the children now have a chair and a desk where they The Marines who provided security said the school wasn’t can learn.” always a learning environment for the Afghan children. It The Marines expect the school will further benefit the local was basically left in shambles and used for almost everything economy. In addition to providing the children a new and im- but gaining an education. Palaciosreal described the facility proved learning environment, it creates more job opportunities as a “run-down, hollow building with no outer wall, broken for Afghan educators and local residents. windows, and old cracked paint.” “We’re facilitating the boys’ school project,” said Gonza- “It just didn’t look like a place where any learning oc- les, a Torrance, Calif., native. “We’re making it happen with curred,” the CAG team leader said. “The building was dilapi- monetary means, but the ANP and ANA are handing out the dated. Now, the students have an outer wall for protection, school supplies so the children can see the local support and and a clean, newly-painted school that is bright and inviting. gain trust in their own system.” It’s definitely going to create a strong learning environment.” Although the Taliban continues to force its opinions and The building is now fully operational thanks to an esti- ideals on the Afghan people, many of the residents say they mated $23,000 in grants from Afghanistan Regional Security are not afraid and they remain committed to making more Integration Command-South (ARSIC-S) and the United States positive changes within their communities.

Civil Affairs Marine Sgt. Jose Soto interacts with an Afghan boy at the reopening of a boys’ school in Delaram, Afghanistan.

9 Rank\First, Last Name: Staff Sgt. Glenn Light What do you enjoy most about this deployment? Country, Branch of Service : U.S. Marine Corps Knowing I’m making a difference in the Global War Hometown: Bristol, Tenn. on Terrorism. Deployed Unit and Job Title: JTF Paladin J-1 What are some of your goals while deployed? Administration Staff NCO Ensuring my replacement will be able to transition Hobbies: Cleaning my weapons smoothly into my job and making a lasting impres- Quote from Supervisor: “Staff Sgt. Light is a superb sion and impact on this unit. Marine. He quickly adapts to ongoing changes, leads How do you spend your free time while deployed? from the front, is proactive in all tasks and assign- Sleeping ments, and takes care of his troops.” What plans do you have once you return from this -Army Master Sgt. Keith Stewart, TF Paladin J-1 deployment? Spend time with my wife and newborn How many times have you deployed? First time child.

10 Introduction to Afghanistan BACKGROUND In December 2004, Hamid Karzai Phrases Ahmad Shah Durrani unified the Pash- became the first democratically elected Hello tun tribes and founded Afghanistan in president of Afghanistan and the (peace upon you) 1747. The country served as a buffer National Assembly was inaugurated Assalamu alaykom!/Salam! between the British and Russian empires the following December. Despite gains until it won independence from notional toward building a stable central govern- Response British control in 1919. An experiment ment, a resurgent Taliban and continuing (and on you, peace) in democracy ended in a 1973 coup and provincial instability - particularly in the Assalamu alaykom!/Salam! a 1978 Communist counter-coup. The south and the east - remain serious chal- Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to sup- lenges for the Afghan Government. Excuse me/I’m sorry port the tottering Afghan Communist Wo-bakha regime, touching off a long and destruc- GOVERNMENT tive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 Official name: Islamic Republic of Thank you under relentless pressure by internation- Afghanistan Ma-nana ally supported anti-Communist mu- Capital: Kabul jahedin rebels. A series of subsequent Time difference: 9.5 hours ahead of My name is ______civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 Washington, D.C. (during Standard Zma nowm ______day to the Taliban, a hard-line Pakistani- Time) sponsored movement that emerged in Independence Day: Aug. 19, 1919 Okay 1994 to end the country’s civil war and Constitution: New constitution signed Khah/shah anarchy. Following the Sept. 11, 2001 on Jan. 16, 2004 terrorist attacks, a U.S., Allied, and Provinces: Badakhshan, Badghis, What is your name? anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Daykondi, Sta nowm tsah day? action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Hel- Osama Bin Ladin. The U.N.-sponsored mand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kanda- Who? Bonn Conference in 2001 established a har, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar, Kondoz, Tsowk? process for political reconstruction that Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, included the adoption of a new constitu- Nurestan, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Good-bye tion, a presidential election in 2004, and Panjshir, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Da-khoo-die pah aman National Assembly elections in 2005. Takhar, Vardak, Zabol

11 New arrivals from the New Zea- land Army disembark from a New Zealand Air Force C-130 as they re- port for duty as the new contingent for Task Group Crib 13 in Bamyan, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt)

A blackboard in a school for disadvantaged Afghan children displays a word that means so much to so many in Kabul, prog- ress. (U.S. State Department photo by Daniel Wilkinson)

12 Army Maj. Cliff Lopez talks to Afghan workers on a road construction site in Surobi Valley in Southern Tag Ab District in Kapisa province. Lopez is the company commander of the 324th Reserve Psychological Operation Unit based out of Aurora, Colo. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jean-Paul Li)

Army Capt. Mark Flitton teaches an Afghan boy to use a radio in Surobi Valley in South- ern Tag Ab District in Kapisa province. He is commander of the Tactical Psychologi- cal Operation Development Detachment, the 324th Reserve Psychological Opera- tion Unit based in Aurora, Colo. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jean-Paul Li)

A Spanish army paratrooper adjusts the antenna of a Span- ish armored personnel carrier at International Security Assistance Force Forward Operating Base Bala Murghab. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Laura Smith)

13 Country, Branch of Service: U.S. Army Coalition and Afghan forces and information operations. Name of Unit/Office/Shop: Joint Task Force Paladin Where is your unit deployed from? Person Making Submission: Command Sgt. Maj. Da- JTF Paladin is a permanent unit assigned to the theater, vid Puig, JTF Paladin Command Sergeant Major personnel rotate in and out of the unit but the unit flag What’s the mission of your unit?The mission of JTF stays here. Paladin is to provide intelligence based Counter-IED What’s the history of your unit? support to all U.S. forces throughout the theater of opera- JTF Paladin was established in 2006 and quickly grew to tions. This is accomplished through attacking the IED a brigade-sized command with personnel providing CIED networks, defeating the IED threat, training the U.S., support throughout the entire theater of operations.