Bagram Airfield, Afghani- Jury,” Said Air Force 1St Lt

Home , Sabari District

last 10-week course will be complete somewhere around the twenty- first of March, and then we’ll go back to our normal nine-week basic training for the rest of the fiscal year.” A reason for conducting a pilot program is to see what effect expanding BCT by a week has on Advanced Individual Training. “We’re doing it as a pilot to make sure we understand the second and third-order of effects of doing 10 weeks of basic training,” Wal- lace said. “We anticipate a surge in our training population during the second half of the fiscal year.” The expansion doesn’t add more tasks to be trained during BCT. “We are not going to add tasks,” said Wallace. “What we’re going to add is time, and give that time to the drill sergeant so he can ensure the individuals have mastered those tasks that they need to Navy master before they go on to AIT. That is the sole purpose.” Navy provides exceptional care to family members As in all of BCT, drill sergeants will play a key role in the tenth week. MILLINGTON, Tenn. – The Exceptional Family Member Pro- “We want to make sure we have enough time to review and re- gram exists to help Sailors and their families. train the things that are required of the Soldiers by the units in the That’s the message Marcia Hagood, Navy EFM Program man- field,” said TRADOC Command Sgt. Maj. John Sparks. ager, wants to get out to thousands of Sailors and their families. “By extending BCT, it gives us the opportunity to review those “The program is a win-win solution for Sailors and commands,” type of skills and retrain and retest them to ensure that the Soldier Hagood said. “It’s available to alleviate hardships on family members ... has the kinds of skills necessary to assimilate into his unit.” by ensuring special needs are considered in the detailing process.” In the current nine-week BCT, Soldiers learn 40 warrior tasks and According to Hagood, the mission of the EFMP is to provide a go through 11 battle drills. With a 10-week BCT, Soldiers will be comprehensive and coordinated approach for medical, educational able to review what they learned and also get an extra week of and personnel support for families with special needs. Enrollment physical-fitness training. is mandatory for all family members with long-term medical, men- “We do need to add a little bit of extra time and give it to the tal health or educational needs and is required immediately upon drill sergeant,” said Wallace. “In my judgment, it will provide to identification of a special need. the AIT commander a better physically fit, more mature, more dis- Special needs are identified by treating physicians and are then ciplined Soldier who understands the tasks to master better than he classified in one of six EFM categories. These ensure the special- does right now.” needs family member receives the appropriate level of care. Detail- ers then assign Sailors to duty stations where adequate medical or educational facilities are available. Air Force While the status alerts detailers, Hagood stressed that the cat- Basic trainees receive ABUs egories are used to protect members’ private information and is LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – A huge step in the Air only provided to those who have a need to know. Force’s transformation to the Airman Battle Uniform occurred at the “There are some misconceptions that it will hinder a Sailor’s ca- basic training equipment issue here. reer, but that’s simply not the case,” Hagood said. “There are more The trainees who entered the door at the uniform facility this than 17,000 Navy sponsors with family members enrolled in the week got a little something different in their duffel bags than the program. Many members enrolled in EFMP have been successful in previous week’s recruits – four sets of ABUs instead of four sets the military. Promotion boards do not see EFM category status. As of battle-dress uniforms. long as sponsors are meeting Navy requirements, they have a good Air Force Brig. Gen. Darrell D. Jones, 37th Training Wing chance of being promoted.” commander, was on hand to take part in the event. The general, Sailors with family members already enrolled in the program who was wearing a set of ABUs himself, said he is very happy must stay on top of updating their status. Updates are required with the new uniform. nine months prior to their projected rotation date, every three “This is a milestone for our wing,” Jones said. “It is extremely years, or if the special need changes. Temporary enrollments (cat- important to start this process here because we are the gateway to egory six) must be updated within one year of assignment. the Air Force.” For more information, visit the Navy’s EMFP Web site at www. A lot of work behind the scenes contributed to the successful issue npc.navy.mil/CommandSupport/ExceptionalFamilyMember. of the uniforms to more than 800 recruits in the first week. The process of swapping out the uniforms was not easy, said Air Force Maj. Wes Wenzel, acting commander of the 37th Army Logistics Readiness Squadron. It involved processing more than Army to expand basic combat training to 10 weeks 300 pallets and most of the facility staff members working more FORT MONROE, Va. – In early November, Basic Combat Train- than 80 hours a week to make it all happen. ing will expand from nine to 10 weeks at all five Army BCT sites: “It was definitely a full-team effort,” he said. “One of our Fort Jackson, S.C.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Fort major challenges was ensuring that we had enough stock to issue Knox, Ky. and Fort Benning, Ga. out so many uniforms.” “We’re going to do 10 weeks of basic training, starting Nov. 2,” It was good seeing all the trainees in their new uniforms, said Army Gen. William S. Wallace, commanding general of the U.S. General Jones said. Army Training and Doctrine Command. “It will be a pilot during “It’s a distinctive uniform,” he said. “We now stand out as Airmen this fiscal year. We’re going to do it for the first third of the year. The like we should.” 2 Pg. 4

COVER: Spc. Hailynn Talbot, a gunner from 3rd Pla- toon, 546th Company, 385th MP Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, sits in the turret of an M-1117 armored security vehicle, packing both a MK-19 grenade launcher and a .50 caliber machine gun. (Photo: Spc. Micah E. Clare)

Contents Air Force Staff Sgt. Josh Green, a 455th Expedition- ary Aeromedical Evaluation Flight medical techni- Team makes positive difference for Afghans 4 cian, monitors the oxygen content and heartbeat of an Afghan patient during an aeromedical evacuation ﬂight out of Afghanistan. The 455th EAEF team uses Armored security vehicles keeps troopers safe 5 C-130 Hercules aircraft to provide quick-evacuation response to injured Coalition forces and Afghan com- Teamwork, skepticism lead to early project ﬁnish 6 batants and civilians. Pentagon shows continued support for Afghanistan 7 Pg. 7 ANP, Coalition forces destroy cache, foster relationships 8

Misﬁt unit takes mission outside the wire 10

Bagram eastern expansion in works 11

Holiday mailing dates 12

C-130s put troops, supplies on target 13

Photos from the ﬁeld 14 Spc. Jason Crowson, 235th Military Police Company supply-vehicle clerk, in the stands next to the Wall Drug sign he made about six months ago at Bagram Airﬁeld.

Freedom Watch is a weekly publication of Combined Joint Task Force-82. Freedom Watch Staff Commander CJTF-82 Commander Army Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez Air Force Maj. Elizabeth Ortiz RC East Public Affairs Officer Army Lt. Col. David A. Accetta NCOIC Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram Freedom Watch, a Department of Defense publication, is published each Mon- day by the American Forces Network - Afghanistan Print Section at Bagram Print Chief Airfield, Afghanistan. Printed circulation is 5,000 copies per week. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Bellis In accordance with DoD Instruction 5120.4, this DoD newspaper is an au- Editor thorized publication for members of the U.S. military overseas. Contents of the Freedom Watch are not necessarily the official view of, or Air Force Staff Sgt. Sarah Gregory endorsed by, the U.S. government or the Department of Defense. Staff Writer Deadline for submissions is noon local each Friday. All submissions are sub- ject to editing by the AFN-A Print Section, located in Bldg. 415, Room 205, Senior Airman Christine Collier Bagram Airfield. We can be reached at DSN 318-431-3338. Visit the CJTF-82 Web site at www.cjtf82.com

3 Team makes positive difference for Afghans Story and photo by “The villagers are happy with and very Air Force Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco appreciative of the assistance we provide 455th Air Expeditionary Wing them,” he said. “It shows that Coalition Public Affairs forces are here to help them improve their quality of life as well as to make sure they AGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan are prepared for a brighter future.” B– A group of Bagram Airmen has AFOSI isn’t the only agency providing been making a difference in local Afghan such support, said Brasseur. Other organi- villagers’ lives one school bag at a time. zations include Army maneuver elements Members of the Air Force Office of Spe- and provincial reconstruction teams that cial Investigations Expeditionary Detach- work daily throughout the country to help ment 2405 handed out school supplies to improve the infrastructure within villages. about 560 children in the villages of Qal’eh- Such efforts not only help build prosperous ye Dewana and Chawni. communities, but also bolster the security Each set consisted of a backpack, note- capabilities of Afghanistan and help ensure books, pens and pencils. The items were do- the safety of deployed military members, nated by families in the U.S. or were collected he said. from the humanitarian assistance office here, The agents also recently visited several said OSI Special Agent Rosa Cervantes. nearby Afghan National Police checkpoints. The team’s goal is to get out at least three The agents gave the police winter clothes for times per week to meet with local villagers their families as well as blankets for them- and see if they need assistance. selves to help make winter at the check- Special Agent A.J. Brasseur, detachment points a little more bearable. Village elders thank agents from the commander, said visiting the villagers and “Fostering relationships with our host- Air Force Office of Special Investi- helping meet their needs whenever possible nation counterparts goes a long way to- gations Detachment 2405 after re- plays an important role in Air Force opera- ward helping build a secure Afghanistan,” ceiving school supplies during a hu- tions here. said Special Agent Randall Evans. manitarian mission. Aeromedical evacuation team tops 500 transports Story and photo mission, they (Coalition forc- by Air Force Staff Sgt. es) need to know there is a Joshua Jasper system in place to get them 455th Air Expeditionary immediate care if they are in- Wing Public Affairs jured,” he said. Since it’s the only Air Force AGRAM AIRFIELD, AE flight here, the operations BAfghanistan – The only tempo is high. Up to twice a Air Force medical unit in Af- day, the team loads nearly 800 ghanistan with the mission of pounds of medical equipment transporting injured military aboard a C-130 Hercules to warriors, as well as injured care for the wounded during civilians and enemy combat- transport from forward-op- ants, has cared for and trans- erating bases across Afghani- ported more than 508 patients stan, said medical officials. since May. “The hardest part about The 455th Expedition- this job is transporting in- ary Aeromedical Evacua- jured personnel that we know tion Flight team, made up of Air Force Staff Sgt. Josh Green, 455th Expeditionary will have change-of-life chal- 17 National Guardsmen and Aeromedical Evaluation Flight medical technician, mon- lenges, depending on the sever- itors the oxygen content and heartbeat of a patient dur- nine active-duty personnel, ing an aeromedical evacuation flight out of Afghanistan. ity of their injuries,” said Air transport the patients from The 455th EAEF team uses C-130 Hercules’ aircraft to Force Lt. Col. James Bruhl, any place in Afghanistan to provide quick-evacuation response to injured Coalition the 455th EAEF commander. the medical care they need via forces and Afghan combatants and civilians. “The most rewarding part fixed-wing aircraft. is knowing that we are there “Our goal is to get people the time they suffer their in- ian telemetry nurse back at when they need us in the most to Bagram Airfield, Afghani- jury,” said Air Force 1st Lt. the University of California timely manner possible with a stan, within 12 hours and to John Rinaldo, a flight nurse Irvine Medical Center. skill set that provides the best Germany within 24 hours of here who also works as a civil- “With such an important chance of recovery.” 4 Armored security vehicle keeps troopers safe Story and photos by ment officials to meetings and conduct- Spc. Micah E. Clare ing escort missions, he explained. 4th Brigade Combat Team “They are highly maneuverable and Public Affairs Office have a better turning radius than Hum- vees,” Rutledge said. ABARI, Afghanistan – Where does a Even though their up-armored Hum- Ssix-ton vehicle go? Anywhere it wants vees are already heavily armed, the ASV to or so says one company of military police adds quite an extra punch. Sitting be- in Khowst Province, Afghanistan. hind both a .50 caliber machine gun and After receiving two M-1117 armored a MK-19 grenade launcher, the gunner security vehicles this summer, the MPs has a clear view of the terrain from with- of 3rd Platoon, 546th Company, 385th in the safe confines of a heavily armored MP Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, feel turret, said Spc. Hailynn Talbot, a 3rd more than ready to fight a recent increase Platoon ASV gunner. of improvised explosive device activity “It’s an empowering feeling,” she said. in the Sabari and Bak Districts. “I know that if anything comes up, I “We feel like the safest convoy in the have devastating firepower at my finger- area of operations now,” said Army Cpl. tips.” Spc. Mike Rutledge, a military police- Josh Polley, a 3rd Platoon team leader. “It feels so much safer traveling with man from 3rd Platoon, 546th Com- The vehicle, which entered into service an ASV,” she said. “These vehicles are pany, 385th Military Police Battalion, in 1998, was designed for urban-security definitely needed.” 3rd Infantry Division, patrols through operations, said Spc. Mike Rutledge, an Seeing these behemoths providing se- a bazaar in Yaqubi in Sabari District, ASV driver who attended a special course curity is something Afghans need as well Khowst Province, Afghanistan. at Bagram Airfield for vehicle familiar- and they feel well-protected, said Army ization. Staff Sgt. Derrick Mullinex, a squad intimidation factor is quite powerful.” The ASVs are perfect for the types of leader in 3rd Platoon. There really is only one thing left to missions the MPs execute in the two heav- “We hear a lot of Afghans and [Af- be desired regarding the ASVs, Mullinex ily populated districts, such as patrolling ghan National Security Forces] call it the stated. tight streets, transporting local govern- ‘tank with wheels,” he said. “The sheer “We need more.”

Above: An M-1117 armored security vehicle from 3rd Platoon, 546th Compa- ny, 385th Military Police Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, fords a river crossing near the town of Yaqubi in Sabari District, Khowst Province, Afghanistan.

Right: Spc. Hailynn Talbot, a 3rd Platoon gunner, 546th Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, sits in the turret of an M- 1117 armored security vehicle, packing both a MK-19 grenade launcher and a .50 caliber machine gun. 5 Teamwork, skepticism lead to early project finish Story and photo by ty, those involved in the project also praised Air Force Capt. Michael Meridith the flexibility the new ramp brings. 455th Air Expeditionary Wing “It was designed to hold the weight of Public Affairs a fully-loaded C-17,” said project manager Tech. Sgt. James J. Toth of Hazelton, Pa. AGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan “That will mean bad things for the enemy B– The motivation to prove skeptics – and will definitely make it easier for us to wrong and a strong foundation of teamwork take the fight to them.” set the stage for the recent completion of an Toth said that in addition to the motiva- important new ramp here. tion provided by skeptics, teamwork was The $8.9 million construction project, be- another essential key to the project’s suc- gun in 2005, created a 270,000 square-foot cessful conclusion. concrete ramp to replace the grated “steel “It was very daunting at the start, when beach” that had previously supported the you would look down the 1,600-foot length Army’s helicopter missions here. and see nothing but steel. But our people “We were told it couldn’t be done before have a great attitude and work very hard. winter,” said 1st Expeditionary [Rapid En- They had outstanding teamwork and pulled gineer Deployable Operation Ready Squad- off what some people thought we couldn’t ron Engineers] Group lead craftsman Tech. get done,” Toth said. Sgt. John L. Farley of Stumptown, W. Va., Army Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, com- who noted that Afghanistan’s harsh weather manding general of Combined Joint Task ruled out any work after late October. “We First Expeditionary RED HORSE Force-82, added his own praise during an saw that as a challenge and wanted to prove Squadron Senior Airman Miguel Gas- Oct. 4 ceremony recognizing the accomplish- those people wrong … and we did.” stelum pours concrete as part of an ments of the RED HORSE team. $8.9 million ramp renovation proj- Farley said thousands of hours have been “There was nothing you couldn’t do,” he ect. The 270,000 square-foot con- invested in the project since it began, with crete ramp is expected to enhance told the team members. “It is characteristic about a dozen people at work at the site at air operations during Afghanistan’s of organizations like yours that you get it any one time. He added that he had person- harsh winters. done better and faster than anyone else.” ally deployed here three times in support of “Our folks know that their work is really the project. Those surfaces held water and were very un- helping the mission,” said Farley. “The Air “When I came here the first time, I saw even. In winter they would freeze over and Force wanted this ramp. The Army want- steel everywhere I looked – and I thought be almost impossible to plow,” he said. ed it. Everybody wanted this but the bad to myself, ‘we’ve got to get this out of here.’ Beyond the obvious improvements in safe- guys.” Dari/Pashtu phrase of the week

What time is it?

Dari Sa-at chand as? (Sah-aht chand ahst)

Pashtu So baja da (So bahjay-dah)

1. In Islam, education is valued more than wealth. 2. On average, Afghans in the United States place a higher val- ue on education than many other immigrant groups. 3. Most children of Afghan refugees and Afghan immigrants are college-educated or enrolled in a university.

6 Signs of home: DeployedDeployed mmembersembers ﬁ nndd comfort,comfort, laughterlaughter in special sign

Story and photo by Tech. Sgt. April Lapetoda Combined Joint Task Force-82 Public Affairs

AGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Aside from the beautiful Bscenery of luscious green fi elds and never-ending blue skies, those on a road trip across the southern stretch of South Dakota don’t have much else to see. Except for the countless signs leading to Wall Drug, which beck- on to tourists. Many of the handmade signs read “5¢ coffee” or “free ice water,” and they can be found every few miles. Those from South Dakota may have become complacent to the signs, but one which reads “6,964 miles to Wall Drug …” is sure to grab anyone’s attention, as was the case for one Airman from Pierre, S.D., who has been deployed here for the past fi ve months. Airman 1st Class Kyrissa M. Sandal, Combined Joint Task Force- 82 Civil Military Operations data developer and Web master, recently discovered the sign while driving by with a friend. Sandal said when she saw the sign she felt, “ecstatic … Just seeing the sign that leads back to home was comforting.” Spc. Jason Crowson, a supply vehicle clerk in the 235th She revisited the sign to take some pictures of and with it. Military Police Company, stands next to the Wall Drug “I’ve never seen a Wall Drug sign outside the U.S. before,” San- sign he made about six months ago. dal, who has been in the Air Force for just over a year, said. Wall Drug is a drug store and gift shop in Wall, S.D. Their signs the military from South Dakota.” can not only be found across South Dakota, but around the world. Spc. Jason Crowson, a supply vehicle clerk in the 235th MP Co., Because of its creative marketing technique, Wall Drug has become decided to make the sign about six months ago. a popular tourist stop. “My family was curious about how far my hometown was from Similarly, the lone sign here has become a picture opportunity for here, so I fi gured it would be easier to go from Wall Drug, which servicemembers. is about 50 miles away from them,” said Crowson, who hails from Generally, people take pictures with the sign about once a week, Rapid City. said Army Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Wanzek, 235th Military Police The mileage was confi gured using Google Earth going over the Company motor sergeant. Usually, passers-by get a laugh at it. North Pole, he said. While taking pictures of the sign, Sandal ran into a few members A picture of the Wall Drug sign here was sent to the store, said of the 235th MP Co., which is an Army National Guard unit out of Crowson. “They said thanks for the picture and that they’d post it Rapid City, S.D. somewhere.” They chatted for a few minutes about things back home. Even while driving in Afghanistan, a servicemember never knows “It was very nice,” said Sandal. “I don’t meet many people in when they’ll see a sign which will remind them of the road to home. Pentagon shows continued support for Afghanistan

By Air Force Capt. Bob Everdeen Gov. Delbar Jan Arman to discuss priori- for International Development and other Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team ties in the province. military and civilian representatives.” “This is an area with enemy activity,” According to Arman, two of the contrib- ALAT, Afghanistan – Less than the governor said, referring to the coun- uting factors to slower-than-desired prog- Qthree months after the chairman try’s bloodiest year since the 2001 U.S.-led ress here are the 30 years of ﬁ ghting that of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited the invasion against the Taliban. “Security is have plagued the country and the tribalism small southern district of Qalat in Zabul our number-one priority and with help that is prevalent in his province. Province, three additional members of from Coalition brothers, we can show the “The enemy is always watching, see- the Washington-based joint staff stopped enemy we are strong.” ing what we are doing, and then chang- by for a meeting with the Qalat provincial Task Force Zabul is a joint Interna- ing their tactics,” the governor said. “In governor. tional Security Assistance Force unit that addition to better security, we need to Army Lt. Gen. Carter Ham, director operates in the province. focus on three things: roads; agriculture, for operations; Marine Lt. Gen. John Sat- “We have some of the United States’ including irrigation; and animals for the tler, director for strategic plans and poli- best here to help you,” Sattler told the gov- people. Our government is still new; we cy; and Navy Rear Adm. David Dorsett, ernor. “We have the provincial reconstruc- need patience and must move day by day, director for intelligence, spent time with tion team, State Department, U.S. Agency step by step.”

7 Teamwork ANP, Coalition forces destroy cache, foster relationships Story and photos by the villagers. members, was executed during Rama- out eating. Some haven’t eaten in more executive officer. Senior Airman Dilia DeGrego “It was a very successful mission,” dan. Ramadan is an Islamic religious than 18 hours. To get these Soldiers “Aside from making the villagers Combined Joint Task Force-82 said Army Capt. Shawn Dalrymple, observance considered the most venerated here through Ramadan is a significant happy and giving them things that Public Affairs Bravo Co., 82nd DSTB company com- and blessed month of the Islamic year. improvement toward the development they need, [aid packages] help because mander. “We did both, interacting with Prayers, fasting, charity and self-account- of Afghanistan. we went in there to destroy this cache, ARWAN PROVINCE, Afghani- the local populace and removing items ability are especially stressed at this time. “This mission is an excellent ex- and we may [have] upset anyone who Pstan – There are no roads that that pose danger to them as well as “It is very interesting working with ample of joint Coalition forces. We was monitoring that cache, which could lead in; there are none that lead out; [Afghan National Security Forces] and another culture out there because you destroyed a major cache and improved have a negative effect on the villagers,” and the dream of attending school is Coalition forces. have to take into account Ramadan and operability between ANP and Coalition said the Perry, Maine, native. “So any merely that – a dream. “We found almost double of what we things of that nature and be courte- forces,” he added. kind of additional help we could give Landekhel Village sits nestled in the were told was there,” he continued. ous of their culture and at the same Aside from destroying the cache and helps them out since we went in and desolate mountains of Afghanistan, where Altogether, the team found 26 SA- time the mission has to get done,” said meeting with village elders to discuss disrupted them in more than one way.” traveling is limited to hiking the steep KAR rockets, 24 SAKAR rocket motors, Dalrymple. security and development issues, the The bundles delivered near the vil- mountains by foot or air-dropping in. three RPG warheads, approximately 10 Being respectful of Afghan tradi- combined team left the village with a lage included food, blankets, stoves, The small village, consisting of ap- cases of fuses, an anti-aircraft weapon tions and culture has been a common parting gift. tarps, hygiene kits, health kits, shoes proximately 15 families, sat unvisited by and various miscellaneous Soviet-era practice for this team of Soldiers. “We knew that we were going to go and clothes. Coalition forces for nearly a year until munitions. “They do an outstanding job here in there and disrupt their daily routine, so There may not be any roads Oct. 4 when a combined team from the Kohe Safi District Chief of Police Afghanistan; it is very impressive what we wanted to leave them with some- that lead to and from the village of 82nd Airborne Divisions Special Troops Farziea Masoom agreed. “The mis- they do. They take their jobs very seri- thing when we left. We went down to Landekhel or schools to attend; this vil- Battalion; 755th Alpha Explosives Ordi- sion was outstanding. The people were ously and work very hard. They truly the [humanitarian aid] yard and the lage and others in Kohe Safi District are nance Disposal Flight; Parwan Province very happy and appreciated that the care about what they do,” Dalrymple [U.S. Navy] senior chief there already only seemingly unreachable. Through Police mentor team; and Afghan Na- Coalition forces and ANP came and added about his Soldiers. “I think that had these pre-staged pallet configura- Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and tional Police forces visited Landekhel. destroyed the ammunition. The mission was the hardest part [about the mission tions for this exact purpose. One was Coalition forces’ efforts, the request for Members of the 755th Alpha Explosives In an effort to prevent terrorism was very effective toward the develop- was] working around Ramadan. We did a winterize bundle and the other was roads and the dream of a school are not Ordinance Disposal Flight destroy part and promote security in the village, an of a large cache near Landekhel Village, ment of Afghanistan. everything that we could to take all the a survival bundle,” said Army 1st Lt. impossible – it is merely a matter of Kohe Sofi District, Parwan Province. anonymous villager called out to Coali- “The people were asking for a school, precautionary measures in preparing Eric Bechard, Bravo Co., 82nd DSTB time. tion forces and ANP for help, inform- hospital and roads to be built here,” he for the mission because [the ANP] do ing them of a cache of SAKAR rockets added. not eat or drink during the day [during hidden at the foot of a mountain very Although missions to destroy caches the observance].” close to the village. and promote security and development “I want to thank the ANP for com- Answering his call, the combined in Afghanistan are not uncommon, this ing on this mission,” said Army Maj. team air-assaulted into the village, find- mission was particularly special. The Stephan Tremblay, Parwan Province ing a larger cache than expected and mission, which was very physically police mentor. “They worked extremely further fostering their relationship with demanding for both ANP and Coalition hard all day through Ramadan with-

Right: A combined team runs off a CH-47 Chinook after landing near Landekhel Village, Kohe Soﬁ Dis- trict, Parwan Province, on a mission to destroy a weapons cache near the village.

Background: Army Capt. Shawn Dal- rymple, Bravo Co., 82nd DSTB company commander, watches as a CH-47 Chinook ﬂies overhead. A combined team air-assaulted onto a landing zone near Landekhel Village, Kohe Soﬁ District, Parwan Province, on a mission to destroy a weapons cache near the village.

8 8 9 Teamwork ANP, Coalition forces destroy cache, foster relationships Story and photos by the villagers. members, was executed during Rama- out eating. Some haven’t eaten in more executive officer. Senior Airman Dilia DeGrego “It was a very successful mission,” dan. Ramadan is an Islamic religious than 18 hours. To get these Soldiers “Aside from making the villagers Combined Joint Task Force-82 said Army Capt. Shawn Dalrymple, observance considered the most venerated here through Ramadan is a significant happy and giving them things that Public Affairs Bravo Co., 82nd DSTB company com- and blessed month of the Islamic year. improvement toward the development they need, [aid packages] help because mander. “We did both, interacting with Prayers, fasting, charity and self-account- of Afghanistan. we went in there to destroy this cache, ARWAN PROVINCE, Afghani- the local populace and removing items ability are especially stressed at this time. “This mission is an excellent ex- and we may [have] upset anyone who Pstan – There are no roads that that pose danger to them as well as “It is very interesting working with ample of joint Coalition forces. We was monitoring that cache, which could lead in; there are none that lead out; [Afghan National Security Forces] and another culture out there because you destroyed a major cache and improved have a negative effect on the villagers,” and the dream of attending school is Coalition forces. have to take into account Ramadan and operability between ANP and Coalition said the Perry, Maine, native. “So any merely that – a dream. “We found almost double of what we things of that nature and be courte- forces,” he added. kind of additional help we could give Landekhel Village sits nestled in the were told was there,” he continued. ous of their culture and at the same Aside from destroying the cache and helps them out since we went in and desolate mountains of Afghanistan, where Altogether, the team found 26 SA- time the mission has to get done,” said meeting with village elders to discuss disrupted them in more than one way.” traveling is limited to hiking the steep KAR rockets, 24 SAKAR rocket motors, Dalrymple. security and development issues, the The bundles delivered near the vil- mountains by foot or air-dropping in. three RPG warheads, approximately 10 Being respectful of Afghan tradi- combined team left the village with a lage included food, blankets, stoves, The small village, consisting of ap- cases of fuses, an anti-aircraft weapon tions and culture has been a common parting gift. tarps, hygiene kits, health kits, shoes proximately 15 families, sat unvisited by and various miscellaneous Soviet-era practice for this team of Soldiers. “We knew that we were going to go and clothes. Coalition forces for nearly a year until munitions. “They do an outstanding job here in there and disrupt their daily routine, so There may not be any roads Oct. 4 when a combined team from the Kohe Safi District Chief of Police Afghanistan; it is very impressive what we wanted to leave them with some- that lead to and from the village of 82nd Airborne Divisions Special Troops Farziea Masoom agreed. “The mis- they do. They take their jobs very seri- thing when we left. We went down to Landekhel or schools to attend; this vil- Battalion; 755th Alpha Explosives Ordi- sion was outstanding. The people were ously and work very hard. They truly the [humanitarian aid] yard and the lage and others in Kohe Safi District are nance Disposal Flight; Parwan Province very happy and appreciated that the care about what they do,” Dalrymple [U.S. Navy] senior chief there already only seemingly unreachable. Through Police mentor team; and Afghan Na- Coalition forces and ANP came and added about his Soldiers. “I think that had these pre-staged pallet configura- Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and tional Police forces visited Landekhel. destroyed the ammunition. The mission was the hardest part [about the mission tions for this exact purpose. One was Coalition forces’ efforts, the request for Members of the 755th Alpha Explosives In an effort to prevent terrorism was very effective toward the develop- was] working around Ramadan. We did a winterize bundle and the other was roads and the dream of a school are not Ordinance Disposal Flight destroy part and promote security in the village, an of a large cache near Landekhel Village, ment of Afghanistan. everything that we could to take all the a survival bundle,” said Army 1st Lt. impossible – it is merely a matter of Kohe Sofi District, Parwan Province. anonymous villager called out to Coali- “The people were asking for a school, precautionary measures in preparing Eric Bechard, Bravo Co., 82nd DSTB time. tion forces and ANP for help, inform- hospital and roads to be built here,” he for the mission because [the ANP] do ing them of a cache of SAKAR rockets added. not eat or drink during the day [during hidden at the foot of a mountain very Although missions to destroy caches the observance].” close to the village. and promote security and development “I want to thank the ANP for com- Answering his call, the combined in Afghanistan are not uncommon, this ing on this mission,” said Army Maj. team air-assaulted into the village, find- mission was particularly special. The Stephan Tremblay, Parwan Province ing a larger cache than expected and mission, which was very physically police mentor. “They worked extremely further fostering their relationship with demanding for both ANP and Coalition hard all day through Ramadan with-

Right: A combined team runs off a CH-47 Chinook after landing near Landekhel Village, Kohe Soﬁ Dis- trict, Parwan Province, on a mission to destroy a weapons cache near the village.

8 9 ‘Misfi t’ unit takes mission ‘outside the wire’ Story and photo by mounted and dismounted patrols, humani- the units stationed at the Bak District Cen- Spc. Micah E. Clare tarian-assistance deliveries, VIP escorts and ter, where they are able to cook hot meals 4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs protecting the Bak and Sabari district cen- and have access to Internet and phones. ters, Rivera explained. But the mission hasn’t changed and is ABARI, Afghanistan – Some people “Whatever mission is required, we’re the even more effective now that the maneuver Smay think Soldiers assigned to head- ones who get it done,” he said. platoon has an established home in the area, quarters units aren’t used to leaving the Being responsible for such a high volume said Army Capt. Peter Cairns, HHB’s com- confi nes of a tactical operations center, of missions can be quite diffi cult, he said. mander. much less living ‘outside the wire.’ “In the beginning, it seemed overwhelming “You need to be out there living with the One such headquarters unit would beg to because we had to do an incredible amount locals as much as possible,” he said. “If not, differ. of different missions,” Rivera said. “In time you’ll never have a really good feel for the To the paratroopers of Headquarters … the guys began to understand that every- area you’re living in.” and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, thing was for a reason.” Having this permanent presence in 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, His Soldiers agree that it was a challenge. Khowst was the main reason why 2-321st 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne “It took a while to get into the groove,” tasked HHB and the battalion maintenance Division, being fatigued and dirty, going said Spc. Christopher Gilbert, an unmanned company, Company G, based in a nearby dis- without hot meals, showers or a comfortable aerial vehicle operator. trict, to create maneuver platoons. bed to sleep in is nothing new. When he was assigned to HHB last year, “The previous artillery battalion had no Stationed at the Bak District Center in he defi nitely didn’t picture himself out in the maneuver mission [in Khowst],” Cairns ex- Khowst Province, Afghanistan, almost an fi eld patrolling around in Humvees, teach- plained. “We decided that a permanent pres- hour from any major forward-operating ing local policemen how to run tactical check ence was needed to wage a better counterin- base, the manuever platoon of HHB has per- points, or pulling security at a district center. surgency fi ght in this area.” formed a job well beyond what was ever laid Doing these things on a daily basis was all It has defi nitely worked to their advan- out for them on paper, said Army Staff Sgt. the training they needed though, he said. tage, he said. Jesse English, an HHB section chief. Gilbert remembered how rough the pla- “We’ve developed good relationships with “An HHB maneuver platoon doesn’t ex- toon’s fi rst few weeks at Bak were. the people of Sabari, from the sub-governor ist on any offi cial documents anywhere,” said “We lived out of our trucks for weeks on to police chiefs to shopkeepers,” Cairns said. English, whose actual military occupational end,” he said. “Then we upgraded to a tent. “I know the roads in Sabari and Bak better specialty lies in weather forecasting. “I’ve got We pretty much ate [Meals Ready to Eat] for than the ones at home.” to be the only ‘weather guy’ section chief in fi ve months straight.” The people of Sabari and Bak have been 82nd history.” Since then, a building was constructed for plagued with Taliban intimidation and IED- The rest of the platoon is made up of a manufacturing cells, making the two districts wide range of support personnel who were historically the most dangerous in Khowst. pulled from various positions throughout However, by showing a constant presence HHB. Communications personnel, weather, and reinforcing and mentoring the local Af- supply, nuclear biological chemical, fi re direc- ghan National Police, these areas are now tion control and even cooks are all now part becoming safer, Cairns said. of the maneuver team, explained English. “When you get to know an area this well, For this reason, the members of the pla- you’re able to tell when things aren’t right,” toon jokingly refer to themselves as “The he said. Misfi ts,” he said. The paratroopers stationed here know The team had to quickly adapt to its new that this presence is not just benefi cial to this mission of providing a permanent presence area, but essential. in the districts of Sabari and Bak, said Army “Only by being out here all the time, have Sgt. 1st Class Luis Rivera, a geologic survey- we been able to get the locals to understand or turned HHB platoon sergeant. that we’re here to help,” said Gilbert. “Some- “Most of these guys have had to learn times it’s just a lot of smiling and waving, their new jobs from scratch,” Rivera said. but it gets the message across; if they just Despite the fact that most members of put a little trust in us, together we’ll get the the team have had no special combat train- bad guys out of here.” ing, many of them were able to contribute Army Sgt. Chris Couvillion, a medic When the paratroopers of HHB maneu- valuable leadership experience, explained in Headquarters and Headquarters ver platoon fi nally do go home next year, Rivera, who helped train Iraqi Army soldiers Battery, 2nd Battalion, 321st Air- their maneuver mission will be over, but the in his previous Iraq deployment. borne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th experience will be invaluable to their future “We pooled what we had together to forge Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Air- Army careers, said English. borne Division, administers an in- this team,” he said. travenous shot to a dehydrated Af- “They’ve done so well,” he said. “When Since its arrival to Afghanistan in Febru- ghan National Police offi cer at the we get home, they’ll no longer be just ‘sup- ary, the HHB maneuver platoon has execut- Bak District Center in Khowst Prov- port guys.’ They’ll be a combat asset to any ed more than 200 missions including routine ince, Afghanistan. unit they are in.”

10 Bagram eastern expansion in works

Story and photos by security, there is no need for 34 individual Senior Airman Christine Collier camps and Hesco barriers separating the American Forces Network – Afghani- camps are being torn down. Combining stan camps will ease road constructions as well as make it easier to install and maintain AGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan utilities throughout the base, said Bon- B– Bagram Airfield is expanding ner. eastward, a project designed to restruc- In addition to making BAF one com- ture the base, as well as improve the qual- bined installation, several quality-of-life ity of life for base personnel. improvements are being made as the base “Bagram Airfield has been designated expands from aproximately 1,939 acres to as an enduring base,” said Army Lt. Col. 2,479 acres. Jim Bonner, 23rd Chemical Battalion Construction of a new dining facility is commander. “We will get away from B- scheduled to begin this month. The new huts and structures that were designed to DFAC will hold more people, and is de- be temporary, and build more permanent signed to be a permanent structure, as op- facilities.” posed to the current dining facility, which The number of personnel at BAF is was meant to be temporary, said Conner. one of the main reasons for the expansion Five brick-and-mortar lodging facili- and renovations. ties, each able to house 160 personnel, are BAF houses approximately 13,600 currently in the works. They are sched- people, but was originally designed to ac- uled to be completed no later than Febru- commodate around 3,000. ary. Eventually, B-huts will be eliminated Two builders work on the new brick- “The expansion will give us flex space completely, replaced by brick-and-mortar and-mortar housing facilities, sched- to expand the base and improve quality uled to be ﬁnished by spring 2008. buildings and re-locatable buildings. of life, while organizing BAF into like There are also plans for a waste-water functions,” Bonner said. There are no plans to have a central treatment plant, additional reception, The reorganization aspect of the ex- housing area, so there will continue to be staging and onward movement and inte- pansion will put like units together. For separate housing accommodations near gration areas, an Air Mobility Command example, all life-support units will be in individual units. expansion, a new gym and additional ca- the same area, and all logistical units will Originally, when BAF was built, it was pacity for BAF’s landfill. be put together as well. This will allow designed as a temporary base with sev- “The improvements will increase the the units to interact and function more eral camps each responsible for its own standard of living for all BAF personnel,” effectively. security. Now, with base-wide perimeter Bonner said.

Two contractors de-mine a section of land slated for Bagram Airﬁeld’s eastern expansion.

11 2007 international and military mail holiday mailing dates To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas and to international addresses, the U.S. Post Ofﬁce suggests that mail be postmarked by the recommended mailing dates listed below. Beat the last-minute rush and take your mail to the post ofﬁce by these suggested dates.

and width combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service. SAM: SAM parcels are paid at Parcel Post postage rate of postage with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis. GXG: Global Express Guaranteed is available to over 190 countries via a partner- ship with Federal Express. See a retail associate at participating locations for a complete list of countries and money-back guarantee details. Some restrictions apply. EMS: Express Mail International is avail- EMMS: Express Mail Military Service is available to selected military post offices. Check with able to over 190 countries with delivery in 3 your local post office to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO of address. to 5 business days. See a retail associate at PAL: PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. participating locations for a complete list of It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length countries. Some restrictions apply.

Rescue from above

Above: Members of the 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacu- ation Flight load almost 800 pounds of medical equipment onto a C-130 aircraft just before taking off for a medical mission.

Right: Air Force Staff Sgt. Andria Essig, 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight medical technician, tends to an Afghan patient aboard a C-130 aircraft during an aeromedical evacuation mission. (Photos: Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Jasper)

12 C-130s put troops, supplies on target

Story and photos by zone, or drop location for air delivery of Senior Master Sgt. Kim Allain troops, supplies or equipment. 455th Air Expeditionary Wing “It is important to hit the zone with Public Affairs the drop as that may be the only piece of ground those troops own at the moment,” AGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan Self said. B– The 774th Expeditionary Airlift Once airdrop needs are determined, the Squadron here provides accurate and imme- teamwork and communication between the diate airdrops of critical supplies to troops services kicks in. The Army ascertains what on the ground throughout Afghanistan. is needed at each drop location and then These airdrops have significant impact on builds the loads (equipment), or bundles the success of ground missions for those (supplies), and rigs the parachute attached fighting the war on terrorism. to each drop. Ground missions in Afghanistan take The Army rigging team then follows the troops deep into mountain terrain or to bas- bundles/loads to the aircraft where the air- es without airstrips. The delivery of supplies crew joint airdrop inspector, or JAI, meets by road can be dangerous, time-consuming with the rigging team to inspect the para- or nonexistent. chutes attached to each bundle. The para- “Airdrop is either the fastest or only way chute rigging must be accurate to ensure the to resupply troops with food, water, fuel, chute opens once each load or bundle exits ammunition and equipment,” said Air Force the back of the aircraft. Master Sgt. Lance Peck, a loadmaster. Both the rigging team and aircrew load- Airdrops have been one of the U.S.’s pri- masters work with the JAI to correctly load mary means of moving supplies since the the drops onto the C-130 and inspect the Berlin Airlift in 1948. Whether the mission rigging. Once it is determined each drop will is for troop drops and resupply to contribute properly clear the aircraft upon extraction, to a wartime effort, or for emergency relief the JAI will provide the final certification during humanitarian aid, the C-130 Hercu- and clearance is given for aircraft depar- les aircraft and crew provide assistance. ture. “This is a pure C-130 mission here at The biggest challenge is that “every Bagram – doing what we have been trained load and mission is different and all sec- job done,” said Self. The navigator confirms to do and what the aircraft was built for,” tions involved need to understand what the the drop location and gives the loadmaster said Senior Master Sgt. Roy Self, also a requestor needs and wants you to do to ac- the “green light” to extract the load or bun- loadmaster. complish an accurate drop,” said Tech. Sgt. dle from the aircraft. The mission is also a joint effort between Eric Higen, another loadmaster. “There’s no better feeling in the world Soldiers and Airmen. Army logisticians Safety concerns determine whether the than calling ‘load clear’ and knowing you perform a risk evaluation to determine the drop is performed at a high altitude, which are getting those troops the items and airdrop requirement. They then coordinate is above 10,000 feet, or at low altitude. equipment they need to survive and com- with ground troops to determine a feasible “Teamwork and communication get the plete their mission,” he said.

Above: Aircrew members and rigging specialists load airdrop bundles onto a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft on the ﬂightline at Bagram Air- ﬁeld, Afghanistan.

Left: Senior Master Sgt. Roy Self cleans the ramp area after eight bundles of supplies were airdropped from a C-130 Hercules to troops in the ﬁeld by the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron from Bagram Air- ﬁeld, Afghanistan.

13 fromPhotos the ﬁeld

Left: An Afghan National Army Soldier applies a tourniquet to another ANA soldier during a training class conducted by the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. (Pho- to: Army Staff Sgt. Justin Holley)

Below: An Afghan girl in Paktika Province watch U.S. Soldiers build a road in front of her home while she tends to her three younger siblings. The road will connect the towns of Orgun and Zerok, granting the locals easier access to hospitals, government facilities and bazaars. (Photo: Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Bellis)

14 Above: An Afghan girl runs be- side a convoy just outside Bagram Airﬁeld. The convoy passengers were Operation Care volunteers who brought donations of toys and clothing to a displaced per- sons’ camp. To learn more about Operation Care, e-mail: reuben. [email protected] (Photo: Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Bellis)

Left: Soldiers from Bravo Com- pany, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, patrol the mountains in Bar- la, Afghanistan, in search of Taliban members and weapons caches (Photo: Army Staff Sgt. Marcus Quarterman)

Right: Tag Ab Valley residents gather for an afternoon meal after a shura, or town meeting, with the Kapisa provincial gover- nor, a key Afghan National Army general and the Task Force Cin- cinnatus commander. (Photo: Air Force Staff Sgt. Sarah Gregory)

Back cover: An Afghan girl holds an elder’s hand in a displaced per- sons’ camp just outside Bagram Airﬁeld. (Photo illustration: Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Bellis)