Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan

An Afghan national army soldier maintains security with Marines with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), as ANA soldiers conduct vehicle inspections in Farah province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Jan. 25. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. The vehicle inspections and personnel searches help to ensure security in the area. By partnering with Afghan security forces, SPMAGTF-A strengthens the ability of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to protect its people.
Photo by Cpl. Pete Thibodeau

Afghanistan and Iraq Updates + Super Bowl

Sgt. Stryker here with your updates in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Some may say that progress has been slow in both these countries over the years, but progress is progress. Hats off to all the men and women serving in the military all over the world. Now on to the updates.

On January 31, 2009, coalition forces killed two militants and detained nine suspects during operations in Afghanistan.

In Ghazni province, troops searched a compound near Daya Kheyl used by an individual known to channel mines, weapons and money in the area. The suspect also has alleged ties to the Haqqani terrorist network, according to military officials.

Upon arrival, coalition forces called out for inhabitants to exit the buildings in the compound. In one building, several persons barricaded themselves inside. Coalition forces proceeded with a forced entry and killed two militants. Troops also detained three suspected militants in the raid. One non-combatant received a minor injury, military officials said.

In Khowst, coalition forces detained six suspected militants during operations targeting a leader of a Sabari-based bombing cell linked to the Haqqani terrorist network.

On February 1, 2009, Afghan National Police and coalition forces rescued a man held against his will and detained his captors in Afghanistan’s Khowst province. The combined force rescued the Afghan man and detained his three captors in the province’s Sabari district, about 80 miles southeast of Kabul City.

Officials said the combined force captured the militants after conducting multiple raids on their group, which is connected to a bomb-making cell in district. The group also is known to be involved in trafficking weapons and enemy fighters from Pakistan, attacking coalition convoys and destroying Afghan infrastructure, officials added.

A medical team evaluated the rescued man, who was listed in fair condition.

No shots were fired, no civilians were injured, and no property was damaged, officials said.

“The success of this operation results from the close cooperation of the Afghan National Police and coalition forces,” Zemarai Bashary, an Afghanistan Interior Ministry spokesman, said. “The combined forces will continue to successfully execute operations that tear down militant networks, while protecting innocent civilians.”

Meanwhile, to the West in Iraq, Coalition and Iraqi forces detained three suspects and uncovered weapons caches in Iraq the past four days, military officials said.

Coalition and Iraqi forces detained a suspected extremist yesterday during operations in the Abu T’shir community of southern Baghdad’s Rashid district.

The suspect, who was wanted for allegedly attacking coalition and Iraqi forces, was in possession of an Uzi automatic weapon at the time of his detention, military officials said. The patrol transported the detainee to a nearby base for additional questioning.

Elsewhere in the Rashid district of Baghdad yesterday, combined forces discovered a weapons cache and unexploded ordnance. The cache consisted of a 60 mm mortar round and two 30-pound containers of potassium nitrate.

During operations in Baghdad Jan. 30, Iraqi forces detained suspected combatants and discovered a cache of weapons.

The two detainees are suspected of participating in robberies, homemade bombing attacks, kidnappings, sniper attacks and planning attacks on voters during the provincial elections, military officials said.

Also in the Iraqi capital January 30, 2009, combined forces confiscated six AK-47 assault rifles while conducting operations in the Saydiyah neighborhood in southern Baghdad.

On January 29, 2009, troops discovered a weapons cache in the Resala neighborhood west of Baghdad. The cache was composed of three 120mm high explosives and one 130mm projectile.

Over the weekend, U.S. troops got a special message from President Barack Obama. Deployed troops watching the Super Bowl game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, February 1, 2009, were greeted with messages from their new commander in chief and top Defense Department officials.

Instead of commercials, part of the content carried between downs on the American Forces Network were public service announcements recorded by President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“As we all take this time to watch the big game, I wanted to be sure to send all of our military men and women a special greeting,” the transcript of Obama’s salutation reads. “You are tuning in from all over the world. But no matter where you are and no matter which team you’re rooting for, this event is bringing you a little closer to home.”

“I am honored to be your commander in chief, I thank you for your courage and sacrifice during these trying times, and I promise to do everything in my power to help you accomplish your mission,” he said. “You make us proud each and every day.”

Robert M. Gates injected history and humor into his message that aired during breaks in the gridiron action between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, which he noted, used to be one team.

“During World War II, because so many men were serving overseas, the Chicago Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers actually merged for a season,” he said. “They were called the Card-Pitt Combine, and they went 0-10, earning a less-than-flattering nickname: ‘the carpets’ — because everyone walked all over them.

“This game is a little more exciting. Wherever you are, I hope that you have a chance to kick back and relax for a few hours — you have certainly earned it,” Gates said. “As always, I thank you for your service, and for the sacrifice you make every day in defense of our nation. Enjoy the game.”

The Steelers won the Super Bowl in a close 27-23 victory over the Cardinals.

This is Sgt. Stryker signing out.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 at 6:00 am and is filed under news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.