Angelina Jolie Supports the Troops + Afghanistan
While summer is a time for breaks for most of us, the US military is hard at work around the world, taking care of problems as they arise. It only happens infrequently, but there are celebrities working hard as well to support the troops. Angelina Jolie recently went to Baghdad to bring some morale to the troops stationed there. As you might imagine, she was welcomed – with more than a few open arms. Haha.
In more serious matter, a combined Afghan-coalition force searched a compound in Khowst province on July 19, 2009, and disrupted a Haqqani network cell operating within the region. They were making improvised explosive devices. The joint force searched the compound near the village of Ya’ Qubi, about 20 km northeast of the city of Khowst, after intelligence indicated militant activity. A search was conducted without incident and one suspected militant was detained.
The Haqqani network remains one of the most lethal Taliban organizations operating out of Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Area. Haqqani leaders conduct operations in conjunction with other Islamic militant groups with similar goals and interests. The network focuses operations against the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Afghan national security forces, and seeks to expel coalition and NATO forces from Afghanistan to maintain its influence in eastern provinces.
Elsewhere in Afghanistan, key leaders with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 3, participated in a tribal shura at the Afghan police compound next to Patrol Base Jaker. Around 300 local elders representing the seven tribes in the Nawa District were present at the shura. The Nawa District Chief of Police, Haji Mohammed Nafez Khan, and the Afghan national army commander for the Nawa District, Captain Saki Dad, were also in attendance.
Lt. Col. William McCollough, commanding officer of 1/5, said, “This was the first time in over a year that this many elders felt safe enough to travel to the district center and make their concerns known.”
Many of the local Afghans used the shura to speak about the need to understand the difference between good and bad Taliban, which was a common topic from the locals who spoke. Abdul Bari, a local national who spoke at the shura, stated that “Talib” means “student” and went on to say being a religious student is not a bad thing.
The local nationals also expressed concern about the locations of checkpoints, perceived unauthorized entry into local compounds and homes, respect for their religion and culture as well as the presence and intentions of the International Security Assistance Force personnel.
These are all important points. With the many lessons learned in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, I expect things to start looking up in Afghanistan.
What do you think?
Sgt Stryker out.
========================================
Talisman Saber 2009
An MH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter, assigned to the Air Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex, prepares to lift an M777 105 mm lightweight Howitzer as a part of exercise Talisman Saber 2009. Talisman Saber is a biennial, combined training activity designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting combined operations, which will help improve combat readiness and interoperability between Australian and U.S. forces. Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Alvarez
Marines, Afghan Security Forces Meet With Hundreds of Village Elders in Helmand
A meeting between key leaders with 1st Battalion 5th Marines and Nawa District officials in the Nawa District, Helmand province, Afghanistan on July 19. Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 3, 2D Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan, are deployed in support of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force and will participate in counter-insurgency operations and training and mentoring the Afghan national security forces to improve security and stability in Afghanistan. Photo by Lance Cpl. James Purschwitz
USS Carl Vinson Action
An aircraft director guides an F/A-18 Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron to the No. 2 catapult aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. Carl Vinson is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting flight deck certification after completing its scheduled refueling complex overhaul at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. The overhaul was an extensive yard period that all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through near the mid-point of their 50-year life cycle. Carl Vinson’s nuclear fuel was replenished and the ship’s services and infrastructure upgraded to make her the most state-of-the-art aircraft carrier in the fleet. Photo by Seaman Stephen Rowe
On USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Flight Deck
A French Dassault Rafale performs a touch and goes on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during a coalition training exercise. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility after a regularly-scheduled five month deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Maritime Security Operations. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rafael Figueroa-Medina