Sgt. Stryker here with a serious topic – IED – improvised explosive devices. These can be some of the meanest weapons in the enemy’s arsenal. Made from anything (and everything), they’re easily disguised so that coalition troops in Afghanistan (and the country on the other side of Iran) still have problems with them. This cowardly weapon has claimed the lives of countless civilians as well.

Four suspected Taliban insurgents were captured Tuesday August 11, 2009, during a search by Afghan national army and International Security Assistance Forces after receiving a tip from an Afghan civilian in the Sayed Abad district of Wardak province in eastern Afghanistan.

Task Force Spartan received information from a local civilian and, under the lead of the ANA, searched a location in the Tangi Valley, resulting in the capture of two insurgents notorious for improvised explosive device production, and two alleged accomplices.

The two insurgents are suspected of being involved in several IED attacks on ANSF and ISAF troops in the past, including multiple IED attacks in the Sayed Abad district of Wardak province in June 2009.
The insurgents were found in the house along with IED making materials.

Among the IED making materials was a large amount of coiled copper wire commonly used for IEDs. Tests on the four individuals resulted in positive readings for handling explosive materials. The suspects were turned over to the custody of the Afghan government.

“These suspected insurgents were taken into custody with the help of local Afghans, willing to help rid their village of those who wish to harm their people. This is a good example of locals helping locals, and taking responsibility for their own safety,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steven Osterholzer, spokesman for Task Force Spartan.

The Afghan civilian who provided the tip was rewarded through the United States Department of Defense Rewards Program. This program, which began in 2003, encourages local Afghans to work with ANSF and ISAF in ensuring the stability and security of Afghanistan by offering rewards based on tips and information on insurgents and insurgent activity.

The DoD Rewards program has seen an increase in use, resulting in a 200 percent increase in the location and removal of weapons caches and insurgent activity from last year throughout Regional Command-East.

ISAF is a key component of the international community’s engagement in Afghanistan, assisting the Afghan authorities in providing security and stability and creating the conditions for reconstruction and development.

A 200% increase. That’s newsworthy, I think. What about you?

RIP Walter Cronkite.

Sgt. Stryker Out.

22nd MEU Lima Company Dismounts in Desert During Sustainment Training

Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, set up security at a training area near Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Aug. 10. The 22nd MEU is ashore conducting sustainment training in Kuwait and is currently serving as the theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command. Photo by Cpl. Justin Martinez

A Marine with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, posts security on a staircase in a training area near Camp Buehring, Kuwait Aug. 10. The 22nd MEU is ashore conducting sustainment training in Kuwait and is currently serving as the theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command. Photo by Cpl. Justin Martinez

Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct dismounted patrolling on a training area near Camp Buehring, Kuwait Aug. 10. The 22nd MEU is ashore conducting sustainment training in Kuwait and is currently serving as the theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command.

30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team Soldiers on Patrol

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Matthew Haggerty, left, a platoon leader from Greenville, N.C., Sgt. 1st Class Robbie Irwin, a platoon sergeant from Tabor City, N.C., and Spc. Joey Hucks, a team leader from Lumberton, N.C., all members of B Company, 120th Combined Arms Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, ask a local farmer about recent enemy activity in the area. Photo by Sgt. Robert Jordan

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 15th, 2009 at 11:45 pm and is filed under General Blog, Videos. 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.