Sgt Stryker here. Things progress in Afghanistan. (I’ll have info soon on the new Noah’s Ark the Sea Bees are building over there. It’s quite a feat! First things first, though.)

U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers and police are continuing clearing operations in key population centers along the Helmand River valley as part of operation Khanjar. It is an effort to secure the local Afghan population from the threat of Taliban and other insurgent intimidation and violence.

Almost 4,000 Marines and Sailors from Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, along with more than 600 Afghan national security forces, are currently operating in the districts of Nawa and Garmsir in central Helmand province. MEB forces are operating as far south as the vicinity of Khan Neshin, the capital of Rig district in the region of the Helmand River valley known as “The Fishhook.”

The Marines and Afghan forces are continuing to patrol and have begun engaging with key leaders in the districts in order to better understand the concerns and needs of Afghans in the area. Once security is established, civil affairs personnel and other non-governmental organizations and agencies will begin establishing programs aimed at building long-term governance and development throughout the Helmand River valley.

One Marine has been killed in action, and several others have been injured or wounded since the operation began. Yesterday, south of Garmsir, one Afghan man began to approach a group of Marines and was warned to stop. He did not stop, despite a series of warning indicators being employed. The man continued to walk toward the Marines at a rapid pace without saying anything to them. A warning shot was fired, and when he still did not stop, a Marine fired a single shot, wounding the man. U.S. Navy corpsmen immediately treated the man, and he was evacuated by MEB forces to Bost hospital in the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, where he is in stable condition.

It’s still dangerous out there, but a lot is being done. As you’ll see coming up with a post about the Afghanistan Noah’s Ark being built, there’s a lot of progress happening as well. As Iraq becomes safer and safer, eyes are turning back toward Afghanistan where it’s also about more than the missiles.

Sgt. Stryker out.

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Essex Sailors Demonstrate Firefighting Skills

Sailors assigned to the air department crash and salvage team of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex fight a simulated class bravo fire on the flight deck of the ship. Essex is in port and scheduled to participate in Talisman Saber 2009, a series of training exercises hosted by the Australian defense force. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio

USS Ronald Reagan Activity

U.S. Navy 1st Lt. Glen Bourque, commander, communicates with all stations from Deck Control aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan during a replenishment at sea evolution with fast combat support ship USNS Rainier. Bourque is in charge of transporting cargo via highlines and fuel via spanwires from Rainier to Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan is underway on a routine deployment in the Indian Ocean. Photo by Oliver Cole

Launching Off the Flight Deck

An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Pukin’ Dogs” of Strike Fighter Squadron 143 launches off the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as well as Maritime Security Operations. MSO in the U.S. 5th Fleet are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States’ commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. Photo by Seaman Apprentice Jon Dasbach

U.S Soldiers Patrol Basra’s Five Mile Market

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ramon Ramos from Hollister, Calif., with 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, walks with Iraqi children during a foot patrol into Five Mile Market, Basra, Iraq, June 22. Photo by Staff Sgt. Chrissy Best

If you hadn’t heard (thanks to the media), Army Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez arrived in Afghanistan this week to assume his post as deputy commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan. Rodriguez will serve in that post on an interim basis as NATO officials create a new intermediate command that he will head in the alliance’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to oversee day-to-day military operations in the region.

Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates explained the rationale behind the new command structure and where Rodriquez will fit in under Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who commands both U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan (which is a pretty big job any way you look at it.)

“The problem we needed to address is [that] the commander of ISAF under the current arrangement has far too many responsibilities to be able to guide the tactical battle on a day-to-day basis across the country,” Gates said. “The plan is for General McChrystal and the [British] deputy commander — Royal Marines Lt. Gen. Jim Dutton — to have more of a strategic role in looking across the country at a more elevated level in terms of cooperation between civil and military efforts.”

The secretary said he hopes the new NATO command structure will be in place by August. “Immediately on the establishment of this ISAF headquarters,” he said, “[Rodriquez] will take off the U.S. hat and put on an ISAF hat, and his only role will be in an alliance role.”

As commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Rodriquez led Combined Joint Task Force 76, based at Bagram Airfield, from February 2007 to April 2008. This is the second tour of duty in Afghanistan for him. As deputy commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, he will direct the day-to-day operations and continue effective integration and coordination between U.S. and coalition forces operating under ISAF, officials said. Rodriguez most recently served as Gates’ senior military assistant.

Questions? Sgt. Stryker out.

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The Patrol Ship Fatah Arrives in Umm Qasr

Two Iraqi air force MI-17 helicopters join a naval pass and review during the arrrival ceremont of the new Iraqi flagship. Photo by Capt. Tommy Avilucea

‘Swordsmen’ and ‘Checkerboards’ Stand by to Secure Jets

Marines from the “Checkerboards” of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 312, and a Sailor assigned to the “Swordsmen” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, stand by to secure jets during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) is underway in the Atlantic Ocean performing a Composite Training Unit Exercise. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Felicito Rustique

Paratroopers, National Police Patrol Oubaidy

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Sorton from Pittsburgh, Pa., and U.S. Army Spc. Carlin Redhouse, right, from Kirtland, N.M., of 2nd Platoon, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, walk with an Iraqi national policeman during an assessment of civil improvement projects in Muhallahs 760, eastern Baghdad, Iraq, June 21. The projects include improving market areas, street paving and local sewers. Photo by Staff Sgt. James Selesnick

Stennis Conducts Northern Edge 2009 Off the Coast of Alaska

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), flies off the coast of Alaska. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are participating in Northern Edge 2009, a joint exercise focusing on detecting and tracking units at sea, in the air and on land. Photo by Seaman Josue Escobosa

Guam Soldiers Train United Nations Mandated Peacekeeping Skills

Staff Sgt. Ray Jay Aromin, an infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam National Guard, shields a role player from scenario-driven gunshots during a peacekeeping scenario as part of Exercise Garuda Shield 09, at the Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Darat, or Indonesian army, Infantry Training Center in Bandung Indonesia, June 22. Garuda Shield is a two week exercise brings together Soldiers and Marines from nine nations to train on the United Nations mandated ground-level tasks. GS09 is the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security. Training will focus on peace Support Operations and Global Peace Operation Initiative Certification, a Command Post Exercise, a Field Training exercise and Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Projects. Photo by Spc. Jesse Toves

Factory Closing: Nasiriyah Home for Improvised Explosive Device Manufacture Raided by Dhi Qar Police

Soldiers in the 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division catalogue munitions that may have been used in attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces seized by the Iraqi police June 13, in the al Zahara neighborhood of Nasiriyah. The find was one of the largest in southern Iraq over the past year, and was made possible by a tip from locals in the area. The battalion is deployed from Fort Bliss, Texas, to advise and assist the Iraqi security forces in accordance with the U.S. – Iraq Security Agreement. Photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens

Okay, I’ve “beamed” some new Star Trek videos on the site. (See below.) Keep the comments coming.

I went and saw the movie last week. I liked it! The “military” or federation in the movie was kind of fascinating to me. What did you think? Leave a comment and share with the world what you thought.

If you hadn’t noticed, there’s still a lot going on with the US military all over the world. Billy Blanks, who created the Tae Bo sensation, stopped in Iraq to visit the troops and try to help with morale. It was a big hit. It’s nice when people who aren’t in the military and don’t have to be there travel to where the troops are to make sure they know they’re gone but not forgotten. There are a lot who do, but I say there could always be more.

Things aren’t easy sometimes when you find yourself in a foreign land, surrounded by strange cultures and people who want to kill you. There are a lot of people who are working with the US troops a lot more now, but there are still bad guys around certain corners. They’re being rooted out, though, before any more civilians on either side are hurt. That’s the goal, the mission. Supporting the troops helps make sure they’re successful. And you don’t have to be someone like Billy Blanks to support the troops. Everyday citizens can do a lot too. Want to know what you can do? Leave a comment and ask.

Sgt. Stryker out.
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1st Infantry Division Cavalry Scouts Search Unexplored Terrain

A Soldier with C. Troop, 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, scans the surrounding area as night begins to fall during a mountain patrol in the Kunar province of northeastern Afghanistan April 10. The patrol to search for caves and enemy passages was a joint effort with Afghan national army soldiers and was the first done in that region in more than two years.

Army Staff Sgt. Eric Winn and Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy Carswell from C. Troop, 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, scan a mountain slope with their weapons before their troop departs on a patrol in Kunar province April 10. Photo by Staff Sgt. David Hopkins

Soldiers with C. Troop, 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and Afghan national army soldiers, cross a foot bridge over the Kunar River during a patrol April 10. Photo by Staff Sgt. David Hopkins

USS Gettysburg Activity

The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, left, conducts an underway replenishment with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl. Gettysburg is the flagship of Combined Task Force 151, a multi-national task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations throughout the Combined Maritime Forces area of responsibility. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Diendorf

Outside With Villagers

An Afghan boy stands amongst other villagers in Morghan Kecha, Afghanistan, on May 14, 2009. Photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.

Talking With Villagers

An Afghan man looks into the camera in Morghan Kecha, Afghanistan, on May 14, 2009. Photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Abimilach Wenthold, 451st Air Expeditionary Group Tactical Security Element, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, follows an Afghan teenager through the village of Morghan Kecha, Afghanistan, May 14, 2009, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.