Harnessing life-saving skills

- Pages 8-9

March 12, 2007 www.cfc-a.centcom.mil

Freedom Watch Page 2 March 12, 2007

Air Force Leaflet airdrop delivers mes-sage to Taliban

SOUTHWEST ASIA - The messagewas clear and well delivered.

A C-130 Hercules airdrop missiondropped 30,000 warning leaflets over themountainous terrain of southeasternAfghanistan March 6 to deter the insur-gent activity of the Taliban.

The warning leaflet airdrop missionwas in direct support of OperationAchilles launched March 6 by theInternational Security Assistance Force tocreate a secure environment that'll enablethe government of Afghanistan to helpthe country's people.

The warning leaflets were used in sup-port of a ground task force to communi-cate with Taliban extremists, warningthem not to interfere with Coalition activ-ities.

ArmyArmy fields new protectiveneck gear

WASHINGTON - The Armyannounced Feb. 28 it is fielding 430,000new helmet pads, officially referred to asNape Pads, designed to better protectSoldiers' neck areas from ballistic frag-mentation.

The Army has begun shipping the newprotective pad to Soldiers deploying insupport of operations Iraqi Freedom andEnduring Freedom.

The neck pad further complementsthe Army's system-of-systems approachto force protection, integrating layers ofprotection for Soldiers on the battlefield.Additional individual protective gear pro-vided by Army Program Executive OfficeSoldier includes the advanced combat hel-met, ballistic eyewear, hearing protection,night-vision devices, the M4 carbine rifle,fire resistant uniforms and integratedbody armor with enhanced small-armsprotective inserts, deltoid auxiliary protec-tors and side-armor plates.

DoDIRS offers free tax assistancefor troops, families

WASHINGTON - With income taxdeadlines quickly approaching, theInternal Revenue Service is remindingtroops and their families that free assis-

tance is available to them at military taxcenters worldwide.

The IRS has provided the VolunteerIncome Tax Assistance Program to ser-vicemembers from more than 25 years.

The program, overseen by the ArmedForces Tax Council, works to train mili-tary volunteers on installations through aseries of intensive training sessions sothey can understand current laws andoffer tax advice, preparation, return filingand other tax assistance.

IRS tax laws provide special benefits toactive-duty servicemembers, particularlythose in combat zones. For federal taxpurposes, "armed forces" includes offi-cers and enlisted members in regular andreserve units controlled by the secretariesof Defense, Army, Navy and Air Force, inaddition to the Coast Guard.

According to the IRS Web site, threecombat zones have been designated byexecutive order from the president inareas where armed forces are or haveengaged in combat, this includes the airspace above those areas. These are theArabian Peninsula, Kosovo andAfghanistan.

The Defense Department also has cer-tified locations for combat zone tax bene-fits due to the direct support of militaryoperations during operations Iraqi andEnduring Freedom. A listing of theselocations can be found atwww.irs.gov/newsroom by clicking onthe "Armed Forces" tab.

Those who qualify for combat zoneprovisions can apply for military payexclusions, deadline extensions and mis-cellaneous provisions by writing "combatzone" and their deployment date in redink on the top of tax returns.

Qualifying taxpayers may directly noti-fy the IRS of their exclusion status by e-mailing combatzone@irs.gov. Service-members should provide name, statesideaddress, date of birth, and date of deploy-ment to the combat zone. They shouldnot include social security numbers in ane-mail. This notification may be made bythe taxpayer, spouse or authorized agentor representative.

Courtesy photoThe Army began sending outmore than 430,000 new helmetpads Feb. 28.

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio RicardoAirman 1st Class Josh Huffman, aC-130 Hercules loadmaster, dropsa box of 30,000 warning leafletsover the southeastern mountainsof Afghanistan March 6.

PAGE 2

Defense DigestPAGE 4New Bagram hospital open for businessPAGE 5JDOC keeps KAF forces speaking same force protectionlanguagePAGE 6Bagram PRT helps local children, despite challengesPAGE 7Bagram PRT provides needed supplies for Womens’ Day inAfghanistanPAGE 8-9Pararescue: ensuring everyone goes home safe, soundPAGE 10NFL cheerleaders visit troops in AfghanistanPAGE 11Elite Soldiers train special reaction police in GhazniPAGE 12Remembering heroes: 455th AEW honors fallen AirmenPAGE 13Spartan, Afghan mechanics labor side-by-side at JAFPAGE 14Cargo riggers ensure resupply mission successes

Freedom Watch Page 3

Contents

March 12, 2007

Air Force Staff Sgt.Diana Martinez, 451stAir ExpeditionaryGroup, checks surveil-lance systems for sus-picious activity as partof the force protectionat Kandahar Airfield,Afghanistan, Feb. 28

COVERPararescueman Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Piccoli, 306thRescue Squadron, rappels off the rock wall at KandaharAirfield, Afghanistan, during a training exercise. (Photo bySenior Airman Andrea Wright)

Freedom Watch is a weekly publication of Combined Joint Task Force-82.

CJTF-76 Commander Maj. Gen. David M. RodriguezRC East Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. David A. Accetta

Freedom Watch, a Department of Defense publication, is published eachMonday by the American Forces Network - Afghanistan Print Section atBagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Printed circulation is 5,000 copies per week.

In accordance with DoD Instruction 5120.4, this DoD newspaper is anauthorized publication for members of the U.S. military overseas.

Contents of the Freedom Watch are not necessarily the official view of, orendorsed by, the U.S. government or the Department of Defense.

Deadline for submissions is 0730 Zulu each Friday. All submissions aresubject to editing by the AFN-A Print Section, located in Bldg. 415, Room205, Bagram Airfield. We can be reached at DSN 318-231-3338.

1100

Photo by Army Pfc. Matthew LearThe performance at ForwardOperating Base Salerno Feb. 28was just one of many theWashington Redskins Cheerlea-ders are giving throughoutAfghanistan.

77Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt.

Matt LichtenbergArmy Sgt. Jeremy Hancock,civil affairs specialist for theBagram PRT Kapisa team,hands a bag full of suppliesand materials, everythingfrom blankets to toiletries,to one of the workers at theDepartment of Women’sAffairs in Kapisa ProvinceMonday.

44Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher

Maj. (Dr.)Clifford Perez,Task Force Medgeneral sur-geon, uses thestate of the artvital sign moni-tors to check hispatient's condi-tion at thenewly openedCraig JointT h e a t e rHospital March4.

Freedom Watch StaffCommander - Air Force Maj.

John BryanSuperintendent - Air Force Senior Master Sgt.

Richard SimonsenNCOIC - Air Force Staff Sgt.

Matt LichtenbergEditor/Print Chief - Air Force Senior Airman

Brian StivesStaff Writer - Air Force Senior Airman

Andrea Wright

Visit the CJTF-82 website atwww.cfc-a.centcom.mil

55

Photo by Senior Airman Andrea Wright

NEWSPage 4 Freedom Watch March 12, 2007

Story and photoBy Air Force Staff Sgt.

Thomas J. DoscherRegional Command-East Public

Affairs Office

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghan-istan - In 2006, Army Staff Sgt.Heathe N. Craig, a medic with the159th Medical Company, 10thMountain Division, was holding des-perately to a patient as they were bothbeing hoisted from a ridgeline by aBlackhawk helicopter. Halfway to thechopper, the line snapped, and Craigand his patient fell to their deaths.

The Craig Joint Theater Hospital,named for him, opened for businessMarch 4, offering Task Force Medpatients a whole new level of care anddoctors a new level of technology withwhich to work.

"We're officially open over there,"said Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) ClaudeHawkins, CJTH medical chief of staff."Our emergency room stood up at 6a.m., so that's where we're now takingemergency patients."

The new hospital is the mostadvanced in thearea of operationsand features afour-bed traumabay, three operat-ing rooms and astate of the artdental clinic.

"The new CraigJoint TheaterHospital is a stateof the art hospitalthat rivals anystateside hospitalof equivalent size,"said Air Force Col. Bart Iddins, TFMed commander. "The new facilitymeets all current requirements, butleaves room for expansion as needed."

The biggest advantage the newfacility offers is its cleanliness.

"It's a cleaner environment andmore sterile," Hawkins said.

Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Clifford Perez,TF Med general surgeon, said thecleaner, more sterile environment willbe of great help after surgeries.

"We seldom closed our woundsimmediately," he said of surgeries at

the old hospital."We used a lot ofnew techniques inwound care, andU.S. Soldiers weresent out to otherfacilities when thechance of infec-tion wasincreased."

The new hospi-tal also has moreroom for patients,sporting nearly 50beds, twice as

many as in the old hospital.Air Force 1st Lt. Karis Russell, TF

Med nurse, said the new equipment isa great help.

"As a nurse, the extra space isgood," she said. "We also have more

monitors and oxygen for every bed.""The new facility is equipped with

the most advanced medical equipmentand medical technology currentlyavailable. It is truly first rate," Iddinssaid.

"It feels like a hospital that's state-side," Perez agreed. "I was very excitedto come and work here. We have a lotmore capability."

As happy as she is to work at the newhospital, Russell said she has happymemories of working at the old one.

"There are some things I'll miss,"she said, "like being able to go out-doors with the patients so easily. It'svery healing."

Iddins said while having new equip-ment is nice, it's the people that makethe real difference.

"It's the dedication, knowledge andskills of its staff that makes Craig JointTheater Hospital a premier world-classmedical organization," he said. "Thenew hospital clearly represents theUnited States of America's continuingcommitment to provide only the finestmedical care for its servicemembersand Coalition partners."

New Bagram hospital open for business

“The new Craig JointTheater Hospital is a

state of the art hospitalthat rivals any statesidehospital of equivalent

size.”- Air Force Col. Bart Iddins

Task Force Med commander

Air Force 1st Lt. Karis Russell, Task Force Med nurse, flushes CraigJoint Theater Hospital patient Rahmat Shah's IV. Patients were movedfrom the original TF Med hospital to the new facility earlier that day.

NEWSMarch 12, 2007 Freedom Watch Page 5

Story and photoBy Senior Airman

Andrea WrightAmerican Forces Network -

Afghanistan

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD,Afghanistan - At first glance,Kandahar Airfield, Afghan-istan, may look like chaos. Thebase is a sea of different uni-forms, vehicles, aircraft andaccents. But one unit on KAF isresponsible for making sureeveryone is speaking the samelanguage on the battlefield.

They are the Joint DefenseOperations Center and are "thehub" of force protection atKAF said Royal Air ForceFlight Lt. Mark Folley, forceprotection duty operations officer.

The JDOC is manned by membersfrom several different countries.

"It's a coalition organization headedby the Royal Air Force Regiment withelements of U.S. Air Force securityforces from the 451st AirExpeditionary Group," said Folley."We've also got a Danish radar batterycompany, a Romanian Tactical AssaultForce company and Canadians work-ing as watch keepers for us."

Things seem to work prettysmoothly between the different

nations, but this wasn't always the case."Prior to us getting here, the force

protection was very unorganized,because everyone was conducting theirown force protection," Folley said."What we've managed to do is gel thewhole system together to make anintegrated force protection unit here atKAF."

Working on a base as important asKandahar in the Global War onTerror, it is vital that everyone in theJDOC work as a team and stay on thesame page.

"It's a large and importantbase and with the fact there's somany air operations here, it'sextremely important we get ourjob right and allow the air andground operations from thecamp to continue unhindered asmuch as possible," said RoyalAir Force Flight Lt. AdamConstant, flight commander.

This crew of servicemem-bers from different nations hasa lot on its plate every day. Fromthe helicopters in the air to theconvoys outside the wire, every-thing that goes on in the sky andon the ground goes throughthem first. Not only in theKandahar region itself, but all ofsouthern Afghanistan.

"It's integral to the Coalitioneffort against the Taliban in southernKandahar," said Folley.

With the weather and the springoffensive warming up, the JDOC isdefinitely feeling the heat.

"Within the last 12 hours we've hada rocket attack last night, there areongoing incidents out in the area ofoperations, we're dealing with unex-ploded ordnance at this very moment,and that's a pretty average day here atKAF," said Folley.

JDOC keeps KAF forces speakingsame force protection language

Royal Air Force Regiment Senior Aircraftman TimGlew, Group Disposal Account, writes downcoordinates of some vehicles he was tracking.Glew is part of the Joint Defense OperationsCenter at Kandahar Airfield who helps keep theforce protection of the base on the same levelthroughout the Coalition Forces.

NEWSPage 6 Freedom Watch March 12, 2007

Story and photoBy Army Sgt.

Timothy DinneenCombined Joint Task Force-82

Public Affairs

MIRA KHAL, Afghanistan - Asthe convoy crawled through the MirahKhal village along a narrow dirt road inthe deceptively peaceful Tagab ValleyFeb. 19, tall mud walls hugged the sidesof the Humvees as the crackle of small-arms fire reigned down on the caravan.

"Fire, left side!" shouted ArmyMaster Sgt. Warren Beard, NCOIC,Bagram Provincial ReconstructionTeam, as Air Force Tech. Sgt. DarrilMcDonald increased the speed of theHumvee from a crawl to a slow walkaround the bending road. Army Sgt.Pavel "Ski" Prezszlowski immediatelyreturned relentless fire with his M249machine gun swivelling in the gunner'snest.

The vehicle was then rattled by anexplosive boom near the left side, theblow seemingly knocking out both timeand sound as the lightning pace of theambush seemed tobecome slow andsilent. They awoketo Beard's call for"ammo" prompt-ing a 82ndAirborne DivisionP a r a t r o o p e r ,assigned withCombined JointTask Force-76, toreach for hisLeatherman knifecutting the cordholding the 5.56mm rounds and sending them to thegunner.

"They're on both sides moving allaround," McDonald said surveying themountains while navigating through thebottle-necked road. Subsequent explo-

sions followed as the gun-fight unfoldedwhen a rocket propelled grenade nar-rowly missed one of the lead vehiclesthat would have cut-off their soleavenue of escape.

The silence marking the end of theattack came as quickly as the initial firewhen the caravan reached a main roadoutside the chaotic and claustrophobic

road. The vehiclecarried the silencewith it as it speddown the dustyroad. "At leastthe children gottheir medicine,"Beard said break-ing the momen-tary silence.

The BagramPRT was return-ing from aMedical CivilianA s s i s t a n c e

Program at the Mira Khal elementaryschool in Kapisa Province.

"Kids are the future, we want to getthem on our side so when they becomeleaders they'll cooperate with Coalitionforces," said Army Maj. Donald

Johnson, director, Bagram PRT. "Weare concerned with school kids, givingpersonal hygiene classes, treating thesick and injured and sending themhome with hygiene kits so they canpractice what they learned."

The village children were also givenvitamins, de-wormed and tetanus shotsfor preventative care at the schoolwhere they are taught English.

It's a good program because the chil-dren will be able to take care of them-selves and be healthy," said Army lin-guist Jamila Saleh.

Army Maj. Robert Mulsby, surgeon,Combined Joint Special OperationsTask Force, said this is more than anopportunity to provide medical treat-ment. He said it's tough to turn aroundthe older population but there's a goodopportunity for young people to devel-op a positive perception of ISAF forces.

"This is more than providing quickhealth care, it's about winning heartsand minds," said Mulsby. "We wantthem interested in us and not theTaliban."

"We are happy you are here becausewe know you're here to help," saidSauza, a 10-year-old Afghan girl. "Welike it because we want to be clean, pret-ty and healthy."

According to Mulsby, the BagramPRT has been visiting the school everymonth since November.

"Hopefully this will help bring thepeace by teaching future generationsyou are here to help," said AbdullSaboor, school master, Mira Khal. "Thechildren need these things because theyare very poor sometimes going dayswithout food."

"The toughest part is not being ableto help more people but it's fulfillingwhen you see the children smiling orhear an occasional laugh," said SeniorAirman Melanie Weaver. "You can justdo the best you can with the time youhave here."

Bagram PRT helps local children, despite challenges

Navy Petty Officer 1st ClassDaniene Edwards administers atetanus shot to an Afghan girlduring the Medical CivilianAssistance Program at Mira Khalelementary school Feb. 19.

“We are happy you arehere because we knowyou’re here to help.We

like it because we want tobe clean, pretty and

healthy.”

- Sauza10-year-old Afghan girl

By Air Force Staff Sgt.Matt Lichtenberg

American Forces Network -Afghanistan

B agram's ProvincialReconstruction Team vis-ited Kapisa Province to

deliver materials and supplies to theDepartment for Women's Affairs,Monday.

They were welcomed by severalworkers of the DWA when theyarrived with a trailer full of food,blankets, toiletries and other items.These much needed items were dis-tributed during a ceremonyThursday to the women of theprovince.

"It's necessary, and I also enjoyhelping these people," said ArmySgt. Jeremy Hancock, civil affairs

specialist for the Bagram PRTKapisa team.

The Kapisa team provides thistype of aid once a month all overthe province and this is its thirddrop to this particular place.

"I'm proud to be a part of thisteam," said Army Capt. BirmaGonzalez, truck commander for thetrip to Kapisa. "They deliver itemsall throughout this area, so anythingI can do to help, I'm excited to do."

These supplies were given towomen who have endured underextreme conditions over the pastfew decades.

"The women of Kapisa have suf-fered both psychologically and eco-nomically for many years because ofwar, so we're very thankful for theBagram PRT," said SaiforaKohistani, Director of the

Department of Women's Affairs ofthe Kapisa Province. "We appreciateeverything they're doing for us."

The benefit of helping theAfghan people is two-fold: they getmuch-needed supplies and it showsCoalition forces are here to helpthem.

"The biggest thing is the govern-ment and the people are more will-ing to work with us because of ourhelp," said Hancock. "The locals aremore permissive to Coalition Forcesand they're also more loyal to theirgovernment."

The Bagram PRT Kapisa Teamhas $6 million in projects plannedfor this province, mainly for build-ing roads, health clinics and schools.Overall, these projects will help theAfghan economy grow to becomemore independent.

NEWSMarch 12, 2007 Freedom Watch Page 7

You are a good friend

DariShuma yak doste khoob hasted.(Shoo-ma yak doe-stay khoobhuas-ted)

PashtuTasoo yow khu malgeray yaste.(Tah-soo yow khoo mal-gah-rayyaws-tay)

In Afghanistan, boys and girls are schooled separately in primary school. Under theTaliban regime, girls were not allowed to have education at any level. Women and girlscan now partake in education throughout the country.

Dari/Pashtu phrase of the weekDari/Pashtu phrase of the week

Courtesy photo

Bagram PRT provides needed suppliesfor Women's Day in Afghanistan

minds of these Airmen."We try to fill up our days with as

much training as we can, keepingproficient in all our skill sets," saidAir Force Staff Sgt. John HenryLane, a pararescueman with the306th Rescue Squadron.

An average day for a PJ starts thesame as many other jobs, with a cupof coffee. Then they ready their gearand head to the climbing wall or thejunkyard to train on one of the manyskills they need to keep sharp.

"As pararescuemen we're taskedwith a number of different things weneed to stay proficient such as a con-fined space rescue, shooting and highangle rescues. We also have to keepour hours current on the helicopter,"said Lane.

Other skills they hone in theirdowntime are extrications from up-armored HMMWVs and focusing onthe medical side of their jobs.

"We'll go through medical exercis-es for treating patients or just sit andtalk about medicines and medicalprocedures," said Air Force Staff Sgt.Joseph Piccoli, another pararescue-man with the 306th RS.

Sometimes, there are certainaspects of the job that cannot bepracticed while stationed inAfghanistan.

"The combat dive mission - we arenot able to work on it because there'snot any water around here," saidSenior Airman Brian Kimber, anoth-er pararescueman with the 306th RS."But, we do bring all of our gearwith us just in case something hap-pens and we're the closest people tohelp out."

In general, a pararescueman's jobwhile deployed is, according to Lane"to provide combat search and res-cue for theater assets." It's a simpledefinition, but these PJ's also providemuch more.

"We're the main asset for searchand rescue in the area and that does-n't just involve downed U.S. aircraft,it involves any isolated personnelwhether it's U.S, Coalition Forces orAfghan nationals," said Lane.

The pararescue motto is, "So oth-ers may live," and it's the reason theytrain nonstop and volunteer to puttheir lives on the line.

"The reason I became a PJ isbecause, as Americans, we don't leaveanyone behind. That's what we'rehere for, personnel recovery. Makingsure everybody that comes over heregoes home," said Lane.

March 12, 2007 Page 9Page 8 Freedom Watch FEATURE

Story and photos By Senior Airman Andrea

Wright American Forces Network -

Afghanistan

Ask any pararescueman, or PJ,and they'll tell you, if they'reworking a mission, then

something has gone very wrong.Chances are, an aircraft is down andthere are injured personnel in need ofrescue. So, it's a good day when theyaren't hard at work.

Fortunately, aircraft mishaps arefew and far between in Afghanistanand training is number one on the

Group ensures everyone goes home safe, sound

Senior Airman Christopher Keen, 306th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, practices his shooting skills out on therange during a training day at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

Airmentrain soothers

may live

Airmen from the 306th Rescue Squadron from Tucson, Ariz., pose for agroup picture outside Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The Airmen haverelaxed grooming standards since they are in close contact with theAfghan population.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Piccoli,306th Rescue Squadron parares-cue specialist, clears the ropebefore his fellow pararescuemanclimbs up the rock wall during atraining exercise.

Senior Airman Brian Kimber, 306thRescue Squadron pararescue, sharp-ens his shooting skills at the rangeduring down time.

March 12, 2007Page 10 Freedom Watch NEWS

Story and photoBy Army Pfc. Matthew LearyTask Force Fury Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATINGBASE SALERNO, Afghanistan -From cheering on the football field tocheering "in the field," some of theNational Football League's patrioticcheerleaders visited the servicemem-bers of Forward Operating BaseSalerno, Afghanistan, Feb. 28.

The "First Ladies of Football," aportion of the Washington Redskinscheerleaders, performed dance rou-tines, spoke to the troops and invited afew lucky individuals to come up onstage.

The purpose of the trip was to visitservicemembers deployed in supportof their country and provide thementertainment for at least one night,said Donald R. Wells, Redskins direc-tor of entertainment and cheerleading.

"This is the twenty-third tour we'vedone," Wells said. "We're goingthrough different bases in Afghanistanto provide a touch of home."

The show began with the FirstLadies charging on stage and perform-ing one of their many sideline rou-tines. The crowd erupted in applause,and the intensity of the moment con-tinued throughout the hour-long per-formance.

"We haven't gotten a bad reviewyet," said Onya R. Hayward, a pharma-ceutical sales representative who isalso a Redskins cheerleader, about thereception the crowd provided.

"It's a great form of entertain-ment," said Army Staff Sgt. EdmundG. Butsamante, Company E, 1stBattalion, 285th Aviation AttackReconnaissance Battalion. "It's nice tosee something besides the same uni-form."

Between performances, one cheer-leader would step on stage and speakto the crowd.

"This is our way of saying thanks,"said Lauren K. McNulty, a neuro-ther-apist who spends part of her free timeas a cheerleader.

And while the First Ladies werethere to thank the Soldiers, Airmen,

Sailors and Marines, the servicemem-bers were equally returning thanks.

"It helps us to know the peopleback home really care," said Sgt. MikeSemja, a petroleum specialist with Co.E, 1st Bn., 285th ARB. "It lets youknow you're not forgotten."

Some of the servicemembers werecalled on stage to participate in a push-up contest, a dance-off betweenSoldiers and also to dance with theFirst Ladies themselves.

"I don't know what to say," saidArmy Pfc. Tristan P. Winter, a forwardobserver with Headquarters andHeadquarters Company, 4th BrigadeCombat Team, 82nd AirborneDivision, who was called on stage todance with one of the First Ladies. "Itwas certainly something I didn'texpect, to dance with an NFL cheer-leader."

As the show came to a close, Wellssaid the cheerleaders would give everyservicemember an opportunity tomeet the First Ladies up close and per-sonal during an autograph session.The troops formed a line wrappingaround the building, anxiously await-ing a chance to get autographs andtake photos with the First Ladies.

After more than three hours ofsigning autographs and talking to thetroops, the First Ladies finally got toget something to eat and get a fewhours of sleep before leaving the nextmorning to visit more servicemem-bers. Despite the fast-paced schedule,they were upbeat about the chance tovisit Afghanistan.

"This has been absolutely wonder-ful," McNulty said. "This is my ninthtour, and so far this has been the bestfor me."

And while the WashingtonRedskins are obviously their team ofchoice, the First Ladies were here tosupport all the servicemembers, evendivision rival Dallas Cowboys fans.

"They can be a Cowboys fan,"Hayward said. "But we definitelyturned them into WashingtonRedskins cheerleader fans."

NFL Cheerleaders visittroops in Afghanistan

Onya R. Hayward, a pharmaceutical sales representative and memberof the Washington Redskins' cheerleaders, signs an autograph for athankful servicemember while visiting Forward Operating BaseSalerno Feb. 28.

March 12, 2007 Freedom Watch Page 11NEWS

If you have high-quality photos of servicemembers supporting the Coalition mission or enjoying well-deserved off-duty time, please e-mail them to freedomwatch@swa.army.mil. Please include full identification and caption informa-tion, including who is in the photo and what action is taking place.

Photo by Senior Airman Andrea Wright

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELDPHOTOS FROM THE FIELD

By Army Spc. Jeremy Todd4th Brigade Combat, 10th Mountain Division

Team Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE GHAZNI,Afghanistan - Special circumstances call for a special force,and the circumstances calling for an elite group of Afghanpolice officers is the thawing of snow and nearing of spring. InAfghanistan, springtime not only brings thawing snow, but alsothe Taliban; and with the Taliban comes fear of reprisal.

A special group of Coalition Soldiers are training individ-ually chosen police officers of the Ghazni Province on howto react to the threats towards their citizens.

Unlike average police officers, Special Response Teamofficers must graduate from an intense three-week course inmilitary-style tactics, discipline and professionalism.

According to General Aylishaad, Ghazni police chief,who would not give his first name, the officers of the latestclass are well prepared to tackle any offense they mayencounter. "We are all children of this country, therefore wehave a duty to protect it," he said.

Although the glimmer of spring was whitened by snow-fall during the graduation, these officers are still prepared totake on any enemy of the Ghazni Province. A recent gradu-ate, Ayatollah, who hides his identity because of fears ofretaliation against his family, said he chose to be an SRT

police officer because he wanted to make a difference in thecommunity.

"I will serve the people of my community with honor andbravery," he said.

More than 20 police officers graduated from this intensetraining; Ayatollah along with his classmates and the SRTcommander, Atiqulla, recognize this training as extremelyvaluable and thanked the instructors for their dedication.

"I want to thank the Coalition Soldiers for teaching myofficers these new tactics and practices," said Atiqulla. "Wewill surely apply what we have learned and teach it to otherofficers." Atiqulla also went on to thank the families of thenew police officers for their sons' dedication to the people ofGhazni.

Although this is the first class to graduate, it certainlywon't be the last. The Ghazni police command chose 20more police officers to go through the next class. With eachclass, the officers will become more synchronized with whatthe Ghazni Province requires of its SRT officers as well aswhat the instructors expect from the police officers attend-ing the class.

The Governor of the Ghazni Province said these eliteofficers have now joined the ranks of those who protect thepeople of Ghazni.

"Just remember it is your brothers and sisters who you areprotecting; we are all proud of you," he said.

Elite Soldiers train special reaction police in Ghazni

A HH-60 search andrescue helicopter pre-pares to take off on amission from the flight-line at KandaharAirfield, Afghanistan,Feb. 28.

NEWSPage 12 Freedom Watch March 12, 2007

Story and photoBy Air Force Capt. Travis Tougaw455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The 455th AirExpeditionary Wing held a formal retreat March 4 to remem-ber the 20 Air Force memberswho have died in Afghanistansince Operation EnduringFreedom began in 2001.

Route 56, the wing's NCOadvisory council, planned theretreat. According to Tech. Sgt.Steven Wilson, the council want-ed "to remind everyone of thepride and honor that should beincorporated in our daily taskingand to create a renewed sense ofespirit de corps."

At the beginning of the cere-mony, Airmen from across thewing read the names of the 20fallen Air Force heroes and thecircumstances of their deaths.During his address, Air ForceBrig. Gen. Christopher Miller,455th AEW commander, reminded the wing that some of theAirmen died in combat with the enemy, but others died whentheir aircraft failed.

"The losses inflicted by the enemy are a stark reminder ofthe reason that we serve, so that our fellow Americans cansleep safely at night and enjoy the rich blessings that freedombrings to a worthy people," he said. "But, the losses caused bythe failure of our aircraft are an equallyclear reminder of the nature of the AirForce and the ever-present need for us towork as a team to launch the best-pre-pared machines that we can into thedemanding environment of Earth'satmosphere."

Miller encouraged the wing to remem-ber why they're in Afghanistan.

"Look to your left, look to your right,and when you can, look in a mirror, andyou'll see Airmen who stand in the tradi-tion of those whose names we've readtoday," he said. "None of our fallen com-rades sought the sacrifice that we honor them for today, butthey did something that we must all seek to do equally well: tobear true faith and allegiance to their nation, to their comradesof all services, and to the ideals of the Constitution that we

serve. Those words, true faith and allegiance, are very short, buttheir meaning is vast. We can aspire to very few things thatmean more."

In exhibiting faith and allegiance, those Airmen improvedthe lives of the Afghan people and people around the world,the general added. "They fought so that men and women of

America and their children, andthe children of Afghanistan, andall free peoples might live in aworld that is marked by trust,not hatred, and freedom, notoppression," he said. "Be proudof those we honor tonight, behumbled that we can serve agreat nation, and be recommit-ted to victory in this historicfight."

For Sergeant Wilson, thefight against terrorism holdspersonal significance. He wasless than 30 yards from thebomb that exploded at theKhobar Towers in Saudi Arabiain 1996.

"I know what it's like for ter-ror to come knocking on your

front door, and how lucky I was to survive with only moderateinjuries," he said. "I'm not sure there's a day that has gone by inthe last 10-plus years that I haven't thought about that night.Hopefully, this ceremony will allow everyone, regardless ofhow often or ever, to stop and take a moment to reflect andremember."

The ceremony marked five years since Senior Airman JasonCunningham's death. Cunningham, apararescueman from the 38th RescueSquadron at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.,was killed in action March 4, 2002, inPaktia Province when the quick reactionforce he belonged to entered hostile ter-ritory to rescue two American service-members. He was the first Airman to diein Afghanistan. The Air Force com-pound at Bagram Airfield is named inCunningham's honor.

Sergeant Wilson encouraged all mem-bers of the 455th AEW to read the plaquenear the Camp Cunningham flag pole.

"It's important to remember the War on Terror is real and itcan strike home at any time," he said. "Thousands of ArmedForces members have paid the ultimate price, so that billionsaround the world can live free and without fear of terror."

Remembering heroes: 455th AEW honors fallen Airmen

An honor guard from the 455th AirExpeditionary Wing takes down the Americanflag during a formal retreat ceremony at CampCunningham.

“Be proud of those wehonor tonight, be hum-bled that we can serve a

great nation, and berecommitted to victory in

this historic fight”- Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Miller

455th AEW commander

NEWSMarch 12, 2007 Freedom Watch Page 13

Story and photoBy Army Pfc. Jaime Mial

Task Force Spartan Public Affairs

JALALABAD AIR-FIELD, Afghanistan - Withprecision and efficiency,Afghan mechanics working atthe new Task Force Spartanheadquarters hub of JalalabadAirfield help ease the weightyload on the shoulders of main-tenance Soldiers assigned to ECompany, 710th BrigadeSupport Battalion.

"They've been a lot of help- they free up Soldiers to takecare of other tasks," said ArmyStaff Sgt. Chris Parsons, battal-ion motor sergeant.

Replacing worn-out enginesand enormous numbers ofsuspension systems, the localmechanics always come in andget right to work, Parsons said.

The dedicated work of thesemen has helped keep TF Spartan vehi-cles in prime condition to continue themission of the Task Force Spartan innortheastern Afghanistan. The locals,who commute daily to work fromgreater Jalalabad, perform to a highstandard. Their proficiency and preci-sion have been noted by virtually allwho have worked with them.

"They are awesome workers andthey get it done right," said Army 1stLt. Rebecca Collins, battalion mainte-nance officer.

Most of the Afghans working withthe task force mechanics already hadsome maintenance experience. Whilefew, if any, were complete strangers towrenches and lug nuts, they had varyinglevels of experience. Soldiers filled inthe training gaps and provided instruc-tion on tasks specific to task force vehi-cles and equipment.

"They were already mechanics whenthey came to work for us in September,but we taught them a few things too,"Parsons added. "They do just abouteverything we do, except classifiedstuff."

"We have aSoldier superviseand then checkthe work whenthey are done, butthey get it done,"he said.

E Co. isresponsible formaintaining alarge number ofvehicles andequipment, andwith such a heavyload the help isgreatly appreciated. The Soldiers putin long hours in large tents they use as

makeshift shops or outside thetents under the hot sun to keepthe TF Spartan rolling.Maintenance specialists andlocal national mechanics workside by side, turning wrenches,tightening bolts, replacingparts and lubricating joints -doing everything they can tokeep the task force moving.

The additional help is pre-dictably popular with 710thmaintenance personnel.

"It's really good now that wehave local help. It eases the loadup on us a lot," said Army Spc.Brandon Larsen, light wheelmechanic, E Co.

Their work isn't the onlything the Soldiers appreciate;many have found new friendsin their local counterparts.

"They interact real well withthe Soldiers," Parsons said."They're here from 8 a.m. to 4p.m., so they are here a lot andhave become friends with the

Soldiers."The good feelings are apparently

mutual."I enjoy working with the Soldiers,"

said Nazeem, a local mechanic workingwith E Co.

"These guys areawesome. They get alot done and they'recool guys," said Spc.Donovan Boyd, agenerator mechanicwith E Co.

Combined, theSoldiers of E Co. andthe dedicated localmechanics of greaterJalalabad form a win-ning team, one thatliterally oils the Task

Force Spartan machine and keeps itswheels turning.

Local national mechanics work on the suspensionsystem on a Humvee March 4 at Jalalabad Airfield.

“They were alreadymechanics when theycame to work for us in

September, but wetaught them a few

things too.”- Army Staff Sgt. Chris ParsonsE Company, 710th Brigade SupportBattalion, battalion motor sergeant

Spartan, Afghan mechanics labor side by side at JAF

FEATUREPage 14 Freedom Watch March 12, 2007

Story and photosBy Air Force Staff Sgt.

Thomas J. DoscherRegional Command-East

Public Affairs Office

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghan-istan - When troops in the wilds ofAfghanistan get hungry, they can't justget on the phone and order Chinese.And when all other avenues of gettingresupplied fail, it's up to the 11thQuartermaster Detachment at BagramAirfield, Afghanistan, to make sure thegoods get delivered.

The riggers of the 11th QD areresponsible for preparing supplies airdropped to forward operating basesand units in the field when othermeans of resupplying them areunavailable.

"We're the last resort for supplying the[forward operating bases]," said ArmySgt. 1st Class Melloyd Carter, 11th QDNCOIC. "We supply MREs, water,Christmas bundles and ammunition."

A lot of things have to go wrongbefore the 21 riggers and staff of the11th QD get called up, the Miaminative said.

"The first line is convoys," he said."Then you have sling load and air load.Then there would be us."

When dropping cargo from aircraft,there's a trade-off, Carter said. Theleast amount of people are in danger,but the cargo could be damaged frombeing dropped at high altitudes.

"The work is very importantbecause of survivability and reliabili-ty," Carter said. "If it doesn't work,they have to make do without, so theriggers take pride in doing it right."

Army Sgt. Ben Hatcher, fromKnoxville, Tenn., said he takes pride inknowing his mission is to supplytroops in the field.

"The best part is getting to comeout and do what you got to do," thesergeant said. "This is my second timein Afghanistan, and it's good to sup-port the guys fighting so they can go

out and get it done."One of the most important and dif-

ficult parts of the mission is resupply-ing troops with ammunition. Cartersaid riggers have to be very careful tomake sure the right ammo gets to theright places.

"At one time, we can have severaldrop zones dropping at the sametime," he said. "We have to make surethe right ammo goes to the right zone,or you can have a squad of infantryout there receiving howitzer rounds.What are they going to do with that?"

On a busy day, Carter said riggerswill have an entire bay filled withammunition being divided up by dropzones.

"It's a bunch of ammo," Spc. JonNeal of Winston-Salem, N.C., saidwhile rigging parachutes

Carter said just because they werethe last line of resupply didn't meanthey weren't making a difference.

"This is a 24-7 operation," he said."At any time an emergency request cancome in. We're the last resort, and itmakes us feel good knowing ourequipment is going out there to fightthe war."

Spc. Jeremy Lamb, 11th Quartermaster Detachment, secures a tarpover a pallet of supplies March 1. The 11th QD is responsible for secur-ing cargo for air drops around Afghanistan.

Cargo riggers ensure resupply mission successes

Army Spc. Jon Neal, 11thQuartermaster Detachment rig-ger from Winston-Salem, N.C.,rigs a parachute that will be usedto air drop cargo somewhere inAfghanistan.

Courtesy RC-East Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghan-istan - As the life of an AfghanNational Army soldier hung in the bal-ance Feb. 25, U.S. Soldiers, Sailors andMarines serving at Forward OperatingBase Asadabad responded to his injurywith an outpouring of blood.

A total of 11 American servicemem-bers each donated a pint of blood usedin a life-saving surgery at the base hos-pital.

"The joint efforts of the medevacaviators, field surgeons, and our combatlifesavers and combat medics along with

the selfless blood donors from manyunits contributed to saving the lives ofour two ANA brothers," said Army 1stLt. Zachary Heinrich, 1st Battalion,32nd Infantry Regiment, Task ForceSpartan medical platoon leader.

The soldier and an ANA colleaguewere injured during a weapons malfunc-tion at the Korengal Outpost, a com-bined Afghan and American facilityadministered by the ANA. The injuries-required the amputation of a leg. Whenthe casualty's profuse bleeding andoperation exhausted existing blood sup-plies of O-positive-type blood, the vol-unteers agreed promptly to donate.

Aviators from Jalalabad Airfieldreached the outpost at breakneck speed,braving daunting obstacles and a treach-erous route to reach the injured allies asquickly as possible. They delivered thecasualties to the base near Asadabad,

the nearest major city.The forward surgical team at

Asadabad stabilized the casualties,administering life-saving medical treat-ment. The casualties were then trans-ferred to the Intensive Care Unit of thehospital at Bagram Airfield.

The extraordinary effort gave thewounded ANA soldiers a fightingchance. It also demonstrated the lengthsto which allied forces willingly go insupport of one another.

"You hope for the best any time youhear about an accident or a tragedy,"said Army Maj. Robert V. Urquhart Jr.,1-32 Inf. executive officer. "This time,the best case truly did come about."

"It was great to see the guys atAsadabad lining up to help, without ques-tions, without hesitation," the executiveofficer added. "In their time of need, wewere there for our ANA brothers."

NEWSMarch 12, 2007 Freedom Watch Page 15

Story and photoBy Army Staff Sgt. Giovanni Caligiuri

Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The governor ofNuristan Province and key Afghan and American militaryleaders welcomed a significant development in regional com-munication, transportation and commerce Feb. 22 atNurgram.

Gov. Tamim Nuristani and Army Lt. Col. Todd Brown,Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team commander,presided over a ceremony marking the opening of a newbridge linking western Nuristan with the eastern and centralregions of the province.

The Titan Bridge took eight months to complete andemployed hundreds of local Afghans from the Nurgram andDow Ab districts. Funding for the $225,000 bridge, whichspans 60 meters across the Alingar River, was providedthrough the Nuristan PRT Commander's EmergencyResponse Program and administered by the U.S. Army Corpsof Engineers.

The Titan Bridge project is part of an ongoing recon-struction program that combines the efforts of the NuristanPRT, the provincial government and the local populace inworking together toward the economic development and

improvement of the remote and impoverished region.The governor and the PRT commander said the new

bridge will facilitate economic development and encourageregional and even national unity.

"The bridge is another step in assisting the Afghan peoplein becoming a better, stronger nation," Brown said.

"Titan Bridge opens up the Titan valley to Nurgram andwill allow for future reconstruction projects in the district,thus supporting the people in economic recovery efforts,"Nuristani said.

Ceremony marks Nuristan bridge opening

Donation ‘from the heart’ saves wounded ally

Army Lt. Col. Todd Brown (right), commander ofthe Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team, cuts aribbon held by Nuristan Gov. Tamim Nuristani dur-ing the ceremony opening the Titan Bridge Feb. 22at Nurgram.

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Freedom WatchMarch 12, 2007