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QALAT, Afghanistan, July 11, 2006 – U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld today called the provincial reconstruction team here a shining example of how the teams develop relationships with the local Afghan government. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld (right) meets with Del Bar Jan Arman (left), governor of Afghanisan's Zabul province, during a visit to the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team July 11. Photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilliard, USA  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. When the coalition began using provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan, officials were constantly evaluating their work to see if they were worth the time...

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2006 – Coalition troops operating in Iraq's Muthanna province will soon transfer security responsibilities to Iraqi police, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman said today in Baghdad. When coalition forces leave Muthanna sometime next week, the province will become the first of Iraq's 18 provinces to be responsible for its own security, Air Force Brig. Gen. Kurt A. Cichowski told Pentagon reporters during a video teleconference. Yet, the transfer of security doesn't have any bearing on the numbers of U.S. and coalition troops, Cichowski said. About 127,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq. "It's important to understand that...

Afghan children learn the alphabet in one of five classrooms donated by Bazaar Mayor Bang, a local businessman. U.S. Army photo by 1st. Lt. Matthew A. Psilos Zabul Province Children Return to Classroom Three volunteer teachers and 60 students traveled as far as nine miles to attend the first day of school. By U.S. Army Capt. Lawrence Sekajipo Task Force Warrior QALAT, Afghanistan, June 9, 2006 — More than 75 children in Khakeran and Anwari valleys, Deh Chopan district, celebrated the first day of school May 27 despite enemy insurgents’ intimidation throughout Zabul Province. Three volunteer teachers and 60...

AL ASAD, Iraq (June 6, 2006) -- Sipping on bottled water, rifle in hand and wearing a good 60 pounds of body armor on this sprawling U.S. military airbase, Lance Cpl. Emanuel Cantu says he doesn’t mind training for combat in Iraq’s blistering 110-plus degree temperature. In fact, he says he loves it. After all, four months of serving in Iraq as part of a quick reaction force has helped the 31-year-old Marine lose more than 20 pounds, but more importantly, he says he’s found his niche in the Marine Corps – training to save lives. “I feel like I’m...

WASHINGTON, May 30, 2006 – About 1,500 U.S. soldiers are moving into Iraq's western Anbar province to support security operations there, U.S. military officials said today. Two battalion task forces of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, began moving into Iraq over the weekend to provide the local and provincial government officials with added security, Lt. Col. Carl Ey, an Army spokesman, said. The 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, is normally based in Baumholder, Germany, but has been in Kuwait for several months. "These soldiers have already been in Kuwait for a few months," Ey said. "They are trained and...

AL ASAD, Iraq (May 19, 2006) -- Since Cpl. Haider Mohammed Jender joined the Iraqi Army a year ago, he has learned how to combat insurgents and provide security to his people. Now, the 34-year-old Iraqi soldier has completed what he says is the most important training he’ll ever receive – how to save lives. Jender was one of 20 Iraqi soldiers who recently graduated from an Iraqi Army’s Basic Medical Course here – the first in western Al Anbar Province – five weeks of lectures, written examinations and practical application on what U.S. medical personnel deem as crucial life-saving...

Embedded water storage tank is now a viable water source for fire trucks at the recently renovated Al-Musharra Fire Station in the Al-Amarah Province. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo Al-Amarah Province Fire Station Renovated After decades of neglect and disrepair, the renovated fire station will now serve 750,000 Al-Amarah residents. By Lisa J. Anderson Gulf Region Southern District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ALI AIR BASE, Iraq, May 15, 2006 — After more than 50 years of neglect and disrepair, the Al-Musharra Fire Station in the Al-Amarah Province is now a fully-functioning, integral part of the community. Located...

BAQUBAH, Iraq, May 12, 2006 – Sending the Iraqi army forth to take care of security operations is the key to the safety of the Iraqi people and the groundwork for the establishment of a free government, many senior military officials have said. Iraqi army soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, are independently conducting operations in their area of Diyala province. They are performing gathering their own intelligence, patrolling their streets and hunting for insurgents and terrorists. A brigade-sized operation conducted recently throughout the village of Tahrir yielded a handful of suspected insurgents who were...

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces killed 15 to 20 enemy fighters in Helmand Province Saturday during operations to rid the area of enemy influence. A Coalition patrol in the Sangin District observed several men carrying AK-47 rifles and RPG-7 grenade launchers moving with the intent to set up an ambush. After positively determining the activity as enemy operations and confirming no civilians were in the vicinity, Coalition forces effectively attacked the men. No Coalition casualties or damage were reported. “Afghan armed forces and their Coalition partners stand ready to defeat these terrorists at every turn,” said Army Lt. Col....

HUSAYBAH, Iraq (May 3, 2006) -- Security, safety, and quality of life – three key elements to the continuing progress in this region of Iraq’s Al Anbar Province, according to local Iraqi leadership. Once a week, local sheiks and city officials meet with Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces officials in this small town near the Iraqi-Jordanian border, to discuss these topics and overall progress in this region along the Euphrates River. It’s also an opportunity for the city and tribal leaders to address any potential problems which might hinder that progress. At the latest of these town-hall-style meetings held April...

CAMP HABBANYAH, Iraq, May 1, 2006 – Nearly 1,000 Iraqi army soldiers graduated from boot camp yesterday, beginning the first step toward an integrated army in Iraq's Anbar province. "The movement of an integrated army in al Anbar is the only future," said Col. Larry D. Nicholson, commander of Regimental Combat Team 5, based in Fallujah. "When people look out their window and see the army, they need to be able to say, 'It's my army.' Today, we took a very positive step in that direction." A total of 978 Iraqi soldiers, who were recruited from across Anbar province, graduated...

BASE CAMP ADDER (ALI BASE), Iraq, April 20, 2006 — The Iraqi Army 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 10th Infantry Division conducted an official ribbon cutting ceremony March 26 at their new Army barracks in Thi Qar Province. The Iraqi Army move into their new quarters represents another major milestone in standing up Iraq’s independent self-defense force. The construction project was completed on March 20, at a cost of $9.9 million. The modern, self-contained complex for 800 Iraqi soldiers features perimeter security protection, sanitation, water, air conditioning and an electric generator system. Special facilities include weapons storage and a two-pump fuel...

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, April 6, 2006 – Coalition forces destroyed a rocket pointed at a forward operating base in Ghazni province today. Residents advised Afghan National Army soldiers of the rocket, in the province's Ghazni district. The ANA forces informed their coalition counterparts, who dispatched an explosive ordnance disposal team to the scene and destroyed the munition in place. In a separate incident, also in Ghazni district, a village elder reported the location of a mortar round to Afghan National Police officers who recovered the round and delivered it to coalition forces. An EOD team will destroy it at a...

TIKRIT, Iraq, April 5, 2006 – An Iraqi army brigade has begun the first phase of assuming responsibility for security operations in Iraq's Salah Ad Din province. The Salah Ad Din province is a key area in the security of Iraq, U.S. officials said. It is in the heart of the country and contains many of Iraq's natural resources and industries that could bring much needed revenue to the country. The 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, has been partnered with the "Rakkasans" of the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, since December. During that time, 1st...

JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, March 29, 2006 – Hundreds of people gathered March 25 to celebrate the renovation of Agam High School in the Pachir wa Agam district in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. Sayeed Rahman, sub-governor of Pachir wa Agam district in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, cuts the ribbon at the reopening ceremony of Agam High School on March 25. At left is Marine Capt. Bart Battista, commander of B Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Behind him is Army Maj. Dennis C. Edwards, the battalion civil affairs officer. At right is Nu Salaam, the president of Agam High School. Photo by...

BARWANAH, Iraq (March 28, 2006) -- Hawaii-based Marines searching a known hotspot for insurgent-placed “improvised explosive devices” say the danger posed by these deadly devices do not deter them from providing security to the local populace here. The Marines operating in this western Al Anbar Province town had one detonate only a few feet from them during a recent patrol and search operation in this town along the Euphrates River. When the explosion occurred, the Marines, from Lima Co., 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, were teaching Iraqi Soldiers the tactics and procedures used by insurgents who place IEDs. Since January...

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, March 24, 2006 – Coalition forces identified and disposed of an improvised explosive device near Forward Operating Base Zormat in Paktia province today after three people were seen emplacing it. A combat patrol responded immediately to the scene, but the suspects fled before they could be captured. "This is one more IED that will not harm Afghan civilians or coalition forces," said Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick, spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force 76. Afghan and coalition forces have increased their ability to find and defeat IEDs, and Afghans report many to Afghan or coalition forces, he noted....

CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq (March 21, 2006) -- Tucked neatly inside the Marines’ base here is an Iraqi Army camp, where Iraqi soldiers are training day and night to learn the skills they’ll need to eventually relieve Coalition Forces of security operations in Iraq. The Iraqi soldiers here – part of the 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division – have spent months learning everything from basic marksmanship to administration and now, medical evacuation and treatment. Most recently, the soldiers here received arguably some of the most crucial training they’ll need to survive in western Al Anbar Province – how to...

CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq (March 15, 2006) -- Iraqi soldiers are right on schedule with training requirements that will allow them to eventually relieve U.S. military forces in western Al Anbar Province, according to Marine officials here. Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division - one of two Iraqi Army brigades in western Al Anbar Province - have spent months now learning the administrative and decision-making processes they’ll need to function as a military headquarters element to the three Iraqi infantry battalions which will eventually be under their charge. Partnered with a Military Transition Team - groups of...

Medical Civil Assistance Program visits to Bamian Province provided basic medical care to residents and their livestock. BAMIAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan, March 8, 2006 — Officials in Bamian Province tended to health of fellow Afghans – and their livestock – during Medical Civil Assistance Program visits in early March. The government officials put together five visits from March 1 through March 8 in coordination with coalition forces and the Bamian Provincial Reconstruction Team. The purpose of the visits was to improve health conditions in the province by vaccinating, deworming and providing basic medical care to people and livestock. Over the five-day...