Comedians Bring Laughter to Troops in Afghanistan

By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Aug. 25, 2005 - The mountains of northern Afghanistan echoed with laughter today, as television comedy star Drew Carey and four other comedians took their act on the road to three forward operating bases.

The tour is the first joint endeavor between Armed Forces Entertainment and the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program.

A big show at the "clam shell" tent here is scheduled for Aug. 26.

The troupe performed for soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines at bases in Mahtar Lam, Jalalabad and Asadabad. Shuttling among the sites aboard an Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter, the comics performed in temperatures ranging from the 80s this morning to well in excess of 120 degrees by the day's last show.

Joining Carey on the tour are comedians Steve Byrne, Pedro Hernandez, Dave Mordal and Jimmy Shubert. Each comic performed individually, bringing his own brand of humor to the appreciative audiences. In addition to the comedy, each performer made it a point to thank the troops for the work they do.

"America supports you," Hernandez told the troops. "You are the greatest fighting force on the planet." The other comedians also stayed serious long enough in their performances to remind the troops that the American people are behind them.

"I think it's great that they came out here to perform for us," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jessica Hildebrand, a radio operator deployed from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., serving with the Army's 44th Signal Battalion. "We really do appreciate it. Things like this show can really do wonders for our morale."

A pair of Marines deployed from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, at Kaneohe Bay, also enjoyed the comedians' visit.

"It sure does break up the monotony," said Lance Cpl. Ryan Recquin, a fire team leader. "I'm glad they came to see us."

Lance Cpl. Jeromey Hooee said he appreciates that the troops serving in Afghanistan aren't being forgotten. "They do this kind of thing in Iraq," he noted, "so it's great that they come here too."

As they have everywhere they've been, whether in dining facilities, work centers or at their shows, the comedians cheerfully talked with the servicemembers, asked about their hometowns and their work, signed autographs, and posed for pictures.

After their tour of the forward operating areas, the comedians returned here soaked with perspiration, exhausted from the heat and lack of sleep -- and ready to meet more troops. They visited with Special Forces troops for dinner before turning in for the first full night's sleep they'll have had since arriving in the region three days ago.

"This was a great day," Shubert said. "I'm glad we're doing this."

Drew Carey Leads Comic Tour of Afghanistan

By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Aug. 25, 2005 - After spending most of the last 24 hours meeting airmen at an air base in Southwest Asia, a group of comedians led by television star Drew Carey arrived here early today to entertain the troops.

Along with Carey, comedians Dave Mordal, Jimmy Shubert, Steve Byrne and Pedro Hernandez are on the tour.

On a whirlwind day Aug. 24, the comics met, signed autographs for and posed for pictures with hundreds of airmen assigned to the Air Force's 379th Expeditionary Wing before boarding a C-130 transport for the five-hour flight to Bagram.

Today, the comics are scheduled to perform at Methar, Jalalabad and Asadabad forward operating bases in Afghanistan before returning for a performance at Bagram's "clam shell" on Aug. 26.

The tour is the first partnership between Defense Department's Armed Forces Entertainment and DoD's America Supports You program. It's a way to bring the America Supports You message directly to the troops, said Brian Natwick of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, which oversees the ASY program.

America Supports You showcases the efforts of everyone from ordinary citizens to powerful corporations in supporting the nation's men and women serving in the global war on terror, Natwick said, and it's important that people in uniform know about that support.

"So entering a partnership with Armed Forces Entertainment is natural for us," Natwick explained. "This tour, along with other things we're planning, will help us communicate to the troops how much the nation values their service," he said.

Armed Forces Entertainment usually works in concert with the United Service Organizations in bringing big-name entertainment to troops overseas, explained Marine Capt. Jesse Davidson, AFE's Southwest Asia circuit manager. But AFE also works on its own to provide a steady stream of both famous and lesser-known, but talented, performers to the nation's armed forces and their families living outside the United States.

"We've had everything from Frisbee-catching dogs to magicians to jazz bands," Davidson said.

Afghan Army, U.S. Marine Operation Helps Secure Konar Province

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2005 - Afghan National Army forces and U.S. Marines killed more than 40 enemy combatants during an offensive operation over the last few weeks in the districts of Chawkay, Asadabad, Pech and Narang, in Afghanistan's Konar province.

The ANA and Marines fought side by side in 29 separate engagements against the enemy, disrupting hostile activity during Operation Whalers. The operation's purpose was to disrupt enemy forces in the area and to clear the way for successful elections, Combined Forces Command Afghanistan officials said.

"The ANA have demonstrated their abilities with great success," said Marine Lt. Col. James E. Donnellan, commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. "The willingness and professionalism of the ANA to engage the enemy will ensure success for the security of Afghanistan."

Lt. Col. Nasir, commanding officer of the ANA battalion, also said he was proud of the courage shown by his Afghan soldiers. Afghan soldiers have made many sacrifices to fight for a democratic and free Afghanistan and, with the help of coalition forces, they will win the war on terrorism and defeat the enemies of Afghanistan,
Nasir said.

Afghan and U.S. forces worked in close coordination with local leaders regarding the mission, meeting several times with Provincial Governor Wafa during the operation. Wafa also broadcasted several messages on local radio stations explaining the purpose of the operation.

Civil affairs and medical personnel also ensured Afghan citizens in the area received medical treatment and an opportunity to prosper and improve their lifestyle. U.S. forces brought much-needed supplies, humanitarian and civil assistance to some of the local residents.

Wafa said he expects this operation to encourage former enemies of Afghanistan to reconcile and join Program Takhim-e Solh, the Afghan government's reconciliation program, so they can participate in the democratic process of rebuilding the country.

"The enemy continues to learn the hard way that U.S., coalition and Afghan National Security forces will continue to be relentless in their search for and destruction of the enemy," Army Maj. Gen. Jason Kamiya, Combined Joint Task Force 76 commanding general, said.

"In a few weeks, the people of Afghanistan will elect a National Assembly, which will constitute a vote against continued violence and suffering and a vote for a free and prosperous future," Kamiya said. "The enemy, too, has choices to make: to peacefully and honorably reconcile with Afghanistan's national government and become part of Afghanistan's brighter future, or to continue to live in the shadow of continued military confrontation, violence, death and defeat."

(From a Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news release.)

U.S. General Details Afghan Election Effort

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Aug. 19, 2005 - The Afghan and coalition effort to hold elections Sept. 18 is ongoing, and the process will extend until the National Assembly is seated in December or January, the head of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan said today.

Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry spoke with reporters traveling with Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Myers is in the midst of a 10-day trip that has taken him and a USO troupe to Germany, Kosovo, Kuwait and Iraq before stopping here and at the main air base in Afghanistan in Bagram.

Eikenberry said he is "very comfortable" with what has already been done and with what has been planned for the September elections. He said the process is based on the successes seen in the October 2004 presidential election.

"The basic concept is pretty simple," he said. There will be thousands of polling places set up around the country. Six Afghan police will be stationed inside the polling stations to maintain order and provide close-in security.

Officials will place a ring of Afghan police or soldiers from the Afghan National Army around the polling stations. Supporting them will be quick-reaction forces from the Army or police.

Still farther outside will be coalition forces or members of NATO's International Security Assistance Force. There are about 8,500 soldiers in ISAF and about 21,000 servicemembers in the coalition force - most of them American.

The Afghan government has about 25,000 soldiers in the Afghan National Army and about 50,000 Afghan National Police, Eikenberry said. "We're the final ring of quick-reaction forces," he said. "The closer you get in to the polling site itself, the more it is an Afghan-led and Afghan-conducted operation."

The Afghan government developed the security plan with assistance from staff at Eikenberry's headquarters.

Last October an overwhelming number of Afghans defied the Taliban and al Qaeda remnants in the country and voted Hamid Karzai into the presidency.

But the process does not end when Afghans cast their votes on Sept. 18. It won't be until the end of October that official results will be announced. The newly elected members of the National Assembly may not take their seats until the middle of December or even January. "The election process is not over until that parliament is seated," Eikenberry said.

The general said the coalition and Afghan soldiers have kept the pressure on the Taliban during the summer months - typically the time of combat in the country.

He said that Afghan security capacity has grown dramatically since the presidential elections and that Afghan soldiers participate in roughly 65 percent of all operations in the country.

If the Afghans and coalition do not take the fight to the enemy, the Taliban will "attack innocents," Eikenberry said. The Taliban extremists will attempt to disrupt the election by intimidating candidates, murdering poll workers and launching attacks against polling places.

He said there is probably more Taliban in the field today than last year. "The explanation can be that the Taliban leadership ... is trying to put together combinations of forces to come at this election, knowing that if they suffer a defeat in this election, that is another huge strategic setback for them in the long term," he said.

Army Maj. Gen. Jason Kamiya, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force 76 based in Bagram, said that between April and June, his forces had killed between 450 and 500 Taliban fighters. He said it seems as if the Taliban is trying to "thicken" its forces in the country to disrupt the election.

The coalition has responded by bringing in the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry, from Fort Bragg, N.C., this summer. This addition enables the coalition to maintain its offensive against the Taliban and disrupt them before they can attack.

Kamiya said the strategy seems to be having an effect: The Taliban fighters they are coming up against are younger and less experienced than in the past. Control issues in the organization also means the fighters are staying in larger groups. "We're fine with that," Kamiya said.

Eikenberry said coalition forces are able to range much farther and with more persistence than last year. "The reason is a more capable Afghan National Army," he said.

The general is on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. His first assignment was as head of the U.S. security coordinator and chief of the Office of Military Cooperation for a year ending in September 2003.

He said since taking over the command three months ago, he has traveled to 15 provinces in the country and spoken to more than a thousand Afghans of all ethnicities and walks of life.
"I ask if they are aware of the election. They say 'yes,'" he said. "I ask if they are going to vote, they answer in the typical Afghan way by saying, 'Why not?' And then I ask them why they will vote and they say, 'I'm going to vote because I'm tired of warfare and I should have a stake now in the future of our country.'"

"Between now and the 18th of September (the enemy) can't beat that," he said.

Canadian Military Assumes Command of Afghanistan PRT

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2005 - The Canadian military assumed responsibility for the provisional reconstruction team located in Kandahar, Afghanistan, during an Aug. 16 ceremony.The U.S. military had previously commanded the team.

"Reconstruction, along with security, is the top priority for coalition forces here in Afghanistan," said Army Brig. Gen. Jack Sterling, Combined Joint Task Force 76 deputy commander for support. "We welcome our brothers in arms from Canada. The Canadian forces are a world-class, fully capable, professional force, and it will be a privilege to work alongside them as they extend the work (started) here in Kandahar by the U.S. PRT.

"This transfer of authority marks the beginning of a significant transition to what will ultimately be a NATO-led effort," he continued. "The U.S. remains committed to doing our part in the strengthening of democracy here in the Kandahar province and throughout Afghanistan."

More than 1,500 Canadians are serving in Afghanistan. Of that number, more than 250 will serve at the Kandahar PRT, officials said.

In other news from Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 27 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Aug. 16 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, the parliamentary and provincial election process, border security and reconstruction activities, officials said.

U.S. Air Force A-10s, a Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and a B-52 bomber flew close air support missions in support of coalition troops near Jalalabad. The B-52 fired four precision-guided JDAM missiles against enemy targets.

Other U.S. Air Force A-10s, a Predator and a B-52 provided close air support to coalition troops near Bermel, Kabul, Kandahar, and Shkin.

Five U.S. Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft also flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. British and French air force fighter aircraft also performed in a nontraditional ISR role.

U.S. Air Force C-17s and C-130s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa. About 150 airlift sorties were flown, moving nearly 2,690 passengers and more than 360 tons of cargo. This included about 12,500 pounds of troop re-supply airdropped to coalition ground forces in eastern Afghanistan.

(Compiled from Combined Forces Command Afghanistan and U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases.)

Afghan, U.S. Forces Kill Six Enemy Combatants

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2005 - Afghan and U.S. forces killed six enemy combatants after the militants fired at a forward operating base near the city of Deh Rahwod in southern Afghanistan on Aug. 14, U.S. officials reported today.

The militants launched a small-arms and rocket attack on the base, and Afghan National Army and U.S. forces returned fire with small arms and called for close air support. Coalition forces captured one light machine gun, four assault rifles and one radio.

"Afghan and U.S. forces are engaging and killing the enemies of Afghanistan at every turn," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jerry O'Hara, a Combined Joint Task Force 76 spokesman. "It has been proven time after time that the enemies of Afghanistan cannot stand face to face with Afghan and U.S. forces and expect to be successful."

No Afghan or U.S. forces were injured in the incident, officials said.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan, members of the Helmand province governor's security task force turned in a large cache of ammunition, consisting of 172 rockets, 123 mortar rounds, and six tank rounds, to the Lashkar Gah provincial reconstruction team Aug. 14.

Afghan security forces recovered the cache in a village northeast of Lashkar Gah. Officials reported that this is the first time the governor's security forces in Helmand province turned in a cache to coalition forces. It also is the largest the provincial reconstruction team has received in the past three months.

"Munitions such as these are dangerous and unstable and pose a great threat to the people living and working near them," said Capt. Fidel Arvelo, commander of the team's explosive ordnance control team. "We applaud the efforts of security forces that are doing the right thing by turning these dangerous items in to us for safe destruction."

Coalition forces reported a 25 percent increase in the number of caches recovered by Afghans and Afghan forces as compared to this time last year, officials said.

(Compiled from Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news releases.)

Afghan Valley to Receive $2.4 Million for Reconstruction

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2005 - Afghanistan's Baghran Valley, once home to Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, will receive more than $2 million in U.S. reconstruction funds over the next six months.

The area will receive $2.4 million in an effort to bring peace, prosperity and security to the region once known as a bastion of Taliban ideology. Projects include reconstruction of the area's most prominent Mosque, a new high school, road repair, and equipping the local police force with motorcycles.

Officials announced the projects during a recent groundbreaking ceremony.

"The people of this valley have asked for our help, and we're delivering," provincial reconstruction team commander U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jim Hogberg said during the ceremony.

About 30 members of his reconstruction team accompanied Hogberg. He also congratulated the Afghan people for supporting their own peaceful future and reminded them of the importance of voting in upcoming elections.

The provincial governor's chief of staff and numerous dignitaries from throughout the province attended the ceremony. Afghan and U.S. officials distributed newspapers and free radios to the crowd.

As the provisional reconstruction team announced the projects, former Taliban leader Rais Bagharni, a participant in the government of Afghanistan's reconciliation program, announced his intent to run in September's parliamentary elections.

"Reconstruction is my jihad," Bagharni said, adding that he was committed to helping the PRTs with reconstruction efforts in the area.

One of the area's most visible projects is paving a 700-meter road through the town's center, which will give the people living in the area easier access to the shopping district.

In another nearby ceremony recently, Kandahar province Gov. Assa Dullah Khalid; U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bert Ges, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment; and U.S.
Army Lt. Col. Robbie Ball, commander of the Kandahar provincial reconstruction team, cut the ribbon on a bridge spanning the Tarnak River. The bridge cost nearly $300,000 and took almost two years to complete. The bridge links the Baghran Valley with nearby major centers of commerce, which will improve the overall economy of the area.

The projects, which will use contracted Afghan construction firms, are expected to take anywhere from three to six months to complete, officials said.

(From a Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news release.)

U.S., Afghan Security Forces Battle Insurgents

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2005 - Three insurgents were killed and two Afghan National Police were injured during a firefight that occurred near the city of Deh Rahwod in southern Afghanistan's Uruzgan province on Aug. 12.

The battle occurred when Afghan and U.S. forces patrolling the area encountered an unknown number of enemy combatants.

"Afghan and U.S. forces are experiencing tremendous success against the enemies of Afghanistan," said Combined Joint Task Force 76 Command Sgt. Maj. Luniasolua Savusa.

The two injured Afghan police were evacuated to a nearby base for treatment. One enemy combatant was detained during the incident. A light machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade were confiscated.

"While we would prefer to spend more of our energies on reconstruction efforts," Savusa said, "we cannot do that until this nation is free of enemy combatants."

Afghans and coalition forces "will continue to bring the fight to the enemies of peace, to not let up and to ensure Afghans across this nation have a safe and secure future," the sergeant major said.

And one enemy combatant was killed Aug. 12 during an attack south of Kabul when an IED detonated as an Afghan and U.S. military convoy was passing by.

There were no Afghan or U.S. forces casualties and only minor damage occurred to one military vehicle as a result of the action.

Seven to 10 individuals with small arms and RPGs had fired on the convoy, according to a coalition official. The attackers fled after being engaged by Afghan forces and U.S. paratroopers with the 1st Battalion, 325 Infantry Regiment.

"The paratroopers of the 1/325 came here to assist Afghanistan security forces in ensuring there is a successful election. This activity shows they are doing just that," said Army Lt. Col. Jerry O'Hara, CJTF 76 spokesman.

"Afghan and U.S. forces are going to continue working together to ensure that Afghanistan is safe and secure," he said.

(Compiled from Combined Forces Command Afghanistan press releases.)

Afghanistan Clashes Leave Six Enemy Dead, Three Americans Wounded

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2005 - Six enemy combatants were killed and three U.S. servicemembers and an Afghan interpreter were wounded in eastern Afghanistan Aug. 9, military officials reported.

The injured were evacuated to medical facilities at nearby U.S. bases and were reported to be in stable condition.

Afghan and U.S. forces in Paktika province were conducting offensive operations near Wazikwa to defeat and disrupt enemy activity. The Afghan and U.S. patrol made contact with enemy forces near Wazikwa, and the enemy fled shortly afterward toward a nearby cave complex. The patrol pursued them, killing one. The three U.S. soldiers and interpreter were wounded during the fight, officials said.

Several hours later during pursuit operations, the same Afghan and U.S. patrol came into contact with additional enemy forces, killing five enemy fighters.

"The combination of Afghan and U.S. forces are having great success against the enemy in Afghanistan," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jerry O'Hara, Combined Joint Task Force 76 spokesman.
"We will continue to aggressively seek the enemy out until there are no safe havens left for them in Afghanistan."

Servicemember Killed in Afghanistan; Three Caches Discovered

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2005 - At least 16 enemy forces and one U.S. servicemember were killed Aug. 8 during a firefight southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan, military officials reported.

The servicemember was killed when an Afghan and U.S. patrol conducting operations aimed at routing enemy forces from the Deh Chopan area came under an unprovoked attack by enemy forces with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. U.S. and coalition aircraft arrived at the scene and provided continuous close air support.

Battle damage assessment is ongoing, officials said. Initial estimates indicate at least 16 enemy forces were killed. Civilians were not involved in the attack.

"While we are bringing the fight to the enemy forces in the area and experiencing great successes against them, it comes at a heavy cost," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James G. Champion, Combined Joint Task Force 76 deputy commanding general. "We are greatly saddened by the loss of one of our own, but are able to take solace in the fact that we are ridding this area of an oppressive and violent enemy. Afghan and U.S. forces will continue this search and attack mission to ensure there are no enemy safe havens in this region."

The name of the deceased servicemember is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Elsewhere in Afghanistan, two U.S. servicemembers were injured today near Ghazni when an improvised explosive device hit the vehicle they were traveling in. Both servicemembers were reported to be in stable condition and are being evacuated to Bagram Air Base for treatment.

The unit was conducting operations designed to disrupt enemy activity in the region at the time of the attack, U.S. officials said.

"These devices are used by cowardly individuals. Our operations are aimed precisely at finding and bringing people like this to justice," Champion said. "Our world-class medical professionals are making sure our people are getting the best medical treatment available."

In other developments, three separate caches were discovered across eastern Afghanistan Aug. 7.

The first cache, discovered near Jalalabad, consisted of an anti-aircraft gun, 23 mortar fuses, 38 rockets, 40 mortar rounds, 14 rocket-propelled grenades and several hundred rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition. The cache was transported to a nearby forward operating base for destruction at a later date.

Another cache, this one discovered northwest of Asadabad, contained a rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, 12 shotguns, 10 pounds of explosives, several bolt-action rifles, and about 50 rocket-propelled grenades. The cache is also being transported to a nearby base for destruction.

The third cache was discovered inside a long tunnel north of Salerno and contained 50 tank rounds, 30 recoilless-rifle rounds, and 20 mortar rounds. All items in this cache were determined to be unstable and unserviceable, officials said. Explosive ordnance personnel destroyed the cache.

"These munitions are dangerous, not only as IED-making materiel, but because they are not properly stored," said Capt. Fidel Arvelo, explosive ordnance control team officer in charge. "These munitions, when left exposed to the elements, can become unstable and can represent a very real danger to anyone living or working near them."

In a statement, Arvelo said the coalition encourages "all Afghans to immediately report the location of these dangerous munitions to Afghan and coalition forces."

(Compiled from U.S. Central Command and Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news releases.)

Former Taliban Commander Joins Forces With Afghan Government

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2005 - A former Taliban sub-commander of the Paktika province has renounced violence against the government of Afghanistan, further fragmenting the Taliban command structure in eastern Afghanistan, military officials said.

Mullah Hajji Jalani formally joined the Program Takhim-E-Sohl Aug. 4. A ceremony honoring his decision will be held Aug. 9.

The terrorist cell he was formerly associated with has been accused of conducting and planning a variety of attacks against the Afghan people, the Afghan government, and Afghan and coalition forces.

"The fact that Mullah Hajji Jalani has joined with the government of Afghanistan is a positive sign Afghanistan is moving in the right direction," said Army Brig. Gen. James G. Champion, Combined Joint Task Force 76 deputy commanding general. "It's a sign the government of this country is making real and measurable progress toward better security and a brighter future. Mullah Hajji Jalani has realized this and has joined with the government to make Afghanistan a better place for all who live here."

As a result of Jalani's decision to enroll in the program, another 12 former Taliban loyalists have come forward in that province seeking more information on the program and have expressed interest in enrolling.

The PTS program is a tool the government of Afghanistan uses to encourage former Taliban regime members to renounce violence and join with the government to build a more secure country. During the past six months, more then 100 former regime members have joined the program.

(From a Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news release.)