Combat Camera: Troops in Afghanistan Conduct Operation Mountain Fire

U.S. Army soldiers search through a weapons and ammunition cache found while searching a hotel during Operation Mountain Fire in Barge Matal, a village in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. The hotel is a known for harboring anti-Afghanistan forces. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

Rocket-propelled grenade rounds are displayed after being discovered by U.S. Army soldiers and Afghan forces during Operation Mountain Fire in Barge Matal, a village in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

Stacks of ammunition are displayed after being discovered by U.S. Army soldiers and Afghan forces during Operation Mountain Fire in Barge Matal, a village in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

U.S. Army soldiers fire mortar rounds at suspected Taliban fighting positions during Operation Mountain Fire in Barge Matal, a village in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. U.S. and Afghan forces secured the remote mountain village, which had been overwhelmed by insurgent forces. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

A U.S. Army soldier calls for an airstrike on the hills surrounding the remote village of Barge Matal during Operation Mountain Fire in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

A U.S. Army soldier scans for insurgents hiding in the hills surrounding the tiny village of Barge Matal during Operation Mountain Fire in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

A U.S. Army soldier fires his weapon at insurgent positions in the hills surrounding the remote village of Barge Matal during Operation Mountain Fire in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

A U.S. Army soldier fires his weapon at insurgent positions in the hills surrounding the remote village of Barge Matal during Operation Mountain Fire in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

A U.S. Army soldier fires his weapon at insurgent positions in the hills surrounding the remote village of Barge Matal during Operation Mountain Fire in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

An Afghan Border Police member calls out insurgent positions in the hills surrounding Barge Matal during Operation Mountain Fire in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

A U.S. Army soldier fires at insurgent positions in the hills surrounding the village of Barge Matal during Operation Mountain Fire in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

A U.S. Army soldier scans for insurgent forces as small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades hit near U.S. and Afghan military positions inside the village of Barge Matal during Operation Mountain Fire in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

U.S. Army Sgt. Arturo Islas checks the pulse of a suspected Taliban fighter injured during an early morning airstrike with U.S. and Afghan forces outside the village of Barge Matal during Operation Mountain Fire in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. Islas is assigned to the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

U.S. Army soldiers and Afghan forces medically evacuate an insurgent, wounded after attacking coalition forces, to an American base to receive further medical treatment during Operation Mountain Fire in Nuristan province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2009. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.)

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Wire: Taliban Video Shows Captive US Soldier

This video frame grab taken from a Taliban propaganda video released Saturday, July 18, 2009 shows an American soldier who went missing from his base in eastern Afghanistan June 30 and was later confirmed captured. The soldier, whose identity has not yet been confirmed by the Pentagon, says his name, age and hometown on the video. (Photo grabbed from militant video.)

This video frame grab taken from a Taliban propaganda video released Saturday, July 18, 2009 shows an American soldier who went missing from his base in eastern Afghanistan June 30 and was later confirmed captured. The soldier, whose identity has not yet been confirmed by the Pentagon, says his name, age and hometown on the video. (Photo grabbed from militant video.)

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2009 -- Newswire services this evening reported that the American soldier who went missing June 30 from his base in eastern Afghanistan, and was later confirmed captured, appeared on a video posted Saturday to a web site by the Taliban, two U.S. defense officials said.

The soldier is shown in the 28-minute video with his head shaved and the start of a beard. He is sitting and dressed in a nondescript gray outfit. Early in the video one of his captors holds the soldier's dogtag up to the camera. His name and Social Security number are clearly visible. He is shown eating at one point and sitting on a bed, according to an Associate Press report.

The soldier, whose identity has not yet been released by the Pentagon pending notification of members of Congress and the soldier's family, says his name, age and hometown on the video, which was released Saturday on a Web site pointed out by the Taliban. Two U.S. defense officials confirmed to The Associated Press that the man in the video is the captured soldier.

AP noted the following details:

The soldier said the date is July 14. He says he was captured when he lagged behind on a patrol.

He is interviewed in English by his captors, and he is asked his views on the war (extremely hard), Islam ( wants to learn more it) and the morale of American soldiers (which he said was low.)

Asked how he was doing, the soldier said:

"Well I'm scared, scared I won't be able to go home," he said on the video. "It is very unnerving to be a prisoner."

It is unclear from the video whether the July 14 date is authentic. The soldier says that he heard that a Chinook helicopter carrying 37 NATO troops had been shot down over Helmand. A helicopter was shot down in southern Afghanistan on July 14, but it was carrying civilians on a reported humanitarian mission for NATO forces.

On July 2, the U.S. military said an American soldier had disappeared after walking off his base in eastern Afghanistan and was believed to have been taken prisoner. No further details were released.

UPDATED:

Below is a transcript of a two-minute portion of the video which appeared on the Internet video sharing website YouTube, the video will not be posted on THE TENSION:

U.S. soldier: "Well I am scared. I'm scared I won't be able to go home. It is very unnerving to be a prisoner."

"I have my girlfriend who is hoping to marry. I have my grandma and grandpas. I have a very, very good family that I love back home in America."

Voice off camera: "Miss them."

Soldier: "And I miss them every day that I'm gone. I miss them and I'm afraid that I might never see them again and that I'll never be able to tell them that I love them again. I'll never be able to hug them."

Voice off camera: "Any message to your people?"

"Yes. To my fellow Americans who have loved ones over here, who know what it's like to miss them: you have the power to make our government bring them home."

"Please, please bring us home so that we can be back where we belong and not over here wasting our time and our lives and our precious life that we could be using back in our own country."

"Please bring us home. It is America and the American people that have that power."

This is a developing story.

(Report from newswire sources.)

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US Airpower Summary, July 18, 2009: B-1Bs Strike Enemy Forces

A B-1B Lancer departs on a mission. The B-1B can deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons rapidly against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Miller.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 18, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Near Surkhabad, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and B-1B Lancers released numerous guided bomb unit-31s and 38s on enemy positions. Enemy forces at these positions were directing small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades on friendly forces. All weapons fire from the enemy positions ceased upon impact of the bombs. This action eliminated any possible imminent threat to friendly forces and civilian forces.

At Asadabad, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-15Es rolled in to provide cover for friendly forces taking RPG and small-arms fire. Numerous strafing runs, several GBU-38s and MK-82 general purpose bombs destroyed the enemy position eliminating the threat to friendly forces.

Air Force B-1B Lancers at Sangin rolled in to provide cover for friendly forces taking RPG and small-arms fire. During this skirmish, there were shows of force and numerous flares expended causing the enemy to stop the attack on friendly forces.

Asmar saw F-15Es during the day as they destroyed several enemy positions that had been firing RPGs and small arms on coalition and friendly forces. This was accomplished with the release of several GBU-38s on the enemy positions. Armed overwatch was provided for several more hours.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

Twenty-four Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In total, 60 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 24 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

Twenty-four Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 149 airlift sorties were flown, 1,133 tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,540 passengers were transported. Airlift included about 164,300 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On July 16, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported eight patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard the helicopters located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60Gs transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities.

Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 52 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.95 million pounds of fuel to 242 receiving aircraft.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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US Air Force F-15E Crew Killed in Afghanistan Crash

An F-15E Strike Eagle, like the one shown here, has crashed in eastern Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 18, 2009 -- Two Air Force officers were killed July 18 in the crash of an F-15E Strike Eagle. The aircraft, assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., was flying in support of coalition operations in eastern Afghanistan. The crash occurred at approximately 3:15 A.M. Kabul time.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones...and to the Airmen and the joint and coalition team members who called them friends and will miss their fellow warriors," said Lt. Gen. Gary North, U.S. Air Forces Central commander.

A team of U.S. and coalition forces immediately responded to the crash site, secured it and recovered the Airmen.

Notification of the officers' next of kin is ongoing, and the names have not yet been released, consistent with Department of Defense policy.

The Airmen will be returned to their families through a dignified transfer from Afghanistan to the United States.

The crash was not due to hostile fire. A board of officers will be convened to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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US Air Force F-15E Crashes in Eastern Afghanistan

News from the U.S. Air Force.
News in Balance:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 18, 2009 -- An F-15E Strike Eagle conducting coalition operations in eastern Afghanistan crashed at approximately 3:15 A.M. Kabul time. The crash was not due to hostile fire.

Two crew members were on board. Their condition is unknown at this time.

A board of officers will investigate the incident.

WIRE UPDATE: The Associated Press reported Saturday morning that a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashed early Saturday in central Afghanistan, killing the two crew members, the U.S. military said.

A statement by the Air Force Central Command said the crash was not due to hostile fire, and a board of officers would be convened to determine the cause. Names of the crew members were not released. Their deaths bring to 50 the number of international service members killed in Afghanistan in July — already the deadliest month of the war for NATO forces.

Additional details will be provided as they become available.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release and a commercial news article.)

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US Navy, Marines Storm Australian Beach for Talisman Saber 2009

SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (July 15, 2009) Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 10, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, Det. Western Pacific, departs Freshwater Bay to return to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) to embark Marines and equipment supporting Talisman Saber 2009. Talisman Saber is a joint exercise between the U.S. and the Australian Defense Force that includes participation from more than 20,000 U.S. and 10,000 Australian personnel. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio.)

QUEENSLAND, Australia (July 16, 2009) Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Kevin McClure, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit 1, checks the line attached to a mock improvised explosive device during a training exercise at the Port of Gladstone, in Queensland, Australia. EOD-1 is participating in Talisman Saber 2009, a biennial joint military exercise between the U.S. and Australia focusing on operational and tactical interoperability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Maurice Dayao.)

SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (July 15, 2009) Seaman Nyja Allen, from New York assigned to Beach Master Unit (BMU) 1, directs Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 21, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, Det. Western Pacific as it comes ashore at Freshwater Bay during a training exercise supporting Talisman Saber 2009. Talisman Saber is a joint exercise between the U.S. and the Australian Defense Force that includes participation from more than 20,000 U.S. and 10,000 Australian personnel. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio.)

SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (July 7, 2009) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) disembark Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 21, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, Det. Western Pacific, during a training exercise at Freshwater Bay supporting Talisman Saber 2009. Talisman Saber is a joint exercise between the U.S. and the Australian Defense Force that includes participation from more than 20,000 U.S. and 10,000 Australian personnel. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio.)

SHOALWATER BAY, Australia (July 15, 2009) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), move out on patrol in light armored vehicles during an exercise at Freshwater Bay supporting Talisman Saber 2009. Talisman Saber is a joint exercise between the U.S. and the Australian Defense Force that includes participation from more than 20,000 U.S. and 10,000 Australian personnel. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio.)

Focus On Defense:

QUEENSLAND, Australia, July 18, 2009 -- The combined forces of the U.S. military and Australian Defense Forces landed on Freshwater Bay beach in Queensland to commence the land phase of Talisman Saber 2009. After days of practice and battle preparations, the combined force made the landing.

"We secured the beach to allow other forces to land," said Marine 1st Lt. Marco Rossi, executive officer for Company L Battalion Landing Team 3/5. "We will also be the first to push inland and continue the attack while other elements come in for support."

Vehicles that could not float to the shore arrived aboard the U.S. Navy's landing craft air cushion (LCAC) vehicles. Australian and U.S. Marines from USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Denver (LPD 9) and USS Tortuga (LSD 46), as well as the HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Darwin made the landing to begin the ground battle of the exercise.

"We arrived with the LCACs, dropped our trucks on the beach, and we provide security until we move out," said Cpl. Nathan Blackwood, Weapons Company 3/5.

"We have a lot better traction here than anywhere else," said Lance Cpl. Alex Ciborowski, with Weapons Company BLT 3/5. "I've never had the opportunity to train with Australians, so I want to see how that goes."

Marines from Company L arrived on the shore of Freshwater Bay beach on amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) to push on to Samuel Hill, the exercise objective.

"We have ten days of operations trying to find bad guys," said Gunnery Sgt. Ed Brickert Weapons Company BLT 3/5. "We are a combination of Reservists and Australian Army. We have our work cut out for us, experience has shown that the Aussies are pretty good at camouflage and concealment. It's their home territory."

Exercise Talisman Saber is the biennial combined training activity designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations, which will help improve bilateral combat readiness and interoperability.

The mock battle will place the Marines in various scenarios for the next few days. Umpires or referees from both nations' services will administer the exercise and its progress.

(Report by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jose Lopez Jr.)

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Wire: Obama Pentagon Budget Expected to Kill More US Defense Jobs

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2009 -- Newswire services Friday reported that defense contractors could be poised to shed jobs as the Pentagon cuts weapons spending.

The Reuters news service said industry leader Lockheed Martin Corp said this week it would cut 600 jobs, mainly in Owego, New York, as a result of the U.S. Defense Department's decision to terminate the VH-71 presidential helicopter program.

Aircraft maker Boeing Co said announced Pentagon cuts would claim 1,000 jobs in its defense business, affecting staffing at various U.S. work sites in missile defense and in the Army's Future Combat Systems modernization program, which is being opened to more competition.

Boeing, which has also been hit by the slump in commercial aerospace, declined to say whether the defense staff cuts were included in 10,000 jobs set to be pared company-wide this year, Reuters noted.

Congress is debating the Obama administration's fiscal 2010 defense budget request and has proposed changes, including keeping funding for some programs that the administration seeks to cut.

Despite the congressional bid, some industry experts are betting more job cuts will come as U.S. defense budget growth slows, Reuters said.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source: More job cuts expected in U.S. defense sector

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Pentagon Identifies Army Casualties (OIF)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2009 -- The following news release made available Saturday by the U.S. Department of Defense is the text of a statement identifying casualties:

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died July 16 in Basra of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using indirect fire.

Killed were:

• Spc. Daniel P. Drevnick, 22, of Woodbury, Minn.;

• Spc. James D. Wertish, 20, of Olivia, Minn.; and

• Spc. Carlos E. Wilcox IV, 27, of Cottage Grove, Minn.

All three soldiers were assigned to the 34th Military Police Company, 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard, Stillwater, Minn.

(Report from a U.S. Defense Department news release.)

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Wire: Iraq Restricts US Forces

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2009 -- Newswire services this morning reported that the Iraqi government has moved to restrict the movement and activities of U.S. forces in a revision of the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement.

In an order issued by the Baghdad Operations Command on July 2 -- the day after Iraqis celebrated the withdrawal of U.S. troops to bases outside city centers -- Iraq's top commanders told their U.S. counterparts to "stop all joint patrols" in Baghdad. It said U.S. resupply convoys could travel only at night and ordered the Americans to "notify us immediately of any violations of the agreement."

The strict application of the agreement coincides with what U.S. military officials in Washington say has been an escalation of attacks against their forces by Iranian-backed Shiite extremist groups, to which they have been unable to fully respond, The Washington Post reported.

The Washington Post noted the following details:

If extremists realize "some of the limitations that we have, that's a vulnerability they could use against us," a senior U.S. military intelligence official said. "The fact is that some of these are very politically sensitive targets" thought to be close to the Shiite-dominated Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The new guidelines are a reflection of rising tensions between the two governments. Iraqi leaders increasingly see the agreement as an opportunity to show their citizens that they are now unequivocally in charge and that their dependence on the U.S. military is minimal and waning.

The Iraqi order runs "contrary to the spirit and practice of our last several months of operations," Maj. Gen. Daniel P. Bolger, commander of the Baghdad division, wrote in an e-mail obtained by The Washington Post.

"Maybe something was 'lost in translation,' " Bolger wrote. "We are not going to hide our support role in the city. I'm sorry the Iraqi politicians lied/dissembled/spun, but we are not invisible nor should we be." He said U.S. troops intend to engage in combat operations in urban areas to avert or respond to threats, with or without help from the Iraqis.

"This is a broad right and it demands that we patrol, raid and secure routes as necessary to keep our forces safe," he wrote. "We'll do that, preferably partnered."

U.S. commanders have not publicly described in detail how they interpret the agreement's vaguely worded provision that gives them the right to self-defense. The issue has bedeviled them because commanders are concerned that responding quickly and forcefully to threats could embarrass the Iraqi government and prompt allegations of agreement violations, The Washington Post said.

This is a developing story.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source: Iraq Restricts U.S. Forces

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US Airpower Summary, July 17, 2009: F-16s Support Warfighters

An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off on an Operation Iraqi Freedom mission. The F-16 jet provides close-air support and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for ground forces during combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tony R. Tolley.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 17, 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Near Surkhabad, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons demonstrated a show of force over a possible enemy position. This action eliminated any possible imminent threat to friendly forces and civilian forces.

At Asmar, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles released guided bomb unit-31s on an enemy position and destroyed it. There was small-arms fire from the enemy position onto coalition forces that ceased immediately.

Several coalition aircraft and Air Force B-1B Lancers at Surkhabad rolled in to provide cover for a friendly force patrol taking rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. During this skirmish, there were shows of force and numerous munitions expended to include GBU-12s and GBU-38s and Hellfire missiles. The enemy fighting position was destroyed allowing the friendly force patrol to continue.

Asmar saw Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts several times during the day as they destroyed several enemy positions that had been firing RPGs and small arms on coalition forces and friendly forces. This was accomplished with several strafing runs and the release of several GBU-38s on the enemy positions. Armed overwatch was provided for several more hours.

At Qalat, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets carried out shows of force over a suspected enemy position. Enemy forces were forced back into their compound without any shots fired at friendly forces.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 71 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-four Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 24 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities, and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

Twenty-five Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 37 airlift sorties were flown, 1,102 tons of cargo were delivered, and about 4,158 passengers were transported. This included about 109,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On July 15, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported eight patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60G transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities.

Air Force tanker crews flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 227 receiving aircraft.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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OEF Summary, July 17, 2009: Troops in Afghanistan Raid Terrorist Compounds

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 17, 2009 -- Coalition and Afghan forces raided several terrorist compounds in eastern and southern Afghanistan in the past two days, disrupting bomb networks and seizing suspects and weapons, military officials reported.

The combined forces killed several insurgents in a gun battle in Paktia province last night, and a dozen militants were detained in raids in Logar, Paktika and Khost provinces in the East and Helmand province in the South.

Afghan and coalition forces searched an enemy encampment last night in the remote reaches of Paktia province in an effort to disrupt the flow of foreign fighters and weapons by the Haqqani terrorist group through the Khost-Gardez Pass along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

The force targeted the site, southeast of Gardez, after intelligence indicated militant activity. Several insurgents engaged the force with small-arms fire throughout the operation. The force used direct fire and close-air support to repel the attacks, killing several shooters. The force continued the search and uncovered large munitions caches throughout the encampment. All munitions were destroyed in place.

In Logar province, Afghan and coalition forces searched a compound thought to be used by a known Haqqani commander as a bomb-making cell for attacks on coalition and Afghan forces.

The force targeted the compound near the village of Ebad, southwest of Kabul, after intelligence indicated militant activity. The force conducted the search without incident and confiscated an AK-47 rifle and a chest rack. Three suspected militants were detained.

Two groups of joint Afghan and coalition forces searched known militant compounds July 15 in Khost and Paktika provinces to disrupt Haqqani communication lines and the flow of money and weapons into the regions.

The combined force targeted a compound north of the city of Khost after intelligence indicated militant activity there. The force conducted a search of the compound without incident and two AK-47 rifles and a shotgun were confiscated. The force detained five suspected insurgents.

In Paktika province, the combined force targeted a compound southeast of Ghazni where intelligence indicated militant activity. A search was conducted without incident and four suspects were detained.

No Afghan National Army or coalition force or civilian casualties were reported during either incident.

Afghan and coalition forces searched a compound last night in Helmand province thought to belong to a key Taliban commander believed to be responsible for directing suicide and bomb attacks in the area.

The force targeted the compound in the Nad Ali district where intelligence indicated militant activity. The force conducted a search without incident and uncovered a hand grenade in one of the targeted buildings. The force detained four suspected militants.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Afghanistan news releases.)

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Pentagon Identifies Army Casualty (OEF)

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2009 -- The following news release made available Thursday by the U.S. Department of Defense is the text of a statement identifying a casualty:

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class Jason J. Fabrizi, 29, of Seffner, Fla., died July 14 in Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his mounted patrol was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

(Report from a U.S. Defense Department news release.)

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George Washington Carrier Strike Group Begins Talisman Saber

YOKOSUKA, Japan (June 10, 2009) Sailors man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the ship departs on her first summer deployment since arriving at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clifford L. H. Davis.)

Focus on Defense:

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea, July 17, 2009 -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG), with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, began participating in Exercise Talisman Saber 2009 (TS09) July 13.

TS09, a biennial exercise hosted by the Australian Defense Force, is designed to enhance combat readiness while maintaining the highest levels of interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces.

"With both nations dedicated to enhancing security and stability in the region, Talisman Saber 2009 provides us with the unique opportunity to train together across the full spectrum of missions from high-end combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," said Rear Adm. Kevin M. Donegan, commander of Battle Force 7th Fleet. "The end result is the enhanced efficiency that comes from extensive interoperability among our joint military services."

Capt. Michael S. White, commander of CVW 5, said the exercise will present some new and unique training opportunities for CVW 5 pilots embarked on the carrier.

"Northern Australia, where we are working for TS09, really has some great flying opportunities — and the fact that we'll be working with our Air Force, Marine Corps and Royal Australian counterparts," said White. "The events are complex and challenging, but the training value is very good. It's a great opportunity for us to go get better at what we do."

USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) Combat Direction Center (CDC) Officer, Cmdr. Peter Walczak, said the purpose of GW's participation is to build and foster relationships with Australians while practicing responses to possible crises or small conflicts.

"We'll be performing simulated strikes on targets in central and northern Australia," said Walczak. "The scenarios are simulated for the purpose of dislodging a hostile element from a region of a local country. We'll also be simulating attacks on GW."

Walczak said the ship will then devise a simulated air plan in order to defend the ship and strike group from air attack.

"GW is performing typical operations, but our attitude is different. We're putting our game face on, where drills are not just at a departmental or divisional level; we're looking at where we fit within the strike group as a whole."

Cmdr. Mark Stoops, GW's air officer, said the exercise will allow the ship's air department to work in a high-tempo flight operations environment.

"We're launching and recovering aircraft every day regardless, but throughout the exercise our volume of operations will be much higher," said Stoops. "This is good because this way we can continue to practice and keep our skills sharp."

Capt. David A. Lausman, commanding officer of GW, the flagship of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, is currently making its inaugural summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.

GWCSG is comprised of CVW 5, Destroyer Squadron 15 and guided-missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).

(Report from a USS George Washington Public Affairs news release.)

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Pentagon: Citing Stress on Troops, Gates Considers Expanding Army

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2009 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is considering proposals to temporarily expand the Army to relieve stress on the force, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Gates has discussed the possibility of a temporary expansion with Army Secretary Pete Geren, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., and others, Geoff Morrell said at a Pentagon news briefing yesterday after being asked by reporters about the proposal.

Army leaders, as well as U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, are "advocating to increase the size of the Army to get them through what is still a stressful period as we draw down in Iraq and continue to plus-up in Afghanistan," he said.

Asked how Gates feels about the idea, Morrell said, "I think he obviously has a great deal of concern about the stress that the Army has been under for a number of years now. And he understands that his prescription that they reduce their dependence upon stop-loss to keep units intact when they deploy has created additional stress on the force.

"He obviously appreciates the stress that the force is under and is listening intently to the arguments that are being made by General Casey and others," he added.

Gates earlier this year announced a phase-out of the Army's "stop-loss" policy, which keeps some soldiers in uniform beyond the terms of their enlistment contracts.

Morrell stressed that Gates has made no decisions about increasing Army troop strength. "He is right now still in the consultation process," he said. "But he is clearly considering it."

Casey has argued for the expansion as a "temporary fix to a near-term problem" of about two more years of considerable stress on the force due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Morrell said.

Even temporary, a plus-up "will be very expensive," he said. "Our personnel costs, in total I think, in the 2010 budget are north of $160 billion. Our health-care costs alone are $42 billion. Every person you add has enormous costs -- legacy costs, especially. And that is clearly part of the consideration here."

Gates spoke out this week against efforts in Congress to fund more F-22 aircraft than the department has requested, and Morrell reiterated those concerns yesterday.

"It looks as though the Army believes it needs additional soldiers to do the job that we have asked them to do," he told reporters. "So, buying more F-22s would very much inhibit our ability to even temporarily grow the force."

Although any increase is meant to be temporary, Morrell said, "It is always hard to do things on a temporary basis in this building. They have a way of becoming permanent."

(Report by Lisa Daniel, American Forces Press Service.)

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Dawn of the Atomic Age, July 16, 1945: Trinity Test

The Trinity test was the dawn of the atomic age. (Image courtesy Los Alamos National Laboratories.)

Living History:

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2009 -- On July 16, 1945, at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time, the world's first atomic bomb exploded 100 feet over a portion of the southern New Mexico desert known as the Jomada del Muerto, the Journey of the Dead Man. As the orange and yellow fireball stretched up and spread, a second column, narrower than the first, rose and flattened into a mushroom shape, providing a visual image that has become imprinted as a symbol of power and awesome destruction. The world had never seen a nuclear explosion before, and estimates varied widely on how much energy would be released. The bomb exploded with a force of 21,000 tons of TNT, evaporating the tower on which it stood. Before the test, some scientists at Los Alamos privately had doubts that it would work at all.

The elaborate instrumentation surrounding the site was tested with an explosion of a large amount of conventional explosives on May 7. Preparations continued throughout May and June and were complete by the beginning of July. Three observation bunkers located 10,000 yards north, west, and south of the firing tower at ground zero would attempt to measure key aspects of the reaction. Specifically, scientists would try to determine the symmetry of the implosion and the amount of energy released. Additional measurements would be taken to determine damage estimates, and equipment would record the behavior of the fireball. The biggest concern was control of the radioactivity the test device would release. Not entirely content to trust favorable meteorological conditions to carry the radioactivity into the upper atmosphere, the Army stood ready to evacuate the people in surrounding areas.

On July 12, the plutonium core was taken to the test area in an Army sedan. The non-nuclear components left for the test site at 12:01 a.m., July 13. During the day, final assembly of the "Gadget" took place in the McDonald ranch house. By 5:00 p.m. on the July 15, the device had been assembled and hoisted atop the 100-foot firing tower. Leslie Groves, Vannevar Bush, James Conant, Ernest Lawrence, Thomas Farrell, James Chadwick, and others arrived in the test area, where it was pouring rain. Groves and Oppenheimer, standing at the S-10,000 control bunker, discussed what to do if the weather did not break in time for the scheduled 4:00 a.m. test.

Oppenheimer himself had bet $10 against George Kistiakowsky's entire month's pay that the bomb would not work at all. Meanwhile, Edward Teller was making everyone nervous by applying liberal amounts of sunscreen in the pre-dawn darkness and offering to pass it around. At 3:30, Groves and Oppenheimer pushed the time back to 5:30.

At 4:00, the rain stopped. Kistiakowsky and his team armed the device shortly after 5:00 and retreated to S-10,000. In accordance with his policy that each observe from different locations in case of an accident, Groves left Oppenheimer and joined Bush and Conant at base camp. Those in shelters heard the countdown over the public address system, while observers at base camp picked it up on an FM radio signal.

Seconds after the explosion came a huge blast wave and heat searing out across the desert. No one could see the radiation generated by the explosion, but they all knew it was there. The steel container "Jumbo," weighing over 200 tons and transported to the desert only to be eliminated from the test, was knocked ajar even though it stood half a mile from ground zero.

(From a U.S. Air Force report; information compiled from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of History and Heritage Resources, and image courtesy Los Alamos National Laboratories.)

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