OEF Update, Dec. 9, 2009: Forces in Afghanistan Strike Militants

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 9, 2009 -- An international security force conducted an air strike targeting a group of militants near a Taliban training camp in a remote section of the Watapur Valley in Konar province yesterday.

The air strike targeted the militants in an open area away from civilian structures. Assessment of the strike is ongoing.

The Taliban uses an extensive network of supply routes in eastern Afghanistan to arm, man and equip its militant elements within the country. Afghan and international security forces are working together to block these routes and ensure the safety and well being of the Afghan people.

Afghan equipment operators, mechanics learn maintenance techniques Khost provincial reconstruction team engineers provided maintenance training for nearly 20 equipment operators and mechanics at the Khost City Maintenance Yard in Matun district Dec. 5.

"We want to reinforce the idea that proper maintenance and care will extend the useful life of this equipment, which will ultimately extend the time between major road resurfacing projects," said Navy Lt. Stephen Gustafson, Khost PRT lead engineer. "The training is intended to improve the ability of the Afghans to properly operate and maintain their road and other construction equipment."

The maintenance yard has a variety of road equipment, but some vehicles are showing signs of wear and tear. Corrosion, improperly inflated tires, and dead batteries were a few of the basic issues addressed during training.

PRT engineers demonstrated the proper pre-operational checks and procedures on road graders, loaders, dump trucks and other construction equipment. The operators and mechanics also learned about scheduled maintenance and properly storing the vehicles which helps keep vehicles functioning at peak performance.

Khost Director of Public Works engineer Mamor Shah said he would like more training sessions which will HELP his employees sustain their operations without assistance.

ISAF Casualty:

There were no ISAF fatalities in the last 24 hours in Afghanistan.

(Compiled from NATO International Security Assistance Force news releases.)