Wire: Forces Start Major Afghan Offensive, 3 US Troops Killed in South

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2010 -- Newswire services this morning reported that thousands of U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers stormed the Taliban stronghold of Marjah by air and ground Saturday, meeting only scattered resistance.

The Associated Press reported that the massive offensive was aimed at establishing Afghan government authority over the biggest southern town under militant control and breaking the Taliban grip over a wide area of their southern heartland.

Media outlets focused on conflicting news that either none or light coalition casualties had been reported more than 12 hours after the initial airborne assault, but buried the grim news that NATO said three U.S. soldiers were killed Saturday in a bombing elsewhere in southern Afghanistan.

AP noted that at least 20 insurgents were reported killed in the Helmand operation, said Gen. Sher Mohammad Zazai, the commander of Afghan forces in the region. Troops have recovered Kalashnikov rifles, heavy machine guns and grenades from 11 insurgents captured so far.

The long-awaited assault on Marjah is the biggest offensive since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan and is a major test of a new NATO strategy focused on protecting civilians. The attack is also the first major combat operation since President Barack Obama ordered 30,000 U.S. reinforcements here in December to try to turn the tide of the war.

[. . .]

Lt. Col. Brian Christmas, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, said U.S. troops faced sustained gunbattles in four areas of the town, including the western suburb of Sistani where India Company faced "some intense fighting." To the east, Kilo Company was inserted by helicopter but was then "significantly engaged" as the Marines fanned out from the landing zone.

But the greatest threat came from the extensive network of mines, homemade bombs and booby traps that ground forces encountered as soon as they crossed a major major canal into the town's northern entrance.

Insurgents appeared to have withdrawn from their frontline positions but left boobytraps and explosives in their abandoned positions and in the network of canals built by the Americans in the 1950s and 1960s. Marines safely set off numerous bombs, as the sound of strong detonations reverberated through the dusty streets.

[. . .]

Marine commanders had said they expected between 400 to 1,000 insurgents — including more than 100 foreign fighters — to be holed up in Marjah. The town of 80,000 people, about 360 miles (610 kilometers) southwest of Kabul, is the linchpin of the militants' logistical and opium-smuggling network.

The offensive, code-named "Moshtarak," or "Together," was described as the biggest joint operation of the Afghan war, with 15,000 troops involved, including some 7,500 troops fighting in Marjah. The government says Afghan soldiers make up at least half of the offensive's force.

Once Marjah is secured, NATO hopes to rush in aid and restore public services in a bid to win support among the estimated 125,000 people who live in the town and surrounding villages. The Afghans' ability to restore those services is crucial to the success of the operation and to prevent the Taliban from returning.

See links below for details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Sources:
US, Afghan troops sweep into Taliban stronghold
Coalition Forces Launch Massive Assault on Major Taliban Stronghold
U.S. Marines spearhead major Afghanistan offensive

Video: Airborne Laser Testbed Experiment

NOTE: News readers click here to watch the video.

Focus on Defense:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2010 -- Embedded above is a b-roll video of various tests for an airborne laser testbed experiment. Scenes include heat signature of the missile, FMA engagement cockpit view and stock footage of the aircraft taking off, aerial footage while flying through the clouds and landing of the aircraft. (Courtesy Video, Missile Defense Agency. Length: 00:05:07.)

More Defense Imagery on THE TENSION

Wire: 5 Americans Wounded in Attack at US Base in Afghanistan

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2010 -- Newswire services today reported that a suicide bomber wearing an Afghan border policeman's uniform blew himself up Thursday at a U.S. base near the Pakistani frontier, wounding five Americans, an Afghan official said.

The spokesman for Paktia province, Roullah Samoun, said the attack occurred after sundown at a U.S. facility in the Dand aw Patan district in eastern Afghanistan, about 35 miles (70 kilometers) east of Gardez, according to an Associated Press report.

AP said the spokesman did not identify the base by name or say what kind personnel are stationed there.

A U.S. spokesman, Lt. Col. Todd Vician, says U.S. officials have a report that some Americans were wounded in an incident, but he had no further details.

On Dec. 30 a Jordanian believed to be a double agent blew himself up at a CIA base in another border province, Khost, killing seven agency employees and a Jordanian intelligence officer.

The attack reported Thursday occurred about 400 miles (640 kilometers) northeast of the Taliban town of Marjah, which is under siege by U.S. and Afghan troops.

(Report from newswire sources.)

OIF Summary, Feb. 11, 2010: Forces in Iraq Capture Terrorist Leader, Others

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGHDAD, Feb. 11, 2010 -- Iraqi Security Forces captured an explosives and assassination-cell leader and four additional suspected terrorists today during three operations here and in northern Iraq to suppress al-Qaida in Iraq, military officials said.

In western Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two residential buildings with court warrants for two members – one a leader -- of an AQI cell responsible for numerous assassinations and improvised explosive device attacks in the region.

Iraqi Security Forces identified and arrested both men and a suspected criminal accomplice based on preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene.

During a separate security operation in Abu Ghraib, about ten miles west of Baghdad, ISF and U.S. advisors searched a residential building for a suspected terrorist cell member who builds and employs IEDs in coordination with AQI, targeting security forces in Iraq.

The security team arrested the suspect after finding numerous electronic components used to make IEDs and IED initiators in his apartment and an adjacent workshop.

In a third operation last night, in a rural area south of Kirkuk, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected AQI member who provides safe haven for visiting AQI leaders.

Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the warranted man.

(From a Joint Forces Iraq news release.)

OEF Summary, Feb. 11, 2010: Forces Nab 2 Taliban Commanders

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Feb. 11, 2010 -- Afghan and international forces captured one Taliban commander and killed another as part of multiple operations across Afghanistan last night, military officials reported.

A combined Afghan-international force searched a compound in the Wali Mohammad Shaheed district of Ghazni province after intelligence indicated militant activity there. During the search, the force captured a Taliban commander and another suspected insurgent.

Meanwhile, another combined force using intelligence information stopped a vehicle in north Helmand province's Washer district. As the force approached the vehicle, the driver, who was the sole occupant, drew an AK-47 and pointed at them. The combined force then engaged and killed him. The driver was a Taliban commander responsible for directing attacks, and procuring weapons and explosives for several insurgent networks.

In another operation in Helmand last night, a combined force searched a small compound in a rural area in the Reg-e Khan Neshin district after intelligence confirmed militant activity there. During the search, the force detained several suspected
militants and found several rocket motors.

In other operations last night:

• In Kandahar, an Afghan-international force searched a compound in the Arghandab district after intelligence indicated militant activity there. The force captured a small group of insurgents, including a Taliban subcommander responsible for weapons trafficking and attacks against coalition and Afghan troops. The force found several weapons, including automatic rifles.

• In Khost, a combined force searched a compound in the Sabari district after intelligence found militant activity. The force detained several insurgents and found multiple weapons, including automatic rifles and a large amount of ammunition.

• In Zabul, an Afghan-international force searched a compound in a rural area west of Qalat City after intelligence confirmed militant activity. The force captured a Taliban subcommander involved in small-arms and improvised explosive device attacks on coalition and Afghan troops. The force also recovered multiple weapons, including automatic rifles and pistols.

No Afghan civilians were harmed during the operations.

(From an International Joint Command-Afghanistan news release.)

Wire: Iran Now "Nuclear State" Says Ahmadinejad

In Tehran, pro-regime supporters shout slogans while a caricature of U.S. President Barack Obama joins a sea of Iranian flags, February 11, 2010.

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2010 -- Newswire services this morning reported that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran has produced highly enriched nuclear material in defiance of the West, as his country on Thursday marked the anniversary of its 1979 Islamic revolution.

Iran is now a "nuclear state" Ahmadinejad announced this morning.

The French news agency AFP reported that Ahmadinejad said, "The head of the atomic energy organisation said the first stock of 20 percent fuel was produced and delivered to scientists." in a speech at Tehran's Azadi [Freedom] Square before a crowd of hundreds of thousands.

AFP, however, also noted that a restricted document of the International Atomic Energy Agency which monitors Iran's nuclear work revealed on Thursday that the country would produce its first batch of higher enriched uranium "within a few days."

IAEA chief Yukiya Amano wrote in the one-page report that Iran had informed agency inspectors that it had "begun to feed the low-enriched uranium (LEU) into one cascade [of uranium-enriching] centrifuges" at its plant in Natanz.

Iran to produce higher enriched uranium in days: IAEA

"They were also told that it was expected that the facility would begin to produce up to 20 percent enriched [uranium] within a few days," according to Amano.

The IAEA head added that "it should be noted that there is currently only one cascade installed in [Natanz] that is capable of enriching the LEU up to 20 percent."

See links below for details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Sources:
Iran is now a 'nuclear state' says Ahmadinejad as thousands take to the streets
Ahmadinejad: Iran has produced high grade uranium
Iran proclaims new success in uranium enrichment

OEF Update, Feb. 11, 2010: Operations in Afghanistan

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 11, 2010 -- An Afghan-international joint force searched a compound outside the village of Robat, in the Wali Mohammad Shaheed District of Ghazni province after intelligence information indicated militant activity. During the search the combined force captured a Taliban commander, with connections to several other militant network leaders, and another suspected insurgent.

An Afghan-international joint force stopped a vehicle in north Helmand's Washer District near Shah Mirza Kariz after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity. As the force approached the vehicle, the driver, who was the sole occupant, drew an AK-47 and pointed at them. The combined force then engaged and killed him. The driver was a Taliban commander, responsible for directing attacks, IED production and procuring weapons and explosives for several insurgent networks.

In another operation in Helmand last night, a joint security force searched a small compound in a rural area in the Reg-e Khan Neshin District after intelligence information confirmed militant activity.

During the search the joint force detained a handful of suspected militants and found several rocket motors.

In Kandahar last night, an Afghan-international joint force searched a compound north of the town of Kukaran, in the Arghandab District after intelligence information indicated militant activity.

The joint security force captured a small group of insurgents, including a Taliban sub-commander responsible for the movement of weapons and conducting attacks against coalition and Afghan troops. The combined force found several weapons, including automatic rifles.

In Khowst last night, a joint security force searched a compound in the village of Kurru Kelay, in the Sabari District after intelligence found militant activity. The joint force detained several insurgents and found multiple weapons, including automatic rifles and a large amount of ammunition.

In Zabul last night, an Afghan-international security force searched a compound in a rural area west of Qalat City, in Qalat District after intelligence confirmed militant activity. The joint force captured a Taliban sub-commander, directly involved in small-arms and IED attacks on coalition and Afghan troops. The combined force also recovered multiple weapons, including automatic rifles and pistols.

No Afghan civilians were harmed during these operations.

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

OIF Summary, Feb. 10, 2010: Operations in Iraq Net 20 Terrorism Suspects

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2010 -- Iraqi security forces arrested 20 suspected terrorists in operations in Iraq over the last two days, military officials reported.

Fourteen of the suspects were arrested during four combined security operations in Baghdad and northern Iraq designed to degrade al-Qaida in Iraq operations, officials said.

In northwestern Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors arrested a wanted terrorist-cell leader believed to be closely associated with senior al-Qaida in Iraq members in Baghdad and to be responsible for planning bombing attacks. Iraqi forces arrested the wanted cell leader and a suspected criminal associate based on preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene.

Today in southwestern Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected terrorist cell member who builds and employs bombs targeting security forces in Iraq in coordination with al-Qaida in Iraq. The suspect also is wanted for hiding terrorist weapons.

A roadside-bomb arming device and forged official documents were found on scene. Based on evidence and information gathered during the operation, Iraqi forces arrested the wanted suspect and nine suspected criminal associates.

Also today, an Iraqi emergency response unit and U.S. advisors in Muqdadiyah, northeast of Baghdad, searched a building for a suspected member of an al-Qaida in Iraq attack cell that conducts bombing attacks against Iraqi forces and civilians.

Evidence collected at the scene led police to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the wanted cell leader.

Members of the same emergency response unit and U.S. advisors also conducted an operation near Sulayman Bak, southeast of Kirkuk, searching several buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq cell leader. Iraqi police arrested a suspected criminal associate of the wanted man.

In Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi federal police with U.S. forces advisors, acting on a warrant, arrested six suspected terrorists. The suspects allegedly are affiliated with an al-Qaida in Iraq cell in the Arab Jabour area. The cell is responsible for bombing and small-arms attacks against Iraqi forces.

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

OEF Summary, Feb. 10, 2010: Forces in Afghanistan Capture Subcommanders, Seize Weapons, Drugs

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2010 -- Afghan and international forces captured two suspected enemy subcommanders and seized caches of weapons and drugs in recent operations in Afghanistan, military officials reported.

An Afghan-international force captured a Haqqani terrorist network subcommander responsible for coordinating attacks on Afghan and coalition forces during a combined operation last night in the Sabari district of Afghanistan's Khost province. The captured subcommander also is accused of arranging delivery of weapons to other Haqqani network operatives. The combined force also detained a pair of other suspected insurgents.

In the Wali Mohammad Shaheed district of Ghazni province yesterday, a combined force captured a Taliban subcommander accused of leading rocket attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and being involved with operational planning and the movement of weapons. Another suspected insurgent also was detained.

International Security Assistance Force servicemembers on a routine patrol in Helmand province today seized 800 pounds of marijuana, 600 pounds of marijuana seeds and 200 pounds of opium seeds. They detained two suspects and turned them over to Afghan authorities, and the drugs were destroyed.

In the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province yesterday, an International Security Assistance Force patrol found five mortar shells, a missile, a radio, binoculars and numerous bomb-making components. A combined Afghan-international patrol in the same district found a 108 mm illumination bomb, two rockets and two 40 mm bombs.

(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)

Combat Camera Video: Marines Show Off UH-1Y Capabilities in Afghanistan

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Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2010 -- Embedded above is a video package of the UH-1Y "Yankee" helicopter and it's improved capabilities for Marines in the close air support mission in Afghanistan. (Produced by Senior Master Sgt. Keith Baxter, American Forces Network Afghanistan. Length: 00:01:12.)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

Combat Camera: US Marines Fight Insurgents in Helmand Province

Capt. Stephan P. Karabin, commanding officer, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, gives directions to units on two different radios from a rooftop during a firefight at the center of "Five Points," a key intersection of roads linking the northern area of the insurgent stronghold of Marjeh with the rest of Helmand province. Marines of Charlie Company conducted a helicopter-borne assault that morning to seize the area. Karabin, 30, is from West Palm Beach, Fla. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

A Marine with Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, sprints down the line of heavy machine guns to deliver a map after a firefight with Taliban insurgents, Feb. 9, at the "Fire Points" intersection, a key junction of roads linking the northern area of the insurgent stronghold of Marjeh with the rest of Helmand province. Marines of Charlie Company conducted a helicopter-borne assault earlier that morning to seize the area. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

A Marine with Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, affixes a mortar round to his pack before a helicopter-borne assault to seize the "Five Points" intersection east of the insurgent stronghold of Marjeh. Five Points is a key province. Some Marines carried more than their body weight during the assault. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Lance Cpls. Keith B. Lawson and Spence G. Press, scout snipers attached to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, work together to identify targets as Taliban fighters approached from Marjeh toward their position at the "Five Points" intersection, Feb. 9. Marines of Charlie Company conducted a helicopter-borne assault earlier that morning to seize the key intersection of roads linking the northern area of the insurgent stronghold of Marjeh with the rest of Helmand province. Lawson, 25, is from Reedly, Calif., and Press, 20, is from Newbury Park, Calif. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Cpl. Joshua D. Villegas, a radio operator attached to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, watches nearby farms for insurgent activity, Feb. 9, from a building rooftop in the center of "Five Points," a key intersection of roads linking the northern area of the insurgent stronghold of Marjeh with the rest of Helmand province. Marines of Charlie Company conducted a helicopter-borne assault that morning to seize the area. Villegas, 22, is from Chicago. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

An Afghan national army soldier fires a grenade from a launcher on his AK-47 at Taliban insurgents from Marjeh firing on their position, Feb. 9, at the "Five Points" intersection. A group of ANA soldiers joined the Marines of Charlie Company as they conducted a helicopter-borne assault earlier that morning to seize the key intersection of roads linking the northern area of the insurgent stronghold of Marjeh with the rest of Helmand province. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Lance Cpl. Zachary D. Tutt, a 19-year-old machine gunner with Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, runs a wheelbarrow full of gathered cinder blocks back to his gun's location while Lance Cpl. Jutstin Hughes, a radio operator with Weapons Platoon, provides security between firefights with Taliban insurgents Feb. 9 at the "Five Points" intersection. Marines of Charlie Co. conducted a helicopter-borne assault earlier that morning to seize the key intersection of roads linking the northern area of the insurgent stronghold of Marjeh with the rest of Helmand Province. Tutt is from Kankakee, Ill., and Hughes is from Harrisburg, Penn. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Marines of 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, help another Marine down an unstable ladder in an Afghan farm compound, Feb. 9, near the "Five Points" intersection. Marines of Charlie Company conducted a helicopter-borne assault earlier that morning to seize the key intersection of roads linking the northern area of the insurgent stronghold of Marjeh with the rest of Helmand province. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

An Afghan national army soldier fires a rocket-propelled grenade at Taliban insurgents from Marjeh firing on their position, Feb. 9, at the "Five Points" intersection. A group of ANA soldiers joined the Marines of Charlie Company as they conducted a helicopter-borne assault earlier that morning to seize the key intersection of roads linking the northern area of the insurgent stronghold of Marjeh with the rest of Helmand province. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Dispatches from the Front:

HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Feb. 10, 2010 -- Marines and sailors of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, battled Taliban insurgents, Feb. 9, after conducting a successful helicopter-borne assault to seize a key intersection east of the insurgent stronghold city of Marjeh.

The Marines, some carrying more than their body weight in gear, moved toward the center of an area known as "Five Points," an intersection of major roads in western Helmand province, located between the cities of Marjeh and Nawa. The Marines were joined on the assault by their partnered Afghan National Army soldiers who fought alongside them against the Taliban.

"I felt the assault went well," said Capt. Stephan P. Karabin, commanding officer, Charlie Company, 1/3. "We got in here quickly, under the cover of darkness on the helicopters, moved into position, set everything in place and were able to seize the objective. This area is important because it's the one intersection which links northern Marjeh ... to (eastern Helmand province) and it blocks that supply route.

"Marines did their job well here, and some engaged with the enemy for the first time in this deployment," said Karabin, 30, from West Palm Beach, Fla.

The Five Points intersection and surrounding area is also part of the main route from Marjeh to Lashkar Gah, the Helmand provincial capital, said Karabin.

"These roads are very important to our movement within the area of operations," said Karabin.

Not long after Marines established their defensive positions in the area did they observe Taliban fighters approaching from Marjeh. The Taliban immediately began firing their machine guns at the Marines. Marines and ANA soldiers fired back with heavy machine guns, rockets and small-arms fire, wounding and killing several Taliban fighters, forcing them to flee.

Marines took the brief respite to fortify their fighting positions with sandbags and concrete blocks scrounged from the area around them.

"While we were reinforcing our position on a roof, we came under fire again," said Sgt. Stephen Y. Roberts, a 23-year-old assault section leader, Weapons Platoon, Charlie Company, "It was three or four of the same fighters we had seen firing at us earlier."

Roberts responded to the enemy machine-gun fire by launching a Javelin shoulder-fired missile into the position the fighters were firing from, immediately silencing the heavy machine gun. Marine AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters flying the area followed Roberts' fire to strike a volley of heavy machine-gun fire and rockets, putting an end to the engagement.

Charlie Company Marines were joined at Five Points that evening by squads of Marines from Bravo Company, 1/3, having traveled the nine kilometers from Nawa on foot while sweeping for and clearing improvised explosive devices along the road linking the two locations.

(Report by Sgt. Brian Tuthill, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

Combat Camera Video: Howitzer Call-for-Fire Drills, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

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Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2010 -- Embedded above is a b-roll video of howitzer call-for-fire drills and an interview highlighting artillery Marines' unique contribution to the mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (Video by Cpl. Jenn Calaway, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs. Length: 00:07:26.)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

US Airpower Summary, Feb. 10, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 10, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close Air Support

Lashkar Gah, Regional Command- South
A coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircraft conducted several reconnaissance missions for friendly ground forces. When insurgents approached friendly forces and fired, the aircraft fired a missile and stopped insurgent fire against friendly forces.

Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted a show of force in order to deter enemy action while a group of friendly forces tactically withdrew from the area. A short time later, pilots conducted another show of force when friendly forces came under fire during the withdrawal. The shows of force were declared successful when friendly forces left the area without further incident.

Balocan, RC-S
Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted shows of force, with flares, that were determined successful by ground control.

Airlift Action

Helmand province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-airdrop mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 30,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Konar province, RC-E
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Konar province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 30,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Helmand province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a second combat-sustainment mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, airdropping nearly 35,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Uruzgan province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 15,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Paktika province, RC-E
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Paktika province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 70,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Uruzgan province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, airdropping nearly 36,000 pounds of combat-sustainment supplies to friendly forces.

Air Operations in Iraq:

There was no significant action to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 78
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 16

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 42
Sorties flown in Iraq: 28

On Feb. 8
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 15 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 34
Fuel delivered: nearly 1.7 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 143

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 145
Short tons of delivered cargo: 833
Passengers: nearly 2,700
Airdropped cargo: nearly 215,000 pounds

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

OEF Summary, Feb. 9, 2010: Forces in Afghanistan Seize Weapons, Kill Attackers

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2010 -- Afghan and international forces seized enemy weapons and killed insurgent attackers in operations in Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported.

The Afghan National Army, supported by an international security patrol, destroyed 16 rockets and a mortar round in Kandahar province Feb. 7 and yesterday.

The Afghan soldiers were patrolling near Darivshan village when they received a tip about a weapons cache from an Afghan civilian. The soldiers went to the site and recovered 16 107 mm rockets. The following day, the same patrol element found an 82 mm mortar round in a garden near Shotor Gardon village.

An Afghan-led patrol in Paktika province yesterday found a large weapons cache after receiving a tip from a local resident in the Wazah Khwah district. The cache contained 54 artillery rounds, four mortar rounds and 18 fuses.

Also yesterday, a combined Afghan-international patrol discovered more than 20 mortar rounds in the Garm Ser district of Helmand province. Another combined patrol found 11 hand grenades and a rocket-propelled grenade round in the province's Kajaki district.

In a Feb. 6 operation in Helmand's Garm Ser district, an International Security Assistance Force patrol found 83 artillery rounds in a field.

On Feb. 5, an Afghan-international security force in the Musa Qaleh district of Helmand province killed two insurgents who attacked them with small-arms fire. Later, the force was engaged by more small-arms fire from different locations. A sniper supporting the patrol returned fire, killing another insurgent.

In another operation Feb. 5, a combined force found about 1,000 rounds of small-arms ammunition, a belt of shotgun rounds, assault-rifle magazines and binoculars in Helmand's Garm Ser district of Helmand province.

(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)

OIF Summary, Feb. 9, 2010: Forces in Iraq Nab Terrorism Suspects

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2010 -- Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors arrested numerous suspected terrorists and seized enemy weapons in various operations in Iraq in recent days.

Iraqi forces arrested 11 suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members -- including the suspected commander and two deputies of their cell -- in a rural area northwest of Baghdad today.

The cell is believed to be responsible for maintaining weapons caches and carrying out deadly attacks against civilians and security forces. During a search, the security team found a shotgun, numerous assault rifles, packaging material used to transport explosives, a small rocket and terrorist propaganda.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to identify and arrest all five cell members wanted on their arrest warrant, including the suspected commander and deputies, as well as six suspected criminal accomplices.

Iraqi security forces arrested two suspected terrorists Feb. 7 during a combined operation in northeastern Mosul to capture a military commander for the Ansar al-Islam terrorist group. A suspected terrorist was killed during the operation.

Acting on a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, Iraqi forces and and U.S. advisors stopped two vehicles to arrest the Ansar al-Islam military commander, whose group fabricates mobile rockets and improvised explosive devices frequently used in attacks against security forces in the region.

The suspected terrorist in the first vehicle was questioned, identified as a suspected criminal accomplice of the warranted individual, and arrested without incident.

After the security team stopped the second vehicle, the driver pulled a pistol from behind his back and pointed it toward security team members. Members of the security team engaged and killed him.

Following the vehicle stops, the security team searched a building from which the suspected terrorists had driven their vehicles -- a location confirmed by several previously arrested al-Qaida in Iraq members. The security team found a large cache of weapons and munitions.

The contents of the cache included 20 shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, several machine guns and assault rifles, other assault weapons, several sniper rifles, rockets and rocket parts, mortar tubes and mortar rounds, mines, IED-making material, a robot that can be used to remotely transport IEDs, body armor, license plates and night-vision devices.

A man found in the building containing the weapons cache was arrested as a suspected criminal accomplice of the warranted Ansar al-Islam commander.

North of Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi forces arrested six suspected terrorists during two combined security operations north of Baghdad designed to capture two terrorist-group leaders.

In a rural area located north of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader linked to numerous criminal activities, including providing financial support and weapons to terrorist group members and conducting IED attacks.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi forces to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the wanted individual.

During a separate security operation in a rural area north of Baghdad, the Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected leader of the Salahuddin Brigade insurgency group, which is responsible for multiple rocket and IED attacks against security forces in the area. Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest five suspected criminal associates of the wanted individual.

On Feb. 7, Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected Islamic State of Iraq terrorist group cell leader in the Sharqat district of Salahuddin province. An Iraqi court issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, who is accused of facilitating the movement and transportation of magnetically attached bombs used in attacks on Iraqi forces.

Also on Feb. 7, Iraqi forces captured a suspected Baghdad explosives-cell member and arrested four other suspected terrorists during combined operations near Baghdad and Mosul to disrupt the operations of al-Qaida in Iraq explosives cells.

In the town of Hamariyah, west of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a man believed to be responsible for preparing vehicle-borne IEDs used in various deadly attacks throughout Baghdad.

Following preliminary questioning and evidence collection, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and two suspected criminal accomplices.

During a separate operation in Bawirah, north of Mosul, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. advisors searched a building for a member of an al-Qaida in Iraq bombing cell that is active in northern Mosul. Evidence found in the building included an assault rifle, two pistols and ammunition.

Based on the results of preliminary questioning, the Iraqi soldiers arrested two suspected criminal associates of the wanted individual.

In a Feb. 6 operation, and Iraqi emergency response unit arrested a suspected terrorist in a rural area northeast of Baghdad.

Based on a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, Iraqi police and U.S. advisors searched several buildings in the Hamrin Lake area to arrest a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member. Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the warranted individual.

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

Combat Camera Video: A Day in the Life at Fire Base Fiddlers Green (OEF)

NOTE: News readers click here to watch the video.

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2010 -- Embedded above is a b-roll video of U.S. Marines at Fiddlers Green, Afghanistan. Scenes include a Marine getting his haircut, mechanics working on armored vehicles and cleaning them. (Video by Cpl. Jenn Calaway, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs. Length: 00:02:27.)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

Wire: White House Says Obama Critics Helping al-Qaeda

Off the Wire:

"Critics are ... clueless."

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2010 -- Newswire services this morning reported that in an opinion column published in USA Today, John Brennan -- Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism -- responded to critics of the Obama administration's counterterrorism policies by saying "Politically motivated criticism and unfounded fear-mongering only serve the goals of al-Qaeda."

ABC News reported that in the oped, titled "'We need no lectures': Administration disrupts terrorists’ plots, takes fight to them abroad," Brennan writes that politics "should never get in the way of national security. But too many in Washington are now misrepresenting the facts to score political points, instead of coming together to keep us safe."

The administration op-ed is in response to a USA Today editorial entitled "National security team fails to inspire confidence; Officials’ handling of Christmas Day attack looks like amateur hour."

Brennan provides a detailed defense of the administration's handling of failed Christmas Day bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab whom, he says, was "thoroughly interrogated and provided important information."

He suggests that many critics are hypocritical and clueless.

See link below for details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source: WH: Some Critics 'Serving the Goals of al Qaeda'*

US Airpower Summary, Feb. 9, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 9, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close Air Support

Bagram, Regional Command-East
U. S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces dismounted patrol. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter anti-Afghan forces activity.

Chahar Bagh, RC-S
U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for coalition ground forces. When coalition forces reported taking enemy small-arms fire from several directions, the aircrews received coordinates for multiple enemy positions and conducted shows of force over each one to deter enemy action. The shows of force were determined successful by ground control when enemy fire ceased.

Kabul, RC-E
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter anti-Afghan forces activity. The show of force was declared successful by ground control when no enemy fire occurred.

Airlift Action

Afghanistan
An Air Force C-130 aircrew distributed informational leaflets via airdrop to locations across Afghanistan.

Farah Province, RC-W
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Farah province, Afghanistan, delivering approximately 69,000 pounds of sustainment supplies via airdrop to friendly forces for ongoing operations.

Air Operations in Iraq:

There was no significant action to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF & Afghan security forces: 42
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 24

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 26
Sorties flown in Iraq: 23
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Afghanistan: NONE
Tactical reconnaissance sorties flown in Iraq: 2 (USAF)

On Feb. 7
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 2 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 32
Fuel delivered: nearly 1.2 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 100

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 129
Short tons of delivered cargo: 703
Passengers: nearly 3,600
Airdropped cargo: nearly 70,000 pounds

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