Wire: 21 US Servicemembers Killed in 48 Hours in Afghanistan

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2010 -- Newswire services this afternoon reported that 21 U.S. servicemembers have been killed in Afghanistan since Friday, updating earlier stories reporting that 19 U.S. servicemembers were killed in 72 hours there.

The UK Telegraph reported that a series of bomb attacks badly mauled U.S. troops in eastern and southern Afghanistan in the past 48 hours.

The death toll among in the NATO-led coalition has reached 484 this year and is predicted to far surpass 2009’s total of 521, the Telegraph said.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source.

Flashback, Dec. 2008: Bush Signs Iraq Security Pact, Sets Troop Withdrawal Deadlines

News in Balance:

EDITOR'S NOTE: As President Barack Obama prepares to claim the fulfillment of his campaign promise to bring the Iraq war to an end, it is important to recount the facts surrounding the story. In December 2008, President George W. Bush, at the request of the the Iraqi government, signed the Status of Forces agreement that set the troop withdrawal timeline to end the war.

Reprinted below is a news article discussing the details of the agreement.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2008 -- With fewer than 40 days left in office, President George W. Bush signed a security pact in Baghdad yesterday, putting an end in sight for the Iraq war after nearly six years of fighting.

“The war is not over yet,” Bush said, “[but] it is decisively on its way to being won.”

During a surprise farewell visit to Baghdad yesterday, Bush met with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for a signing ceremony, affirming the two landmark agreements to withdraw U.S. troops and formalizing a long-term relationship between the two countries.

“[The agreements] cement a strategic partnership between our two countries, and they pave the way for American forces to return home as the war in Iraq approaches a successful end,” Bush said. “They represent a shared vision on the way forward in Iraq.”

Two years ago, such an agreement was unimaginable, Bush said. Violence and attacks in Iraq were rising, and sectarian lines were dividing much of the Iraqi people. Terrorism and fighting in many regions proved difficult to overcome. The Iraqi people have suffered greatly, he added.

“[The Iraqi people] suffered car bombings and suicide attacks and [improvised explosive devices], and desperate efforts by terrorists to destroy a young democracy,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have stepped forward to defend this democracy, and many have paid a dear price.”

Bush said the American people sacrificed a great deal for Iraq to reach this point too, as fighting there has required large amounts of time, resources and American lives. More than 4,000 U.S. servicemembers have been killed in Iraq since March 2003. More than 300 coalition troops also have been killed.

The agreements honor all those who have sacrificed by building a freer, safer and more hopeful world, Bush said.

“In terms of the agreements, this is a major achievement,” Bush told reporters. “Is it the end? Absolutely not. There is more work to be done.”

The strategic framework agreement provides the underpinning for a U.S.-Iraq trade and investment relationship as well as diplomatic, cultural and security cooperation. It sets the foundation for a long-term bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The status-of-forces agreement outlines the framework for American forces withdrawal while providing authorization and protections for U.S. troops to continue support operations after the United Nations mandate expires Dec. 31.

Although the pace of meeting those agreements depends on the Iraqi government and military, Bush said, the SOFA acknowledges that U.S. combat forces in Iraq are required to withdraw from Iraqi cities, villages and localities no later than June 30, and it calls for a complete withdrawal of forces by Dec. 31, 2011.

Both agreements were passed by Iraq’s parliamentary councils Nov. 27 and by the presidency council Dec. 4. Both take effect Jan. 1.

(Report by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service.)

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Wire: 19 US Servicemembers Killed in 72 Hours in Afghanistan

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2010 -- Newswire services this morning reported that five U.S. troops were killed in southern and eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday in fighting that has left 19 servicemembers dead since Saturday.

The Associated Press reported that in Tuesday's attacks, NATO said four troops were killed by a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan, while a fifth died in a battle with insurgents in the country's south. No other details were given.

The deaths bring this month's total to 55, including a Marine killed in fighting in the volatile southern province of Helmand on Friday whose death was not announced until Monday night. That is still fewer than the 66 killed in July, the deadliest month for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source.

OEF Summary, Feb. 26, 2010: Forces in Afghanistan Find Drugs, Weapons

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2010 -- Afghan and international patrols found three weapons caches in Afghanistan’s Helmand province yesterday.

One cache, found in the Reg-e Khan Neshin district, contained eight rifle rounds, eight assault rifles, ammunition and an ammunition-filled vest.

Two caches were found in the Nad-e Ali district, containing seven illumination rounds, six high-explosive rounds, 80 pounds of ammonium nitrate, 51 pounds of homemade explosives, 100 pounds of shrapnel, and four large home-made bombs. One bomb contained 75 pounds of homemade explosives, the second contained five mortar rounds, and two others contained 10 mortar rounds each.

In operations yesterday:

• A combined force found several caches of weapons and drugs in Daykundi province. The caches contained 1,100 pounds of ammonium nitrate, more than 100 pounds of opium, 2 pounds of pure heroin, a small bag of opium seeds, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a shotgun, two assault rifles, a bolt-action rifle and a substantial amount of ammunition. The security force arrested one suspected insurgent in the operation.

• In Helmand province, a patrol found a substantial amount of ammonium nitrate in a compound. The patrol was involved in clearing the city in support of Operation Moshtarak when they found 5,500 pounds of the material along with bomb-making components.

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

Combat Camera Video: Patrol in Marjah, Afghanistan (B-Roll)

NOTE: News readers click here to watch the video.

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2010 -- Embedded above is a b-roll video of a patrol through a shopping bazaar in the city of Marjah, Afghanistan which only days earlier, was a kinetic combat zone. Scenes include Marines paying battle damage claims to business owners and service members interacting with the local populace showing them the newly established security in the region. (Produced by Cpl. Jennifer Calloway, Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs. Length: 00:13:09. Exceeds YouTube length limits.)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

OIF Summary, Feb. 25, 2010: Forces in Iraq Nab 9 in Separate Operations

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2010 -- Iraqi police arrested nine terrorism suspects in combined operations with U.S. advisors in recent days, military officials reported.

Police arrested three suspected terrorists yesterday in a rural area northeast of Baghdad during an operation conducted to capture a regional leader of Jaysh al-Mahdi, an Iranian-backed terrorist group.

Acting on a warrant issued by an Iraqi judge, the 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors searched two buildings for the suspected leader of several cells responsible for committing crimes such as kidnappings for ransom to raise money for weapons and supplies used in attacks against security forces operating in the area.

After preliminary questioning and assessment of the evidence at the scene, police arrested three suspected criminal associates of the wanted man.

In operations Feb. 23 and yesterday in Baghdad and Abu Ghraib, police arrested a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq assassination-cell leader and five suspected criminal accomplices.

Police and U.S. advisors stopped a vehicle on a public road and searched two buildings based on intelligence reports indicating that assassination cells were posturing for pre-election attacks in hopes of disrupting campaign efforts and deterring voters from participating in national elections.

In western Baghdad on Feb. 23, Iraqi police and U.S. advisors stopped a vehicle in which a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq assassination-cell leader was believed to be traveling. Information gathered at the scene led police to identify and arrest the wanted cell leader and two suspected criminal associates.

Following the arrests, the security team proceeded yesterday to search the wanted man's home in Abu Ghraib and a suspected weapons-cache site in western Baghdad belonging to the arrested man. In the Abu Ghraib building, police arrested two suspected criminal associates of the cell leader. Although no weapons or explosives were found during the search in western Baghdad, police identified and arrested an additional suspected criminal associate of the captured suspected cell leader.

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

NOTE: Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) will be renamed to Operation New Dawn (OND) effective September 1, 2010.

Combat Camera Video: 8-1 CAV Cloak Troop Operate in Afghanistan, Part 1

NOTE: News readers click here to watch the video.

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2010 -- Embedded above is a b-roll video of U.S. soldiers with Cloak Blue Troop, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment registering Afghanistan Border Police (ABP) into the Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment System (HIIDES) at checkpoint 6, in preparation for an upcoming specialized training course, Afghanistan, Jan. 19, 2010. (Produced by Master Sgt. Juan Valdes, Defense Imagery Management Operations Center. Part 1 of 3. Length: 00:01:26.)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

OEF Update, Feb. 25, 2010: Operation Moshtarak

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 25, 2010 -- Shuras outnumbered military engagements the last few days. At the invitation of Helmand governor Gulab Mangal, Nad-e Ali deputy district governor Haji Zahir held a shura in Marjah attended by 200 residents.

The deputy district governor spoke about improving security conditions and said that more Afghan National Police would be posted in Marjah. He promised to ensure the opening of shops and clinics, and personally oversaw the distribution of rice, beans, cooking oil and sugar to the gathering.

New shops have opened at bazaars in Marjah, with new products such as telephones, computers and other electronics being offered alongside fresh fruits and vegetables.

There has been a significant increase in the number of local residents returning to the area. This is accompanied by a decrease in the number of residents registering as internally displaced persons. Yesterday only 144 families registered, down from 165 the day before.

Occasional small-arms engagements are still being reported. Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks remain the greatest threat to civilians and security forces. There has been a nearly 50-percent increase in the number of IED tips by residents. This is in addition to a greater number of IED turn-ins in central Helmand. Both of these trends are contributing to greater safety and security for civilians and combined forces in the area.

(From a NATO International Security Assistance Force news release.)

OEF Summary, Feb. 24, 2010: Forces in Afghanistan Nab Bomb Maker

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Feb. 24, 2010 -- A combined Afghan and international security force arrested a suspected bomb maker after discovering an explosives cache in Afghanistan's Helmand province yesterday as part of Operation Moshtarak.

The cache consisted of more than 100 pounds of explosive, 220 pounds of ammonium nitrate, an 8 2mm mortar fuse, three ammunition-filled vests, and various explosive components such as anti-tamper switches.

The bomb maker was found with blasting caps on his person. The explosives were destroyed on site.

In other operations yesterday:

• A combined Afghan and international security force searched a vehicle in Helmand province after intelligence reports indicated militant activity. A search of the vehicle indicated a Taliban commander was possibly in a nearby village, which the combined force searched with the assistance of local elders. The security force detained several men for further questioning.

• A combined patrol discovered a weapons cache consisting of 22 mortar rounds in Khost province. The ordnance was destroyed on site.

• In Helmand province, a patrol discovered 15 bags of marijuana totaling more than 200 pounds. The drugs were destroyed.

• A separate patrol discovered a weapons cache while searching an insurgent bunker in Helmand province as part of Operation Moshtarak. The cache consisted of three 107 mm rockets, five rocket-propelled grenades, two anti-personnel charges, an artillery fuse and a hand grenade. The ordnance was destroyed.

• Afghan National Police defused four mines and discovered 110 pounds of explosive materials in Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan and Kunduz provinces yesterday.

• In an operation conducted in Herat province, Afghan police discovered a machine gun, three mines, three hand grenades, five rocket rounds and 1,150 rounds of rifle ammunition.

• A patrol discovered an explosives cache in Kandahar province. The cache contained nearly 90 pounds of ammonium nitrate, eight 155 mm shell casings, two radios, a dismantled radio, a circuit board and a large spool of wire. The materials were destroyed on site.

(From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news release.)

US Airpower Summary, Feb. 24, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 24, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations, Feb. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close Air Support

Konduz, Regional Command-North
U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots and F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly ground forces and several friendly convoys. Friendly ground forces reported taking enemy small-arms fire and requested shows of force to prevent further enemy aggression. The shows of force, with flares launched, were performed over enemy positions and deemed successful when desired effects were achieved.

Asadabad, RC-E
U.S. Air Force F-15E aircrews conducted shows of force in support of a friendly-forces ground operation. The shows of force were declared successful.

Karbala, RC-S
U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews conducted a show of force, with flares, to support a friendly-forces ground operation. The show of force was deemed successful.

Chahar Bagh, RC-S
U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews conducted a show of force. The show of force was declared successful.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided reconnaissance support over several convoy routes and later conducted an armed overwatch mission for a friendly-forces convoy. A show of force was conducted to deter potential enemy activity in the area of the convoy routes and was declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews conducted a show of force, launching a flare. The show of force was deemed successful.

Qalat, RC-S
A B-1B aircrew provided reconnaissance support for friendly forces and conducted a show of force to deter potential enemy activity in the area. The show of force was declared successful when no enemy action was noted.

U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, which was declared successful.

Coalition pilots provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces convoy. The pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, over the convoy to deter potential enemy action in the vicinity of the convoy. The show of force was successful as no enemy action was noted.

Surkhabad, RC-S
A B-1B aircrew provided reconnaissance support and conducted shows of force to deter a possible enemy attack against friendly ground forces in the area. The shows of force, with flares launched, were declared successful when no enemy action was noted. The aircrew later provided armed overwatch for a friendly-forces infiltration and extraction operation.

Airlift Action

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 to sustain ground operations.

Badghis Province, RC-W
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Badghis Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 18,000 pounds of supplies.

Konar Province, RC-E
U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrews flew a combat-resupply mission in Konar Province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 30,000 pounds of 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: 80
Sorties flown to support Operation IRAQI FREEDOM: 16

Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 36
Sorties flown in Iraq: 29

On Feb. 22
Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 145
Short tons of delivered cargo: 788
Passengers: nearly 3,200
Airdropped cargo: approximately 120,000 pounds

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 44
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.6 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 200

Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 9 patients
Sorties flown to support OEF: 8
Sorties flown to support OIF: 1
Personnel Recovery/Hero Flight: None

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

Wire: 1/3 of All US Casualties in 8-Year Afghan War Have Occurred Since Obama Ordered Escalation

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2010 -- Newswire services this morning carried few if any reports of the rising American death toll in Afghanistan. However, the CNS news service reported that more than 300 U.S. soldiers have died in the region since May 15, 2009, the day when the first major wave of new troops ordered by President Barack Obama arrived in the country.

The 308 U.S. casualties in Afghanistan since then account for about a third of the total of 920 U.S. casualties in the eight-year war.

Of the 308 soldiers who have died since mid-May 2009, 287 were killed by enemy action, according to a CNSNews.com database of all casualties in the Afghanistan theatre of war.

The southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar located along the Afghan border with Pakistan have been the deadliest regions for U.S. soldiers since President Obama's escalation in U.S. forces in the region began.

Approximately 81 U.S. soldiers have died in combat in Helmand and 58 in Kandahar, for a total of 139 in those two provinces. That is about 45 percent of the U.S. casualties in Afghanistan since May 15 of last year.

On Feb. 17, 2009, President Obama ordered the deployment of 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. The main body of those troops arrived in Kandahar on May 15, 2009.

In December 2009, Obama stepped up his surge with 30,000 more troops, bringing the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan to more than 100,000.

Last year was the deadliest for American soldiers since the U.S.-led military effort in Afghanistan began in October 2001.

The CNS database of Afghanistan war casualties is derived from official U.S. Defense Department casualty reports, but also includes information from reports in the news media.

CNS is parented by the Media Research Center, a media watchdog organization.

(Report from newswire sources.)

OEF Update, Feb. 24, 2010: Operations in Afghanistan

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 24, 2010 -- An Afghan-international security force searched a vehicle yesterday just outside Marjah in Helmand's Nad Ali District after intelligence information indicated militant activity.

A search of the vehicle indicated a Taliban commander was possibly in a nearby village, which the joint force searched with the assistance of local elders. During the operation the security force detained several men for further questioning.

In other operations, an ANSF-ISAF patrol discovered a weapons cache consisting of 22 mortar rounds of various sizes in Manduzai District, Khost province yesterday. The ordnance was destroyed on site.

In the Reg-e-Khan District of Helmand province yesterday, an Afghan-ISAF patrol discovered 15 bags of marijuana totalling 100 kilograms. The drugs were destroyed.

A separate Afghan-ISAF patrol discovered a weapons cache while searching an insurgent bunker in Nad Ali District, Helmand province yesterday as part of Operation Moshtarak.

The cache consisted of three 107mm rockets, five rocket-propelled grenades, two anti-personnel charges, an artillery fuse and a hand grenade. The ordnance was destroyed.

Yesterday, Afghan national police defused four mines and discovered 50 kg of explosive materials in Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan and Kunduz provinces.

In an operation conducted by the ANP in Injeel District of Herat province yesterday, they discovered a machine gun, three mines, three hand grenades, five rocket rounds and 1,150 rounds of ammunition for a Kalashnikov rifle.

In the Zharay District of Kandahar province yesterday, an ANSF-ISAF patrol discovered an IED cache. The cache contained 40 kg of ammonium nitrate, eight 155mm shell casings, two radios, a dismantled radio, a circuit board and a large spool of wire. The materials were destroyed on site.

No Afghan civilians were harmed in these operations.

(From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news release.)

OEF Summary, Feb. 23, 2010: Forces in Afghanistan Nab Taliban Leader

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Feb. 23, 2010 -- Afghan soldiers, assisted by coalition forces, captured a Taliban leader and known weapons facilitator in the Bala Balouk district of Afghanistan’s Farah province Feb. 21, military officials reported today.

After the mission, Afghan and coalition leaders met with village elders to assess security and distribute food and medical supplies. No civilian casualties or property damage were reported.

In other recent operations:

• In Helmand province today, an International Security Assistance Force patrol in Nad-e Ali in found four mortar rounds, pressure plates and bomb-making materials. They later found an improvised explosive device made of a 55 mm illumination round packed with homemade explosives and another IED consisting of a pressure plate and six mortar rounds. An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the munitions.

• An Afghan-international security force captured a Taliban sub-commander with links to several militant networks last night in the village of Zhawrah in the Chak-e Wardak district of Wardak province. He’s believed to be responsible for planning attacks on coalition forces. During the operation, a militant was killed when he confronted the assault force with an imminent threat. Another insurgent also was detained.

• A combined Afghan-international patrol found a weapons cache containing a rocket, grenades and ammunition in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province yesterday.

(From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news release.)

OEF Update, Feb. 23, 2010: Operation Moshtarak

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 23, 2010 -- Signs of steady progress in development and governance are being seen in central Helmand province. Bridges, roads and culverts are being repaired, bazaars are re-opening and attracting customers, and a variety of initiatives are being planned or implemented.

Six projects are ongoing and 18 are planned in Northern Nad-e Ali under the Afghanistan Vouchers for Increased Production in Agriculture Plus program. Educators and school officials are also discussing an ambitious training program that will promote reading, writing and arithmetic skills among young people who are addicted to drugs or have previous affiliations with the insurgency.

Afghan and combined forces continue to encounter small, but determined pockets of resistance, often from bunkers or other fortified positions. IEDs remain the greatest threat to security forces, but the combined force continues to make headway in clearing operations to enable improved governance and development. New patrol bases are being established as Afghan forces assert greater authority in Marjah and Nad-e Ali. A new patrol base is operational at 5 Ways Junction and a new police base is being built in southeast Marjah.

Clearing operations are on track and enabling greater freedom of movement for civilians and security forces alike. Task Force Helmand's engineers continue to upgrade roads in their area of operations, enabling more effective delivery of stabilization supplies.

(From a NATO International Security Assistance Force news release.)

OEF Summary, Feb. 22, 2010: Forces in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Militants

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2010 -- Combined Afghan and international forces in Afghanistan killed or detained militants and seized enemy weapons in recent operations, military officials reported.

In Logar province yesterday, a combined force detained a militant while pursuing a Taliban facilitator.

In operations Feb. 20:

• During the search of a compound in Nangarhar province, a combined force captured a Taliban facilitator associated with several rocket attacks on Afghan and coalition forces. When confronted, he identified himself. Several weapons, including automatic rifles and ammunition, and a quantity of drugs were found.

• A combined force detained several suspected militants while pursuing a facilitator in eastern Kandahar city.

• A combined force killed several militants while pursuing a Taliban commander in Kandahar province. The force targeted a pair of vehicles after reports of militant activity. Militants in the vehicle attempted to fire at the combined force. The force returned fire, killing them. A search of the vehicles revealed assault rifles and pistols.

• A patrol detained several suspected insurgents and discovered a weapons cache in Helmand province. The cache consisted of four hand grenades, two assault rifles, six magazines of ammunition, one carbine rifle, 300 large-caliber machine-gun rounds and bomb components. The weapons were buried in what is believed to be an insurgent staging area. The suspects all tested positive for explosive residue and are being held for questioning by Afghan forces.

• A patrol detained a suspected insurgent after seeing him digging in a ditch in Uruzgan province. After investigating, the force discovered five mortar rounds and a rocket where the man was digging.

• A combined force detained a man after the search of a compound in Nuristan province revealed weapons and Afghan military uniforms. The weapons consisted of a 107 mm rocket, three hand grenades, assorted explosive components and 100 small-arms rounds.

• A force searched a vehicle and compound in Helmand province after intelligence information indicated militant activity. Several weapons were seen in the vehicle as the force approached. One of the occupants pointed a weapon at the force. The force engaged, killing several militants. A search of the car revealed multiple assault rifles, a machine gun and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. A nearby compound also was searched, resulting in the discovery of several more rocket-propelled grenade rounds, grenades, chest racks and a handheld radio of a type often used by insurgents for communications. Several suspected militants in the compound were also detained.

• In another Helmand operation, a security force searched a compound after intelligence information indicated militant activity. The force detained several suspected insurgents during the search.

• In Kandahar province, a force searched a compound after reports of militant activity. During the search, the force captured a Taliban facilitator responsible for weapons and ammunition buys and arranging suicide-bombing attacks. A few other insurgents also were detained. The force recovered multiple weapons, including two grenades and a large amount of U.S. dollars.

In operations Feb. 19:

• Afghan police discovered 440 pounds of explosive material in Kandahar province and discovered and defused four homemade bombs in Uruzgan province.

• Afghan police attacked a group of insurgents who attempted to place a roadside mine in Kandahar province. One insurgent was killed, and two were arrested. A rifle and a homemade bomb were found on them.

• Combined forces searched a compound in Paktika province and found a cache of ammunition including five machine guns, a mortar round, a rocket-propelled grenade, 50 boxes of machine-gun rounds, 17 homemade bombs and 15 rocket rounds.

• Afghan police confiscated 255,000 afghanis in Afghan currency, five mobile phones, 10 rocket rounds, five magazines, four rifles and nine military uniforms in Takhar province.

• A combined force captured two Taliban insurgents in Helmand province. One of the captured men is suspected of being a Taliban commander involved with the facilitation of explosive components and the planning of Taliban attacks.

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

US Airpower Summary, Feb. 22, 2010

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 22, 2010 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 21 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan:

Close Air Support

Asmar, Regional Command-East
U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilots provided armed overwatch and area reconnaissance for a dismounted patrol and convoy. The pilots received orders to destroy two enemy fighting positions in an adjacent area. The pilots destroyed the positions with precision-guided munitions.

Asadabad, RC-E
U.S. Air Force F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch to friendly forces and received orders to deny a fighting position to enemy forces. The pilots received coordinates and released precision-guided munitions, destroying the enemy fighting position while eliminating a threat to friendly forces.

U.S. Air Force F-16C pilots provided armed overwatch for dismounted patrols. The pilots conducted a show of force to prevent hostile activity in the vicinity of patrols. The show of force was considered successful. No enemy action occurred.

Oruzgan, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided armed overwatch of a friendly forces extraction operation, an enemy fighting position for suspicious activity and the site of a recent improvised explosive device explosion. They also conducted a show of presence to reassure friendly forces airpower was in the area.

Moqor, RC-E
U.S. Air Force F-15E pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted a show of presence to reassure ground troops that airpower was overhead.

Airlift Action

Helmand province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-supply mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 28,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Badghis Helmand province, RC-W
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Badghis province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 20,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

Helmand province, RC-S
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flew a combat-resupply mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, airdropping approximately 60,000 pounds of supplies to friendly forces.

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

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

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

Air Operations in Iraq:

There was no significant action to report today.

Air Power Statistics:

Close Air Support:
Sorties flown to support ISAF and Afghan security forces: 63
Sorties flown to support Operation Iraqi Freedom: 18

Surveillance and Reconnaissance:
Sorties flown in Afghanistan: 21
Sorties flown in Iraq: 34

On Feb. 20
Medical Evacuation:
Air Force HH-60 aircrews and Pararescue Airmen transported 9 patients

Aerial Refueling:
Sorties flown: 40
Fuel delivered: approximately 2.3 million pounds
Aircraft refueled: 190

Air Mobility:
U.S. Air Force airlift sorties: 178
Short tons of delivered cargo: 1,021
Passengers: nearly 3,800
Airdropped cargo: approximately 170,000 pounds

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

Combat Camera Video: MV-22 Osprey Operations in Afghanistan, Part 2

NOTE: News readers click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2010 -- Embedded above is a b-roll video of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft being using in operations in Afghanistan. Scenes include Marines inside the MV-22 Osprey while it is flying in the air, Marines getting off the back off the aircraft, Marines inspecting the area around the aircraft, the MV-22 Osprey taking off and the MV-22 landing on a runway. (Produced by Cpl. Jennifer Calaway, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Length: 00:08:51.)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

Combat Camera Video: MV-22 Osprey Operations in Afghanistan, Part 1

NOTE: News readers click here to watch the video.

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2010 -- Embedded above is a b-roll video of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft being using in operations in Afghanistan. Scenes include the MV-22 Osprey landing on a runway, the MV-22 Osprey taxing down the runway, Marines inspecting the aircraft and Marines boarding the aircraft. (Produced by Cpl. Jennifer Calaway, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Length: 00:10:17.)

Click here for Part 2.

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

OEF Update, Feb. 22, 2010: Operation Moshtarak

Dispatches from the Front:

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 22, 2010 -- Clearance operations continue to make progress and the operation is firmly on track. In Nad-e Ali, the combined force encountered limited small arms engagements throughout the area. On the west side of the city, shuras continue to determine which compounds can be used as patrol bases. Engineers continue upgrading roads in order to enable the effective delivery of stabilization supplies. Patrols in the eastern portion of the operating area continue to enable freedom of movement on local roads.

Cautious optimism is growing in Nad-e Ali as early signs indicate a return to normality. The 2,000 people that have registered for the cash for work program are working on initiatives including bazaar clean-up, canal repairs and community refurbishment projects.

Determined resistance from small pockets of insurgents continues in Marjah. The combined force's main effort continues to be clearing IEDs and bunkers throughout the area. These clearing operations have enabled the opening of several roads in Marjah.

The development situation in Marjah is progressing slowly due to ongoing resistance by the insurgents. There has been an increase in displaced persons with 542 families registering yesterday. The local government has provided assistance and relief to approximately 1,430 people. Out of all those registered, five families have requested shelter since the clearing operation began. RC-S is looking at ways to facilitate the delivery of aid to address UN concerns of a lack of food and water in Marjah. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team, Manoeuvre Enhancement Brigade and others are working together to establish how further assistance can be delivered within Marjah.

(From a NATO International Security Assistance Force news release.)

Combat Camera Video: US Marines AV-8B Harrier, Operation Moshtarak (OEF)

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Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2010 -- Embedded above is a b-roll video of the AV-8B Harrier and Marine operators using the Harrier's unique contribution to support warfighters on the ground as part of Operation Moshtarak in the city of Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (Courtesy Video, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Length: 00:05:36.)

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