Saying Goodbye
May 15 at 3:03pm by David
Everyday, somewhere in America, families say goodbye to loved ones as they head off to either fight in, or support, a variety of places US forces are currently stationed. No destination brings about anxiety as much as a deployment to Iraq does.
In this story, spend the final few precious moments with one such family as they say goodbye to a husband and father heading off for a yearlong trip into uncertainty.
Originally airing on WSLS/Roanoke on May 14th 2007, “Saying Goodbye” is reported by Scott Leamon with photography and editing by David Tate.
Allies Take Control of Vital Bridge in Nuristan
May 10 at 7:07pm by David
More than 200 American paratroopers and their Afghan allies air assaulted into the mountains overlooking Gowardesh Bridge, Nuristan Province, firmly reclaiming full control of the area following nearly a year of fighting.
The offensive to recapture the bridge began on April 22nd when paratroopers from 1/503 (173rd AB) and 1/91 Cavalry Regiment (AB) teamed up with Afghan National Army forces for a nighttime air assault onto three peaks overlooking the bridge. The bridge itself was secured April 26th.
After the initial landings, Afghan Army soldiers and US combat engineers worked to build reinforced bunkers at defending the bridge, as well as three fortified observation points on the mountains overlooking the area.
One outpost, and positions protecting the bridge, will eventually be turned over to reinforced and retrained Afghan Border Police. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) will maintain control of two of the observation posts.
In August, 2007, Afghan Border Police abandoned their security posts controlling the bridge after threats from militants in the area. The positions were then destroyed by the insurgents. The area has seen a number of firefights in the area ever since. Four times American troops have come back to Gowardesh Valley in force since August, and all four times the Americans found themselves in pitched battles.
The US military says the bridge is a vital point for the movement of insurgents and weapons coming from Pakistan into the Afghan interior. The bridge crosses the Kunar River and is important to the Afghan government and ISAF in order to continue work on the main road into rural Nuristan Province. The US military believes the economic development that will hopefully follow a new highway into the province is key to their counterinsurgency strategy.
However, there is concern that the Afghan Border Police will again abandoned their positions as soon as the Americans leave, a scenario that has been repeated several times in this region. In an effort to prevent a mass desertion, the Americans spent more than four months retraining, refitting and planning the operation.
Beginning this week, the Americans will start withdrawing in stages, slowly weaning the Afghans off the American presence as confidence among the Afghans builds. The Americans say a majority of local and provincial tribal leaders are supporting the operation, which is raising hope that the desertion problems of the past will not be repeated here.
Marine KIA Creates Question For VMI
Apr 30 at 11:11am by David
On April 17th, in Panjwaii District, Kandahar Province, a US Marine convoy was hit by a roadside bomb, killing two Marines and wounding two others. The convoy was on its way to southern Helmand Province where the 24th MEU has recently started combat operations to retake the Taliban-held town of Garmsir.
The Marines killed included the top-ranking enlisted man for the 24th MEU, acting Command Sgt. Major, 1st Sgt. Luke Mercandante. Before joining the 24th MEU, Mercandante served as an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute for three years. His death marks the first time a non-alum faculty member has been killed in action since Stonewall Jackson died following the battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. Mercandante’s death also marks the the first time a VMI-connected serviceman has been killed in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in 2001.
Now the question: How will VMI honor this fallen Marine who gave so much to the VMI community?
As always, I again am putting out a plea for reader-driven funding, as I continue to try to get back in the fight. If you find this website useful, I ask that you please consider dropping me a few needed dollars using PayPal (address is dtate38@cox.net). Equipment failures and the economy has sidelined me for the time being.
A Battlefield Tourist - Romania in the Alliance
Apr 7 at 1:01pm by David
CTZN has posted another segment from “An Experiment in Democracy”. This story revolves around the Romanian infantry and their contributions to Operation Enduring Freedom. The story includes a Romanian ETT; the first non-US ETT in Afghanistan.
Units Covered: 280 Infantry Battalion (Romania) and 25 Kandak (205 Corps) Afghan National Army.
A Battlefield Tourist - Kapisa Province, 2004
Apr 7 at 10:10am by David
This slideshow was taken in Kapisa Province when I went out with the Bagram PRT for a humanitarian drop. What I did not capture with my still camera is the riot that would break out soon after the supplies began to be distributed.
The Americans, trying to be respectful, allowed the women to go first. That may be a good thing in the west, but not so in Afghanistan. Within ten minutes, what was meant to be a celebration of religious attonement, turned into a free-for-all leaving the most in need with very little of the aid.
Kapisa Province Humanitarian Drop
A Battlefield Tourist - Inside the Surge - Iraq, September 2007
Mar 31 at 12:12pm by David
Here I’m posting the complete presentation that I put together that I use in giving live presentations. This film simply consists of the images I captured with my camera. Additional narration is for historical perspective based on my knowledge, experience and conversations with many, many servicepeople. Filmed on location in Iraq (Haswa, Dora (Baghdad), Mahmudiyah and Arab Jabour). This footage was shot for Getty Images and is currently being processed for their website.
Part 1 is a partial repost of “The Concerned Citizens” segment.
Units Covered: 3/2 Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1-89 Cavalry/10th Mountain, 2/15 Field Artillery/10th Mountain, 1/9 Field Artillery/3rd ID, 1/30 Infantry (Mech)/3rd ID and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) - 2004.
I must give a huge thanks to Bill Roggio for helping me make this possible and allowing me to contribute to his work. You must check it out at:
* The YouTube intro is currently incorrect. The listed title for Part 1 is actually Part 2 and vice-versa. These links are the correct sequential links.
Embedded Training Teams (ETT) - Herat, 2004
Mar 24 at 8:08pm by David
Take a trip around Afghanistan as members of the US National Guard work to raise a new army in Afghanistan. This 6:00 story starts in the western Afghan city of Herat, where Embedded Trainers effectively help the Afghan National Army quell large scale rioting in the weeks after Ismail Kahn is removed from power. From there we head back to Kabul and KMTC (Kabul Military Training Center), where new Afghan recruits get up to speed in warfare. Eight weeks of boot camp, then to the front you go.
Units covered: 76th Indiana Infantry Regiment, members of the Oregon National Guard, Afghan National Army, Herat detatchment.
A Battlefield Tour of Qalat - 2004
Mar 3 at 2:02pm by David
This is the most recent short story taken from “An Experiment in Democracy” and posted to CTZN. Here, embed with members of First Army as they lead ANA regulars using small unit tactics in Qalat district, Zabul Province.
Units covered: First Army, 45th Infantry Division, Afghan National Army 205th Corps.
The End of a Warlord - Afghanistan 2004
Feb 21 at 11:11am by David
In August 2004, I participated in the first independent embedment with the fledgling Afghan National Army. The adventure began in Kabul and ended in Herat when forces aligned with warlord, Ammanulah Khan, attacked the famous mujahadeen leader, Ismail Khan, from three directions. I just happened to be there the day it happened.
This story also covers the Afghan Government’s reaction to the attack, which saw more than 1,500 Afghan soldiers and police respond to the crisis, the largest such endeavor ever taken on by the Afghan government. The move solidified the government’s hold on the country’s third most populous province and showed the world that the Afghan government did, in fact, have a stick big enough to wield outside the relative security of the capital.
Units covered: 76th Indiana Infantry Regiment (ETTs), Afghan National Army/Police, Afghan Militia Forces.
Reconstruction Phase Part 2 - Afghanistan 2004
Feb 20 at 4:04pm by David
This report was originally filed in 2004 and continues the assessement of what was known as the “Reconstruction Phase” that the US military undertook in 2004. This story takes place in Ghazni Province and includes members of 2-87, 10th Mountain Division.
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