Progress in Afghanistan: Feb 2008

This is a small compilation of news and events. If you have anything further to add, please leave a link or comment. Your thoughts and comments are welcomed. God Bless ()-:)

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2/13/2008: International Security Assistance Force soldiers provided supplies and medical assistance to 75 children from an orphanga in Chaghcharan District, Ghowr Province. At the hospital at Forward Support Base Herat children ages 3 to 14 received vaccinations against meningitis. Also, the Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team soldiers provided Allawudin Village High Achool with needed supplies including furniture, school supplies, computers and water containers and boilers.

Regional Command West continues to work with the orphanage to provide medical care for the children. Spanish doctors provided medical checks for the children weekly. Since July 2005, ISAF has provided treatment for more than 8,000 Afghans.
"ISAF vaccinates children, donates school supplies in Ghowr Province", ISAF/NATO. 2/15/2008. (courtesy of Blackanthem Military News).
http://www.blackanthem.com/News/afghanistan/ISAF-vaccinates-children-donates-school-supplies-in-Ghowr-Province14578.shtml

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2/14/2008: Lieutenant-General Michel Gauthier, overall commander of Canadian troops stationed abroad remains optimistic about the progress of reconstruction in Afghan despite challenges. Lieutenant-General Gauthier states the 2,500 Canadian troops stationed in Kandahar had "made tremendous progress" in operations conducted over the past 6 months to combat the Taliban and continue to train Afghan forces. Further, Lieutenant-General Gauthier believes progress is moving in the right direction.
"Canada's military optimistic about Afghan progress", David Ljunggren (Reuters). 2/14/2008.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N14273844.htm
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“Coalition forces are systematically depleting the Taliban’s cadre of experienced leaders to the benefit of the Afghan people and the positive progress of Afghanistan.” -- Army Maj. Chris Belcher

2/17/2008: Coalition troops in the Zabul province Afghanistan capture four suspected insurgents during an operation to counteract Taliban activities.

In addition, Afghan citizens have revealed crucial information to Coalition forces leading to the discovery of several weapons caches in Nangarhar province’s Kot and Khogyani sectors. The largest cache found included rocket propelled grenade launchers, mortar fuse and 25mm ammunition among other deadly aresennal.

"Coalition Troops in Afghanistan Detain Four Insurgents", American Forces Information Services. 2/17/2008.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2008/02/mil-080217-afps02.htm

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"Today you will bring great stability within Afghanistan... As policemen you represent the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; there is no higher honor." -- Maj. Gen. Marc Lessard, Regional-Command South

2/21/2008: The first class of 259 Afghan National Police graduated from the Zabul province on February 21. The class participated in the new Focused District Development eight-week training initiative in Kandahar and on the same day the first class of 143 graduated in Herat" (ARSIC). The Focused District Develop is a program designed to improve policing in Afghanistan, district by district by improving training, security and safety. There are four phases of the 8 week program, the final happens after training when the police are reintroduced to their community and develop a relationship with their people. US soldiers and a police mentoring team will accompany the new officers in the final phase.

"New Afghan Program Graduates First Police", ARSIC Public Affairs. 2/22/2008.
http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/02/22/7564-new-afghan-program-graduates-first-police/
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“Throughout the day, insurgents kept trying to fight the (Afghan national security forces). The result was always the same...(The insurgents were) defeated.” --,” Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman


2/20-22/2008: In the Helmand province of Afghanistan, Coalition forces conducted operations designed to restore security and strengthen local infanstructure. The operation included targeting lines insurgents use to smuggle drugs and weapons. Several key areas used to engage attacks were also included in the operation. In the first two days, security forces conducted raids and won several battles against insurgents. Afghan forces spoke with local people to inform them of the operations, and won alliances and help from citizens, "Other villagers echoed this sentiment, saying they welcome the security and stability that leaders of the national security forces and government can provide. Villagers also provided crucial information about insurgent practices and the locations of insurgent safe houses, military officials said." (American Forces Press Service). The operation resulted in the recovery of several weapons caches, one which netted 400 lbs of ammonium nitrate (an explosive).

2/24/2008:
Afghan and Coalition forces delivered a devastating blow to insurgents in the Kajaki district of Helmand province of Afghanistan. During two operations targeting a Taliban leader, insurgents attacked Coalition and Afghan forces with small arms and hand grenades. The casualities of the attacks include an unknown number of insurgents and an innocent woman and child. The bodies of the woman and child were found in a room where the Taliban had engaged attacks against the troops. It is clear that the Taliban's only concern is to win; they do not care about the people of Afghanistan or the children who are its future. Nor do they express remorse when innocent lives are put at risk, or killed, because of their actions. Coalition forces expressed their sympathies to the families. Troops also seized AK 47 assault rifles and ammunition during the operation. The ability of the Taliban to make bombs was greatly disrupted by this, and when Forces penetrated a "100 foot deep interconnected tunnel system", which was blown to bits with munitions.

Many lives were saved with preventative measures to capture insurgents and disrupt their ability to produce weapons.

"Forces Kill Insurgents, Destroy Enemy Infrastructure, Weapons in Afghanistan", American Forces Press Service. 2/24/2008.
http://www.defenselink.mil//news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49060

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Good work troops! Thanks to the brave people of Afghanistan!