Dec. 10., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader in Maidan Shahr district, Wardak province, today.

The leader planned attacks against Afghan security forces and supplied fighters with weapons and ammunition for use in attacks.

During the operation, the security force safely destroyed a bomb-making factory and its contents, including explosives, bombs and bomb-making materials.

Two additional suspected insurgents were detained.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

Today in Sar-e Pul district, Sar-e Pul province, a Taliban leader was captured by a combined Afghan and coalition security force during an operation. The leader specialized in the construction of roadside bombs. Additionally, he moved weapons from Pakistan to Afghanistan and coordinated suicide and roadside bomb attacks. Security forces seized explosives, bomb-making material and multiple weapons, including a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and grenades. During the operation, the security force observed an individual displaying hostile intent toward the security force. Assessing an immediate threat, the security force fired, killing the insurgent. The security force detained two additional suspected insurgents during the operation.

South

A combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban facilitator in Panjwai’ district, Kandahar province, today. The facilitator distributes weapons and builds and supplies roadside bombs for use in attacks throughout the area. The security force detained multiple suspected insurgents during the operation.

Today in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban leader. The leader directs a roadside bomb attack cell in Nad ‘Ali district and conducts attacks against coalition forces. He is also involved in multiple kidnappings in the area. Multiple suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.

East

A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani leader during an operation in Sarobi district, Paktika province, today. The leader conducted attacks against Afghan forces and provided guidance to insurgents in Paktika province. The security force confiscated multiple weapons and detained one additional suspected insurgent during the operation.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a weapons cache during a routine patrol in La’lpur district, Nangarhar province, yesterday. The cache consisted of ammunition clips, two anti-personnel mines, two grenades, five rocket-propelled grenade rounds, one shotgun and more than 1,200 rounds of small-arms ammunition. In addition, the force found approximately 50 pounds of poppy seeds. All of the weapons and drug materials were confiscated by Afghan authorities to be destroyed at a later date.

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Syrian forces kill at least 14 activists

NICOSIA: At least 14 people, four of them children, were killed as Syrian security forces opened fire in several cities on Friday, with most of the victims falling in the restive region of Homs, activists said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 10 civilians were killed in and around Homs, two in Daraa, cradle of anti-regime protests since March, one civilian in Hama and another in Douma near Damascus. Twenty-three civilians were wounded in Homs, it said.

The opposition Syrian National Council earlier warned of the dangers of a “massacre” in the protest hub of Homs, a city in central Syria that it said was surrounded by government forces.

Two children, aged 10 and 12, were among nine killed by gunfire in different districts of Homs itself, and a 14-year boy was fatally wounded in nearby Aqrab, the Britain-based Observatory said in a statement. It said 19 people were arrested in Hula, also in Homs province.

A civilian was killed in Hama as security agents opened fire to disperse a protest near Mustapha Jaber mosque, it said, while a woman and 12-year-old girl were gunned down by “indiscriminate gunfire” in Daraa.

The rights watchdog said a man died in a similar incident in Douma, whose streets it said were the scene of “violent clashes between a group of deserters and security agents.”

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USS Carney Disrupts Pirate Attack in Gulf of Aden

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

USS CARNEY, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Carney (DDG 64), part of NATO's counter-piracy task force Operation Ocean Shield, worked with other NATO forces and coalition partners to disrupt pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden, Dec. 5.
(April  2007) - The guided missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) underway in the Caribbean during a training exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Vincent J. Street (RELEASED)

A Japanese maritime patrol aircraft patrolling the area on counter-piracy operations spotted a suspicious skiff with seven suspected pirates aboard and contacted the NATO flagship ITS Andrea Doria who in turn tasked Carney to investigate.

In a coordinated operation, Carney approached the skiff, while the patrol aircraft circled overhead. As the warship appeared on the horizon the skiff attempted to flee however it stopped when hailed.

The patrol aircraft and Carney observed the suspected pirates throwing items overboard. The items were visually confirmed by the patrol aircraft as ladders and other pirate-related equipment.

A team from Carney boarded the skiff and after a thorough search seized the excess fuel and other items useful to piracy activity, before ensuring the skiff had enough fuel to return to the Somali coast.

In 2009, 45 ships were hijacked in the region; so far in 2011, 21 ships have been hijacked effectively halving the number of ships taken. Naval warships have been in the region constantly providing a visible presence and deterrence and this has undoubtedly contributed to the pirates' lack of success.

Carney is currently deployed, assigned to NATO, conducting counter-piracy operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (c) US Navy

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Britain to Start Afghanistan Exit in Late 2013

Image via Wikipedia

London, Dec 9 -- Exit of some 4,000 British soldiers from Afghanistan before the end of 2013 depends on next week’s National Security Council approval, says The Guardian.

  The daily says the initiative submitted to PM David Cameron enjoys support from at least another two cabinet brass, among other, to help reduce expenses in 10-year military campaign and ease the national economic plight of high unemployment dragging Britain into another recession with the Eurozone debt crisis.

In Helmand province the UK ranks would be shrunk from 9,000 to 5,000 in 2013 and similar number would follow in 2014, leaving few hundred troops in Kabul to finalize the US-led NATO occupation started in 2001 claiming defeat of the Taliban regime.

Such stand is viewed as a challenge to the US-led Western mission since their presence is seen a key to keep up the coalition and prevent intestine fractures; while amore radical choice is to bring home some 2,500 troops along the first 4,000.

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Pentagon orders 30 more F-35s from Lockheed

Image via Wikipedia

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $4 billion contract to produce 30 more F-35 Joint Strike Fighters for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, the Pentagon announced Friday.


The fixed-price-incentive contract provides for 21 F-35A conventional take off and landing Lightning IIs for the Air Force, three F-35B short-take off and vertical landing aircraft for the Marines, and six F-35C carrier variants for the Navy.
All the aircraft are being procured under low-rate initial production Lot V.
Broken down by service, two-thirds of the value of the contract — $2.65 billion — is for the Air Force; $937 million, or 23 percent, for the Navy; and $426 million, or nearly 11 percent, for the Marine Corps.
The contract also provides for “associated ancillary mission equipment and flight test instrumentation” for the planes, and flight test instrumentation for the United Kingdom.
The contract was awarded through the Naval Air Systems Command.

By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer

Posted : Friday Dec 9, 2011 17:53:52 EST
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/12/dn-pentagon-orders-30-more-f35s-from-lockheed-120911/

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R.I.P. - Sapper Elijah Bond

Sapper Elijah Bond dies in UK from wounds sustained in Afghanistan

A Military Operations news article

9 Dec 11

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Sapper Elijah Bond of 35 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers at the Queen Elizabeth NHS Hospital, Birmingham.

Sapper Bond
[Picture: via MOD]

Serving with the Task Force Helmand Engineer Group, he was a member of a team that was conducting an engineer reconnaissance task in the Deh Adham Khan region of Nahr-e Saraj (North) in Central Helmand, on 6th December 2011, when he was injured in a blast from an improvised explosive device.

His colleagues provided immediate first aid before he was evacuated by helicopter to the military hospital in Camp Bastion, where he received further medical attention. He was then flown under the care of a Critical Care Air Support Team to the Queen Elizabeth NHS Hospital in Birmingham where, on 8th December, he died of his wounds.


Sapper Elijah Cooper Bond

Sapper Elijah Cooper Bond, 24, was born on 10th June 1987 in Havant, Hampshire and grew up in St Austell, Cornwall. He joined the Corps of Royal Engineers in August 2008 and after completing his Phase One training he moved to Gibraltar Barracks to complete his Combat Engineer training. In 2009 he moved to Brompton Barracks in Chatham where he qualified as an electrical and mechanical draughtsman after a complex and academically demanding course.
After two years of extensive training he arrived in Germany in September 2010 to join 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron, a part of 35 Engineer Regiment based in Paderborn. He arrived at an incredibly busy time for the Regiment and was launched straight into Afghanistan pre-deployment training which included a series of exercises and training packages. Not content with this he volunteered for, and excelled at, the General Purpose Machine Gunners' course and showed considerable intellect by completing the Pashtu patrol language course.
With a vibrant personality, he enthusiastically joined in with the lively Squadron social scene; quickly making friends and establishing himself as a character across the ranks. In quieter moments he proved to be an excellent chess player, as many a more senior member of his Squadron found out to their detriment.
Sapper Bond deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan with his Squadron which became known as Engineer Field Squadron 1, part of the Task Force Helmand Engineer Group. He was deployed as a Combat Engineer in 8 Troop and based at Patrol Base Clifton in the Deh Adam Kahn area of Nahr-e Saraj District.
He leaves behind his mother, Lizz and father, Mark, sisters, Kimberley and Bethany and brothers, Isaac and Jose.
The Family of Sapper Bond have made the following statement:

"Elijah Cooper Bond left the world in the way he chose to live his life. He was a beautiful son, amazing brother, a proud uncle and our best friend. From a wicked grin to a righteous smile he could light up a room as much as he lit up our lives, so mischievous and fun yet grounded and down to earth. He will forever be a piece of us and remain in our hearts.

"We are thankful for the memories we have been given and the precious time we spent with him. We have faith in the sure and certain knowledge that we will be reunited together again. I hope that we can make him as proud as he has made us, and we, along with Lexi, will remember him with every streak we see in the sky. How many 'bye byes' in the sky".

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Copsey, Commanding Officer, 35 Engineer Regiment, said:

"Sapper Elijah Bond will be sadly missed by his close-knit Troop and Squadron. His lively and outgoing nature was founded on an inner confidence that saw him excel during his time in the Royal Engineers. He was a rising star within his Squadron and he had a bright future ahead of him. Regarded as a first rate soldier he was notable for his complete reliability, enthusiasm and commitment. It was whilst in Afghanistan that he displayed his true ability, supporting the remainder of his Troop by working selflessly and without complaint; characteristics for which he will be forever remembered.
"Sapper Elijah Bond's friendly exterior belied a soldier who was physically robust, mentally tough, and always intent on doing the utmost for his team mates. It was whilst on an engineer reconnaissance patrol helping to plan vital infrastructure for the local population that he paid the ultimate price. Tragically he gave his life in order to improve the lives of others.
"His tragic and sudden loss has been a huge blow to us all; his presence will be missed by everyone within 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron and 35 Engineer Regiment.
"We will never forget him, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this most difficult time."

Major Guy Boxall MBE, Officer Commanding 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 35 Engineer Regiment, said:

"Sapper Bond was one of my most effective and promising young soldiers. He epitomised the Royal Engineer Spirit in so many ways - he was bright, strong, intelligent, caring and always a volunteer, whatever the task. I remember meeting him shortly after he arrived in the Squadron last year - he was polite and respectful, finding his feet in the wide world of regimental life in Germany.
"In a few short months, I saw his confidence grow, his charisma shine through and so quickly become an inspiration to his peers. He was exceptionally popular and possessed that rare gift of never being down and always managing to find a way to lift the spirits of those around him, even in the toughest of circumstances. He was a trusted and reliable member of a close knit team and lived out the Squadron mantra - 'always say yes, unless the answer absolutely has to be no'.
"He was injured whilst on an important and invaluable task; an engineer reconnaissance patrol for a future project to improve the lives of the local Afghans. The Squadron has been devastated by the loss of a brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and friends - his memory lives on, burning brightly in us all."

Lieutenant William Abbott, 8 Troop Commander, 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 35 Engineer Regiment, said:

"The loss of Sapper Bond, one of the most enthusiastic, loyal and charismatic men I have ever had the privilege of meeting, has hit everyone who knew him very hard. He was a pleasure to command. His energy and verve for life were clear to see and rubbed off on whoever he met.
"He loved his job and was thoroughly professional, epitomising what being a Sapper is all about. 'Bondy' as he was known in the Troop, was one of the most charismatic people I have met. Since taking over the Troop I have witnessed him go from strength to strength and quickly become a firm favourite amongst his peers and seniors.

"He was always to be found with a smile on his face, laughing about something. I spent many a journey around Afghanistan listening to 'Bond FM' whilst he chatted away in the vehicle. The happiest I saw him was when he beat me at chess in four moves and in true Sapper Bond style I never lived it down. He was the life and soul of the party and has left a massive void behind.
"I am honoured to have known Sapper Bond. He was a fantastic soldier and individual and he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends. He was the best of us."

Warrant Officer Class Two Steve Driver, Squadron Sergeant Major, 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 35 Engineer Regiment, said:

"Sapper Bond was already in the Squadron when I was posted in this year. I always remember the professional attitude with which he conducted himself. He was one of the characters in the Squadron and whenever I saw him, he always had a smile on his face. He had a real lust for life and was at the centre of everything; you would always know if he was in the room. He loved his job and he would have gone far.

"He was an outgoing man and he would always engage in conversation and was easy to talk to. The Corps has lost a great bloke and professional soldier. As a soldier and a man I held him in high regard. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

Staff Sergeant Matthew Norman, 8 Troop Staff Sergeant, 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 35 Engineer Regiment, said:

"Sapper Bond, or 'Bondy' to his mates, was a larger than life character and an integral member of 8 Troop. I only got to know him over this short period of time when I became his Troop Staff Sergeant, and for me he was an inspiration. A fully committed, professional and hard working lad, whose selfless commitment was second to none. We have lost a shining light and he will be thoroughly missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this difficult time. RIP Bondy - gone but never will you be forgotten."

Corporal Adam Cooper, 8 Troop, 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 35 Engineer Regiment, said:
"Bondy was a happy person who enjoyed ribbing his peers, he was always laughing and joking and this is how I will remember him. Charismatic, energetic and full of life he was a young man who brought a lot to the table. As a subordinate you couldn't ask for more, he kept morale high and cracked on with a smile. Bondy will be sincerely missed and my thoughts are with his family."

Sapper Jayson Redshaw, 8 Troop, 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 35 Engineer Regiment, said:

"Bondy was the morale of 8 Troop - making us laugh was one of the many talents he brought to the party, he was everything you wanted in a friend especially good at making a dark time seem like nothing, I just wish he was here now. He was the life and soul of any party and many times we got to experience this, pretty much every weekend we could rely on him to make a difference. You may be gone mate but you will never be forgotten, I can assure you of that. We have plenty of memories to cherish and cherish them we will. We will keep the wolf pack strong - thanks for everything. Rest in peace now mate."

Sapper Pete Broxton, 7 Troop, 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 35 Engineer Regiment, said:

"Bondy was the life of the party, so full of fun and always bringing a smile to everyone's face. He could always get a laugh out of anyone with his witty jokes, and he could do a like-for-like impression of many of his mates, bringing us all to tears of laughter. He was always popular with the ladies with his cheeky smile, bubbly personality and smooth talking. He was a fit, strong member of the Squadron and Troop, liked by all and loved by many; he will be missed more than he could have ever known. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. He was more than my friend; he was my brother, sleep well mate."

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said:

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Sapper Elijah Cooper Bond who has given his life protecting our national security. His colleagues in 35 Engineer Regiment praise his confidence, his professionalism and his charisma.

"I extend my deepest condolences to his family, loved ones and to those with whom he served."

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Bomb wounds French U.N. peacekeepers in South Lebanon

( Mohammed Zaatari / Associated Press ) - United Nations and emergency personnel gather

at the site of a roadside bomb attack on a U.N. peacekeepers’ vehicle in Bourj al-Shamali,

near the port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011.

(Reuters) - A roadside bomb wounded five French peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on Friday, in the third attack this year on United Nations forces deployed near the frontier with Israel.
The blast hit a jeep carrying French UNIFIL troops on the outskirts of the Mediterranean port city of Tyre.

"I can confirm that a UNIFIL vehicle was hit by an explosion in Tyre," UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said. "Five peacekeepers were injured."

The attack follows bombings in May and July against French and Italian peacekeepers and comes as the United Nations prepares a review of its 12,000-strong operation, which was beefed up after Israel's 34-day war with Hezbollah in 2006.

A Reuters reporter saw a jeep with its windows blown out and several wounded peacekeepers at the scene minutes after the explosion in the Burj al-Shamali district on the eastern edge of Tyre.

Most of the injuries were light but medical sources said one of the UNIFIL soldiers was badly wounded.
Security sources said two passersby were also hurt.

from Reuters 

By Hussein Saad

TYRE, Lebanon | Fri Dec 9, 2011 7:11am EST

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Mosque suicide attack kills six in Afghanistan

ASADABAD: A suicide bomber on Friday attacked a mosque in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least six people including a district police chief, a government official said.

The attack happened as worshippers were leaving the mosque after the main Friday prayers in the Qazi Abad area of the eastern province of Kunar, which borders Pakistan, said provincial governor Fazullulah Wahidi.

“The attacker detonated his explosives in the mosque, killing the district police chief, an intelligence officer, two police and two civilians,” the governor told AFP.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Kunar has been a flashpoint in the Taliban’s 10-year insurgency against the Western-backed government and 140,000 US-led foreign troops.

The attack came three days after coordinated attacks on Shia Muslims in the capital Kabul and the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif killed at least 59 people in an unprecedented assault on the holy day of Ashura.

Read more: http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/09/mosque-suicide-attack-kills-six-in-afghanistan.html


by Amir Shah | AP:
KABUL, Afghanistan —
A suicide bomber blew himself up Friday at a mosque in northeast Afghanistan, killing four people, including a local police chief, authorities said.
The bombing occurred about 2 p.m. in the yard of a mosque in Ghazi Abad district of Kunar province after Friday prayers, said Gen. Ewaz Mohammad Naziri, the provincial police chief.
Naziri said the district police chief, his body guard, a civilian and an employee of the Afghan intelligence service died in the attack. Five others were wounded in the blast, he said.
"It was a brutal act against Afghan Muslims inside a mosque," he said. "They had gathered for prayers and he entered and blew himself up."
The Ministry of Interior condemned the bombing.
Friday marked the last day of the Muslim holiday of Ashoura, but the bombing was not related to that event, which is observed mostly by Shiite Muslims. Most residents of Kunar province are Sunni Muslims.
In the Afghan capital, more than 2,000 Afghans gathered on the final day of Ashoura and denounced neighboring Pakistan for this week's bombing at a shrine in Kabul that has stirred anti-Pakistan sentiment in the nation. Ashoura commemorates the death in the seventh century of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.

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Afghan police find huge opium stash in Helmand (+video)

The wet opium and weapons discovered at an address in Gereshk, in the northern part of Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand province
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Afghan police mentored by British troops have discovered an opium stash worth millions of pounds, along with insurgent weapons, during an arrest operation in Helmand province.

Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) swooped on the address of a man suspected of illegally selling government-owned land in the bustling town of Gereshk, in the northern part of Nahr-e Saraj district.
Inside, the police and their British partners from 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (1 PWRR) found several bags of wet opium.
The Afghan counter-narcotics team were called in, and on further investigation the police found a room hidden under a trapdoor - with dozens more bags of the drug hidden away underneath.
The total haul weighed in at more than 175kg of wet opium - the first stage of processing poppy to make heroin.
The team also found two machine guns, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and several AK-47 rifles, along with two pistols, possible components for improvised explosive devices, and imitation ANSF uniforms.
The suspect will now face prosecution under the Afghan justice system.
The British advisors on the operation were part of the Police Mentoring and Advisory Group (PMAG), which is led by 1 PWRR. A 15-man Police Advisory Team works at each Afghan police headquarters across Task Force Helmand to mentor the police.

Lieutenant Paul Charlesworth, 1 PWRR, commands the advisory team at Gereshk. He said:

"Once we got to the compound we quickly realised this was a really significant find. We started to see all the weapons coming out, all the ammunition, the ANSF uniforms, and then the opium, and called in the provincial-level counter-narcotics team.

"This is the largest drugs find that I've ever been involved in, and the biggest that ISAF forces have been involved in since we arrived in September."

Corporal Lucas Allan, of the Royal Military Police, was at the scene to help guide the Afghan police on gathering intelligence. He said:

"We encourage them to try to do the job themselves, but with guidance on the correct way of carrying it out. We're trying to emphasise the importance of evidence because that and witnesses are the two most vital parts to an investigation.
"In this case the job was to make sure it was correctly separated and accounted for, not just at the scene, but for onward movement to other locations and for handover to relevant authorities."

Captain Stuart Barker, 3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, said:

"This is a victory for joined-up police work, because this single operation involved the PMAG, the specialist Police Advisory Team, the Afghan police, and the counter-narcotics police.
"It shows how working together can produce a really significant find which demonstrates the clear connection between the drugs trade and violence and insecurity."

Lieutenant Colonel James Coote is the Commanding Officer of 1 PWRR and the PMAG. He said:

"This was a significant operation, both in terms of the weapons captured and the drugs seized. It is important to note that this was an Afghan police operation from start to finish and it is further evidence of the police's ability to operate and enforce the Afghan law."

A Military Operations news article 

8 Dec 11

from British Forces News at youtube:

British troops and Afghan police have discovered one of the biggest drug hauls in Helmand - nearly a fifth of a tonne of raw opium with a street value of £17.5 million. The drugs were found in Gereshk when Afghan police, mentored by a team from the First Battalion, the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, raided the home of a local government official suspected of profiting from illegal land sales. Hidden beneath a trapdoor they found 175 kilos of opium along with a cache of weapons including machine guns, grenade launchers and bomb-making equipment. Lieutenant Paul Charlesworth, of 1 PWRR, who commands the police mentoring team at Gereshk described the operation. "Once we got to the compound we quickly realised this was a really significant find. We started to see all the weapons coming out, all the ammunition, the ANSF uniforms, and then the opium, and called in provincial-level counter-narcotics team. "This is the largest drugs find that I've ever been involved in, and the biggest that ISAF forces have been involved in since we arrived in September." One arrest was made and Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie said seizing arms and drugs was just part of the success. "What's more important is that the guy involved is a bit of a local bigwig," he told BFBS Radio. "But still his status didn't stop the Afghan police from nabbing him. And that's another sign that the tide is turning not just against the insurgency, but against corrupt officials." British troops who are advising on local law enforcement described it as a victory for joined-up police work.

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Dec. 09., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 9) — In Shah Joy district, Zabul province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache and a marijuana field during a patrol yesterday.

Officials were unable to determine the weight of the marijuana growing in the field; however, the estimate of the size of the field was about one half acre. The cache find yielded 440 pounds (200 kg) of marijuana.

All drugs were destroyed on location without incident.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

In Shah Joy district, Zabul province, a coalition security force discovered a weapons cache during a patrol yesterday. The cache consisted of machine gun and small arms ammunition, three rocket-propelled grenades, one illumination round, 44 pounds (20 kilograms) of explosive material and various improvised explosive device components. All of the weapons were destroyed on site without incident.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban leader in Musa Qala district, Helmand province. The Taliban leader directs roadside bomb and ambush attacks against coalition forces in Northern Helmand.  The security force detained multiple suspected insurgents during the operation.

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