Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Update on the DoD and National Guard Response to Hurricane Sandy (11.06.2012.)

IMMEDIATE RELEASE     No. 877-12
November 06, 2012

Update on the DoD and National Guard Response to Hurricane Sandy

            The Department of Defense (DoD) remains committed to its support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to Hurricane Sandy.  As the Northeastern storm moves through the New York and New Jersey areas, DoD will continue to provide support to federal, state and local recovery operations while ensuring it is postured to conduct new response operations as a result of the oncoming storm.

            Here is today’s update on DoD’s response to Hurricane Sandy (as of 9 a.m. EST):

            The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has delivered 208 power restoration vehicles and 354 technical personnel on 56 missions from California, Arizona, and Washington to Stewart ANGB, N.Y., McGuire AFB, N.J., and JFK International Airport, N.Y.  An additional three flights are scheduled for Nov. 6 from locations in California and Nevada to JFK International Airport, N.Y.

            The 401st, 410th, and 431st Quartermaster Teams, from Lock Haven, Pa., Jacksonville, Fla., and Kinston, N.C., respectively, have reported to Joint Base Dix/McGuire/Lakehurst, N.J. for allocation to the affected areas. The 401stQuartermaster Team is on assignment in Long Beach, N.Y.

            The 172nd Preventive Health Team (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.), the 227th Preventive Health Team (Ft. Bragg, N.C.), and the 43rd Veterinary Team (from Ft. Hood, Texas) are now at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and prepared to deploy.

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)

            In total, over three million meals have been delivered to FEMA facilities in West Virginia, New York and New Jersey.  Another five million meals are in production.  DLA delivered 500,000 meals to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL), N.J. and 500,000 meals to Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y.

            LA delivered 1,000 cots, 1,000 blankets and one million meals ready to eat (MREs) to Ft. Hamilton, N.Y. for the National Guard.  3,000 cots were delivered to JBMDL for National Guard personnel in the area. 140,000 blankets and 200 hypothermia kits were delivered to JBMDL.

            DLA is executing the purchase of up to 12 million gallons of gasoline and 12 million gallons of diesel.  260 fuel trucks are on contract to support of fuel distribution.  More than 500,000 gallons have been delivered to FEMA distribution sites so far. 

            Fuel was provided to 27 of 79 state-identified commercial stations in New York and New Jersey.  In both states, FEMA continues to assign DLA to deliver gas at the Governors' requests.

            Fifty (500 – 2000 Kilowatt) generators are at or in transit to JBMDL, N.J.  DLA ordered seven additional generators and the estimated delivery tomorrow.

            DLA has contracts in place to support debris removal operations.  They have 3,000 ton barges on contract for garbage hauling (estimated to arrive Nov. 7-8).  DLA has also awarded two contracts for 330 roll-off dumpsters and 34 trucks for overland trash hauling.

Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
            USACE has more than 600 personnel supporting Hurricane Sandy response operations.  USACE’s priority is supporting de-watering and power missions in New York and New Jersey. They deployed technical assistance teams and senior leadership oversight, and are deploying and identifying pump and emergency generator requirements consistent with FEMA mission assignments.  USACE is supporting emergency temporary power missions in New York and New Jersey with more than 335 generators staged at forward locations. As of today, 80 emergency generators have been installed.

           USACE is responsible for unwatering operations at 14 sites, to include the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, the Montague Tunnel, Passaic Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant, and the Jersey City PATH Train Tunnel.

            USACE concluded unwatering involvement at the following sites: the Queens Midtown Tunnel, World Trade Center site, the South Ferry Station, the 53rd Street Tunnel, Battery Underpass, Manhattan Steam Plant Tunnel, and the 14th Street Tunnel.

            USACE continues to support emergency power restoration efforts at the Kinder Morgan Terminal.

National Guard

            The National Guard continues significant response and recovery efforts.  Today, more than 7,400 National Guard personnel are assisting in response and recovery efforts across region affected by Sandy.

            Eight states are supporting the response efforts through Emergency Management Agreement Compacts:  Delaware (106 personnel), Alabama (22), California (114), Georgia (20), Massachusetts (120), Maine (5), North Carolina (25), and Ohio (119).  Two four-person power generation teams from the West Virginia National Guard are working with USACE to assist power generation missions.

            New York National Guard (NYNG): 3,364 NYNG personnel are on state active duty, supporting relief efforts.  The NYNG continues supporting power restoration, traffic control, debris removal, wellness checks, and food/water distribution. The NYNG is conducting 20 point of distribution missions: 258,000 meals, 431, 984 bottles of water and 21,000 blankets distributed as of yesterday.

            New Jersey National Guard (NJNG): 2,092 NJNG personnel are on state active duty, supporting relief efforts.  NJNG personnel are conducting debris clearance/removal, high water vehicle operations, shelter support, food and water and fuel distribution, power generation, and presence patrols.  The NJNG is still conducting aerial support missions including FEMA damage assessments.

            Assisting emergency responders with fuel distribution with more than 93,229 gallons distributed since Friday.  The NJNG also distributed 6,618 blankets, 1,740 cots and 3,648 towels.  They are assisting local and state law enforcement agencies with security support in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

            West Virginia National Guard (WVNG):  542 WVNG personnel on state active duty are conducting community assessments, medical evacuation, snow and debris removal, and food, water, and generator distribution.  Deployed Aviation assets are supporting response and recovery efforts.

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Nov. 07., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban attack facilitator during a security operation in Logar province today. The detained facilitator is believed responsible for mortar, indirect fire and IED attacks against Afghan and Coalition forces.

The security force also detained six suspected insurgents and seized a rocket propelled grenade and associated equipment, RPG munitions, numerous rockets, IED-making materials and an assault rifle as a result of the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Kandahar province today. The detained leader is believed to have planned and executed ambush-style attacks on Afghan and coalition forces.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Taliban leader in Helmand province today. The detained leader is suspected of having served as the head of a Taliban direct-action cell and directed the movement of lethal aid to support the insurgency. The security force also seized multiple firearms as a result of the operation.

Afghan and coalition security forces killed three insurgents and seized 650 kilograms (1430 pounds) of dry opium during an operation in Helmand province yesterday. The operation also resulted in the destruction of the insurgent vehicle and the recovery of a PKM machine gun, ammunition and other military items.

Afghan Provincial Response Company Uruzgan, enabled by coalition forces, detained one insurgent, killed approximately a dozen enemy fighters and seized a small quantity of wet opium during an operation in Helmand province yesterday.

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Nov. 07., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces detained seven insurgents, located four weapons caches and cleared four improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 6.

Ghazni province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Ghazni district. The cache contained ammunition, grenades, binoculars and a radio.

Khowst province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Terezayi district. The cache contained three recoilless rifle rounds and two mortar rounds.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained three insurgents while investigating a weapons cache in Khowst district. The cache contained IED making materials. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Nadir Shah Kot district.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained three insurgents while investigating a weapons cache in Khowst district. The cache contained more than 200 feet of wire, a cell phone, 10 command triggers, a pair of binoculars and eight large buckets. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Kunar province
Afghan National Army soldiers detained an insurgent during an engagement in Narang district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Nangarhar province
Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared an IED in Shinwar district.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Sayyidabad district and one in Chak-E Wardak district.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Al-Qaida Leader Urges Guerrilla Warfare in Somalia

Al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, November 10, 2001.
A purported message from al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri calls for a campaign of guerrilla warfare against foreign troops in Somalia.

The alleged message from Zawahiri appeared Tuesday on the website of Somali militant group al-Shabab, which is fighting African forces that support Somalia's government.

The speaker, talking in Arabic, references al-Shabab's loss of the port of Kismayo, an indicator the recording was made recently.

He urges jihadist fighters to disregard the number of troops and attack them through ambushes and suicide bombings.

Al-Shabab made a formal alliance with al-Qaida in February but has suffered continuous battlefield losses to pro-government troops from Kenya, Ethiopia and the African Union. 

Kismayo was the last major town controlled by the group, which once ruled most of southern and central Somalia.

Somalia's newly-installed central government hopes to restore order to a country that has not had a stable central authority since 1991.

from VOA News
November 06, 2012

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R.I.P. - Pfc. Brandon L. Buttry

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Pfc. Brandon L. Buttry, 19, of Shenandoah, Iowa, died Nov. 5, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. 

            Buttry was assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

            For more information pertaining to this release, media may contact the 7th Infantry Division public affairs office at 253-477-5746 or 253-477-0174.  If after duty hours, media may call 253-477-5543 and ask for the 7th Infantry Division public affairs officer.

---
from wfcourier:

SHENANDOAH, Iowa  --- A U.S. Army soldier from Iowa was killed in Afghanistan, his family said Monday.

 Pfc. Brandon Buttry, 19, of Shenandoah, was killed while manning a watch tower, his uncle, Steve Buttry, of Hendon, Va., said. He said it's unclear when his nephew was killed and he did not have more details. His parents, Don and Pam Buttry, of Shenandoah, were notified early Monday, Steve Buttry said.

He said they were told there were "multiple casualties" but had no other information.

The Department of Defense had not confirmed Brandon Buttry's death.

Buttry was one of 14 children, his uncle said. Don and Pam Buttry, had three biological children (former Wartburg track star Missy Buttry Rock is his older sister), then 11 adopted. Brandon is second-oldest of the adopted kids, one of three 19-year-olds in the family, Steve Buttry said.

Steve Buttry is the former editor of the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

"He enlisted before he turned 19, but he couldn't actually join until his 19th birthday. I remember him counting down the days on Facebook," Steve Buttry said.

Brandon Buttry completed basic training in May at Fort Benning, Ga., and was transferred to Fort Lewis in Washington state with the 123rd Infantry Regiment, Steve Buttry said. He was deployed to Afghanistan in August.

"He wasn't allowed to tell his parents where he was stationed in Afghanistan. I presume we'll find that out shortly."

Steve Buttry said his nephew was outgoing and they chatted at family gatherings and on Facebook when he was in Afghanistan.

"I'd get a little `what's up' message on my Facebook and we'd chat. It would be a sentence or two back and forth and I'd tell him to stay safe. Obviously in Afghanistan, you can't do that."
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Suicide bomber kills 31 at army base near Baghdad

(Reuters) - A suicide bomber rammed his explosive-filled car into soldiers outside an army base near Baghdad on Tuesday, killing 31 people and injuring tens more in one of the worst attacks this year on the country's military.
Bombings and attacks have eased sharply since the height of Iraq's sectarian strife in 2006-2007, but al Qaeda's local affiliate and other Sunni Islamist insurgents often target local security forces and Shi'ite Muslims to stoke tensions.

The bomber drove his car into crowds of troops and recruits outside the base in Taji, 20 km (12 miles) north of the Iraqi capital, leaving body parts and burned vehicles scattered in the streets outside, police and hospital officials said.

At least 31 people were killed, mostly soldiers, and another 50 people were wounded in the blast, a hospital source said.

"There were army trainees leaving the base and small buses were waiting for them when the explosion took place," said Ahmed Khalef, a policeman working nearby. "We immediately started to rescue the wounded. You could smell of charred bodies."

Insurgents in Iraq have carried out at least one major attack a month since U.S. troops withdrew from the country in December last year. Now Iraqi officials worry Islamists may be gaining a moral and financial boost from the Syrian crisis.

Bombings at the end of October killed more than 40 people, including some in blasts in Shi'ite neighborhoods in Baghdad and an attack on an Iranian pilgrim bus during the Islamic Eid al Adha festival.

Sunni Islamists and al Qaeda's affiliate, Islamic State of Iraq, often hit Shi'ite pilgrims and religious sites in an attempt to drive the country back to widespread sectarian killing. They target security forces to try to weaken the government of Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

from REUTERS
BAGHDAD | Tue Nov 6, 2012 6:53am EST
(Reporting by Baghdad newsroom; writing Patrick Markey)

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In Several Joint Operations, 15 Armed Taliban Killed (11.06.2012.)



Publish Date: Nov 06, 2012
In Several Joint Operations, 15 Armed Taliban Killed
 
Counterterrorism:
During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched 12 joint clearance operations in Laghman, Kapisa, Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan, Maidan Wardak, Logar, Ghazni and Khost provinces.

As a result of these operations, 15 armed Taliban were killed, five wounded and 11 others were arrested by Afghan National Security Forces.
 
Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated two PKM machine guns, four different types of weapons, 1700 kilos of ammonium nitrate, 38 heavy rounds, four different types of mines, two motorcycles and two vehicles.
 
Additionally, Afghan National Police discovered and defused two roadside mines which were placed by enemies of peace and stability in the main road of Ghoryan District of Herat province, yesterday.

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained a suspect accused of trafficking in the 9th District of Kabul-City.
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Heavy explosion rocks northern Baghlan province

A heavy explosion rocked northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan early Tuesday morning.

According to reports the incident took place in Central Baghlan district at the Sugar Factory City after an improvised explosive device planted on a roadside went off.

There are no reports regarding the casualties as a result of the incidents and reports suggest that the municipality workers are present and working in the area when the
incident took place.

In the meantime Syed Kabir Sahibzada mayor of the Sugar Factory city said the incident took place around 7:45 am while municipality workers were working the area.

He said only one municipality worker was critically injured following the blast and was taken to hospital for treatment purposes.

Mr. Sahibzada accused the Taliban group for the incident but the Taliban officials have not commented regarding the incident so far.

Taliban group and other insurgents frequently use improvised explosive device to target Afghan and coalition security forces which normally leads to civilians casualties.

Recently at least 15 members of a family were killed following a roadside bomb blast while they were on their way to attend a wedding ceremony in Dawlatabad district of northern Balkh province.

from KHAAMA
By Sayed Jawad - Tue Nov 06, 9:00 am

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Nov. 06., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader in Logar province today.

The arrested leader is suspected of being directly involved in the final stages of planning a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack targeting Afghan and coalition forces in western Logar province.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

Afghan and coalition security forces detained a number of insurgents, killed two enemy fighters and seized 60 kilograms (132 pounds) of homemade explosives in Uruzgan province yesterday. The discovered materials were destroyed at the location.

Afghan Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces, detained a number of insurgents and seized 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of homemade explosives along with a cache of weapons and ammunition in Zabul province yesterday. All discovered items were destroyed at the location.

East

An Afghan and coalition force detained two insurgents during a security operation in search of a Haqqani leader in Paktiya province today. During the operation, the security force also seized IED-making materials, a shotgun, ammunition and associated weapons gear.

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator and weapons trafficker in Kunduz province today. The arrested facilitator and weapons trafficker is believed to have financed the acquisition of weapons and coordinated their transfer and delivery to insurgents for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent as a result of the operation.

Afghan and coalition forces confirmed today the death of Haqqani leader Abdul Rahman during a security operation in Logar province Sunday. Abdul Rahman was responsible for creating and disbursing IED and materials for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and coordinating the movement of weapons and ammunition for the attacks.

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Nov. 06., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces detained three insurgents, located two weapons caches and cleared two improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 5.

Khowst province
Afghan Border Police and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Terezayi district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Terezayi district.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Bak district. The cache contained two mortars and 10 pounds of explosives.

Logar province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained two insurgents during an engagement in Muhammad Aghah district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Pul-E Alam district. The cache contained IED making materials.

Wardak province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Chak-E Wardak district.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

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