R.I.P. - Pfc. Adam E. Dobereiner

DOD Identifies Army Casualty


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

Pfc. Adam E. Dobereiner, 21, of Moline, Ill., died Nov. 18 at Kandahar province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

For more information, the media may contact Fort Hood public affairs at 254-287-0106 or via the internet at www.forthoodpresscenter.com.

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Local Taliban commander detained in Paktiya province

Sunday, November 20, 2011 –
NATO-led International Security Assistance officials following a statement on Sunday said, a Taliban commander was detained in eastern Paktiya province on Saturday.

The statement further added, the local Taliban leader was arrested in Zurmat district of eastern Paktia province.

The detained local Taliban leader was responsible for planting improvised explosive device and roadside bombs to target Afghan and coalition forces in the region, ISAF officials said.

In the meantime, another Taliban militant was detained by Afghan and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in southern Zabul province.

According to the NATO-led coalition forces statement, the detained suspect militant was responsible for arranging arms and explosives for the militants in this province.

The statement also said, a number of other suspects were also detained following military operations in Marjah district of southern Helmand province and Behsud district of eastern Nangarhar province.

Taliban militants group yet to comment regarding the operations.

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Successful ANA operations: 4 killed, 30 detained during the past 24h

Sunday, November 20, 2011 – Officials in the ministry of defense of Afghanistan following an statement on Sunday said, at least four militants were killed following Afghan national army operations during the past 24 hours.

The statement further added, at least one Afghan national army service was also killed and another one was injured during the operations.

According to Afghan defense ministry officials, the operations were conducted by Afghan national army soldiers in various regions of the country including eastern Nangarhar, Logar, Kunduz, Paktia, southern Helmand, Zabul and capital Kabul provinces during the past 24 hours.

The statement also said, at least 30 other suspected insurgents were also detained during the operations.

Afghan security officials said, at least one Afghan national army service was killed and another one was injured during the operations in Maidan Wardak and southern Kandahar provinces.

The officials also said, Afghan security forces seized some weapons and explosive devices during the operations in capital Kabul and southern Kandahar provinces.

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At least 10 insurgents killed in Nuristan by Afghan Special Forces

Sunday, November 20, 2011 – According to local security officials in eastern Afghanistan, at least ten insurgents were killed following Afghan military operations by Afghan special forces in eastern Nuristan province.

The operations were launched by Afghan special forces in eastern Nuristan province to clear the area from the militants activities.

Head of the media department for the Afghan border protection forces Edris Mohmand confirming the report said, at least ten other insurgents were also detained during the operations by Afghan special forces during the past 3 days in this province.

The source further added, the operations were launched from the Kamdish district of eastern Nuristan province and will last for two months.

Mr. Mohmand also said, Afghan security forces are being backed by NATO-led International Security Forces in providing air support during the operations.

Nuristan province is located in eastern regions of Afghanistan which borders with the neighboring Pakistan.

Taliban militants have been widely operation in various regions of eastern Nuristan province, often carrying out insurgency attacks against the Afghan and NATO-led coalition forces.

According to Afghan security officials, separate military operations are underway to be launched in a number of other districts in eastern Nuristan province including the Wigal district to clear the area from the militants.


from KHAAMA press

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Nov. 20., 2011. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

2011-11-S-034
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 20, 2011) — A Taliban facilitator was captured by a combined Afghan and coalition security force during a security operation in Qalat district, Zabul province, Saturrday.

The facilitator purchased ammunition and explosives for use by insurgent fighters in Qalat district.

One additional suspected insurgent was detained during the operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

A coalition security force detained numerous suspected insurgents during an operation in Marjeh district, Helmand province, yesterday.  The force conducted the operation after receiving information that a group of insurgents were at a compound in the area.  After calling for the men inside to come out peacefully, the insurgents emerged and were detained without incident.

In Kajaki district, Helmand province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force detained multiple suspected insurgents during an operation in search of a Taliban facilitator yesterday. The facilitator coordinates the movement of supplies for insurgent activity. The security force confiscated roadside bombs and bomb making materials during the operation.

East

A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in Zurmat district, Paktiya province, yesterday. The leader coordinated roadside bomb attacks against Afghan forces. One additional suspected insurgent was detained during the operation.

In Behsud district, Nangarhar province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force detained numerous suspected insurgents during an operation in search of an al Qaida facilitator yesterday. The facilitator transports insurgent fighters and supplies from Nangarhar to Kunar province.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during a security operation in Zurmat district, Paktiya province, yesterday. The leader conducted roadside bomb attacks against Afghan forces. The security force detained one additional suspected insurgent during the operation.

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Loya Jirga Backs Afghan-US Partnership

from TOLONEWS, Written by Sonil Haidari 

On the fourth day of the Traditional Loya Jirga in Kabul on Saturday, delegates backed President Hamid Karzai's plan for a long-term partnership with the US after foreign combat troops withdraw from the country at the end of 2014.
The delegates said they supported the long-term agreement with the US but attached some conditions, including the end of night raids by foreign troops.
President Karzai said he in turn would accept the provisos stipulated by the delegates. He said a US-Afghan partnership would benefit the Afghan people.
More than 2,000 delegates attended the four-day traditional Loya Jirga that was conducted amid tight security after the Taliban vowed to disrupt proceedings. They were divided into 40 committees to discuss the negotiations that are currently under way with the US.

Both the US and the Afghan government would like to see a force of several thousand international troops remaining in Afghanistan after 2014 that would advise and train Afghan security forces, and help with counterterrorism operations.
There are currently about 90,000 US troops in Afghanistan.
Delegates also backed Mr Karzai's proposal to continue peace and reconciliation talks with the Taliban, although many delegates said that membership of the peace council, which was set up last year, should be broadened.
Here are the key points emerging from the Traditional Loya Jirga regarding the Afghan-US partnership:
• Foreign troops should not conduct operations without Afghan security forces
• The US should stand by the Afghan government if it is attacked by any third country. This should be clearly mentioned in any long-term agreement
• The US should guarantee that Afghanistan will not turn into a political battlefield after foreign troops withdraw
• No military operations should be launched against third countries from Afghan soil
• US financial aid should be given to Afghanistan as scheduled
• The US should focus on the reconstruction of Afghanistan's infrastructure
• The international community should support the peace process and put pressure on insurgents to leave Afghanistan
• Negotiations should be held with the Taliban and with Pakistan
• The long-term strategic agreement should be valid for ten years and may be extended after further negotiations

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SGT Casper W Mathiesen Danish Cross of Valor

from WOTN
 

SGT Mathiesen was recently awarded the new Danish Cross of Valor for actions he took on 19 February 2010.  In the battle that day, his unit, ISAF team 9, took enemy fire, incapacitating a fellow Soldier.  SGT Mathiesen immediately returned fire, suppressing 4 to 5 enemy positions while firing 7 magazines of ammunition.
Citation: For actions on the 19th February 2010, during fighting, unhesitatingly and while clearly recognizing the risk of his own life and limb and for having provided cover for a wounded comrade by standing between him and the enemy. He maintained this very vulnerable position, and fired on the enemy so that additional help could arrive.
SGT Mathiesen is assigned to the Engineer Regiment in Skive, Denmark.

"Det var Hendes Majestæt Dronningen, der overrakte Casper Westphalen Mathiesen tapperhedskorset.
- Hendes Majestæt Dronningens personlige engagement i udarbejdelsen og nu tildelingen af tapperhedskorset glæder mig meget. Det er med til at understrege betydningen af Tapperhedskorset, slår Knud Bartels fast og fortsætter:
- Vi skal ikke glemme, at der i dag er uddelt 11 andre æresbevisninger, heriblandt Forsvarets Medalje for Tapperhed til konstabel Jesper Houlberg Christensen." Danish Ministry of Defense
Translation: Her Majesty the Queen, who presented Casper Westphalen Mathiesen the Danish Cross of Valor.
- "Her Majesty the Queen's personal involvement in preparing and now awarding of Cross of Valor brings me pleasure. It helps to emphasize the importance of the Cross of Valor" stated General Knud Bartels. He continues:
- "We must not forget that today 11 other honors were presented, including the Defense Medal for Bravery to Constable Jesper Christensen Houlberg."

SGT Mathiesen, an Engineer, protected his wounded comrade affording Nursing Assistant, Constable Jesper Christensen the ability to treat the wounded comrade under fire.  Constable Christensen was awarded the Houlberg Defense Medal for Bravery for the actions he took in the same battle.
Citation: For actions on the 19th of February, during hostilities, without hesitation, and while clearly recognizing the risk of his own life and limb to have run from under the very heavy direct fire to get a wounded comrade to the rescue, including first aid and stabilizing him under constant shelling.

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