R.I.P. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael J. Brodsky

DOD Identifies Navy Casualty
            The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

            Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael J. Brodsky, 33, of Tamarac, Fla., died July 21 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, from injuries related to a dismounted improvised explosive device blast.  He was assigned to Navy Region Southwest Security Detachment, San Diego.

            For further information related to this release, contact commander, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs at 619-532-1430.

---

from kpbs:

July 24, 2012 | 6:44 a.m. | By Beth Ford Roth
 

San Diego-Based Military Working Dog Handler Killed (Video)

Military Working Dog handler, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael J. Brodsky, 33, died July 21 from injuries sustained in an IED blast in Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.

Brodsky was assigned to the Navy Region Southwest Security Detachment, San Diego.

According to a blog post by writer Aonghas Crowe, Brodsky suffered his ultimately fatal injuries much earlier in the month:

"Late Saturday night (7 July 2012) in an undisclosed area of Afghanistan Mike was on patrol. His unit started taking fire. He took his dog Jackson and put him back in the truck as he was trained to do, and then returned to the fight. It was then that he stepped on a pressure plate."

Crowe reports Brodsky was later flown to a military hospital Landsthul, Germany.

Brodksy's friend Nicole Arbelo set up two Facebook pages in support of Brodsky and his family. She also made a tribute video to Brodsky, which I've posted above.

Read More

7 Afghan children killed in bomb blast

Districts of Ghor. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

CHIGHCHIRAN, Afghanistan, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Seven Afghan children were killed when a bomb went off in western province of Ghor on Tuesday, a provincial government spokesman said.

"A total of seven innocent children were grazing their animals in Taiwara district earlier Tuesday but one stepped on a pressure- plate bomb leading to a powerful blast killing all of them on the spot," Abdul Hai Khatibi told Xinhua.

He blamed Taliban insurgents for planting the bomb targeting security forces in the area.

Taliban militants, who launched an annual spring offensive on May 3 against Afghan and NATO forces, have been largely relying on roadside bombs and suicide attacks, often causing civilian casualties.

A total of 3,021 Afghan civilians were killed in the conflict in 2011, up 8 percent compared with 2010, according to the United Nations annual report released in Kabul in February this year.

from XINHUA
2012-07-24 21:18:04

Read More

70 more missiles fired into Kunar

Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ASADABAD (PAN): Up to 70 missiles were fired by Pakistan soldiers into the Dangam district of eastern Kunar province over the past 24 hours, an official claimed on Tuesday.

Governor Syed Fazlullah Wahidi told Pajhwok Afghan News that the missiles hit Kachli, Sur Kamar, Zara Brawl and Khara villages of Dangam district.

Although the attacks caused no casualties, they inflicted material loses on the people.

On Monday, more than 100 missiles were fired into the same district. Eight civilians have been killed and more than 20 others injured in the missile barrages. Many families have been displaced.

from Pajhwok
by Khan Wali Salarzai on Jul 24, 2012 - 15:00

Read More

Security tightened after Iraq attacks kill 113, wound 250

Monday’s spate of bombings and shootings, which drew widespread international condemnation, came after al-Qaeda warned it would seek to retake territory and mount new attacks.

Overall, 29 separate attacks were launched in 19 cities, shattering the relative calm that had held in the lead-up to the start of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Extra police and soldiers as well as security force vehicles were deployed on Tuesday at marketplaces in neighborhoods of Baghdad hit by the violence, witnesses said.

In the deadliest incidents -- a string of roadside bombs and a car bomb followed by a suicide attack targeting emergency responders in the town of Taji, just north of Baghdad -- at least 42 people were killed and 40 wounded, medical officials said.

“I was sleeping, and my parents lifted me out of bed,” recalled 11-year-old Mohammed, whose family’s home in Taji was leveled by the blast.

“They were shouting, ‘Get up quickly! Help your younger brothers! There is a car bomb!’”

“It felt like it was just a few moments later when it exploded, and there was a big ball of fire, and the wreckage was falling over our heads.”

In Baghdad a car bomb outside a government office responsible for producing identity papers in the Shiite bastion of Sadr City killed at least 12 people and wounded 33 others, security and medical officials said.

Explosions elsewhere in Baghdad killed at least six people and wounded 51 others, including a car bomb outside a cafe in the capital's Ur neighborhood at around 11:00 pm (2000 GMT) that left at least two dead and 24 wounded, officials said.

A car bomb in the town of Tarmiyah, just north of the capital, also killed one and hurt nine.

Elsewhere in Iraq, shootings and bomb blasts in Diyala, Salaheddin, Kirkuk, Anbar and Diwaniyah provinces left 52 people dead and more than 100 wounded.

U.S. State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters Washington strongly condemned the attacks.

“The targeting of innocents is always cowardly,” she said. “It’s particularly reprehensible during this holy month of Ramadan.”

The violence also drew condemnation from the United Nations special envoy to Iraq, the country’s parliament speaker, as well as France, Canada and neighboring Iran.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Monday’s attacks, but al-Qaeda’s front group in Iraq has warned in recent days it would seek to retake territory in the country.

The Islamic State of Iraq said in an audio message posted online that it would begin targeting judges and prosecutors, and appealed for the help of Sunni tribes in its quest to recapture territory it once held.

Monday’s attacks came a day after a spate of bombings across the country killed at least 17 people and wounded nearly 100. Monday’s toll was the highest since December 8, 2009, when 127 people were killed.

from AL ARABIYA

Tuesday, 24 July 2012 

Read More

12 armed insurgents killed and 5 arrested by ANP (Jul.24.2012.)

Publish Date: Jul 24, 2012

12 armed insurgents killed and five arrested by Afghan National Police

Counterterrorism:

During the past 24 hours, Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army, NDS and Coalition Forces launched five joint clearance operations in Kabul, Baghlan, Kunduz, Zabul and Paktika provinces.

As a result of these operations, 12 armed insurgents were killed and five others were arrested by Afghan National Police.

Also, during these operations, Afghan National Police discovered and confiscated five different types of weapons, two radio handsets, six heavy rounds, 600 light rounds, nine different types of mines, six hand grenades, 136 kilograms of explosive materials and one motorcycle.

During the same 24 hour period, Afghan National Police discovered and defused eight anti-vehicle mines as a result of security operations in Nangarhar and Helmand provinces.

Crimes:
The 101 Kabul Zone National Police detained two individuals accused of bribery and theft in the 9th and 13th Districts of Kabul-City.

Read More

American engineer shot dead in northern Afghanistan

Districts of Parwan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to local officials in northern Afghanistan, unknown gunmen assassinated an an American civilian who reportedly worked as an electrical engineer in Afghanistan.

US embassy in Kabul confirmed the report on Tuesday however no further details were provided regarding the death of the American civilian in Afghanistan because of privacy laws.

In the meantime local security officials in northern Afghanistan confirmed the man, an electrical engineer working in Afghanistan for about 30 years, was shot Monday by gunmen as he rode in a mini-bus in northern Parwan province.

The officials further added at least two Afghans including the driver and colleague of the American engineer were also shot dead by gunmen.

Siagerd district police chief Shirin Agha said the American had been dressed in Afghan clothes and had a long beard.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the killings.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Tue Jul 24, 1:22 pm

Read More

US drone strikes kill suspected militants in Pakistan

U.S. drones fired eight missiles at a compound owned by a powerful militant commander in northwest Pakistan on Monday, killing nine suspected insurgents, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

The targeted compound was in Dray Nashtar village, some 65 kilometres west of Miranshah, known as a hotbed of Taliban militants. Shawal is a remote area of forested ridges and valleys that spreads out on both sides of the border and has long been known as a haven for militants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and beyond.

The controversial drone programme, a key element in U.S. counter-terrorism efforts, is highly unpopular in Pakistan where it is considered a violation of sovereignty which causes unacceptable civilian casualties.

Pakistani officials regularly denounce the attacks as a violation of the country’s sovereignty, but the government has supported some of the strikes in the past. That cooperation has come under strain as the relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan has deteriorated.

This comes as in a separate drone attack at the start of July, six militants were also killed and 15 other militants were killed including senior al Qaeda figure Abu Yahya al-Libi in an attack on June 4.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Tue Jul 24, 12:08 pm


---

US drone strike kills 12 'militants' in North Waziristan
By Bill Roggio - July 23, 2012 - LWJ

The US launched a drone strike in the Shawal Valley in Pakistan's tribal agency of Pakistan today, killing 12 "militants," including a local Taliban commander. The strike is the first in Pakistan in more than two weeks.

The remotely piloted Predators or the more advanced Reapers fired eight missiles at a compound in the village of Dre Nishtar in the Shawal Valley in North Waziristan, according to Dawn. Pakistani officials said 12 "militants" were killed in the strike, according to Reuters. A Taliban commander loyal to Hafiz Gul Bahadar is reported to be among the dead.

No senior al Qaeda or allied jihadist commanders from foreign terrorist groups are reported to have been killed in the strike.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/07/us_drone_strike_kill_9.php#ixzz21XZF0fqd

Read More

July 24., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force conducted a security operation to arrest Khadim, also known as Qari Hamza, an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan senior leader, in Chahar Darah district, Kunduz province, yesterday.

As the security force approached Khadim’s location, he attacked the combined security force. The security force engaged Khadim and killed him.

Khadim was an explosives expert responsible for recruiting and training insurgents for suicide attacks. He was also responsible for planning and leading multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

East

An Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Baraki Barak district, Logar province, today. The Taliban leader is responsible for transporting insurgents throughout the region and directs improvised explosive device and direct-fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district.

In Muhammad Aghah district, Logar province, an Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban financier today. The Taliban financier provides money and explosives to insurgents for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the region.

Read More

July 23., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan (July 24, 2012) – Afghan and coalition forces detained one insurgent, located two weapons caches and cleared seven improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, July 23.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two improvised explosive devices in Ab Band district.

Kapisa province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Sarobi district. The cache contained homemade explosives and other items being used for improvised explosive devices.

Khowst province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained an insurgent in Sabari district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Laghman province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an improvised explosive device in Mehtar Lam district.

Logar province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered an insurgent cache in Pul-E Alam district. The cache contained military personnel items.

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared two improvised explosive devices, one in Jalalabad district and one in Bati Kot district.

Paktika province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared two improvised explosive devices, one in Yahya Khel district and one in Sar Rowzah.

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

Read More

R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Brandon R. Pepper

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

            Staff Sgt. Brandon R. Pepper, 31, of York, Pa., died July 21, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan.

            Pepper was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

            For more information pertaining to this release, media may contact the Special Operations Command public affairs office at 910-689-6187.

---

from York Daily Record:

Soldier with York County ties dies in Afghanistan
By ED MAHON
Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated:   07/24/2012 12:18:13 AM EDT
  

Staff Sgt. Brandon R. Pepper, 31, of the York area died Saturday in the Ghazni province, Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Derek Pepper described his late brother as a person who was great to be around, who lived by the warrior ethos, and who joined the military because he wanted to serve his country.

"He wanted to do something for a better cause," Derek Pepper, 25, said in a phone interview Monday evening.

His brother, Staff Sgt. Brandon Robert Pepper, 31, was killed Saturday, in an insurgent attack while on patrol in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, according to news releases from the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Brandon Pepper is the second soldier with York County ties to die in Afghanistan this month. Army Spc. Cameron Stambaugh, a 2010 Spring Grove Area High School graduate, died July 8 when a bomb exploded and killed him and five other U.S. troops, his family said.

Brandon Pepper was from the Baltimore area, but he lived in the York area for a few years, according to family. He was assigned to Company B, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C. He was a Special Forces communications sergeant.

This was Brandon Pepper's first deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan, according to a U.S. Army news release. In 2003, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His mother, Geraldine, said her son gave his life "for our freedom."

Brandon Pepper graduated from Kenwood High School in Maryland in 1999 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in January 2000, according to the news release.

Upon completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, he was assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Meade, Md. where he served as an Intelligence Analyst and was deployed in March 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the news release states.

The Department of Defense said Brandon Pepper entered active duty in 2008 and attended Infantry Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Ga. He was then assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry Squad Leader, the news release states.

In October 2009, Brandon Pepper graduated from the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course at Fort Bragg, N.C. He then completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2011 and was assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg as an SF Communications Sergeant (18E), according to the news release.

He received numerous awards for his service. He will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, NATO medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, according to the news release.

Others in his family served in the military.

Derek Pepper said their late grandfathers served in the military. So did their father, John, who retired from the Army as a captain. Derek Pepper also serves in the Army with a Special Forces group.

Brandon Pepper's two other brothers are 34-year-old Nick Pepper and 28-year-old John Robert Pepper. Nick Pepper said his brother was always there when they needed him. He also loved karate and lacrosse, according to his family.

In an email Monday evening, John Robert Pepper said his brother made friends easily and was simply known as "Pepper" to many people he knew. He said his brother never had a problem sharing his views and was a very outgoing person.

"He always tried to have a good time and him not having a smile on his face was a rare occasion," John Robert Pepper said in an email. "...My brother was a unique individual and will be missed greatly by his family and friends."

In addition to his brothers and his parents, the U.S. Army said Brandon Pepper is survived by his spouse.

Awards and decorations for fallen soldier

The awards and decorations for Staff Sgt. Brandon Robert Pepper, 31, include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with one oak-leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2 device, Special Forces Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.

He also will receive numerous awards posthumously.

Read More

July 22., 2012. - RC-East operational update

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces killed 10 insurgents, detained seven, located two weapons caches and cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, July 22.

Ghazni province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Ghazni district. The cache contained artillery shells and grenades.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained six insurgents in Andar district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Andar district.

Kapisa province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed 10 insurgents during a small arms engagement in Alah Say district.

Khowst province
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Terezayi district. The cache contained small arms and ammunition.

Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Sabari district. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.

Afghan Border Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Khowst district.

Laghman province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Mehtar Lam district.

Logar province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Pul-E Alam district.

Nangarhar province
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Mohmand Darah district.

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

Operations in RC-East are still ongoing.

Read More