Tagged with helmand province
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) – Soldiers from the Afghan and British armies are conducting their first partnered engineering task in southern Afghanistan, the NATO-led ISAF alliance announced on Thursday.
Army engineers from Close Support Kandak, 3rd Brigade, Afghan National Army and 21 Regiment, Royal Engineers, are undertaking a program of infrastructure works at Patrol Base Rahim, in Nahr-e Saraj of the country’s Helmand province, as partnered engineering teams. Previously, Afghan engineers were guided through their projects by soldiers of the Brigade Advisory Group. They are now working under their own commanders to complete a number of specialty engineering projects including erecting new accommodations and patrol base defenses.
“When we were in Shorabak [Afghan National Army camp], the British soldiers were giving us training,” said Lt. Mohammed Khalid, the Afghan engineers’ platoon commander, who has worked alongside British troops for four years. “But now we are here, we are implementing that training.”
An expansion of the base will allow more troops to control the surrounding area, creating the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction. A growing Afghan National Army presence is an important element in securing the support of the local population for the ISAF mission.
“It can be challenging sometimes, but it is extremely rewarding,” said Sgt. Archie Gemmell from 21 Regiment, Royal Engineers, who works as Brigade Advisory Group mentor. “There are a few characters in there, just as there are with any UK soldiers. There can be real highs and lows, as you would expect from a unit in a new role, but we all get on really well and they appreciate the advice we can give them.”
The commander of the Afghan engineers, Major Bahadar Khan, has welcomed his unit’s first active role. “At the moment they are getting training, but after the training, god willing, our soldiers will be able to run this sort of project themselves,” said Major Khan.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
KABUL (BNO NEWS) — A coalition service member was killed in an attack in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, the NATO-led ISAF alliance said.
The alliance said the service member – whose nationality was not immediately released – died of injuries sustained in an improvised explosive device (IED) strike in southern Afghanistan. Further details were not immediately released.
The casualty brings the number of coalition troops killed in Afghanistan so far this year to 162, according to a BNO News count based on official figures. At least 98 of those killed were from the United States.
On Thursday, Lance Cpl. Thomas E. Rivers Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama was killed as a result of an IED attack in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (BNO NEWS) — A Washington-based soldier from Alaska on Wednesday died of wounds sustained in southern Afghanistan, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell said on Friday.
Sergeant Joel David Clarkson, 23, of Fairbanks, Alaska, was seriously injured when his patrol was hit by small arms fire in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province on March 12. He was transported to Germany for treatment, where he passed away on Wednesday.
“Sandy and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Clarkson,” Governor Parnell said in a statement. “He was a brave soldier who sacrificed his life while defending our freedom. We offer our condolences and prayers for his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Karen Williams-Clarkson, Joel’s mother, wrote about what happened on her Facebook page. “Joel is critical but now stable in ICU waiting to be transported to Germany,” Karen wrote on March 14, two days after the shooting. “This is very good news. Thank you for all your prayers and support. It would be impossible to get through this with out you all.”
Karen wrote as the events progressed over the week, and said she was heading for Germany. “The army van will take us to the airport at 5:30 and we will all be on our way to see our boy,” she said on March 15.
Several hours later, Karen provided an update on her son. “Just talked with Germany: Joel is listed serious but stable condition. His blood pressure his low, but maintaining. They haven’t gotten any reflex reposes, as of yet,” she said.
On Wednesday, Karen told her friends on Facebook that her son had passed away. “Joel David Clarkson, October 8, 1986 to March 17,2010,” she wrote. “Loving brother, father, husband, son, and sodier. A life well lived. The world will not be the same without you!”
About half an hour later, Karen added: “My world just ended. I have lost my baby.”
Governor Parnell has ordered state flags to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday in honor and memory of Sgt. Clarkson. He is survived by his wife, Cassandra; 9-month old son, Orion; and his parents, Karen and Steve Clarkson.
Memorial services will be held on March 27 in Fort Lewis, Washington and on April 5 in Arlington National Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest. Joel’s mother also wrote there will be a small service in Alaska at a later date.
A total of 118 service members have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year, most of whom were from the United States and the United Kingdom. Sgt. Clarkson was the 74th U.S. service member to have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year, according to a BNO News count.
KABUL (BNO NEWS) — Five Afghan civilians were killed in a NATO airstrike on Monday after they were mistakenly identified as insurgents, the NATO-led ISAF alliance said.
The alliance said a joint Afghan-ISAF patrol observed individuals digging along a path in southern Afghanistan, and believed that the individuals were emplacing an improvised explosive device (IED), which have killed dozens of international troops in just the past month. The joint patrol then called for an airstrike, killing five and injuring two.
The incident happened in the Zhari district of Kandahar province and was not related to Operation Moshtarak. When the Afghan-ISAF patrol approached the scene and determined the individuals had not been emplacing an IED, they provided immediate first aid and flew the injured to an ISAF medical facility for treatment.
NATO said it regrets the “tragic incident” and said it would launch an investigation. “We regret this tragic accident and offer our sympathies to the families of those killed and injured,” said U.S. Major General Michael Regner, the ISAF Joint Command deputy chief of staff for joint operations. “Our combined forces take every precaution to minimize civilian casualties and we will investigate this incident to determine how this happened.”
NATO said that ISAF leaders have met with village elders to discuss how to minimize future incidents, and said the families of the victims will be offered compensation according to local customs.
Monday’s incident comes only a day after an airstrike in the country’s Helmand province accidentally killed twelve civilians. NATO fired two rockets from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in the Nad Ali district, targeting insurgents who were allegedly firing upon Afghan and ISAF forces. The rockets missed their intended target by approximately 300 meters, killing the civilians.
ISAF said the use of the HIMARS has been suspended until a review of the incident has been conducted.
(Eds: Adds second fatality)
LONDON (BNO NEWS) — Two more British soldiers were killed in southern Afghanistan, the British Ministry of Defence said on Monday.
One soldier from 2nd Battalion, serving as part of the The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, died from his wounds received as a result of small-arms fire that happened in the Musa Qaleh District of Helmand Province. Britain did not immediately provide more information on the incident, which happened on Sunday evening local time.
“It is my sad duty to have to inform you that a soldier from 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, was killed by small-arms fire yesterday evening near Patrol Base Minden in the Musa Qualeh District of Helmand Province,” said Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand. “He was on a patrol after dark and was shot during a fire-fight. He died a soldier, doing his duty and among his fellow soldiers; his sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
Another soldier, from the 36 Engineer Regiment serving as part of the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force, was killed on Monday afternoon. He died from injuries sustained as a result of an explosion near Patrol Base Ezaray, to the north-east of Sangin District Centre in Helmand Province.
“It is with deep sadness I must confirm that a soldier from 36 Engineer Regiment, serving as part of the Counter-IED Task Force, was killed by an explosion this afternoon,” Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield said. “He was engaged in IED clearance operations near Patrol Base EZARAY to the north-east of Sangin District Centre in Helmand Province. He was one of that unique breed who go out again and again to confront the dangers of IEDs, determined to save lives. His indomitable courage will not be forgotten.”
Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released. Britain said the deaths are not connected to Operation Moshtarak.
The latest casualties brings the total number of British troops killed in Afghanistan this year to 16, according to a BNO News count. In total, 68 coalition troops have died in Afghanistan this year, most of the casualties are from the United States and died during IED strikes.
KABUL (BNO NEWS) — Two more coalition soldiers, including a Briton, were killed in two separate incidents in southern Afghanistan, officials said on Sunday.
The British soldier, from 6 RIFLES serving as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, died from his wounds received as a result of an explosion that happened near Forward Operating Base Inkerman, to the north-east of Sangin in Helmand Province, the British Ministry of Defence said.
Britain did not immediately provide more information on the incident, which happened on Sunday afternoon local time. According to the NATO-led ISAF alliance, the soldier died as a result of an improvised explosive device (IED) strike.
“It is my sad duty to inform you that a British soldier from 6 RIFLES, serving as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, was killed by an explosion earlier today near Sangin,” said Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand. “He was part of a foot patrol operating near Forward Operating Base Inkerman, to the north-east of Sangin District Centre. His boldness and commitment in the face of danger day on day will not be forgotten.”
Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released. Britain said the death was not connected to Operation Moshtarak.
Another coalition soldier died on Saturday, but his death was not announced until Sunday. NATO said the soldier, who died of wounds sustained in small-arms fire in southern Afghanistan, was not taking part in Operation Moshtarak.
It was not immediately clear which nation the second soldier was from. “At this point we cannot confirm the nationality of the soldier,” a NATO spokesman said, saying next-of-kin had not been notified yet.
The latest casualty brings the total number of British troops killed in Afghanistan this year to 14, according to a BNO News count. In total, 66 coalition troops have died in Afghanistan this year, most of the casualties are from the United States and died during IED strikes.
LONDON (BNO NEWS) — A British soldier was killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, officials said.
The soldier from 6 RIFLES serving as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group died from his wounds received as a result of an explosion that happened near Forward Operating Base Inkerman, to the north-east of Sangin in Helmand Province, the British Ministry of Defence said.
Britain did not immediately provide more information on the incident, which happened on Sunday afternoon local time. According to the NATO-led ISAF alliance, the soldier died as a result of an improvised explosive device (IED) strike.
“It is my sad duty to inform you that a British soldier from 6 RIFLES, serving as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, was killed by an explosion earlier today near Sangin,” said Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand. “He was part of a foot patrol operating near Forward Operating Base Inkerman, to the north-east of Sangin District Centre. His boldness and commitment in the face of danger day on day will not be forgotten.”
Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released. Britain said the death was not connected to Operation Moshtarak.
The latest casualty brings the total number of British troops killed in Afghanistan this year to 14, according to a BNO News count. In total, 65 coalition troops have died in Afghanistan this year, most of the casualties are from the United States and died during IED strikes.
KABUL (BNO NEWS) — Four soldiers, three Americans and one Briton, died in three separate incidents in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, officials said.
The NATO-led ISAF alliance said two American soldiers died in an improvised explosive device (IED) strike in southern Afghanistan, but provided no additional details. It also said a third American was killed in a second IED strike, also in the south.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence also announced a soldier from 3rd Battalion, The Rifles was killed in an explosion near Sangin, in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
“This morning in Sangin an explosion caused the death of a British soldier from A Company 3 RIFLES,” said Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, a spokesman for the Task Force Helmand. “It happened in the ‘Green Zone’ area to the south of Sangin District Centre, an area where until recently insurgents had held sway.”
Wakefield said the soldier was on a foot patrol as part of operations that have brought security to the local population. “We have lost one of our comrades and we will remember him,” he said.
The casualties bring the number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan this year to 37, including 25 American soldiers and six British soldiers.
The identity of the British soldier will be announced on Monday by the country’s Ministry of Defence. It said his family has been informed.
The identities of the American soldiers will be announced by the U.S. Department of Defense not earlier than Monday.
KABUL (BNO NEWS) — Several damaged Holy Korans were found in an abandoned building in Afghanistan’s Helmand province on Thursday, the NATO-led ISAF alliance said.
The Korans were found during an Afghan-international security force search of a compound next to the scene of an improvised explosive device (IED) attack.
“This deplorable tactic of destroying the Holy Koran demonstrates a lack of respect for the religion and the people of Afghanistan,” said Navy Captain Jane Campbell, a spokesperson for ISAF.
The alliance said the joint security force documented and reported the incident to the district leadership. NATO says ISAF forces are trained on the sanctity of the Koran and “go to significant steps to protect it.” Muslim soldiers are among ISAF troops.
There were no injuries in the IED strike, it added.
KABUL (BNO NEWS) — ISAF service members operating in Afghanistan’s Helmand province discovered one ton of opium in the back of a vehicle during a patrol, the NATO-led alliance said in a statement on Monday.
The driver and two passengers were seen hiding the vehicle behind a sand dune and fled on foot. An AK 47 machine gun was thrown into nearby bushes.
ISAF soldiers caught the men and placed them into custody, ISAF said. It did not say when the incident took place.
The drugs were destroyed.
