TWO SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED BY MAN WEARING AFGHAN ARMY UNIFORM

The following excerpt is from a U.S. Department of Defense American Forces Press Service e-mail:

"Man in Afghan Army Uniform Shoots ISAF Members

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2012 - A man wearing an Afghan army uniform turned his weapon against International Security Assistance Force service members in eastern Afghanistan today, killing two service members, military officials reported.

It was the second incident in three days of a person wearing an Afghan security forces uniform shooting an ISAF member, officials said.

It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

In other news from Afghanistan:

-- An Afghan-led and coalition-supported security force found and destroyed 1,100 pounds of explosives in the Achin district of Nangarhar province yesterday.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force in the Nawah-ye Barakzai district of Helmand province detained multiple insurgent suspects today while searching for a Taliban leader who conducts attacks against Afghan government officials.

-- An Afghan-led security force captured a facilitator who supplied arms and explosives to insurgents in the Khost district of Khost province today. The security force seized weapons, ammunition and bomb-making materials and detained an additional suspect during the operation."
 

AIRPORT ATTACK IN KANDAHAR AFGHANISTAN

The following excerpt is from the Department of Defense American Forces Press e-mail:

"insurgents Use Vehicle Bomb to Attack Kandahar Airfield

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force and ISAF Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2012 - Insurgents detonated a vehicle-borne bomb outside an entry control point at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The attack resulted in the deaths and injuries of a number of civilians, officials said. Currently, officials added, there are no confirmed reports of injuries to International Security Assistance Force troops or Afghan security forces.

ISAF and Afghan security forces are gathering more facts and will release more information as appropriate, officials said, noting that ISAF's immediate concerns are for those killed or injured and their families.

In other Afghanistan news today:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader and seized drugs in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province. The leader built bombs and directed insurgents in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force confiscated about 15 pounds of opium and detained another suspected insurgent during the operation.

-- In the Baghlan-e Jadid district of Baghlan province, a combined force captured a Taliban leader and detained several suspects. The leader operated a bomb-making cell and conducted attacks against Afghan forces.

-- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and detained several suspects in Kandahar's Panjwai district. The insurgent leader operated a bomb-making cell and stored explosives for use in attacks throughout the region.

-- A combined force captured an insurgent leader in the Mehtar Lam district of Lagham province. The leader supported Taliban fighters, planted roadside bombs and coordinated attacks against coalition forces.

In Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, ISAF commander, condemned a suicide attack in the Kajaki Sofla bazaar that killed and injured dozens of Afghan civilians, Afghan security forces and ISAF members. The general offered condolences to victims and their families, and said such attacks further isolate the Taliban from the peace negotiation process. They also indicate that Taliban leader Mohammed Omar has no influence over insurgents, he added. "Mullah Omar has lost all control over Taliban insurgents," Allen said in a written statement. "Otherwise, he would immediately denounce these attacks and order his 'forces' to stop attacking innocent Afghan civilians."

-- In the Ghazni district of Ghazni province, an Afghan-led and coalition-supported force captured a Taliban facilitator and detained a suspect. The leader planned and facilitated bomb attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force in the Kabul district of Kabul province found and destroyed 50 107 mm rockets, 50 rocket boosters, 25 rocket fuses and several anti-aircraft rounds."
 

DEFENSE SECRETARY LEON PANETTA SPEAKS

The following is an excerpt from the American Forces Press Service:

Panetta Discusses Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2011 - Even as deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan draw down, American service members will continue to deploy in the future, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here today.
In a roundtable meeting at the Pentagon with military media representatives, the secretary also discussed the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the U.S. relationship with Pakistan.
Though the United States is withdrawing forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, it is a fair bet that the U.S. military will be called upon to meet new challenges, the secretary said.
"Service members will continue to confront threats in the world," he said. "The likelihood is that we're going to face some other crises. If the Arab Spring has told us anything, it's that we're dealing with an awful lot of turmoil in a complicated part of the world."
Some 46,000 American service members are serving in Iraq, and the United States has not received a formal request for American trainers to remain there after the Dec. 31 deadline set by a 2008 agreement between the two countries for all U.S. forces to be out of Iraq. Panetta said he sees some progress in that regard, as the Iraqis have agreed to discuss within their government a continued U.S. presence. They agreed to name a defense minister and interior minister, the secretary noted, and they agreed to a tougher line with Iran, which has been shipping in weapons and providing training to Iraqi insurgents.
Meanwhile, U.S. forces in Iraq are drawing down, and they are on pace for all to out by the year's end, Panetta said. "The issue then will become what is the kind of training assistance and presence Iraq feels it needs in order to defend itself and secure itself," he said.
The Iraq and Afghanistan missions are similar, the secretary said, in that the mission in both countries is to ensure governance so they can secure and defend themselves and cannot become havens for al-Qaida or other terror groups that might threaten United States.
Iraq has made a lot of progress, he noted, with 650,000 members now serving in its security forces. The level of violence is down, he added, and government officials are trying to work together to sort through very difficult issues.
In Afghanistan, the coalition surge has made a difference and al-Qaida and the Taliban have been weakened, Panetta said. "One of the real questions was [whether we were] going to be able to develop an effective Afghan army and police force," he told the media representatives.
The Afghan army and police have grown in numbers and capability, he said, and seven areas of the country have transitioned to Afghan security control. "The real challenge will be whether or not the central government ... is going to be able to maintain a level of governance that can provide stability for that country," he said.
Pakistan remains a key player in the region, the secretary said. "Pakistan has got to get the clear message that they can't pick and choose among terrorists," the secretary said. "Terrorism represents as much a threat for their country as it does for ours. They've got to take on this responsibility as well."
The Pakistanis are getting better about cooperation since the raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, Panetta said. "They have done better about going after some targets we've given them since the bin Laden raid," he said. "At the same time, we have some bumps in the road in terms of relationship."
But the bottom line is that the United States must continue to work with Pakistan, Panetta said. "We have got to continue to put pressure on them, because the bottom line is that we can't ... win in Afghanistan without winning in Pakistan," the secretary said.

JOINT COMMAND ISSUES

The following excerpt is from an American Forces website:

Karzai, ISAF Condemn Herat Province IED Attack
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2011 - Afghan President Hamid Karzai, his government's interior ministry and the International Security Assistance Force jointly condemned today's improvised explosive device attack that reportedly killed numerous civilians and wounded many others in the Tark Abad district of Afghanistan's Herat province, military officials reported.

Initial reports indicate 24 Afghans were killed and 11 others were wounded when IEDs struck two separate vehicles. Among the dead are children and five women. Afghan officials said the Taliban were behind the attacks.

"Insurgents plan attacks such as these without regard for the civilians they kill, looking for the attention of the media," said Navy Rear Adm. Hal Pittman, an ISAF spokesman. "The Afghan people see the selfish destruction the insurgents bring. ISAF joins President Karzai and [the interior ministry] in condemning this atrocity."

In other Afghanistan news, Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, issued a statement today in which he wished the Afghan people a joyous Independence Day holiday.

Allen's statement reads:

"To the honorable people of Afghanistan -- Salam-u-Alaikum! On behalf of all the members of the NATO International Security Assistance Force, I would like to wish you a joyous celebration during the Afghanistan Independence Day holiday. On this occasion, I express my heartfelt appreciation to all Afghans faithfully serving their country, whether in government, as members of the Afghan National Security Force, or as peace-loving civilians.

"For ten years, ISAF and its members have been working with our Afghan brothers and sisters to build a stronger, freer, and safer Afghanistan. Together, we have crippled the al-Qaida terrorist organization in the region and worked tirelessly to weaken the insurgency. Together, we continue to promote the conditions necessary for a stable and free Afghanistan. And together, we will ensure a prosperous future for the people of Afghanistan.

"Earlier this year, ever-strengthening Afghan National Security Forces began assuming primary security responsibility from ISAF forces in several areas throughout the country. These Afghan forces will continue to grow in both quantity and quality, so that in the near future, they will be trained, equipped, and capable of independently defeating the insurgents wherever they may try to hide.

"I, along with every member of my command, am proud of the progress being made, Shohna ba Shohna with our Afghan partners. I look forward to the continued progress that will be made through 2014 and beyond, as the nations of ISAF remain forever faithful hamkar to the Afghan people, and we will continue to support a free and stable Afghanistan.

"We are bound together in our efforts and sacrifices, and we will continue to work toward a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. That bond will remain strong long after we've prevailed over the insurgency, and will ensure Afghanistan is a country where its people can have faith in their government and live without the fear of violence. With courage and honor, together we will prevail."

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force killed numerous insurgents and detained two others during a security operation in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province. The security force was searching for a Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin terrorist organization leader when they observed several groups of heavily armed insurgents. A firefight ensued when the insurgents, armed with rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns and assault rifles, attacked the security force. The target of the operation was an insurgent leader who directs a group of Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin and Taliban fighters in the district. He also plans and conducts ambush and roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan forces.

-- In the Ghormach district of Faryab province, a combined force killed two insurgents and detained a suspect while searching for a senior Taliban leader. The leader is the Taliban-appointed deputy governing official for insurgent operations in the Shirin Tagab district, and is responsible for roadside-bomb and rocket attacks against Afghan forces.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader and a suspected insurgent in the Qalat district of Zabul province. The leader was responsible for roadside-bomb attacks against Afghan security forces patrolling the Tarnak Wa Jaldak and Qalat districts.

-- In the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, a combined force detained a suspect during an operation targeting a Taliban leader who conducts intimidation operations against Afghan civilians and coordinates attacks against Afghan forces.

-- Also in Kandahar province, a combined force detained numerous suspected members of the Taliban during a security operation in the Panjwai district. The target of this operation is a Taliban leader who directs several lower-ranking leaders and fighters in the area.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force detained several suspects in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The force conducted the operation to disrupt a Taliban cell responsible for running a prison operation in the area.

-- A combined force killed two insurgents and detained several suspects during a security operation in the Pul-e Alam district of Logar province. The force was searching for a Taliban leader who coordinates and plans attacks against Afghan security forces. The combined force confiscated rocket-propelled grenades, assault rifles, several other grenades and chest racks.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader in Ghazni city, Ghazni province. The leader manages fighters, facilitates roadside bomb operations and coordinates attacks with other Taliban leaders and facilitators.

In Aug. 17 operations:

-- A combined force found and safely destroyed an explosives cache in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province. The cache contained 9,149 pounds of ammonium nitrate and 3,858 pounds of homemade explosives.

In Aug. 16 operations:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition operation resulted in the detention of a key roadside-bomb facilitator and several other suspected insurgents in the Kabul district of Kabul province.

-- In the Now Zad district of Helmand province, a combined patrol detained numerous suspects during an operation targeting a Taliban leader who is responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

AFGHANISTAN NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

The following story is from the American Forces Press Service:

Governance, Development Efforts Continue in Afghanistan
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2011 - Corruption and insurgent violence remain serious issues, but Afghan community members and leaders are strengthening their local governments "from the bottom up," a senior Defense Department civilian serving in Afghanistan said today.

Alisa Stack, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command's deputy chief of staff for stability operations, briefed Pentagon reporters by video uplink from the command's headquarters in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

Stack has served in her current position since fall 2009, when ISAF's Joint Command was formed. She is responsible for synchronizing security plans and operations with national and provincial plans for governance and development.

"I'm focused on local government initiatives and work for those responsible for providing daily support to Afghan citizens," she said.

Stack said the command, known as IJC, not only brings together coalition members and Afghan partners, but also coordinates with other governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations working to improve conditions in Afghanistan.

"I can verify that our partnered efforts have brought about some truly remarkable achievements," she said. Examples of concrete progress in governance and development can be found in many areas, she added.

"In Helmand province, the security situation has improved sufficiently that work is now under way to add justice centers in Marja, Nad Ali [and] Gereshk, expanding on the success of the province's initial center in Lashkar Gah," Stack said.

Complementing that work, the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission recently held the first monthly district outreach shura -- a community council -- in Nad Ali, Stack said, while the Kabul-based nongovernmental organization Women for Afghan Women is contracted to provide civil law, women's rights and family counseling training throughout Helmand province.

Kandahar residents are seeing similar progress, as their provincial leaders begin work on a comprehensive health strategy and implementation plan, Stack said.

"Orchestrated by the Kandahar Department of Public Health, the strategy will benefit from input from a number of municipal departments, Kandahar University, the World Health Organization and [the U.S. Agency for International Development], among others," she added.

Stack said progress in infrastructure and economic development is evident in Helmand, where a new business park is more than half complete, and in Mazar-e Sharif, where a combined U.S.-German military effort provides electricity for a growing industrial park.

"Last month, seven areas around the country underwent a peaceful, successful transition of security responsibility from ISAF to the Afghan government," she said. "As security improves across the country and more provinces transition and assume their own control, each will ... require tailored solutions to implement good governance and effective development at the provincial, district and municipal levels."

U.S. and coalition force structures must adapt to reflect those evolving priorities, she said, with close coordination among provincial reconstruction teams, civil agencies, the international community and nongovernmental organizations.

While such assistance is essential to helping Afghans develop government and development capacity, Stack said, "ultimately, Afghanistan's success in this counterinsurgency must come from a capable government at all levels that can be trusted by the Afghan people."

That government must be real, it must be fair and just, and above all, it must serve the needs and the will of the people, she said.

Corruption is a concern Afghans in and out of government have expressed to her repeatedly, Stack said.

"It is a serious problem, and it's one that the Afghan government and we are taking very seriously," she said.

IJC has examined its own business practices and directed the regional commands and others to take an "Afghan-first approach," looking for direct agreements with Afghan businesses in hiring and contracting, Stack said.

"We are taking it very seriously," she added. "We do take a holistic approach to it. And I think one of the strongest things that we've done is change how we work, and that has a very strong effect then on the Afghan market and on the expectations of the Afghan people."

Insurgent attacks on government officials and Afghan civilians are "absolutely a concern" for Afghan government and ISAF officials, Stack said, but recent incidents also highlight the nation's growing capability.

Following an Aug. 14 attack in which six suicide bombers killed at least 22 people during a raid on the Parwan governor's complex, Stack said, "the Afghan national security forces reacted very well ... with minimal support from us."

Within hours, the Afghan government and private organizations were working to repair damage to the provincial center, she said.

"The governor remained working throughout that day, and is working today," she added.

While IJC does not lead the effort, Stack said, several coalition members and USAID are working to train civil servants and local officials. The Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission, through the U.S. government and USAID and with sponsorship from the Afghan Civil Service Institute, has trained 16,000 civil servants nationwide, she noted.

"Germany just started a program that's focused on developing provincial councils ... to understand what it means to represent a constituency, how you run a council meeting -- just the order for minutes, for notes, for follow-up," she said.

Italy has taken similar efforts in the west, and the United Kingdom has a provincial reconstruction team in Helmand partnering directly with local officials, she added.

The Afghan government and people's performance this summer and last shows resilience and persistence, Stack said, as well as "the desire for competent administration, to be competent administrators, and to have control over governance in their area."