Helo support team provides speedy delivery for Afghanistan Marines

CAMP BASTION, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Sgt. Jeremy L. Hedrick holds a “D” ring fastened to a load of provisions for delivery to a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan by a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at Camp Bastion March 13, 2009.

Hedrick is part of a helicopter support team that is tasked with preparing loads and ensuring they are rigged properly for airlift.

Hedrick’s primary duty is as an embark chief assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. SPMAGTF-A supports the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in providing security and services for the Afghan people.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)
CAMP BASTION, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Sgt. Jeremy L. Hedrick (left) and Lance Cpl. Elliot Duncan rig a load of provisions for delivery to a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan by attaching it to a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at Camp Bastion, March 13, 2009.

Duncan, who is assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 3, is part of the helicopter support team.

The HST prepares loads to be airlifted, ensuring they are properly packaged and rigged to lift by air, as well as coordinates with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), to make sure the Marines at the FOBs in Afghanistan are supplied with the materials they need to succeed.

“Our mission is to support 3/8 and ensure the Marines at the FOBs receive gear to complete their mission, as well as ensure they have food and water,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jennifer J. Alderette, the landing support platoon commander, assigned to Support Company, CLB-3.

The team has completed 65 successful air lifts since it arrived in Afghanistan in November 2008, totaling 474,425 pounds of cargo. The airlifts are used as an alternative to delivering supplies by truck when time is of the essence.

“HSTs are faster, and we’re not putting as many Marines on the ground or in danger,” Alderette said of delivering supplies by air. “It’s exciting knowing the fact that we’re supporting the Marines at the FOBs who’re out doing the fighting and working hard to accomplish the mission and we’re the ones who are here to support them. It’s our way of contributing to the fight.”

CLB-3 is the logistics combat element, and 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. SPMAGTF-A supports the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in providing security and services for the Afghan people.

Duncan is the helicopter support team noncommissioned officer assigned to Support Co., CLB-3. Hedrick is the embark chief assigned to Headquarters Company, 3/8.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)




CAMP BASTION, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – At daybreak, a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crewed by Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 lifts a load of provisions packaged by the helicopter support team for delivery to a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan, at Camp Bastion, March 13, 2009.

The HST is assigned to Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the logistics combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, and is tasked with preparing loads, ensuring they are safely rigged for airlift.

A CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopter is capable of lifting up to 32,000 pounds, but for safety purposes, HST loads average between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds.
SPMAGTF-A supports the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in providing security and services for the Afghan people.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)


CAMP BASTION, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crewed by Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 lifts a load of provisions rigged by the helicopter support team for delivery to a forward operating base in southern Afghanistan, at Camp Bastion, March 13, 2009.

The HST is assigned to Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the logistics combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, and is tasked with preparing loads, ensuring they are properly packaged and safely rigged for airlift.

A CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopter is capable of lifting up to 32,000 pounds, but for safety purposes, HST loads average between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds.
SPMAGTF-A supports the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in providing security and services for the Afghan people.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)

CMC visits Marines, sailors in Afghanistan

Date written: April 8, 2009
Story by Lance Cpl. Monty Burton

HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – With a loud and thunderous “ooh-rah,” Marines and sailors of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan greeted Gen. James T. Conway, the 34th commandant of the Marine Corps, during his visit to deployed Marines in Afghanistan April 2-7.

Conway and Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, the 16th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, visited Marines of SPMAGTF-A at Kandahar Air Field, camps Barber and Leatherneck, and Forward Operating Base Delaram. Conway was briefed on the progress of the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the ground and logistics combat elements of SPMAGTF-A.

The commandant came to the region not only to see the Marines and sailors, but also to discuss plans for the upcoming increase of Marine Corps forces in Afghanistan.

Conway also visited Lashkar Gar to meet with Helmand Provincial Governor Gulab Mangal. The two officials discussed topics concerning SPMAGTF-A’s mission in the province. At the conclusion of the meeting, Conway presented Mangal with an authentic Marine Corps walking stick.

During his visit, Conway was able to tour Camp Barber and Camp Leatherneck, which is under construction and being built to support the increased number of troops deploying to southern Afghanistan.

During his time at Camp Leatherneck, Conway had the opportunity to promote three Marines.

Cpls. Travis Zurick and Jessie Martinez, a launcher chief and communication chief with Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 14 Marine Regiment, were promoted to their current rank by Conway alongside Lance Cpl. Justin Lamb, an armor with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371.

As they made their rounds, Conway and Kent took the time to talk to the Marines while opening the forum to questions.

“You are living up to the legacy of the Marines that came before you,” Kent told the Marines. “The seventh sergeant major of the Marine Corps, Hank Black, who is nearly 90 years old, still keeps up with the Marines today. I tell Marines about him all the time because every time I see him, he tells me to tell you how proud he is of you.

“No matter how long you serve, you will always be able to carry the eagle, the globe and the anchor with you,” Kent said, referring to the emblem and the spirit of the Marine Corps.

Conway gave the Marines some patriotic and encouraging words during the visit.

“All of us joined the Marine Corps knowing that one day we would probably see some combat because that is what we do. Some of you have been to a combat zone multiple times, but that is our heritage,” Conway said.

“As I speak to Marines around the Corps, I can tell you, they are all jealous of you. The Marines back at home all want to fight for their country in Afghanistan,” he said.

While at FOB Delaram, Conway ate lunch with the Marines and sailors there. Before departing from Afghanistan, Conway had a few last words for all the Marines.

“Stay strong, keep fighting and continue to uphold the legacy of the United States Marine Corps.”

Civil Affairs, Provincial Reconstruction teams assist 3/8, improve southern Afghanistan

March 21, 2009
Story by: Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones


GOLESTAN, Farah Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – The generosity of foreign aid has found its way to the isolated villages of one southern Afghan province through the hands of the provincial government with the help of Marines.

Marines with second platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, serve in Golestan, Farah Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

They work diligently to provide security for the growing community that lives under the threat of insurgents who oppose the Afghan government and alliance forces operating there.

Afghan provincial government officials and others who befriend the Marines brave-it-out each day as they deal with the pressures of the threats against their lives and the lives of their families and fellow villagers.

Second Lt. Daniel M. Yurkovich, second platoon’s commander, meets with Golestan’s Afghan leaders regularly to address local interests, such as security and the many projects that are underway to gain the support of the community.

As the Afghan National Police and volunteers keep a strong hold on security with the help of the Yurkovich’s Marines, who conduct counterinsurgency operations in the area, foreign aid is passed through the hands of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to be invested into villages that have seen increases in security, such as Golestan.

As Yurkovich keeps the doors of communication open, a civil affairs team with 3rd Civil Affairs Group and the Provincial Reconstruction Team are working to improve the community in many ways. The PRT, which consists of military officers, diplomats and engineers, supports reconstruction efforts to help empower local governments to operate more effectively.

“(Civil affairs’) interest in Golestan is to give the local government a face,” said Cpl. Aldo J. Almazan, a civil affairs noncommissioned officer. “It’s very secluded out here, so the people don’t know their government officials and have little faith in them. (Our projects) will help the people identify with them better.”

Civil affairs Marines such as Almazan speak with locals to emphasize that the Afghan government wants to provide for its people.
“We are showing them how it is surely but slowly going to happen,” said Almazan.

With the help of Yurkovich and his Marines, the civil affairs team has a foot in the door with the Afghan community to pursue smaller, community-driven projects. In some cases, the PRT follows the civil affairs team to offer support on larger-scale projects with a high impact on Afghan communities in the long term.

Brad D. Arsenault, a U.S. Agency for International Development representative for Farah Province, recently visited Golestan with PRT associates. Arsenault is part of an integrated team with the PRT that works with the U.S. departments of State and Agriculture.
“The four of us together are trying to pool our resources and get the best effects out of what we are doing,” Arsenault said of the teamwork between the organizations.

Arsenault’s job is to take a firsthand look at the projects going on in Golestan and report back to his command with recommendations.

“I really appreciate how the Marines work in small groups and get out most everyday,” said Arsenault. “They have good rapport with the district governor, census officer, district prosecutor and all the key leaders. It’s real impressive.”

Members of the civil affairs team and PRT held a meeting with leading local government officials March 13, 2009, to determine the progress of current projects and prospects of new ones. They discussed the attitudes of the locals and to whom their loyalty belongs.

The subgovernor worries that the people who don’t receive jobs through the reconstruction contracts may turn to the insurgency to find income, and he also worries that the people will expect their government to continue to provide as much for them, though there are limited funds.

“There are not a lot of jobs, and sometimes people go down the wrong route,” said Qasim Khan, the district subgovernor, as translated by an interpreter.

Concerned about security, Khan went on to warn Yurkovich of the upcoming poppy harvest and the ensuing security threat.

The poppy harvest will last approximately 18 days, and jobs are estimated to increase from 300 to 3,000 during that time, giving the people a chance to increase their income tenfold. The insurgents depend on the harvest and are not likely to back down, according to Khan.

The topic that took precedence during the meeting was the 11 schools within the district. It was determined that four of them were in good condition, while the rest needed renovating. The PRT wants to improve the structures for long-term use. The schools are also in dire need of provincial government support to supply the students with school books and other supplies.

“Before, kids feared going to school and now that they are going to school we face the problem of not having enough school books,” said Amir Mohammed, the district prosecutor. “The less books they have, the less people come to the school.”

Mohammed went on to say that education must be a top priority to help solve issues in the long run. He said although the food assistance the provincial government is providing is nice, it would be education that would ultimately solve the problem of hunger in such communities.

Marines of second platoon escorted the civil affairs and the PRT members through the city March 12, 2009, to conduct site surveys of the schools, health clinic and bazaar.

They talked to locals about their businesses and the positive effects the new projects are having on the community.

Civil affairs Marines are currently involved in projects such as the cleanup of the local bazaar, facilitating a trash pickup, road construction and a new drainage system for the bazaar. The Marines and civilians who make up the PRT were pleased to see the progress made in Golestan and have additionally begun plans to install solar-powered street lamps and public restrooms in the bazaar.

“The people are happy that you are here and that you are focused on the bazaar because it is the center of the community,” said Khan.

Golestan has seen notable security increases but still faces an insurgent threat. However, it is not stopping the provincial government, Afghan security forces and Marines from providing for the people. Civil affairs, the PRT and the provincial government will continue to push forward with their assistance.

Future projects already in the works include: the distribution of 85 tons of wheat, the donation of live chickens, passing out material assistance items and installing a local radio station in the city. Each of these initiatives is based on Afghan needs.

“What we don’t want to do is impose American standards and ideals on the community,” said Capt. Anthony R. Ward, a team leader with 3rd CAG.