Visa delayed for Afghan translator who helped Medal of Honor recipient
FoxNews.com
By Justin Fishel, Jennifer Griffin
Published August 12, 2013
Never leave a fallen comrade behind. That's the creed Sgt. Dakota Meyer -- later given the Medal of Honor for his actions -- was living by when he recovered four dead Americans in the Ganjgal Valley of Afghanistan during a deadly Taliban ambush.
And it's the creed he cites today as he speaks out to try to save the life of a friend and comrade trapped in Afghanistan.
An Afghan translator, who goes only by "Hafez" to protect his identity, fought alongside Meyer that day in September 2009 and has been waiting three years for a special visa that would allow him to live in the United States. Meyer fears that his application is being caught up in bureaucratic red tape and that if Hafez doesn't leave Afghanistan soon, he will be left behind.
Meyer says the Taliban has a target on Hafez's back, and that his life is in serious danger. The situation is made worse, Meyer says, by the fact that Hafez has been waiting for so long to get into the United States.
read more here
Showing posts with label Afghan civilian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghan civilian. Show all posts
Monday, August 12, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
Afghan teenager fatally stabs US soldier
UDATE 6:40
Brother: Slain Fort Campbell soldier prepared for 'anything'
Apr. 1, 2013
Written by
BRETT BARROUQUERE, Associated Press
By KIM GAMEL,
Associated Press
To Cable’s brother, 42-year-old Raymond Johnston of Owensboro, it now seems like the soldier had an idea he might not survive.
“After learning everything I’ve learned … Maybe he knew about what he was getting into and how dangerous it was,” Johnston said. “He was able to communicate to the family about if the worst was supposed to happen, what we were supposed to do.”
Cable, 26, of Philpot in western Kentucky, died March 24. The Army said he was attacked by enemy forces. Johnston told The Associated Press on Monday that someone sneaked up behind his brother and stabbed him in the neck while he worked guard duty in Shinwar, near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. read more here
Brother: Slain Fort Campbell soldier prepared for 'anything'
Apr. 1, 2013
Written by
BRETT BARROUQUERE, Associated Press
By KIM GAMEL,
Associated Press
FILE - In this March 28, 2013 file photo, U.S. Army and Air Force officers say a prayer beside the transfer case containing the remains of Army Sgt. Michael Cable, 26, of Philpot, Ky., to a transfer vehicle at Dover Air Force Base, Del. An Afghan teenager killed Cable in eastern Afghanistan by stabbing him in the neck while he played with a group of local children, officials said Monday, April 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) / APLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Before leaving for Afghanistan, Army Sgt. Michael C. Cable quietly met with several family members and relayed to them the hazards of his upcoming deployment. The meetings were unusual because Cable didn’t talk much about what happened on his previous tour of duty in Iraq.
To Cable’s brother, 42-year-old Raymond Johnston of Owensboro, it now seems like the soldier had an idea he might not survive.
“After learning everything I’ve learned … Maybe he knew about what he was getting into and how dangerous it was,” Johnston said. “He was able to communicate to the family about if the worst was supposed to happen, what we were supposed to do.”
Cable, 26, of Philpot in western Kentucky, died March 24. The Army said he was attacked by enemy forces. Johnston told The Associated Press on Monday that someone sneaked up behind his brother and stabbed him in the neck while he worked guard duty in Shinwar, near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. read more here
Afghan teenager fatally stabs US soldier
By KIM GAMEL
The Associated Press
Published: April 1, 2013
KABUL -- Senior U.S. military officials say an Afghan teenager has killed an American soldier in eastern Afghanistan by stabbing him in the neck.
Two officials said Monday that Sgt. Michael Cable, 26, was guarding a meeting of Afghan and U.S. officials in Nangarhar province when the stabbing occurred.
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Sunday, October 14, 2012
'IED Whisperer' a lifesaver in Afghanistan
This is a great example of how our soldiers are there trying to save lives but the Taliban are there to take lives, no matter who gets killed.
'IED Whisperer' a lifesaver in Afghanistan
Staff Sgt. Kelly Rogne, who serves with a battalion from Joint Base Lewis McChord, is known as the "IED whisperer" for his ability to find the makeshift bombs that have extracted such a deadly toll in Afghanistan.
By Hal Bernton
Seattle Times staff reporter
Saturday, October 13, 2012
On a September patrol in Afghanistan's Panjwai District, Staff Sgt. Kelly Rogne of Colville uses a metal detector to search for improvised explosive devices.
BABINEK, Afghanistan — Staff Sgt. Kelly Rogne walked down a dusty village road, rhythmically swinging a metal detector that resembled an oversized hockey stick.
He led a column of more than 20 soldiers past deep-green fields of marijuana that surround this village in Panjwai district, traditional homeland of the Taliban.
To defend this turf, Taliban fighters have seeded Babinek and other areas with dense concentrations of bombs, creating one of the most perilous patrol grounds U.S. soldiers have encountered during more than 11 years of war in Afghanistan.
Rogne, 36, from Colville, Stevens County, has displayed an uncanny ability to find these improvised explosive devices (IEDs). He uses technology, tracking skills and intuition honed by careful study of past bomb placements.
Some call Rogne the "IED Whisperer."
On an early September patrol out of Combat Outpost Mushan, Rogne located 29 IEDs through the course of a painstaking, eight-hour movement across less than a kilometer of road, an accomplishment relayed through the chain of command to Pentagon generals.
Staff Sgt. Caleb Duncan, of Vancouver, Wash., recalls one child, a triple amputee, who was brought to battalion soldiers for medical care.
Duncan said it was one of the worst things he has seen in this war. "You don't have to speak to put out the message: 'Look, the Americans didn't do this, the Taliban did.' " read more here
Friday, March 30, 2012
Sgt. Dennis Weichel's body being flown home after saving child
Army sergeant who gave life to save Afghan child being flown home for burial
Published March 29, 2012
FoxNews.com
An Army sergeant and father of three from Rhode Island who gave his life to save an Afghan child from being run over by a 16-ton armored fighting vehicle is being flown back to the U.S. and will be buried Monday.
Sgt. Dennis Weichel, 29, died in Afghanistan last week after he dashed into the path of an armored fighting vehicle to scoop up the little girl, who had darted back into the roadway to pick up shell casings, according to the Army. Weichel, a Rhode Island National Guardsman, was riding in the convoy in Laghman Province in eastern Afghanistan when he jumped out to save the girl, who was unhurt.
“He would have done it for anybody,” Staff Sgt. Ronald Corbett, who deployed with Weichel to Iraq in 2005, said in a quote posted on the U.S. Army website. “That was the way he was. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was that type of guy.”
read more here
‘Hero’ Rhode Island National Guardsman Gives Life to Save Afghan Girl
Wake for RI soldier killed in Afghanistan
Published March 29, 2012
FoxNews.com
An Army sergeant and father of three from Rhode Island who gave his life to save an Afghan child from being run over by a 16-ton armored fighting vehicle is being flown back to the U.S. and will be buried Monday.
Sgt. Dennis Weichel, 29, died in Afghanistan last week after he dashed into the path of an armored fighting vehicle to scoop up the little girl, who had darted back into the roadway to pick up shell casings, according to the Army. Weichel, a Rhode Island National Guardsman, was riding in the convoy in Laghman Province in eastern Afghanistan when he jumped out to save the girl, who was unhurt.
“He would have done it for anybody,” Staff Sgt. Ronald Corbett, who deployed with Weichel to Iraq in 2005, said in a quote posted on the U.S. Army website. “That was the way he was. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was that type of guy.”
read more here
‘Hero’ Rhode Island National Guardsman Gives Life to Save Afghan Girl
Wake for RI soldier killed in Afghanistan
Thursday, March 29, 2012
‘Hero’ Rhode Island National Guardsman Gives Life to Save Afghan Girl
‘Hero’ U.S. Soldier Gives Life to Save Afghan Girl
By Luis Martinez
Mar 29, 2012
It is a compelling war-zone story of heroism of a U.S. soldier who gave his own life to save an Afghan girl from certain injury.
Sgt. Dennis Weichel, 29, died in Afghanistan last week as he lifted an Afghan girl who was in the path of a large military vehicle barreling down a road.
Weichel, a Rhode Island National Guardsman, was riding along in a convoy in Laghman Province in eastern Afghanistan when some children were spotted on the road ahead.
read more here
By Luis Martinez
Mar 29, 2012
It is a compelling war-zone story of heroism of a U.S. soldier who gave his own life to save an Afghan girl from certain injury.
Sgt. Dennis Weichel, 29, died in Afghanistan last week as he lifted an Afghan girl who was in the path of a large military vehicle barreling down a road.
Weichel, a Rhode Island National Guardsman, was riding along in a convoy in Laghman Province in eastern Afghanistan when some children were spotted on the road ahead.
read more here
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
US Marine putting shoes on kids in Afghanistan
U.S. Church and U.S. Marine Give Shoes to Thousands of Shoeless Afghan Kids
MADERA, Calif., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In the coming months, Afghan children will be provided with shoes and flip flops by a United States Marine on active duty.
Jon Ginn is a Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt). He is serving with 3rd Battalion 4th Marines in their weapons company. He is stationed in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Before his departure, he and his wife Renee believed that there was a specific purpose for his deployment in addition to what was mission specific. Upon his platoon's arrival, he met many children who were without footwear of any kind in the 100+ degree heat.
All of the children in this region are living in a harsh climate and are forced to walk on rough terrain on a daily basis. In his interactions with the children and locals, Jon saw the need and had compassion on the children.
He took it upon himself to tell his wife, who spoke to Karl Roth, Pastor of Flipside Church. Roth said the church "supports our men and women of our armed forces and is proud to have a Marine meeting needs of children in the battle zone." Their church (Flipside Christian Church in Madera, CA) has been collecting and packaging over 4,000 flip flops to send to his battalion so Jon can hand them out to the Afghan children. Flipside's children's summer Vacation Bible School shared the idea with the children attending the summer program. The children were challenged to bring flip flops to send to other children half way around the world. The kids of Flipside brought in 2,000 flip flops in one weeks time to be sent to the kids in Afghanistan!
Because of shipping charges, a large parcel of the sandals will be sent to Jon later this month. Anyone from the public is allowed to donate flip flops or contribute monetarily to the delivery.
For information about sending flip flops to Afghanistan, contact Flipside Church at 559-790-0061 or karl@acts176.com Website www.acts176.com
MADERA, Calif., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In the coming months, Afghan children will be provided with shoes and flip flops by a United States Marine on active duty.
Jon Ginn is a Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt). He is serving with 3rd Battalion 4th Marines in their weapons company. He is stationed in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Before his departure, he and his wife Renee believed that there was a specific purpose for his deployment in addition to what was mission specific. Upon his platoon's arrival, he met many children who were without footwear of any kind in the 100+ degree heat.
All of the children in this region are living in a harsh climate and are forced to walk on rough terrain on a daily basis. In his interactions with the children and locals, Jon saw the need and had compassion on the children.
He took it upon himself to tell his wife, who spoke to Karl Roth, Pastor of Flipside Church. Roth said the church "supports our men and women of our armed forces and is proud to have a Marine meeting needs of children in the battle zone." Their church (Flipside Christian Church in Madera, CA) has been collecting and packaging over 4,000 flip flops to send to his battalion so Jon can hand them out to the Afghan children. Flipside's children's summer Vacation Bible School shared the idea with the children attending the summer program. The children were challenged to bring flip flops to send to other children half way around the world. The kids of Flipside brought in 2,000 flip flops in one weeks time to be sent to the kids in Afghanistan!
Because of shipping charges, a large parcel of the sandals will be sent to Jon later this month. Anyone from the public is allowed to donate flip flops or contribute monetarily to the delivery.
For information about sending flip flops to Afghanistan, contact Flipside Church at 559-790-0061 or karl@acts176.com Website www.acts176.com
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Drought and hunger hit Afghanistan hard
Drought and hunger hit Afghanistan hard
by Ethan Cole, Christian Post
Posted: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 10:12 (GMT)
Drought-stricken and internally displaced, many Afghans can’t even be sure of one good meal a day for themselves and their family, says Church World Service.
"Life continues to be difficult for all Afghans, but the tens of thousands of displaced Afghans and returnees from Pakistan and Iran are particularly at risk," says CWS Asia and Pacific Region Coordinator Marvin Parvez, who has also directed the CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan programme.
The most severe drought in a decade has only deepened the Afghanistan's food crisis. Oxfam International estimated last autumn that five million people in Afghanistan would face severe food shortages this winter.
In response to the dire needs, the US-based Church World Service will provide immediate assistance to the most vulnerable in three hard-hit provinces – Nangarhar, Takhar, and Laghman.
go here for more
http://icasualties.org/oef/
by Ethan Cole, Christian Post
Posted: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 10:12 (GMT)
Drought-stricken and internally displaced, many Afghans can’t even be sure of one good meal a day for themselves and their family, says Church World Service.
"Life continues to be difficult for all Afghans, but the tens of thousands of displaced Afghans and returnees from Pakistan and Iran are particularly at risk," says CWS Asia and Pacific Region Coordinator Marvin Parvez, who has also directed the CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan programme.
The most severe drought in a decade has only deepened the Afghanistan's food crisis. Oxfam International estimated last autumn that five million people in Afghanistan would face severe food shortages this winter.
In response to the dire needs, the US-based Church World Service will provide immediate assistance to the most vulnerable in three hard-hit provinces – Nangarhar, Takhar, and Laghman.
go here for more
http://icasualties.org/oef/
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Troops Teaching Afghan farmers modern techniques
Teaching Afghan farmers modern techniques
GHAZNI, Afghanistan
By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Oct 26, 2008 15:49:29 EDT
The $172,000, 53-acre Jungal Bagh demonstration farm north of town is a refreshingly green patch of land that soon will become a centerpiece of an effort to bring local farmers out of the dark ages.
The farm will have a power generation system, cool storage capability, a greenhouse, a cistern, an orchard, row crops and beehives, giving local farmers a place to learn new, more efficient and productive techniques. The Texas National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team is developing the project.
“We want to transfer technology and techniques to the local farmers,” said Maj. Conan Martin, the agribusiness team chief, who has a background in biology, chemistry and pharmaceuticals.
That will enable farmers, who make up at least 70 percent of the population, to move from subsistence farming to productive farming, Martin said.
go here for more and for video
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/army_afghan_demofarm_102608w/
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Afghanistan:Family threatens suicide after daughter's rape
Family threatens suicide after daughter's rape
The young Afghan girl sits in the center of the room, weeping. Using her hand and her blue scarf to hide her face, she recounts how she was brutally raped by five gunmen. Her family members threaten to commit suicide unless the rapists are caught and punished. Activists say the young girl's tragic story is a common one in war-ravaged Afghanistan. full story
The young Afghan girl sits in the center of the room, weeping. Using her hand and her blue scarf to hide her face, she recounts how she was brutally raped by five gunmen. Her family members threaten to commit suicide unless the rapists are caught and punished. Activists say the young girl's tragic story is a common one in war-ravaged Afghanistan. full story
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