Elections Slideshow

Here is a link to the LVRJ about the elections operations here in Laghman: http://www.reviewjournal.com/media/slideshow/cunningham_afghanistan_090609/
Stay tuned for the Commander's thoughts on the elections.

ISAF Commander Visits PRT Kunar

PRT Kunar, with security provided by members of 2nd Platoon, India Troop, 1-221 CAV, was paid a very special visit today by the Commander of ISAF, General Stanley McCrystal (Center, tallest). Pictured to General McCrystal's left is Platoon Sergeant, SFC Cameron Anderson, along with Platoon Leader 2LT Stewart Brough to his right. SFC Anderson said he was under limited time constraints for planning and they took the General, along with other distinguished visitors, to several areas throughout the province. SFC Anderson said General McCrystal was very impressed with the Wildhorse troopers level of performance throughout the mission....Way to go guys!!

Taliban Murder and Injure Dozens in Laghman

This morning in Mehtar Lam, the Capitol of Laghman Province, a suicide bomber detonated himself and killed 23 people, and injured more than 50 others while many of them were participating in a Mecca pilgrimage ceremony at the opening of a new local mosque. The incident occured about a mile from FOB Mehtar Lam, where the blast could be heard, and within a few hundred meters of some of our soldiers, who just happened to be at an unrelated meeting with Laghman agricultural officials down the street. Fortunately, no Wildhorse soldiers were injured. The attack was a calculated attempt to assassinate government officials, the highest ranking killed being Dr. Abdullah Laghmani, who is the National Directorate of Security Deputy Director for Afghanistan. At least three other officials or former government officials were also killed, including the Governor's Executive Officer. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack very quickly through Pushtu media in Pashawar. LTC Cunningham, TF Wildhorse Commander, said of the attack: “This attack was outside of a mosque, in a crowded market area, during Ramadan. The Taliban have once again demonstrated that they have absolutely no regard for Islam, their fellow Muslims, or causing massive civilian casualties. This attack clearly reinforces the role of the US and Coalition Forces here, as we help the Afghan Security forces and Afghan Government in their struggle against these ruthless and savage criminals”. Right now we are doing our very best to help the victims and the community recover from this tragic incident and will be following up with them throughout the next few days and weeks. Go to http://www.lvrj.com/news/56741612.html to view a story on the event by the LVRJ. Updated link: http://www.lvrj.com/news/56878357.html and (Photos by SPC John Gragg, TF Wildhorse, U.S. Army)

IDP Camp Re-Visit

After some downtime following the elections, the Wildhorse made a return visit to the internally displaced person's camp in the Southwest Mehtar Lam area today. It has been learned that the camp is made up of two tribes who fled an area that is controlled by the Taliban. The local government has given permission for one of the tribes to permanently reside on the camp site and we are currently working with the government to grant permission to the other. In the mean time, we are working to address the needs of the villagers, especially getting them clean drinking water. We are also hoping to make some new friends here. We donated about 2,000 lbs of humanitarian aid made up mostly of food during the visit. A boy stands next to his village well in one photo. The well is in need of repair and does not produce sufficient water for the tribes. One tribe's Malik, or leader, addresses his tribe's issues with the government leaders in the other. The group of children are waiting to receive the humanitarian aid (Photos courtesy of LTC John Cunningham).

Tyler Elliott Visit

The Wildhorse Squadron is pleased to have filmmaker Tyler Elliott with us. Tyler received permission from the U.S. Army Pubic Affairs office in LA to make a documentary on the Squadron. This is a very rare and privileged occurrence for a unit in Afghanistan because most embeds are here gathering news stories rather than making films. This will also be a great way to document the Squadron's history. Tyler is a fellow Nevadan from the Reno area and this will be his first documentary. He arrived just in time for the elections and will be here through most of Ramadan. He will be embedded with the same Platoon the entire time with the goal of capturing Afghanistan from the soldier's perspective. Tyler hopes the film will be released in about a year.

Elections

TF Wildhorse considered the elections in Laghman Province a big success. The governor of Laghman has declared a large voter turnout during his initial assessment. Only two of the one hundred and twenty six polling stations in Laghman were closed due to Taliban interference. Most of the security planning and execution for the elections was conducted by the Afghan National Security Forces and the Independent Election Committee. TF Wildhorse played a tertiary "quick reaction force" role in order to respond to any catastrophic events, which fortunately in Laghman never happened. The photo was taken by SFC Steven Kovacs of two gentlemen displaying their "voter ink" indicating that they have cast their votes (I do not have election information or other stories from the Wildhorse elements in other provinces but I have gained contact with their representatives and will soon include their postings).

Good News Story on School Supplies Donation

TF Wildhorse assisted a local contractor with providing school supplies to a local all girl's school. Click on the link below to read the full story.

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=37697