Feral Jundi

Monday, February 9, 2009

Afghanistan: Blast Kills Two Contractors

Filed under: Afghanistan — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 9:39 AM

   Sad deal, and the point to bring up in this story, is booby trapping IED’s with remote detonation of that IED.  In Iraq and elsewhere, it is very common to have an attack, followed up with an attack.  The point is to draw in the QRF or emergency folks, or draw in folks who think the bomb is defused, and then initiate the secondary bomb.  It is very difficult to defend against, and a common tactic of the bomber.  Rest in peace, and my heart goes out to the families of the deceased and injured.  –Matt 

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Afghan blast kills two US nationals

February 8, 2009

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) — A bomb killed four people, including two US nationals, in Afghanistan’s southern province of Helmand Sunday, a police commander said, in an attack claimed by the Taliban.

The explosion was in the dangerous Nad Ali district, one of Afghanistan’s main opium-growing areas, where Taliban insurgents are said to earn money by protecting the lucrative crop from US-backed efforts to eliminate it.

The US and NATO-led military forces confirmed the blast but not the casualties.

The group had been checking an improvised explosive device that they believed had been defused, Helmand deputy police chief Kamalodin Khan told AFP.

(more…)

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Government Work: New DS Position–Security Protection Specialist for OCONUS

Filed under: Government Work — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 9:15 PM

New DS Position

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security will soon announce a challenging new employment opportunity! The position may be posted the week of February 9, 2009.

The Security Protective Specialist (SPS) position will be advertised at the FP-3 and FP-4 levels for service at high threat posts overseas, to include Iraq and Afghanistan. These positions will be Limited Non-Career Appointments which are annually renewable to a maximum of 5 years.

SPS functions will be primarily focused on the protection of U.S. officials by augmenting DS Special Agents in protective operations and providing oversight to security contract personnel. Persons with current or recent experience in PSD operations, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be encouraged to apply.

Additional information will be forthcoming. Please watch this space for updates and once the position description is announced, you may access it through www.usajobs.opm.gov.

Story Here

Pay Scale for Job Here 

Edit:  The pay scale at OPM is old, I put up a newer one from State.  Just re-click the link. 

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

History: The Logistics Nightmare of the Soviets in Afghanistan

Filed under: Afghanistan,History — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 2:06 PM

Soviets Helicopter in Afghanistan

“The war was a contest by both sides to control the other’s logistics. The Soviet lines of communication (LOC) were a double lane highway network which wound through the Hindu Kush Mountains – some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth. The Soviet presence depended on its ability to keep the roads open. Much of the Soviet combat in Afghanistan was a fight for control of the road network. The resistance destroyed over 11,000 Soviet trucks. The DRA truck losses were reportedly higher. The Mujahideen ability to interdict the LOC was a constant concern to the Soviet and prevented them from maintaining a larger occupation force in Afghanistan.”

 

PDF File Here for Report on Soviet Lessons in Afghanistan

 

 

Legal News: Don Ayala Pleads Guilty, Sentencing Set for May

Filed under: Afghanistan,Legal News — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 12:15 PM

    Let’s hope the judge recognizes Ayala’s service to country during the sentencing hearing.  He has admitted guilt to voluntary manslaughter, but that does not mean that the rest of his contribution to this country should not be recognized.  Tough deal all the way around.  –Matt

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Afghanistan Contractor Pleads Guilty to Killing Man Who Burned Co-Worker

By Martin Weil

Washington Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, February 4, 2009; A06

A civilian contractor pleaded guilty yesterday to voluntary manslaughter in the killing in Afghanistan of a man who set the contractor’s co-worker on fire, prosecutors said.

(more…)

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Afghanistan: Militants Sever U.S., NATO Supply Line

Filed under: Afghanistan — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 10:44 AM

   Boy, isn’t this warfare 101, where you must protect your supply chain if you want to press forward in the fight?  Obviously the militants recognized the value of taking out this bridge, and I am just curious why there wasn’t a Pakistani or private force guarding the thing?   And if we don’t trust these forces, and we can’t send troops over there to do it ourselves, then at least use our surveillance capability (like Task Force ODIN maybe?) to watch the bridge and give the appropriate forces a heads up?  If we are getting 75% of our supplies and fuel from Pakistan, and that stuff is only going through a few routes, then hey, we need to ramp up the security on this stuff.  And with thousands of more troops expected to come into the country by summer, logistics protection must get squared away now.  Thanks to Doug for finding this article.  –Matt 

 Edit:  And check out this news which I attached below this story.  The timing of both of these incidents are interesting.

 “Kyrgyzstan is ending U.S. use of a key airbase that supports military operations in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan’s president was quoted as saying Tuesday.” Read the rest below.

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Militants sever U.S., NATO supply line

NATO spokesman says alliance in no danger of running out of food, fuel

The Associated Press

updated 8:14 a.m. PT, Tues., Feb. 3, 2009

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Islamist militants blew up a bridge in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, cutting a major supply line for Western troops in Afghanistan in the latest in a series of attacks on the Khyber Pass by insurgents seeking to hamper the U.S.-led mission against the Taliban.

(more…)

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