An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained several suspected insurgents in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, Jan. 17.

The leader oversaw insurgents conducting direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He facilitated the transfer and delivery of weapons and IEDs to insurgents operating within the province.

Prior to his detention, he was involved in the coordination of an assassination attempt.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

South

Afghan and coalition forces detained six insurgents, located one weapons cache and cleared two improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Jan. 16.

Khowst province

Afghan National Security Forces discovered a weapons cache in Nadir Shah Kot district. The cache contained mortar rounds, ammunition and IED-making materials.

Afghan Border Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Bak district.

Laghman province

Afghan National Army soldiers found and safely cleared an IED in Mehtar Lam district.

There is a group of airmen in the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron who get a view of Afghanistan that few ever see.

They man the multiple defense towers that ring the base perimeter, armed with powerful binoculars and other hi-tech surveillance gear, looking out into the local community and watching for any threats.

“They’re responsible for watching all avenues of approach, watching for anything out of the ordinary and reporting it up,” said Staff Sgt. Richard Bruin, 455th ESFS area supervisor.

Three Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, were awarded the Air Medals with combat distinguishing devices, Jan. 7.

The awards were given for actions while serving with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Expeditionary Strike Group Five in support of joint task force Odyssey Dawn.

Forward Operating Base Mescal has no Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility. It has no Post Exchange, no laundry drop off and no post office.

Soldiers stationed here receive mail about once a month and the chow hall offers two choices at every meal: Take it or leave it.

Despite the spartan accommodations however, six National Guard Soldiers with the 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion from Yonkers, N.Y., call Forward Operating Base, or FOB, Mescal home and they are perfectly happy to do so.

Video by 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Afghan and coalition forces detained 12 insurgents and cleared one improvised explosive device during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Jan. 15.

Khowst province
Afghan Border Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Bak district.

Paktika province
Afghan National Security Forces detained four insurgents during an engagement in Yayah Khel district. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.

For the first time in early January of 2013, the Afghan National Army (ANA) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the Lithuanian-led Ghor Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT-16) participated in a joint explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operation. They neutralized 35 units of various types of explosives, which were transferred to NDS (National Directorate of Security) agents.

Counter-narcotics work continues in support of GIRoA’s policy on poppy eradication. In the last 12 months (January 2012 – December 2012) coalition forces from Regional Command (South West), often in partnership with Afghan forces, have seized a total of 79, 786 kg of drugs valued at $46, 203, 853.47.