Afghan and coalition forces targeted a Taliban leader and detained several suspected insurgents during an operation in Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province yesterday.

The targeted militant is a Pakistani-based Taliban leader, who is responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He is also involved in training and moving foreign fighters into southern Afghanistan.

The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) presented a Navy Cross to a former Marine during a ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., Feb. 11.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ned E. Seath was awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest award for valor in the Marine Corps, for his service during the Vietnam War by SECNAV Ray Mabus.

By eliminating countless enemythreats, Seath saved almost an entire company of fellow Marines.

I am heading to the Conservative Political Action Conference for the next two days. As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, I have been attending CPAC for years, including when Ronald Reagan addressed it.
You may enjoy this new report:
Reagan, the Reds, and Media Indifference to the Threat Today This tells the story of Reagan’s battle with the Hollywood Reds.

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The DUSTOFF Association’s motto is “dedicated, unhesitating support to our fighting forces.” This Task Force Phoenix Medevac Company displays this support every day in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Company C DUSTOFF, Task Force Phoenix, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, had displayed their duty, selfless service, and personal courage Feb. 3 when they evacuated a wounded Soldier from an area under fire from the enemy.

A tip generated by the 3rd Company, 1st Kandak, Afghan National Army pointed ANA and U.S. Army soldiers from Task Force Lethal to a large weapons cache in Sarmast Kheyl, Zormat District Jan. 31.

The ANA and 1st Platoon of Company C, TF Lethal, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, uncovered a significant amount of homemade explosives, improvised explosive device-making materials, several pressure plate IEDs, triggering devices for IEDs and miscellaneous IED parts.

Combat Outpost Ouellette, Helmand province, Afghanistan — U.S. Marines fired the first rounds using the Expeditionary Fire Support System during combat operations, Jan. 29. In support of the International Security Assistance Force, Marines with F Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 2, fired the new 120mm mortar system from Combat Outpost Ouellette, Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Afghan and International Security Assistance Force troops yesterday killed Awal Jan, a Taliban weapons and improvised-explosive-device facilitator, during a security operation in Chak-e District, Wardak province, military officials reported.

Awal Jan was operating in the district, supplying insurgents with weapons and improvised-explosive-device components to include explosive material for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

The initial cadre of Afghan Air Force C-27 maintenance trainers recently began teaching a second group of C-27 maintainers at the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul Feb 9.

The development of Afghan C-27 maintenance instructors further propels the "year of the Afghan trainer" initiative being highlighted by NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan officials.

On the morning of Jan. 3, soldiers with 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, attached to 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, were greeted in the western desert of Iraq by a more professional Iraqi army than many of them had ever seen.

It was the first day of a three-week conventional warfare training course for the 2-28 Infantry Battalion, 7th Iraqi Army Division, and the platoons were formed—“dress-right-dress”—on the dilapidated road leading out from their logistical support area.