ISAF Keeps Rolling
By Harold Hutchison

ISAF confirmed the death of one Taliban leader and announced that two others had been captured. Anwar, who had controlled a number of insurgents in Nangarhar province, was killed with four others in what ISAF reports termed a “precision strike” during an engagement with a security force.

ISAF also captured a Taliban leader responsible for kidnappings for ransom in Logar province. The unidentified leader had also planned and carried out small arms attacks against ISAF and Afghan forces.

ISAF Captures Bad Guys
By Harold Hutchison

ISAF reported capturing two Taliban leaders and a facilitator during operations across Afghanistan. The Taliban leaders and facilitator were not identified.

…Our Enemies Build Theirs Up
By Harold Hutchison

AN ALARMING REPORT
Recent news about the effects of the sequester have been damning: One carrier’s deployment has been delayed, and another carrier’s overhaul is on hold. The Army and Air Force are making their own cutbacks, and the term “hollow force” is becoming a topic of conversation again.

What Will It Mean for the Troops?
By Harold Hutchison

A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT
On 24 January, 2013, outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sat down at a press conference to announce a major change in the Department of Defense’s policy on women in combat. Women would now be allowed to serve in direct ground combat units.

Distinguished Warfare Medal Requirements Set Forth
By Harold Hutchison

The Distinguished Warfare Medal, announced on 15 February will be awarded to Airmen for actions not involving valor that still have a significant impact on combat operations, according to Air Force officials who spoke about the criteria being set to earn the new medal.

Casualties from USS Monitor Sinking
By Harold Hutchison

The Department of the Navy announced that members of the public are invited to attend the interment of two crewmen recovered from the wreck of USS Monitor. The sailors were killed when the vessel sank on 31 December, 1862.

Taliban Lose IED Expert, Leader
By Harold Hutchison

ISAF confirmed the death of a Taliban IED expert and a Taliban leader during operations in Afghanistan. This makes a total of six Taliban figures killed in the last four days.

Habib, the Taliban leader, was killed in Logar province. He had been responsible for planning attacks against Afghan and ISAF forces. He also facilitated weapons transfers. Zekaria, the IED expert, was in Kunduz province when killed. His IEDs were used in attacks against ISAF and Afghan forces.

Taliban Leaders Killed in Two Provinces
By Harold Hutchison

ISAF confirmed that two more Taliban leaders were killed during operations in Afghanistan. One Taliban leader was killed in Kunduz province in the north, while a second was killed in Logar province.

Second Taliban Leader in Two Days
By Harold Hutchison

Mohammed Akhund, a Taliban leader in Helmand province, was killed in a precision strike during operations. ISAF confirmed the death yesterday, marking the second consecutive day a Taliban leader had been killed in the province.

Akhund had been responsible for carrying out attacks on ISAF and Afghan forces, and for helping in the production and use of improvised explosive devices. It was not the only operation against an insurgent leader. A Haqqani facilitator was captured in Kandahar province by ISAF and Afghan forces.