Operation Enduring Freedom
Featured in Stars and Stripes, Took it around 10 am, Cliff top approximately 300 ft. Manas "Gancy AFB" Kyrgyzstan , Photo donated by Justin Fales
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After the attacks of 9-11, numerous units were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Security Forces were present in Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan and numerous other countries. On September 18, 2001, Congress authorized President George W. Bush to ―use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.‖ The Taliban government of Afghanistan harbored the organizations that attacked the United States. President Bush requested their cooperation in apprehending the terrorists and bringing them to justice. No response was received from Mullah Omar, the leader of the Taliban government by the President‘s October 7, 2001, deadline. The President addressed the nation and announced that he had ordered an attack on Afghanistan‘s Taliban regime. The President noted that ―this military action is a part of our campaign against terrorism, another front in a war that has already been joined through diplomacy, intelligence, the freezing of financial assets and the arrests of known terrorists by law enforcement agents in 38 countries. On December 16, 2001, the military launched an operation against the Taliban called Operation Enduring Freedom. Personnel On December 16, 2001, members of the 86th Contingency Response Group (CRG), including the 786 SFS, from Ramstein AB, Germany, labored in the bitter cold to build a base from scratch at Manas International Airport, in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan. Within three months, 200 tents were set up and more than 12 million pounds of cargo and over 1,000 troops were processed. Along with performing force protection duties on base, they went outside the wire patrolling nearby villages to conduct counter insurgency operations aimed at deterring stand-off attacks and developing a rapport with the villagers. In Uzbekistan, the 416th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron (ESFS) secured Air Force resources at Karshi-Khanabad AB. Security Forces deployments to Afghanistan proper accelerated as the Taliban were driven from power and the Air Force moved to bases in country. At Bagram, a former Soviet airfield about 27 miles north of Kabul, the 445th AEW moved in and its 455th ESFS became responsible for base security. Text from AFMAN31-201V1 9 AUGUST 2010 |
SFS/AFOSI Edet 2413 - Task Force Black
Two Airmen and their DogsBomb dogs are integral to the NATO mission in Afghanistan. By clearing routes of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and sniffing out other explosive ordinance, they're helping to save the lives of coalition and Afghan forces. This film looks at the relationship between two handlers and their canines. Includes sound bites from Staff Sgt Tim Castillo and Staff Sgt Witney Young, U.S. Air Force 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.
Video of the 755th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron patrolling and interacting with local villagers in Afghanistan. Video by Master Sgt. Jun Kim | 455th Air Expeditionary Wing | Date: 03.11.2013
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Defenders on the LineAirmen of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron are responsible for securing the perimeter of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, and keeping its personnel safe.
755th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. Video by Master Sgt. Jun Kim | 455th Air Expeditionary Wing | Date: 02.26.2013. B-roll of the 755th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron repairing a well at a local village, installing a Afghan national police guard post and patrols.
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Senior Airman Shea Dodson
It was another hot and sunny day at Phoenix Base in Baghdad and Senior Airman Shea Dodson wanted to do more than his assigned administrative duties inside Baghdad’s “Green Zone.” The call was out for volunteers to provide security for ongoing convoys, so Airman Dodson raised his hand. After some intense just-in-time training, he was performing security detail for his first convoy. On his first mission, Airman Dodson put his training to good use. When a suspected vehicle-born suicide bomber raced toward the convoy, he fired .50 caliber rounds into the engine block no fewer than four-times, disabling the vehicle just as he was trained to do.
During the same mission, his unit became mired in traffic near a high-rise development. His eagle eyes noticed movement from above. An Iraqi male armed with an AK-47 was creeping toward the edge of a balcony overlooking the convoy. Airman Dodson immediately engaged with indirect warning fire from his M-16, hitting the wall next to the suspected insurgent’s head. The armed Iraqi dove for cover and never reappeared. When the convoy arrived at its final destination, a children’s school, he continued to do as trained and performed a complete security sweep of the perimeter houses (interior and exterior) to ensure they were clear. Airman Dodson remained on armed watch as his team handed out school supplies to the kids in the open courtyard adjacent to the school. By 2 p.m. that same day, Airman Dodson was back at his desk, keeping track of critical data for the commanding general of the Mulit-National Security Command – Iraq (MNSTC-I) – it was all in a day’s work for this dedicated Airman.
US AIr Force Profiles in Courage V1
During the same mission, his unit became mired in traffic near a high-rise development. His eagle eyes noticed movement from above. An Iraqi male armed with an AK-47 was creeping toward the edge of a balcony overlooking the convoy. Airman Dodson immediately engaged with indirect warning fire from his M-16, hitting the wall next to the suspected insurgent’s head. The armed Iraqi dove for cover and never reappeared. When the convoy arrived at its final destination, a children’s school, he continued to do as trained and performed a complete security sweep of the perimeter houses (interior and exterior) to ensure they were clear. Airman Dodson remained on armed watch as his team handed out school supplies to the kids in the open courtyard adjacent to the school. By 2 p.m. that same day, Airman Dodson was back at his desk, keeping track of critical data for the commanding general of the Mulit-National Security Command – Iraq (MNSTC-I) – it was all in a day’s work for this dedicated Airman.
US AIr Force Profiles in Courage V1
Staff Sergeant Deante Brooks
Staff Sergeant Deante Brooks deployed to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan in 2010 as a member of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. On May 19, while performing a security sweep of the perimeter of the airfield, Sergeant Brooks and a Security Forces teammate were stopped by a pair of U.S. Marines. The Marines warned Sergeant Brooks and his partner that unidentified individuals were approaching the base, crossing barriers and terrain at an alarming rate. Swiftly, Sergeant Brooks and his wingman, along with their Marine comrades, selected a course of action.
The group realized they must engage the enemy. As the four Americans approached barriers being used as cover by the insurgents, they began taking enemy fire. The improvised team returned fire, but the two Marines were forced to fall back. Sergeant Brooks, meanwhile, was still engaged with the combatants when he heard a scream; his wingman had been injured by a grenade.
Though still under fire, Sergeant Brooks began providing emergency first aid to the Airman. As news of additional belligerents approaching the perimeter circulated, Sergeant Brooks realized he must get his teammate to safety immediately. Sergeant Brooks raced to the base hospital with the wounded Airman, providing assistance and reassurance along the way. Once he ensured that the injured Airman arrived safely at the medical facility, Sergeant Brooks refocused his attention. He mounted his vehicle and returned to the fight, manning a 50-caliber machine gun until a helicopter arrived to provide aerial reinforcement.
US Air Force Profiles in Courage V5
The group realized they must engage the enemy. As the four Americans approached barriers being used as cover by the insurgents, they began taking enemy fire. The improvised team returned fire, but the two Marines were forced to fall back. Sergeant Brooks, meanwhile, was still engaged with the combatants when he heard a scream; his wingman had been injured by a grenade.
Though still under fire, Sergeant Brooks began providing emergency first aid to the Airman. As news of additional belligerents approaching the perimeter circulated, Sergeant Brooks realized he must get his teammate to safety immediately. Sergeant Brooks raced to the base hospital with the wounded Airman, providing assistance and reassurance along the way. Once he ensured that the injured Airman arrived safely at the medical facility, Sergeant Brooks refocused his attention. He mounted his vehicle and returned to the fight, manning a 50-caliber machine gun until a helicopter arrived to provide aerial reinforcement.
US Air Force Profiles in Courage V5
Staff Sergeant Jason Kimberling
Staff Sergeant Jason Kimberling, a Security Forces Airman, deployed for a 365- day TDY to Afghanistan as a Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team member. On August 8, 2006, while providing embedded force protection for a convoy, his team assisted the Afghan National Police (ANP) and Afghan National Army (ANA) in repelling a Taliban attack at a highway checkpoint. As the convoy approached the checkpoint, 100 well-trained and equipped foreign fighters unleashed an intense ambush with rocket-propelled grenades (RPG), small
arms and machine gun fire against Coalition forces in Ebrahimkel Village.
His position was struck by an RPG, knocking him to the ground. Sergeant Kimberling soon recovered from the blast and, while exposing himself to a barrage of gunfire, eliminated two enemy fighters advancing on his position. Sergeant Kimberling’s position was struck again by machine gun fire. He directed the ANP troops to lay down a barrage of cover fire. They fired light anti-tank weapons and RPGs, destroying the enemy’s bunker and neutralizing the attack.
Enemy gunners continued to hound the convoy. Sergeant Kimberling directed ANA forces to secure the left flank when a small Taliban force pinned down the convoy. Exposing himself again to enemy fire, Sergeant Kimberling coordinated close air support which finally defeated the enemy attack.
Sergeant Kimberling’s heroic actions eliminated approximately 20 enemy fighters and saved the lives of three dozen U.S. and Afghani military and police forces.
arms and machine gun fire against Coalition forces in Ebrahimkel Village.
His position was struck by an RPG, knocking him to the ground. Sergeant Kimberling soon recovered from the blast and, while exposing himself to a barrage of gunfire, eliminated two enemy fighters advancing on his position. Sergeant Kimberling’s position was struck again by machine gun fire. He directed the ANP troops to lay down a barrage of cover fire. They fired light anti-tank weapons and RPGs, destroying the enemy’s bunker and neutralizing the attack.
Enemy gunners continued to hound the convoy. Sergeant Kimberling directed ANA forces to secure the left flank when a small Taliban force pinned down the convoy. Exposing himself again to enemy fire, Sergeant Kimberling coordinated close air support which finally defeated the enemy attack.
Sergeant Kimberling’s heroic actions eliminated approximately 20 enemy fighters and saved the lives of three dozen U.S. and Afghani military and police forces.
Technical Sergeant Dustin Goodwin
In November 2010, while deployed to a forward operating base in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on a joint tasking with the Army, Technical Sergeant Dustin Goodwin repelled a three-hour complex attack against his base. Twenty enemy insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades, PG-7s, AK-47s, PKM light machine guns, hand grenades, and suicide vests stormed the outer base perimeter. One RPG exploded directly in front of Sergeant Goodwin on the perimeter wall. Unfazed, Sergeant Goodwin engaged the enemy and killed one fighter armed with an AK-47 rifle. Moments later, enemy fighters just 10 meters from Sergeant Goodwin and his team threw a hand grenade which landed and exploded just to the rear of their position. The blast threw the entire fire team against the perimeter wall. They were then attacked with more than 200 rounds of enemy fire.
Despite being dazed from the explosion, Sergeant Goodwin and his team continued to engage the enemy and repel the attack. Soon another explosion, this time from an RPG, detonated against the wall by Sergeant Goodwin. Again, there was another onslaught of enemy fire. Sergeant Goodwin and his fire team stood fast until an enemy hand grenade was thrown over the wall, wounding four U.S. forces, including two of from Sergeant Goodwin’s team. Recognizing the situation was becoming more dangerous by the moment, Sergeant Goodwin risked his life by leaning over the wall, engaging and killing the two enemy fighters below who had thrown the hand grenades. Now with some breathing room, he teamed with his U.S. Army counterparts and radioed for close air support.
A “Danger Close” situation was authorized, and Apache Helicopters engaged the enemy, as close as 10 meters from Sergeant Goodwin’s position. At last, the enemy was defeated and the base perimeter held fast. Sergeant Goodwin’s leadership and courage under fire turned the tide of the battle. The after action report revealed that enemy forces still had more than 26 hand grenades, three RPG-7s, 20 PG-7s, four AK-47s, three PKMs and five suicide vests. Sergeant Goodwin’s position was credited with nine enemy personnel killed. Sergeant Goodwin was personally credited with three.
For his extraordinary actions, dedication to mission accomplishment, and service to his country, Sergeant Goodwin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal, and the Army Combat Action Badge.
US Air Force Profiles In Courage Volume VI
It was AM before light. I'm glad I spent time and knew the guys (Team Vikings ) I deployed with. With out prior preparation for our deployment and organizing our battle plans when we got there; one of us for sure would have died. I have always told my friends, troops, and students; "If you surrounded yourself with greatness, that's what you'll become." Dustin "Goody" Goodwin Viking 2
Despite being dazed from the explosion, Sergeant Goodwin and his team continued to engage the enemy and repel the attack. Soon another explosion, this time from an RPG, detonated against the wall by Sergeant Goodwin. Again, there was another onslaught of enemy fire. Sergeant Goodwin and his fire team stood fast until an enemy hand grenade was thrown over the wall, wounding four U.S. forces, including two of from Sergeant Goodwin’s team. Recognizing the situation was becoming more dangerous by the moment, Sergeant Goodwin risked his life by leaning over the wall, engaging and killing the two enemy fighters below who had thrown the hand grenades. Now with some breathing room, he teamed with his U.S. Army counterparts and radioed for close air support.
A “Danger Close” situation was authorized, and Apache Helicopters engaged the enemy, as close as 10 meters from Sergeant Goodwin’s position. At last, the enemy was defeated and the base perimeter held fast. Sergeant Goodwin’s leadership and courage under fire turned the tide of the battle. The after action report revealed that enemy forces still had more than 26 hand grenades, three RPG-7s, 20 PG-7s, four AK-47s, three PKMs and five suicide vests. Sergeant Goodwin’s position was credited with nine enemy personnel killed. Sergeant Goodwin was personally credited with three.
For his extraordinary actions, dedication to mission accomplishment, and service to his country, Sergeant Goodwin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal, and the Army Combat Action Badge.
US Air Force Profiles In Courage Volume VI
It was AM before light. I'm glad I spent time and knew the guys (Team Vikings ) I deployed with. With out prior preparation for our deployment and organizing our battle plans when we got there; one of us for sure would have died. I have always told my friends, troops, and students; "If you surrounded yourself with greatness, that's what you'll become." Dustin "Goody" Goodwin Viking 2
Personal Experiences
Manas "Gancy AFB" Kyrgyzstan
John Rathsack- "I was there 9 months...Sept 2005-May 2006....right when the people overthrew the Russian president of Kyrgyzstan...A lot of different things happened while I was there...As a TSgt I was mostly on the outer patrols...We were called to back up the other outer patrol on a suspicious vehicle in the wood line near the Base Fence line. The first patrol leader deemed nothing was suspicious about the lone young Russian born Kyrgi in the woods all by himself in the middle of the night...He told the translator to let him go...I asked if they did a search of the area and he said no...I told them to standby as I took one troop with me to search the fence line...We found over $180,000.00 in equipment stolen from the U.S. Air Force on the base that was tossed over the fence...We believe this guy was supposed to pick it up. Not that night...we recovered the items and that was the end of the story...Lets just say the other team leader learned not to assume everything is just peachy keen in Kansas! As I said, A lot of good things happened there...a lot of not so good things happened there...and a lot of things happened there that we were told we didn't see....lol."
Justin Fales, - "Christmas 2005, We had a unit of Marines headed home. The Forecast was Blizzard, Ice rain and all the good things in life. My team (running lead that evening) was called for Raven on the freedom bird as it Loaded (Full). We set up as I stood at the stairs, the attendants began giving my team members coffee to warm up. Watched every Marine load up, each as important as my own troops. My guys were covered in snow. A few minutes later the Air Craft commander... a Lt Col if I remember correctly comes to me. "Hey Sergeant?! we appear to be grounded for the night" you need me to get them off your plane don't you? "yeah, their Marines and your the closest to Infantry we have, do you mind?" ((I sigh to this day)) I made contact with the Full bird commanding the Marines, informing him of the Blizzard and his men needed to Disembark my Air craft. Of course the Buses had already pulled up. But I remember this speech to this day. "Listen up Marines, You will get up, Police your equipment and personals. You will exit this air craft without a word of anger. You will load into the Buses and be billeted were upon we will get chow and relax." I watched every Marine do just that. Upon exiting the Colonel thanked me. We sat on that bird the rest of the night to insure it was ready and safe for their exit the next day."
John Rathsack- "I was there 9 months...Sept 2005-May 2006....right when the people overthrew the Russian president of Kyrgyzstan...A lot of different things happened while I was there...As a TSgt I was mostly on the outer patrols...We were called to back up the other outer patrol on a suspicious vehicle in the wood line near the Base Fence line. The first patrol leader deemed nothing was suspicious about the lone young Russian born Kyrgi in the woods all by himself in the middle of the night...He told the translator to let him go...I asked if they did a search of the area and he said no...I told them to standby as I took one troop with me to search the fence line...We found over $180,000.00 in equipment stolen from the U.S. Air Force on the base that was tossed over the fence...We believe this guy was supposed to pick it up. Not that night...we recovered the items and that was the end of the story...Lets just say the other team leader learned not to assume everything is just peachy keen in Kansas! As I said, A lot of good things happened there...a lot of not so good things happened there...and a lot of things happened there that we were told we didn't see....lol."
Justin Fales, - "Christmas 2005, We had a unit of Marines headed home. The Forecast was Blizzard, Ice rain and all the good things in life. My team (running lead that evening) was called for Raven on the freedom bird as it Loaded (Full). We set up as I stood at the stairs, the attendants began giving my team members coffee to warm up. Watched every Marine load up, each as important as my own troops. My guys were covered in snow. A few minutes later the Air Craft commander... a Lt Col if I remember correctly comes to me. "Hey Sergeant?! we appear to be grounded for the night" you need me to get them off your plane don't you? "yeah, their Marines and your the closest to Infantry we have, do you mind?" ((I sigh to this day)) I made contact with the Full bird commanding the Marines, informing him of the Blizzard and his men needed to Disembark my Air craft. Of course the Buses had already pulled up. But I remember this speech to this day. "Listen up Marines, You will get up, Police your equipment and personals. You will exit this air craft without a word of anger. You will load into the Buses and be billeted were upon we will get chow and relax." I watched every Marine do just that. Upon exiting the Colonel thanked me. We sat on that bird the rest of the night to insure it was ready and safe for their exit the next day."
