Mayor Piper and more than a dozen City Department Heads and staff members will gather at Council Chambers to discuss how to start up and manage a local government. The 2-327 Officers will be working closely with the local governments in Afghanistan, and in some cases helping form new governments altogether in dangerous and sometimes hostile territory. The City will provide key information to prepare and assist in their brave efforts.

The informational meeting will include a visual presentation and a question and answer session.

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Making use of the lessons Coalition law enforcement trainers have taught them over the past few months, Afghan Uniformed Police in the Sharana district of Afghanistan’s Paktika province found and secured a weapons cache.

The cache contained one machine gun, four cans of ammunition, one handheld radio, nine rockets, and various other items.

The cache contained one PKM Squad Automatic Weapon system, four cans of ammunition for the PKM, one handheld radio, nine Rocket Propelled Grenade-7 rockets, and various others miscellaneous items. (U.S. Army Courtesy Photo)

Working with their own sources and intelligence gathering techniques, the AUP gathered enough information to find the cache.

“This cache is further proof that the Afghan Police are more than capable of conducting independently planned and executed operations,” said U.S. Army Capt. Josh Powers, commander of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

Traditionally the AUP have trained to monitor check-points and conduct weapon searches, but U.S. Law Enforcement Professionals have been training them to question suspects and witnesses and glean intelligence from the interviews.

Up until about eight months ago the AUP had no criminal investigators, said Mike Bowles, Task Force Iron LEP.

While the AUP had assigned investigators, there was no program to train them, Bowles said.

The LEPs are partnered with the Afghan investigators, and conducted on-the-job-training, Bowles said, adding that learning from text books would only get the AUP so far.

“We can’t just mentor the investigators from a laptop in the (Forward Operating Base),” said Bowles.

The AUP have made great strides over the past eight months under LEP mentorship, he said.

“Originally we were doing it all, but now they are doing most of the work,” Bowles said.

Bowles has worked for more than 20 years as an investigator and has been able to put his knowledge to work helping teach and mentor his Afghan partners.

Part of the knowledge Bowles and other LEPs pass on to local police officers is how to conduct productive interviews. The goal is to always try to turn criminal interviews into criminal intelligence, Bowles said.

The AUP put those lessons to the test when they gathered the information that led to the Sharana cache.

Bowles said the AUP is progressing on schedule and will soon have the ability to perform law enforcement in accordance with international standards. “They’re about half-way through their training and should be self-sufficient within a year,” he said.

Fort Campbell, KY

Killed were: Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson, 24, of Bald Knob, Ark.; and Pfc. Jason M. Kropat, 25, of White Lake, N.Y. Both were assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson

Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson

Richardson was a fire support specialist who joined the Army in June 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in January 2007. His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Richardson is survived by his wife, Rachel Richardson, of Clarksville, Tenn.; mother Sharon Dunigan, of Bridgeport, W.V.; and father, Jeffery Richardson, of Germany.

Pfc. Jason M. Kropat

Pfc. Jason M. Kropat

Kropat was an infantryman who joined the Army in November 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2009. His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

Kropat is survived by his parents, Kathleen and Glenn Kropat, of Fredericksburg, Texas.

A memorial service for the fallen Soldiers will be held in Afghanistan.

Approximately 3,400 Soldiers will deploy as part of the United States’ force increase of 30,000 service members announced previously by President Obama to provide the level of forces necessary to provide sufficient military capability for the NATO-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to further improve security and stability operations.

“The Currahees gained a tremendous reputation for the work they did in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009,” said Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, 101st Abn. Div. commanding general. “I know the Afghan people will look forward to their return as they build upon the relationships Currahee established with them during their recent ‘rendezvous with destiny.’”

“This will be a unique year in the legacy of the 101st, as well as all of our famed division’s ground forces will serve simultaneously in Afghanistan,” Campbell said. “The Soldiers of 327th ‘Bastogne’, 502nd ‘Strike,’ 187th ‘Rakkasan’ and 506th ‘Currahee’ have proven their mettle together during periods of conflict in such places as France, Holland, Germany, Vietnam and Iraq. It is only fitting they should now serve alongside each other as Screaming Eagles in Afghanistan.”

When Currahee deploys, this will leave approximately 10,000 Soldiers on Fort Campbell this year.

The division commander said there is a “fantastic” rear detachment team of Soldiers and Army civilians dedicated to fulfilling the Army Family Covenant and maintain the day-to-day functions of Fort Campbell throughout the deployments.

“We are also projected to receive a senior-level officer to serve as the post rear-detachment commander in my absence, much the same way Brig. Gen. Steve Townsend did during the last 101st deployment,” Campbell said.

101st Airborne Division Commander, Maj. Gen. John Campbell, and 3rd Brigade Commander, Col. Viet Luong, will speak at the ceremony.

FORT CAMPBELL

Approximately 3,400 Soldiers will deploy as part of the United States’ force increase of 30,000 servicemembers announced earlier this month by President Obama to provide the level of forces necessary to provide sufficient military capability for the NATO-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to further improve security and stability operations.

“Strike Soldiers are known for overcoming significant challenges in such places as Normandy, Bastogne, Vietnam and Iraq”, said Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, 101st Commanding General. “The Soldiers of 2nd Brigade have been preparing for this deployment for several months and will no doubt build upon their historic legacy with their upcoming mission in Afghanistan”, said Campbell.

“The top priority, and our focus remains on preparing for our deployment to Afghanistan and taking care of our Soldiers and Families before, during and after the deployment”, said Col. Arthur A. Kandarian, 2nd Brigade Combat Team commander.

The deployments of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101 Combat Aviation Brigade and the headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) were previously announced.

The keynote speaker will be Lt. Gen. David P. Fridovich with the U.S. SOCOM Headquarters. Receptions before and after the symposium will be held.

The event is open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Thomas O’Connor, (931) 221-1477 or , or Dr. Mohammed Waheeduzzaman, (931) 221-1449.

Every time you recycle a used wireless phone with us, part of the proceeds support Cell Phones for Soldiers, a charity uses the proceeds from recycling to send free prepaid phone cards to troops overseas.  Since July 2008, recycling has helped the charity send more than 350,000 free phone cards to military members away from home.

With the help of the USO, AT&T is also donating 30,000 free prepaid phone cards to the troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and other overseas locations this year.  These cards provide 20 minutes of free talk time from Iraq back to the U.S. as one example.

Recycling with Cell Phones for Soldiers is something that’s meaningful for the holidays– and all year long.  So, we offer a few recycling options:

• We’re providing recycling drop-off spots in all 2,000-plus retail locations, nationwide – including those right here at our Clarksville AT&T store at 2560 Wilma Rudolph Blvd..
• We’re also offering free prepaid shipping labels online at www.att.com/recycle — and free, prepaid mailing envelopes in stores and online www.att.com/recycle
• You can also use  att.com/recycle to find the nearest AT&T store for your drop off spot or download instructions for how to cleanse your phone of personal data.
• You can make a difference by donating used wireless phones with us – no matter what make or model or which carrier you use.

How can you help?

Clarksville Online readers can join us in helping connect the troops with free phone cards any day:

1. Donate your used cell phones and accessories at any AT&T company-owned store, and part of the proceeds will support Cell Phones for Soldiers.
2. Go to www.att.com/holidayconnect to download a free prepaid shipping label to mail in your phone or donate funds to the charity and you can get a free patriotic greeting card for your efforts.
3. If you want to take it a step further, you can start your own Cell Phones for Soldiers donation drive in the community.  We  provide a free toolkit—including a printable recycling bin—at www.att.com/recyclewireless

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world’s most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation’s fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation’s leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

© 2009 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Members of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade will be welcomed in ceremonies at the following dates and times:

• Friday, Dec. 4, 5:15 a.m.
• Friday, Dec. 4, 7:30 a.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 6, 5 a.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 10, 2:20 p.m.

The 159 CAB has been on a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. The remainder of the brigade should return by the end of the year.

Members of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade will be welcomed in ceremonies at the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, Nov. 25, 10:15 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 26, 11:30 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 27, 2:50 a.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 29, 3:45 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 30, 3:15 p.m.*
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 11:15 p.m.

159th CAB has been on a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. The remainder of the brigade should return by the end of the year.

On the Monday of this last July 4th weekend, I was driving back from visiting my brothers family. I passed the time listening to the satellite radio, particularly both Left and Right political talk channels.

The talk shows on the liberal channels were very similar to the talk shows on the conservative channels. They were talking about the same topics, they had the same sponsors, the same sound bytes, the same timed commercial breaks, the same news at the top and bottom of the hour…for the entire seven hours. I couldn’t take it that long, but I did listen long enough to make some observations.

The liberal channel was making the following complainants:

• Obama isn’t doing anything on gun control
• Obama isn’t advancing gay rights enough
• Obama is putting more troops in Afghanistan
• Democrats in Congress aren’t adequately addressing health care
• Sotomayor is too moderate

The conservative channel was making the following complaints:

• Obama is going to take away your guns
• Obama expanded gay rights for federal employees
• Obama is pulling troops out of Iraq
• Democrats in Congress are pushing health care reform
• Sotomayor is a liberal activist judge

If you knew absolutely nothing about American politics, and listened to these shows, the listener would have to conclude that that Obama, Democrats in Congress, and Sotomayor are hopeless moderates that can satisfy no one; not by their actions and not by their inactions.

Pundits that deliver the news via a “commentary” format usually hold extreme views (the most successful pundits anyway). Yet, polls show that 80% of Americans agree 80% of the time (actually heard that on a left wing radio program). I have coined this political tactic ‘rubberbanding,’ a term used in racing games. They preach their extreme views to those leaning to right/left, in a effort to pull the listener away from the center.

At anytime of the day, I guarantee you can turn on the radio, scan a bit, and find a political pundit talking for hours on end; 4 hours a day, 20 hours week, with listeners numbering in the millions….and there are dozens of radio pundits. Joseph Goebbels did this. So did Big Brother in George Orwell’s 1984. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury repeats the same idea using television and drugs as the medium for of social political control.

Think “incrementalism”….on meth. As Rage Against the Machine says “weapon of sound above ground.”

I believe they do us a great disservice by keeping us divided. They talk about where we differ. And where we agree, they spin the issues and try to make us more divided.

Turn it off.

EDINBURGH – U.S. Rep. John Tanner discussed the future of the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan in meetings with top NATO leaders while presiding over NATO Parliamentary Assembly sessions in Edinburgh. The Parliamentary Assembly is NATO’s legislative arm. Tanner has served as the body’s President since November 2008.

“The consensus among NATO leaders and member-nation lawmakers is that we are in a crucial point in the alliance’s history and in the war against the spread of radical fundamentalism,” Tanner said after meeting with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General, and U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander-Europe, both of whom also addressed the Assembly. “These meetings are extremely helpful as the dialogue continues in the U.S. and in other NATO nations about how best to refocus on the fight in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Tanner led a bipartisan Congressional delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meetings and presided over sessions focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as global economic challenges.

“I look forward to reporting back to Tennesseans and others across our country about how our legislative counterparts in other NATO countries view the challenges facing us, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Tanner said before leading the delegation.

About Congressman John Tanner

Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Tanner is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Tim Cash

For the record I am conservative in my thinking but try hard to keep an open mind and give all an opportunity to voice their opinions. Many of my friends have differing views than mine when it comes to politics, but very few who disagree that much of what our Country was founded on is disintegrating before our very eyes. In the end, whether of liberal beliefs or conservative – we are ALL AMERICANS.

This did not just start yesterday, there has been an eroding of America for many years now. Those of you who are 30 or older need only look back to your years as a child, when we all said the Pledge of Allegiance in the classroom. Many of our children have never pledged allegiance to our Flag:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Many of our children are not learning values in the classroom or at home – the days of going to the principle’s office for a smack on the rear are gone and ‘just wait till your father gets home’ means nothing. For me, either of those options merely needed to be mentioned to keep me on the straight and narrow growing up. There is almost a twisted sense that each person is owed something from those who have been successful in life instead of getting up off the couch and finding a job. What’s that you say? There are no jobs out there? Unemployment is at 9 percent? HOGWASH!

The problem with Americans is that we feel that the jobs that are available are beneath us. We are quick to complain about the immigrants who are moving into our country – guess what folks – they are here because there is WORK. Work, that is right, I said it! They are doing the manual labor or menial jobs that many of us would not even consider as a viable option. They are here because of the promise for a better life! One free from persecution where the sky is the limit. I hate to say it, but these same immigrants place more value of being in America than many of those who were born in America.

Whoa is me! Whoa is me! Folks we have not seen bad. Bad is the Great Depression. Bad is persecution of women and children living under Taliban law years ago in Afghanistan. Bad is being of Jewish decent in Germany during Hilter’s brutal reign. Bad is being one of the victims of 9/11. Bad is the Widow and Children of one of our Fallen Heroes. Need I say more?

We have many issues in our Country in this day and age. No one person can be blamed for the financial crisis that hit us. We probably will never know how many or even who was to blame as the powerful in our country seem to protect their own – from corporate America to our elected leaders. You only need to look at the billions of YOUR tax dollars that have been given to numerous corporations that were deemed ‘Too Big To Fail’ to realize this. There have not been, nor will there be any accountability – let alone any repayment (well, unless you consider repayment by you, me and our children as repayment).

Only today I received an email from a lady who wanted to let me know that I should refrain from supporting a group of mothers who cared about their children in the Armed Forces. She was polite in her dissent, but wanted to state her dissatisfaction with me publicly supporting them as this was viewed as a group that was partisan. Partisan? REALLY? Mothers fearing for their children’s safe return is now partisan? COME ON!

This last week saw closed door meetings with political leaders and the attack on a news organization by our very own administration. All the while, our Generals charged with carrying out combat operations in Afghanistan are desperately awaiting a decision from our government. I got it that there are those of you who disagree with our presence in Afghanistan but this is a battle we must fight there and that we must win. If we do not, we will only see more tragedy on our own soil.

If you really want to participate in the direction of this great country, I strongly suggest you do so by exercising the rights that our founding fathers gave us (and no I am not talking about the right to bear arms):

• The right of free speech
• The right to vote

These two PEACEFUL means granted to all Americans by our Founding Fathers are so very powerful. They have been there since day one but sadly many choose not to exercise either right. Rather, the remain silent in terms of speech and vote. Only after the fact to they choose to cry foul – knowing all along that they were simply too busy or afraid to speak out or stand in line at the polls to cast their ballot. Those who fill the halls of our local, state and federal capital buildings are there because those who believed they could make a difference went to the polling stations and voted them in.

It is time for everyday Americans to wake up, to give notice of their displeasure or support of the direction that our elected leaders are taking this Great Country. Being an elected leader means that you are prone to having people who both support you and oppose you – it comes with the job! At no time should they be calling for the banishment of free speech or free press.

I will leave you with the words of The Star Spangled Banner which was composed by Francis Scott Key in 1814:

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

A welcome home ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. honoring members of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade.

159 CAB has been on a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan. The remainder of the unit is scheduled to return by the end of the year.

Approximately 3,700 Soldiers will deploy as part of the United States’ commitment to maintain the level of forces necessary to provide sufficient military capability for the NATO-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to further improve security and stability operations.

“The Bastogne Soldiers of our 1st BCT have been preparing for several months for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in anticipation of this formal announcement,” said Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT) commanding general. “They continue to train hard and I have no doubt they will be prepared to face the challenges of the tough fight in Afghanistan. They will replace a brigade combat team currently deployed in Eastern Afghanistan as part of a scheduled rotation of forces this spring approximately the same time our division headquarters deploys next year.” The deployments of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101 Combat Aviation Brigade and the headquarters of the 101st Abn. Div. were previously announced.