Title: AT WAR Trailer #3
Synopsis: The third trailer from the upcoming documentary by Scott Kesterson and David Leeson titled, AT WAR featuring music by P.W. Long.
Video: AT WAR Trailer #3
Title: AT WAR Trailer #2
Synopsis: The second trailer from the upcoming documentary by Scott Kesterson and David Leeson titled, AT WAR featuring music by Sara Jaffe.
Video: AT WAR Trailer #2
Title: AT WAR Trailer #1
Synopsis: The first trailer from the upcoming documentary by Scott Kesterson and David Leeson titled, AT WAR featuring music by The Black Angels.
Video: AT WAR Trailer #1
Title: Scott Kesterson's Afghanistan War Coverage
Synopsis: KGW interviews Scott Kesterson on his 15-month embed and the project as a whole.
Video: Scott Kesterson's Afghanistan War Coverage
Title: Video: Australian, American and Afghan Army Reconstruction Project
Synopsis: A great deal of effort in Afghanistan goes to what the military terms "non-kinetic" operations. These involve rebuilding and assistance projects that work to establish a stronger infrastructure while fostering strong relationships with the residents in the local communities. In a joint operation of the Australian Army's Reconstruction Task Force, a Missouri Army National Guard Embedded Training Team, and soldiers of the Afghan National Army's Combat Engineering company, a mosque is improved by installing a wash station for those that come to pray.
Video: Australian, American and Afghan Army Reconstruction Project
Title: Australian Army Reconstruction Task Force
Synopsis: The Australians have a small but effective presence here in Afghanistan. Of all of the NATO/ ISAF partners, the Australians are one of only two countries that have proven capable and willing to work as equal partners with the United States; Canada being the second. It is interesting to note that all three of the countries are former "colonies" and now lead the efforts here in Afghanistan. Supplemented by interviews with LTC Ryan, the Australian Reconstruction Task Force Commander, the Australian perspective on their mission here in Afghanistan is presented.
Video: Australian Army Reconstruction Task Force
Title: The Embedded Tactical Trainer (ETT)
Synopsis: The Embedded Training Teams (ETTs) are all Army National Guard soldiers represented by over 40 states in the United States. Their mission is to train and mentor the Afghan National Army so that they can eventually become an independent military force. Not all mentoring is about fighting. In a brief look at the ETTs role, Afghan Army soldiers install a "spoon" drain to carry water from the newly installed wash station in the Mosque, to the outside.
Video: The Embedded Tactical Trainer (ETT)
Title: Daily Life - Repairing the Washer
Synopsis: Embedded Training Teams in the remote fire bases have to rely on skill sets that are not part of Army training in order to keep operations going. This is an area where the National Guard soldier excels, bringing a life experience from the civilian world into the military environment. Everything from internet and software maintenance and upgrades to plumbing and electrical. It's not a choice, but a necessity.
Video: Daily Life - Repairing the Washer
Title: Daily Life - Filling the Shower Tank
Synopsis: The job of the embedded trainer is tough. Not only are these soldiers tasked with the training and mentoring the Afghan Army, but they also perform these duties without much of the support that is available to larger units on larger bases. Running water, for example, in the outer fire bases is rare. Showers are often fed by water tanks filled by hand. These maintenance issues have to become part of the daily protocols of the for the embedded training teams.
Video: Daily Life - Filling the Shower Tank
Title: Promotion - Doc Smith
Synopsis: Ritual and ceremony are a important part of military culture, even in a combat zone. Some of these traditions are shared here with the promotion of "Doc" Smith, from Captain to Major. Prior to this promotion ceremony, Major Smith participated in Operation Medusa. For his efforts to save the lives of Canadian, US and coalition soldiers, Major Smith was later awarded the Bronze Star with "V"; the "V" standing for valor.
Video: Promotion - Doc Smith
Title: Scott Kesterson - Images and Thoughts
Synopsis: As we enter into the new year, videojournalist Scott Kesterson, offers a glimpse into Afghan culture and some thoughts on the soldiers deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.
Video: Scott Kesterson - Images and Thoughts
Title: Operation Drumstick
Synopsis: Life in the forward operating bases here in Afghanistan is remote and lacks many of the pleasantries the we take for granted in our lives back in the United States. Power is provided by generators, so long as they don't break down; purified bottled water is the only drinkable water; and, meals are often limited to the packaged rations known as MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). On Thanksgiving Day, 2006, in coordination with the cooks of KBR and the helicopter pilots of the Australian Army, a plan conceived by Command Sgt. Major McClure of the Oregon Army National Guard to bring hot meals to those soldiers in the most remote bases, came to fruition. Beginning in the late morning, the helicopters flew McClure and his team to the various fire bases in southeastern Afghanistan, bringing hot Thanksgiving meals and a holiday greeting. It was a mission that put focus on the soldiers in a way that can only happen on a holiday. This was Operation Drumstick.
Video: Operation Drumstick
Title: 9-11 Five Years Later
Synopsis: September 11, 2006 marks 5 years since the invasion of Afghanistan. Lt. Doxey, a Washington National Guard Embedded Trainer offers some perspectives on the day and the current situation in Afghanistan during a visit to the local village of Nangalam. The village is in the northeastern part of Afghanistan, in the region that Osam Bin Laden was rumored to have been at the time of the US invasion.
Video: 9-11 Five Years Later
Title: Village Medical Operation (VMO), Part 1
Synopsis: National Guard soldiers in conjunction with Afghan National Army soldiers conduct a village medical operation (VMO) in a village outside of Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Video: Village Medical Operation (VMO), Part 1
Title: Village Medical Operation (VMO), Part 2
Synopsis: Lieutenant Dunlavey of the US Navy Reserve offers care as part of the village medical operation (VMO) to an Afghan boy injured as a result of fighting in the Panjawi area of Afghanistan.
Video: Village Medical Operation (VMO), Part 2
Title: Sangin - Ambush
Synopsis: Troops from Alpha Company, 2nd Platoon, "Red Devils" from Edmonton, Canada are ambushed as they conducted a battle damage assessment in the village on July 15, 2006 in Sangin, Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan.
Video: Sangin - Ambush
Title: Hydarabad - Dawn Raid
Synopsis: Troops from Alpha Company, 2nd Platoon, "Red Devils" from Edmonton, Canada conduct a dawn raid on a Taliban compound on July 13, 2006 in Hydarabad, Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan.
Video: Hydarabad- Dawn Raid
Title: Panjawi - Firefight
Synopsis: Troops from Alpha Company, 2nd Platoon, "Red Devils" from Edmonton, Canada engage in a fierce firefight with Taliban insurgents on July 8, 2006 in Panjawi, Kandahar Province in southern Afghanistan.
Video: Panjawi- Firefight
Title: Mountain Patrols
Synopsis: Two Washington Army National Guard Embedded Trainers take a squad of Afghan Army soldiers on a patrol in the mountains above the Arghandab Valley.
Video: Mountain patrols
Title: 4th of July
Synopsis: A brief look into the feelings of being in Afghanistan on the 4th of July.
Video: 4th of July
Title: Orphans
Synopsis: Army National Guard soldiers in conjunction with members of the Afghan National Army bring needed supplies to an orphanage in Kandahar City, Afghanistan.
Video: Orphans
Title: Afghan music
Synopsis: Afghan soldiers participate in a round of traditional music during a quiet period at a fire base in southeastern Afghanistan.
Video: Afghan music
Title: Seeing the Elephant
Synopsis: Insurgents attack a fire base in southeastern Afghanistan.
Video: Seeing the Elephant
Title: Operation Backpack
Synopsis: Oregon Army National Guard soldiers distribute needed school supplies, donated by Oregon residents, to elementary students living in New Orleans, six months after hurricane Katrina.
Video: Operation Backpack
Title: M240B Qualification
Synopsis: A. Company, 1/186th Infantry from southern Oregon qualifies with the M240B machine gun at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan.
Video: M240B
Title: Lt. General Noori
Synopsis: Interview with Lt. General Noori, Executive Chief of Staff of the Afghan National Army during his visit to Camp Shelby, Mississippi.
Video: Lt. General Noori
Title: Spotlight- Specialist Wisner
Synopsis: The story of Purple Heart recipient, Specialist Wisner.
Video: Spotlight- Specialist Wisner
Title: Combatives
Synopsis: Hand-to-hand combat training with B. Company at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan.
Video: Combatives
Title: Conversations with the Generals
Synopsis: Interviews with Lt. General Honore' and Brigadere General Pritt.
Video: Conversations with the Generals
Hey bud....It's "Sanuy" down the road from ya about 100 meters. Just wanted to say I read your blogs, you're an awesome journalist as well as a conversationalist. Keep up the good work, and don't forget about the "support troops" that keep the rear safe. See ya at chow my friend.......John...
Excellent, keep up the good work
First time at your site courtesy of Black5. Excellent!
lt
Keep up the great stories. Make's a mom proud to know that her son is there and doing a great job. And that all of the troops are also. We in Oregon say thank you and we love you. Keep up the good work. Kathy
Amazing footage of the Canadians!
Hi Scott!
We at Star Dust Radio are following along with you and the troops around you. Your posts are so beautifully written - you make it easy to see and feel the things you see and feel. Thank You!!
Please pass on our love and appreciation to all of our troops who are with you. Stay Safe!!
You all are in our hearts and our prayers! God Bless!
Judi, LadyZB, Jeff & Our Listeners
You have done a really great job with this. I was one of the ETT's from 2003-2004, and can say that you have definitely not forgotten the stakes involved in the "Forgotten War" in Afghanistan. The near psychosis level of obsession with Iraq used to make me pull my hair out, especially when you had to develop practically everything for these guys (Afghan soldiers). To say that there is a level of condescention towards this theatre isn't an accusation, it is a fact!
Hey Scott, How are you. Glad to see you are staying out of harms way, at least for the most part.
Great website! Bookmarked! I am impressed at your work!
Thank you for your coverage of National Guard Soldiers embedded with the ANA. The September 9th weekend was especially hard for us in Rome, New York. The other American Soldiers Father.
Thanks for all your thoughtful insights and observations. This is the forgotten war. My husband is an ETT in Afghanistan right now and I have found your blog invaluable in understanding what he is experiencing over there...even the scary parts. I was interested in the 10th Mtn. Division soldier's 8 month deployment. I wanted to note that the National Guardsmen's deployments are 12 months, not counting their 2 1/2 months at Camp Shelby. My husband missed the birth of our first son and won't be home until he turns one. It's wonderful that the sacrifices of these soldiers are being told by someone. I just wish everyone was listening. Thank you. Keep writing.
Scott,
I am another Oregonian here to cover the efforts of forces here in Afghanistan. I am also embedded with the 41st. I enjoyed seeing your work, and I look forward to seeing you down south in the coming days/weeks. Please feel free to contact me via email if there is anything I can bring your way from Phoenix
Thank you to the soldiers and to the families of the soldiers. This is a hard time of the year to have our loved ones so far away and in the conditions they are in. My son says near freezing temps and the heaters are not working in his barracks. Pray they all come home safe.
scott. I'm a Canadian army reserveist preparing to go to afgahnistan. thanks for remembering our fellas and showing the world what we're capable of "taliban tamers" God loves you scott.
Hey Scott. Just dropping you a line to tell you that all is going well here. Finally had the chance to read your blogs, some of them anyway. Thank you for the wonderful coverage of what is going on over here. In the mean time we do what we can to stay safe and come home. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Eion, OMLT
I found a lot of useful info. Thanks.D