American Legion Post 50 SAL 50 New York USA
| January 5, 2009 WVOX 1460 AM WVOX.com Sons of the American Legion Radio Report Exclusive Internet Edition |
The "Sons of the American Legion Radio Report" can be heard live on WVOX 1460 AM in
Westchester County and around the world on WVOX.com. The show is held on the first, third,
fourth and (Fifth) Tuesdays of each month from 2:30 to 3:00 PM.
The host of the program is Kenneth G. Kraetzer, Commander of Sons of the American Legion in
Pelham, NY; Vice Commander for Westchester County, and Vice Commander for New York State.
Please contact Ken at 914-450-9554 with any questions or comments about this radio and Internet
production.
The co-host on this segment was John Chuhran, a New Rochelle based PR executive and Sons of
the American Legion member.
Our next segment will be on Monday January 19th at 2:30 PM.
LTC Paul Fanning of the New York National Guard joined the program to
describe the deployment to Afghanistan that he and 1,700 fellow Guard
members returned from in late December 2008. Col. Fanning is a Public
Affairs Officer who started in the Army serving in tanks.
In the interview he describes the challenges and accomplishments during
the 2008 deployment as well as the service performed by the NY National
Guard since 9-11. Col. Fanning expresses his appreciation for all the
cards and packages sent by the public to servicemen and women
stationed overseas. A list of accomplishments of the NY National Guard is
listed below.
describe the deployment to Afghanistan that he and 1,700 fellow Guard
members returned from in late December 2008. Col. Fanning is a Public
Affairs Officer who started in the Army serving in tanks.
In the interview he describes the challenges and accomplishments during
the 2008 deployment as well as the service performed by the NY National
Guard since 9-11. Col. Fanning expresses his appreciation for all the
cards and packages sent by the public to servicemen and women
stationed overseas. A list of accomplishments of the NY National Guard is
listed below.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
CJTF-Phoenix VII looks back on accomplishments as tour end approaches
CAMP PHOENIX, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (10 December 2008) – The 27th Infantry Brigade Combat
Team (IBCT) of the New York Army National Guard is nearing the end of its tour in its mission as
Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII (CJTF-Phoenix.)
The 33rd IBCT of the Illinois Army National Guard is slated to succeed the 27th as CJTF-Phoenix VIII
following a formal Transfer of Authority later this month.
Colonel Brian K. Balfe, commander of the 27th IBCT took over command last April 26 at Camp
Phoenix, Kabul. The reorganized task force is presently comprised of more than 8,000 service men
and women from all U.S. branches including Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, coalition
military partners and civilian professionals spread over nearly 260 Forward Operating Bases
throughout Afghanistan. Following a realignment of forces in late summer, the 2nd Battalion 7th
Marine Regiment fell under the operational control of CJTF-Phoenix, and has since been replaced by
a new special Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) including the 3rd Battalion 8th Marine
Regiment.
CJTF-Phoenix is fully 85% of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan with the mission to
mentor and train the Afghan National Army and Police, and provide assistance to the Government of
Afghanistan and its people.
“I am extremely proud of every service member in the task force and the contributions they made to
the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF),” said Colonel Balfe. “We have made a significant
difference in the lives of the Afghan people and their government,” he said. “Commanding the 27th
and CJTF-Phoenix has been the proudest moment of my life and the most rewarding experience of
my short twenty five year military career, both on active duty and in the Guard.”
-More-
Fully 1,700 members of New York’s 27th IBCT were mobilized for the mission, the largest numbers
from a single state thus far deployed for CJTF-Phoenix. The Soldiers came from communities across
New York and formed the largest single deployment from the New York National Guard in recent
memory. About 230 of these Soldiers were mobilized in September of last year while the main body
was called up in January.
Hundreds of New York Soldiers are serving in CJTF-P as trainers, advisors, mentors, security-forces,
logisticians and staff. Many have experience in state and later federal active duty after the 9-11,
2001 terrorist attacks. Soldiers who are also members of the NYPD and FDNY are serving here. The
New York National Guard is the only part of America’s military force that served at “Ground Zero.”
Roughly a third of the 27th IBCT team in Afghanistan has already served in previous deployments for
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
CJTF-Phoenix VII Accomplishments since Transfer of Authority on 26 April 2008
• The Afghan National Army (ANA) has grown by 6 Kandaks (Battalions), resulting in 7,382
additional Afghan Soldiers
• 24 ANA Kandaks were validated CM-1 for independent operations, resulting in 25% of the ANA
Kandaks validated as capable of independent operations
• Assisted in the planning and execution of over 100 major named operations with the Afghan
National Security Forces
• The ANA fielded thousands of modern NATO weapons and equipment, including M16A2 rifles
and UAHs, improving their capabilities while reducing their vulnerabilities to enemy actions
• Established a Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) team that trained thousands of
Afghan Soldiers and Policemen
• $202 Million has been committed to more than 700 separate construction and improvement
projects at Forward Operating Bases, Company Outposts and District Centers across Afghanistan in
support of U.S. and ANSF
• $39 million obligated through the Commander’s Emergency Response Program to build roads,
schools, clinics, dig wells, etc. to improve living conditions for the Afghan people
• Over 1,250 tons of humanitarian assistance aid delivered to women, children, schools and
orphanages, an average of approximately 150 tons per month
-More-
• CJTF-P also conducted hundreds of humanitarian assistance and civil medical assistance
operations in conjunction with ANSF, improving quality of life for ordinary Afghans while enhancing
the bonds between the people, ANSF and their government
• Established CJTF-P Logistics Cell enabling the ANSF to receive more of the equipment and
weapons they need sooner through increased support and development of the Afghan logistical
system and capabilities, expediting modernization and long term sustainability of its forces
• During CJTF-P VII, significant improvements were made in the CJTF-Phoenix vehicle fleet,
including the installation of the latest electronic counter measures to help defeat the threat posed by
Improvised Explosive Devices and the fielding of new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected armored
vehicles and additional armor kits for humvees. As a result, the safety and survivability of task force
personnel has been enhanced along with their ability to perform the mission assigned.
CAMP PHOENIX, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (10 December 2008) – The 27th Infantry Brigade Combat
Team (IBCT) of the New York Army National Guard is nearing the end of its tour in its mission as
Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII (CJTF-Phoenix.)
The 33rd IBCT of the Illinois Army National Guard is slated to succeed the 27th as CJTF-Phoenix VIII
following a formal Transfer of Authority later this month.
Colonel Brian K. Balfe, commander of the 27th IBCT took over command last April 26 at Camp
Phoenix, Kabul. The reorganized task force is presently comprised of more than 8,000 service men
and women from all U.S. branches including Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, coalition
military partners and civilian professionals spread over nearly 260 Forward Operating Bases
throughout Afghanistan. Following a realignment of forces in late summer, the 2nd Battalion 7th
Marine Regiment fell under the operational control of CJTF-Phoenix, and has since been replaced by
a new special Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) including the 3rd Battalion 8th Marine
Regiment.
CJTF-Phoenix is fully 85% of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan with the mission to
mentor and train the Afghan National Army and Police, and provide assistance to the Government of
Afghanistan and its people.
“I am extremely proud of every service member in the task force and the contributions they made to
the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF),” said Colonel Balfe. “We have made a significant
difference in the lives of the Afghan people and their government,” he said. “Commanding the 27th
and CJTF-Phoenix has been the proudest moment of my life and the most rewarding experience of
my short twenty five year military career, both on active duty and in the Guard.”
-More-
Fully 1,700 members of New York’s 27th IBCT were mobilized for the mission, the largest numbers
from a single state thus far deployed for CJTF-Phoenix. The Soldiers came from communities across
New York and formed the largest single deployment from the New York National Guard in recent
memory. About 230 of these Soldiers were mobilized in September of last year while the main body
was called up in January.
Hundreds of New York Soldiers are serving in CJTF-P as trainers, advisors, mentors, security-forces,
logisticians and staff. Many have experience in state and later federal active duty after the 9-11,
2001 terrorist attacks. Soldiers who are also members of the NYPD and FDNY are serving here. The
New York National Guard is the only part of America’s military force that served at “Ground Zero.”
Roughly a third of the 27th IBCT team in Afghanistan has already served in previous deployments for
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
CJTF-Phoenix VII Accomplishments since Transfer of Authority on 26 April 2008
• The Afghan National Army (ANA) has grown by 6 Kandaks (Battalions), resulting in 7,382
additional Afghan Soldiers
• 24 ANA Kandaks were validated CM-1 for independent operations, resulting in 25% of the ANA
Kandaks validated as capable of independent operations
• Assisted in the planning and execution of over 100 major named operations with the Afghan
National Security Forces
• The ANA fielded thousands of modern NATO weapons and equipment, including M16A2 rifles
and UAHs, improving their capabilities while reducing their vulnerabilities to enemy actions
• Established a Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) team that trained thousands of
Afghan Soldiers and Policemen
• $202 Million has been committed to more than 700 separate construction and improvement
projects at Forward Operating Bases, Company Outposts and District Centers across Afghanistan in
support of U.S. and ANSF
• $39 million obligated through the Commander’s Emergency Response Program to build roads,
schools, clinics, dig wells, etc. to improve living conditions for the Afghan people
• Over 1,250 tons of humanitarian assistance aid delivered to women, children, schools and
orphanages, an average of approximately 150 tons per month
-More-
• CJTF-P also conducted hundreds of humanitarian assistance and civil medical assistance
operations in conjunction with ANSF, improving quality of life for ordinary Afghans while enhancing
the bonds between the people, ANSF and their government
• Established CJTF-P Logistics Cell enabling the ANSF to receive more of the equipment and
weapons they need sooner through increased support and development of the Afghan logistical
system and capabilities, expediting modernization and long term sustainability of its forces
• During CJTF-P VII, significant improvements were made in the CJTF-Phoenix vehicle fleet,
including the installation of the latest electronic counter measures to help defeat the threat posed by
Improvised Explosive Devices and the fielding of new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected armored
vehicles and additional armor kits for humvees. As a result, the safety and survivability of task force
personnel has been enhanced along with their ability to perform the mission assigned.
In December American Legion Post 50 Pelham shipped a box of art an school supplies to
members of the NY National Guard on duty in Afghanistan. The NY National Guard has
built and renovated several schools during their 2008 tour of duty in Afghanistan. Lt. Col.
Fanning is pictured in the lower right of the picture.
members of the NY National Guard on duty in Afghanistan. The NY National Guard has
built and renovated several schools during their 2008 tour of duty in Afghanistan. Lt. Col.
Fanning is pictured in the lower right of the picture.