ETT Deployment

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Danger Zone......

I'm not in Afghanistan anymore,should be in the states soon

Friday, March 30, 2012

Someone was asking about the area of Afghanistan I was in, and I figured I would share the maps that I found with all of you. You can click on each picture to get a larger view. This first one shows all of the provinces of the country. I have been in both Helmand and Nimruz

This next map is a zoomed in version of the provinces

And the last is a link to a Google map that I have put checkpoints on. Each checkpoint is a place I have been. The map can be zoomed in and out and moved around.

Google Map of Deployment

I hope this helps.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The end is near.....

As this deployment is wrapping up, I thought I would share an official view of what I did during this deployment. The other day I was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for my actions during this deployment. When you are put up for an award, someone has to write up both a Summary of Action and an Award Citation which is read when you are presented with the award. Below I have attached the text from both along with a couple of pictures.

SUMMARY OF ACTION
First Lieutenant Culp is enthusiastically recommended for the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as Operations Advisor, Fourth Kandak Embedded Training Team, Second Brigade Advisor Team, Regimental Combat Team (RCT) 6, 2d Marine Division (Forward) from 15 August 2011 to 30 April 2012 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

During pre-deployment, First Lieutenant Culp took charge of coordinating with the battalion operations section. He gathered, evaluated, and distributed intelligence from the off-going team, the battalion intelligence officer, and the battalion operations section. First Lieutenant Culp then ensured the Embedded Training Team (ETT) was trained to the standard needed to successfully mentor the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) and operate in isolated environments. During this time, he coordinated several training events, and acted as the ETT’s communications officer. First Lieutenant Culp seized the initiative by researching the requirements for data access in country. He personally ensured that the team had all necessary clearances, then proceeded to hand carry the required paperwork into country. As a result of his efforts, the ETT had access to data immediately upon arrival in Afghanistan and was able to begin advisor work with no delay.

Once in country, the ETT was immediately tasked to support a named operation. With little time to prepare, the team leader and two other members of the ETT departed for two weeks. During the team leader’s absence, First Lieutenant Culp immediately took charge of the team. He managed the turnover with the previous team, led the contingent at Delaram 2, and coordinated with the six Marines still operating out of Camp Leatherneck. During this period, he coordinated the acquisition of critical supplies, repair parts, and other necessary gear, both with Regimental supply and with the remainder of the team at Camp Leatherneck. First Lieutenant Culp’s hard work and dedication allowed the ETT to work towards mission readiness although it was scattered across two provinces in Afghanistan.

As operations officer, First Lieutenant Culp took charge of directing the advisor efforts of the ETT. He evaluated the ANA Kandak the ETT was assigned to on a daily basis and developed plans to strengthen their weaknesses. First Lieutenant Culp de-conflicted the concerns and operations within each shop of the ETT and coordinated efforts. As a result, the ETT was able to mentor the ANA on the same major issues at the local section and company level. Additionally, because of the coordinated efforts of the team, the Kandak can operate without the support of the Marine units.

In an effort to ensure the team was prepared for operations, First Lieutenant Culp coordinated internal team training to include, crew serve weapons range, medical classes, close quarter battle drills, and quick reaction force (QRF) drills. He developed a training plan for the ETT and ensured training was conducted weekly to ensure the team sustained and advanced their combat skills. His efforts were evident in the successful completion of one named operation and seven other missions.

First Lieutenant Culp provided daily advisement and mentorship to the Kandak commander and operations office. His focus was the development of a training program within the ANA. When he arrived in country, the ANA had no type of sustainment training, nor did they work to advance the skill level of their soldiers. First Lieutenant Culp recognized this as a problem and worked diligently to rectify it. As a result of his efforts, the Kandak developed their own weekly training plan, as well as, supported training courses by sending soldiers to each available course. During the deployment, 4th Kandak went from a group of untrained soldiers, to a Kandak with trained Fire Direction Officers, Gun Line operators, a mine sweeper platoon, an Explosive Ordinance Disposal company, a medical platoon, a maintenance platoon, and others. All of these personnel were trained either internally by trained Kandak personnel or at official courses supported by the ANA and coalition forces.

As operations officer First Lieutenant Culp supervised the ETT in various tactical and non-tactical situations, and coordinated with outside agencies to allow the completion of several missions and other tasks. This included the building or improvement of several check points, patrol bases, and entry control points; the employment of engineers in the Helmand and Nimroz Provinces; and the training and utilization of a helicopter-borne interdiction force formed from ANA and Marine personnel.

During the deployment, First Lieutenant Culp took every opportunity to lead. This included serving a QRF Commander during a named operation. This operation lasted seven days and was a joint venture with another advisor team and two ANA Kandaks. During this mission, First Lieutenant Culp led the QRF in resupply missions, QRF duties, and security. Though the QRF encountered indirect fire and Improvised Explosive Device threat, First Lieutenant Culp led with confidence and composure, and aided the team in completing their mission with no damage to ETT personnel or equipment. Additionally, he served as convoy commander for several logistics patrols.

First Lieutenant Culp continued to display his leadership when assigned as Assistant Helicopter Unit Commander/Ground Unit Commander for the Helicopter-borne interdiction force. He coordinated classes, training, and rehearsals for both ANA and Marines. The result was the successful employment of the aerial interdiction forceS. This training increased the spectrum of capabilities for reconnaissance company, and increased the company’s proficiency to operate independently.

AWARD CITATION

MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT WHILE SERVING AS OPERATIONS ADVISOR, REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM 6, FROM AUGUST 2011 TO APRIL 2012 IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. DURING THIS PERIOD, FIRST LIEUTENANT CULP SERVED AS THE OPERATIONS ADVISOR FOR 4TH KANDAK, 2D BRIGADE, 215TH CORPS, AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY. FIRST LIEUTENANT CULP MENTORED AND SUPERVISED HIS AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY COUNTERPARTS IN ALL MANNER OF OPERATIONS AND PLANNING FROM INFANCY TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. FIRST LIEUTENANT CULP DIRECTED THE EMBEDDED TRAINING TEAM’S EFFORTS AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING THE TRAINING OF FIRE DIRECTION OFFICERS, GUN LINE OPERATORS, A MINE SWEEPER PLATOON, AN EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE DISPOSAL COMPANY, A MEDICAL PLATOON, AND A MAINTENANCE PLATOON. FIRST LIEUTENANT CULP MANAGED A CONSOLIDATED MEMORANDUM RECEIPT WORTH MORE THAN SIX MILLION DOLLARS, COORDINATED INTERNAL TEAM RESET TRAINING, AND PERSONALLY TRACKED THE BUILDING OF SEVERAL MAJOR CHECK POINTS AND PATROL BASES TO ENHANCE SECURITY IN THE REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM’S AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY. FIRST LIEUTANANT CULP WAS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN TRAINING THE KANDAK’S RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY FROM INFANCY TO A HIGHLY CAPABLE UNIT WITH AERIAL INTERDICTION CAPABILITIES RESULTING IN THE FIRST AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY AIR INTERDICTION MISSION. FIRST LIEUTENANT CULP’S INITIATIVE, PERSEVERANCE, AND TOTAL DEDICATION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIM AND UPHELD THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Thoughts

I first have to apologies that this might be all over the place. The other day, I completed what "should" be my last mission. The mission it's self was quite simple, it was the area in which we went that gave it it's risk. This was the first time I had been to this part of the country, and the first time, I traveled out into the open desert. There is something quite different about driving into the middle of a third world country with no roads or bases within sight. It's hard to explain, but there is something surreal about it. Something special about this country is that most of it's inhabitants live a very primitive life. Cars, like in America are expensive to own, and most live WELL outside walking distance to the nearest market. The basic meal here (and they eat this almost every day) is rice, bread, and maybe a small piece of meat. The people are small because of this. IT must be nice to have such a simple life with no electricity, no hassles of the city, but at the same time exhausting to have to provide everything for yourself. When we past by a couple of the villages ( 6 to 7 families) all I could think about is this is what it must have been like to live in the old west. Shared community effort. However, it was sad to see so many children in these villages. They grow up in uninsulated houses where the summer heat is well over a 100 and in the winter can get down into the 20's. They have very little possessions (maybe a toy or two), and shoes seem to be a luxury left for the adults. Every village we passed, the kids would just stand by the trail and stare as our monstrous vehicles passed. Some would blow kisses or wave, while some would throw rocks in anger. These kids have and will grow up in a violent country, where you can be stoned to death for having sex with a virgin before marriage. It made me think how blessed our country is, how I don't have to worry about the safety of my children or how I will get the food for the next day. Luxuries that we all take for granted such as your ability to read this post from halfway around the world while they struggle to get information from just 100 miles away. But, they don't seem to mind, in fact, they embrace it. Something like the escamos, they stay a family unit. When they travel, mom, dad, kids, grandparent, aunts, uncles, and cousins all travel together. The whole family helps to provide for the needs of all. But they are uneducated. Why not have schools to teach the basics of reading. Maybe they don't need to read. How much reading do you think you would NEED to do, if you lived in the middle of nowhere Wyoming living on the land, and only visiting the market for things you couldn't grow. No internet, no new or newspapers, just the entertainment that you could provide by trading things with other people. I wouldn't guess you would need to read alot. Sure they have money, but it is more of a barter system for these small villages. One family tends to the rice fields while another shepherds the goats and sheep. They they eat get a little of both. The consequence of all of this is a reduced lifespan not just from the violence, but because of the lack of advancements in technologies both medically and otherwise. Why would they live like this? Because I presume they like to, it follows their religious belief.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Current Situation

While I am sure that all of you know about the current situation here in Afghanistan, I have received multiple request as to my safety and thus am writing to let you all know that I am O.K. and steps have been taken to reduce our risk in the uncertain environment.

First, let me be frank. I work with an advisory group that consist of approximately 40 coalition forces on an Afghan installation that has close to 500 ANA all of which practice the Islamic religion. While I am in this country, I will never be totally safe. This is not meant to overly scare anyone, I just want to make sure each of you know my situation.

The ANA on my camp are suppose to stay solely on their part of the base, however, there is no locked gate between them and the Marines. We do however sleep in locked, hard, structures which severely limits their ability to get near us at night. Due to the recent events, we have postponed working in our usual office as it is a tent situated in the middle of their part of the base. We have also postponed a major mission that we were suppose to do with the ANA and currently are not going into their camp until tensions lessen. No one knows how long this will be, but there will be a point that I will have to resume my interactions with my ANA counterparts. In the rare case that I have to go to the ANA camp, I have another Marine with me, and we both are carrying loaded weapons with a round in the chamber. At night while sleeping, I normally don't have my weapon within arms reach, but for the time being we have instructed all of our Marines to do so, so that we can react swiftly to developing situations. We have also made it mandatory that all Marines carry a two way radio with them 24/7 to both alert others of a threat, and to easily obtain accountability should something happen. These are all precautionary measures, and there is no known threat on the base that I am on, however, we are taking no chances.

Again, relative to my situation, my Marines and I are safe. We will continue to carry ourselves as professionals and when the times comes will resume our work as advisors.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Today we went on a live rehearsal for Air Interdiction. Because it was practice, we didn't have all the aircraft we needed, and in addition there was an all Marine Team that went out and practiced at the same time as us utilizing the same helicopters, so things didn't go exactly as planned, but they still went well. After about 3 runs, we returned to base with many lessons learned. See pictures below.