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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - The Marines affectionately call the structure "Noah's Ark," for its similarities to the vessel built before flood waters covered the earth in biblical times.

In the rugged desert of southern Afghanistan sit hundreds of tents occupied by Marines for as far as the eye can see.

Rising above the dust and grit that blow across the Helmand plains, one object stands out majestically amongst Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan's sprawling tent city at the unit's base of operations at Camp Leatherneck.

This modern-day ark, built for Marines in less than three months by sailors of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, looms over all other structures across the desert camp.

"In my 19 years in the Navy, I have never built a building this big," said Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Damron, a supervisor for the construction of the 12,000 square-foot structure. "This is the largest wooden structure I've ever seen Seabees build."

Damron, a Port Hueneme, Calif., native, said the building is the largest building made by the Navy outside the U.S. since World War II and will be used for coordinating various aspects of MEB-Afghanistan's mission, which includes counterinsurgency operations and mentoring and training Afghan national security forces.

Construction of the massive building began two months before MEB-Afghanistan arrived in Helmand province. Damron said the Seabees are currently on schedule to meet their deadline for finishing the Ark, but only because of the sweat and perseverance that has come from the naval construction workers involved.

"We're all pushed to our limits," Damron said. "A construction job of this size takes an average of five months to complete. We're doing it in less than three."

The sailors each work an average of 12 hours every day at the least. By the time the sun rises, on average, the temperature is 85 degrees, said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Amber Chambliss, hospital corpsman, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5. She said temperatures lately can reach 125 degrees by mid-day.

"This job they're doing can be extremely dangerous," Chambliss said, of working both inside and outside the building, which currently lacks air conditioning. "Dealing with the heat is a serious issue alone, not to add the possibility of falling off the roof."

The Miami native said individuals who work on the job site drink anywhere from two to three gallons of water daily. And it's necessary, she said, noting the fact that if one of the workers falls out, the job will become even harder to complete on time.

The day-to-day job hasn't been easy, Damron said. In order to reach their completion deadline, the Seabees work nearly non-stop, taking an hour-long break for lunch and 10-minute breaks every hour to rest. Reaching their completion time has required every one of those minutes saved, he said.

"This is one of the toughest jobs some of us have ever done because of the elements and working conditions," Damron said. "It's controlled chaos. We've been building this at more than two times the speed it would take on average to complete. Everyone is constantly doing different things, moving different directions, accomplishing one job, then moving toward the next."

"Look at them, you can se the exhaustion in their faces," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Garrison Hardisty, project supervisor. "And they're only halfway through the day. They're all pushed to the limit."

Hardisty said everyone is physically drained when they leave the job site in the evenings. The job has taken an obvious toll on Damron, who said he's lost more than 30 pounds since he arrived in Afghanistan. But, Hardisty said, they return each day and never give up.

And even though returning each day reminds them of the grueling tasks ahead, it also reminds them of how far they have come in such a short amount of time.

"Everyone's excited to see the end result," Damron said, enthusiastically. "We're all proud to have had a part in this building. It will be around for years to come."

Petty Officers 2nd Class Landon Church and John Nicholas, project lead electrician and utilities man respectively, said they were confident in the building becoming operational by its deadline. Church, a Byron, Mich., native, said he and his team of electricians have installed more than 10,000 feet of wiring throughout the building to support hundreds of computers. Nicholas, a Boise, Idaho, native, said the facility will also be climate-controlled, ready to accept those who will work there when it opens.

As the clock continues to count down, the Seabees remain resilient, motivated by purpose and commitment. But as one job nears an end, others add up by the week. After the brigade command center is complete, they will move on and continue to build the Regimental Combat Team 3 and Camp Leatherneck Garrison Combat Operations Center, also 12,000 square-feet each.

"As soon as this job is complete, we will carry on to the next," Damron explained. "There will be no rest for us."

KABUL, Afghanistan – An ongoing U.S. Central Command investigation team briefed interim findings after reviewing information on recent events in Farah province associated with alleged civilian casualties.

Investigators reviewed weapon sight video from the aircraft supporting the coalition rescue of Afghan national security forces in Bala Baluk on May 4 which clearly depicts insurgents entering the buildings which were then targeted in the final strikes of the fight. Combined with audio recordings of the ground commander and air crew conversations the investigators were able to confirm that the insurgents fleeing from the firefight were regrouping in several small rural buildings which were then subsequently destroyed. A review of the physical evidence is inconclusive in determining the exact number of civilian and insurgent casualties. In all, the investigation team estimates that 60-65 Taliban extremists were killed in these engagements, while at least 20-30 civilians may have been killed during the fighting. The investigators continue to attempt to better confirm casualty numbers.

A large number of Taliban fighters, to include non-Afghans, consolidated on Ganj Abad and Grani villages May 3, and demanded payments from villagers. Afghan and coalition troops reported observing at least 300 villagers evacuating the area prior to the fighting. Reports from Afghan officials indicated that the Taliban had executed three former government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials. In a joint operation the Afghan national police supported by the Afghan national army went to the village to drive out the Taliban. As the ANP approached the village of Garani they were ambushed by 200-300 Taliban. During the initial ambush two ANP were killed. A total of five ANP officers were killed during the battle. Outmanned and outgunned the Provincial Governor request the coalition Quick Reaction Force.

Once the coalition force arrived, they along with an ANA unit attempted to help the ANP. At this point, the Taliban launched another attack, firing on the ANA and coalition forces. One U.S. Navy Corpsman was shot in the shoulder while attempting to rescue a wounded Afghan soldier and an ANA soldier was shot in the chest as he attempted to charge a Taliban position. In order to rescue the fallen ANA 1st Sergeant who was trapped by heavy Taliban machine gun and RPG fire, the coalition force used close air support by F-18s to suppress the enemy fire from buildings nearby. The coalition Forces and ANA then rushed forward, placed the fallen ANA 1st Sgt. on a stretcher and carried him to safety. The 1st Sgt. was later transported from the battle by medical evacuation helicopter, and due to the bravery of the ANA and coalition soldiers he is expected to make a full recovery. Following this, one B-1 provided fires in coordination with the ground commander on buildings and a tree grove insurgents were firing from or massing in. ANSF and US Forces remained in the area until the next morning and observed the villagers returning after the fighting had ceased.

"We regret the loss of any civilian life," said Col. Greg Julian, "and express our condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this fighting with insurgents firing from and regrouping in villagers' homes. We continue to work closely with the Afghan national security forces to bring security and progress to Afghanistan, and to do everything we can to avoid civilian casualties. We strongly condemn the Taliban for their brutality in deliberately targeting and using civilians as human shields."

Source: US Department of Defense

By Maj. Scott Cooley

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq – Billy Blanks, creator of Tae Bo, and his assistant Melanie Neat, punched and kicked out a one-hour Tae Bo class for approximately 30 participants at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center here April 26.

Weather conditions delayed Blanks' arrival at Q-West, but enthusiastic fans waited patiently and were rewarded with some serious stretching exercises and a grueling workout.

Following the workout, Billy led a discussion on personal fitness and the motivation to maintain a regular workout schedule and a healthy lifestyle.

Sgt. 1st Class Brandy Kurtze, from Tacoma, Wash., and currently serving in the 181st Brigade Support Battalion, which runs the Mayor Cell on Q-West, said she was very grateful for the experience.

"The class was better than expected," Kurtze said. "Billy walked us through every exercise and explained the right way and the wrong way to do each work out. The class was very intense and left you feeling that you could do anything. Billy Blanks is very motivational and is alive with life and spirit. I am so glad I had the chance to work out with him."

Staff Sgt. Patricia McCarthy, from Olympia, Wash., and also serving in the 181st BSB had always wanted to go to a Tae Bo class.

"It was an experience of a lifetime," McCarthy said. "Billy Blanks truly sells a product that works. It was an intense and challenging workout from beginning to end. The thirty minute workout had it all, cardiovascular to body sculpting. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be able to go to Los Angeles and attend one of his classes. I do not believe that there is one workout CD of his that I don't have."

Blanks said he makes the trips to Iraq because Soldiers motivate him.

"I just want to do something for the Troops," Blanks said.

By Spc. Phillip Adam Turner

BAGHDAD, Iraq – In an effort to give a group of high school students a glimpse into the lives of Iraqis, a Dubuque, Iowa teacher assigned a service project to her students to apply 'real world problem solving solutions' that would benefit the people of the war torn country.

Brenda Foust, a world history teacher at Hemp Stead High School, and her students decided that a focus on education promoted the most, with the common belief that 'knowledge is power.'

"We gathered donated school supplies for the children, feeling that that would help to better educate them and eventually help them effect change in years to come," said committee member and Hemp Stead High School sophomore, Rachel Splinter.

Partnering with the students and faculty of nearby Washington Middle School, the students gathered an abundance of pens, pencils, notebooks and many other educational tools that are far from common place in classrooms throughout Iraq.

"The amount of donations were really no surprise to us; most people are willing to help if it is a good cause, and we knew people would see what we were trying to do and help as much as they could," said Splinter.

Gathering supplies from Washington Middle School and the nearly 1,800 students at Hemp Stead High was only half the battle. The next step would be to find a way to deliver the spoils of their project to those who would benefit the most.

That's where sophomore Tracy Zurcher and her uncle, Master Sgt. Craig Roberts, with Multi-National Division - Baghdad's provost marshal's office, helped build a bridge between American high school students and the Iraqi children.

"Since he was in Iraq, I introduced Mrs. Foust to Craig, and soon our class was exchanging e-mails, and [video chatting] with him. We were learning about Iraq from someone who was actually there and that helped us to give our project a focus," said Zurcher. With [the 1st Cavalry Division] being deployed I agreed to help them out because I saw that it was a good cause and a way for them understand what it is we are trying to do over here," said Roberts, originally from Dubuque.

Soon all the pieces were falling into place. Roberts, having seen this project grow from an idea into a fully fledged humanitarian aid mission, took the next few steps on his own.

"Once I received the supplies I started making connections through the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion. They set me up with the 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment which would ultimately provide the means to deliver these supplies to a community they had a relationship with," said Roberts.

So on May 15, many months of planning and what seemed like 'divine intervention' for Master Sgt. Roberts would finally culminate into a perfect ending to an Iraqi school day.

Roughly 200 students of the Hamichun School in Baghdad gathered just outside their respective classrooms, filling the concrete courtyard with gleeful anticipation and chatter, as Roberts and the Soldiers of the 2nd Bn. 112th Inf. Regt., unloaded box after box of school supplies and mounds of book bags. For the students in Iowa, their hopes were that these children would see that they had not been forgotten.

"This is one of those things where a plan comes together. I had it in my mind that those [Hemp Stead High students] had gone through so much to get that stuff here, that I was going to go that extra mile to get [the donations] out to kids who needed it, before school let out for the summer," Roberts said.

"I am so glad that my students got to see the benefit of all their hard work," said Foust. "I really can't take any of the credit for this; all I did was give them an assignment. They took it, ran with it, and I couldn't be more proud of the results. I am truly amazed."

A simple idea, with simple results; however, for a group of high school sophomores it was a continuation of that old adage that there is good in the world, and it comes from the good nature of people. Many lessons could be learned from such a act of caring, but the most important, for Dubuque sophomore Kaley Rigdon, was a view shared in common with all those who continue to promote peace through the smallest of gestures.

"This project was about trying to help make things better," Rigdon said. "The world is much bigger than just Dubuque, Iowa. Reaching out shows your character, it will take you far in life, and ours led us to being good ambassadors for the world."

By Sgt. Joshua Risner
TAJI, Iraq – Iraqi policemen at the Tarmiyah Police Station here, learned some useful techniques in first aid from Soldiers of the 591st Military Police Company, 93rd MP Battalion, 8th MP Brigade, May 16.

The training focused on controlling bleeding from an arm or leg, according to Pfc. Evan Mead, from Londonderry, N.H., a medic with 591st MP Co.

"We trained them up on gauze pads, the [Emergency Trauma Dressing] and the tourniquet," said Pfc. Andrew Van Cleave, an assistant medic with 591st MP Co. "This is their first exposure to [Combat Lifesaver] training."

The IPs listened as Soldiers, with the help of an interpreter, went through the steps of bleeding control. They asked questions testing the Iraqis' knowledge of the material.

"What if the leg is broken?" an IP asks as the 591st Soldiers talk through applying a tourniquet to the leg. "Wouldn't you want to make sure the leg is stabilized?"

"You can tell they're paying close attention when they ask questions like that," explained Van Cleave, from Junction City, Kan. "These guys are on it."

When the Soldiers finished with their instruction, they invited the IPs to come up and get some hands-on training with the materials. One person acted as a casualty while two others treated a "severely bleeding" arm and leg.

"They respond really well," said Van Cleave. "If you tell them to do something, they just do it without asking why or how."

After everyone had gone through the hands-on portion, the Soldiers asked if everyone was satisfied and understood the instruction. They replied with smiles and nods.

Before dismissing their students, Mead left them with some words of wisdom. "We appreciate the chance to come and teach you guys," he said to the assembled IPs. "We hope you will take this training and teach it to your brothers and hopefully, one day, you might save somebody's life by using what you learned today."

The 591st MPs moved out from the Tarmiyah IP Station, leaving a seed of knowledge in their wake. Though it may be a small step, it is still a step in the right direction for the mission of making the Iraqi security forces self-sufficient and able to save a life if needed.

By Jared Sollars

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, MOSUL, Iraq — The U.S. Army has begun out fitting units with a new intelligence gathering and distributing system as they prepare for deployment. The 3rd Heavy Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division is spearheading the charge in this new direction of intelligence.

The goal of this new program is to reduce uncertainty of focal points in hot areas and to aid commanders with their decision making based on intelligence. This program is completely flip-flopped from its predecessor in that intelligence is now moving from the troops on the ground up through their commanders. In turn, missions are directed more to the areas where intelligence gathered will be more beneficial.

"This should help the next unit that comes in get an idea of how things are on the ground before they ever even go out [on missions]," said Spc. Andrew Nuxoll, who works in the E. Co. Intelligence Support Team under 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment

The newly added company sections serve as a filter and analysis center for their companies. They take raw data and information from the field and turn it into intelligence which is then passed up the chain of command to their commander.

"This is a company-based intelligence operation that starts at the platoon level and from there goes up to the company level and so on," said Sgt. Erik Peterson, who works in D. Co. Intelligence Support Team, 1st Bn., 67th Armor Regt. "It's helped us get information quicker and in turn get it out quicker."

Each company has set an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance plan in motion, which emphasizes networking throughout their area of operations and establishing multiple contacts in that area.

"This program gives troops solid talking points and the ability to connect better with the people in their areas of operation about insurgent activities," said 1st Lt. Aaron Runne, who is over the program at B. Co. Intelligence Support Team in 1st Bn., 67th Armor Regt.

These operations also work toward finding patterns and trends both by enemy and friendly forces. Patterns, as they are discovered, are then analyzed. If a pattern is friendly such as common travel patterns, it is changed. If the pattern is hostile such as improvised explosive device placements, the section works to discover who is behind the placements.

Though the program is still in its infancy, the Soldiers of 3rd Bde. have found it to be a useful tool and are utilizing it to distribute key intelligence.

ABOARD USS GETTYSBURG AT SEA - Ships from Combined Task Force 151 prevented a piracy attack in the Gulf of Aden, which resulted in the apprehension of more than a dozen suspected pirates aboard an alleged "mothership" on May 13.

The South Korean destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great and guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg responded to a distress call from the Egyptian-flagged motor vessel Amira, which reported being attacked about 75 nautical miles south of Mukalla, Yemen.

Several assault rifle rounds and a rocket-propelled grenade round struck the Amira, causing little or no damage. A rope was thrown from the skiff in an attempt to board, but the attempt failed and the suspected pirates abandoned their attack.

Gettysburg and Munmu the Great launched their embarked helicopters which flew immediately to Amira's location. During its flight, the SH-60B helicopter assigned to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 46 located a small boat suspected of serving as a pirate mothership.

A Gettysburg visit, board, search and seizure team boarded the boat along with members of U.S. Coast Guard Legal Detachment 409 and apprehended the suspected pirates after finding eight assault rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and a rocket-propelled grenade. All 17 of the passengers were brought on board Gettysburg for further questioning.

"This is another clear example of how coordination between the Combined Maritime Forces resulted in the successful disruption of pirate activity," said Royal Navy Commodore Tim Lowe, deputy commander of the Combined Maritime Forces. "It is imperative that all maritime forces continue to synchronize their efforts to deter and disrupt these unlawful and aggressive acts."

Gettysburg and Munmu the Great are operating in support of CTF 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counterpiracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the CMF area of responsibility to deter, disrupt and suppress piracy and secure freedom of navigation.

CAMP BARBER, Afghanistan – Sometimes it's the simple pleasures in life that can make a difference when deployed. Service members carrying out their duties in support of counterinsurgency operations aboard Camp Barber, Helmand province, Afghanistan, can now enjoy the fresh smell of coffee and a relaxing lounge to sip a "cup of Joe" at Holy Joe's Café, April 29, 2009.

The Camp Barber café originally opened in March, providing free coffee, hot tea and breakfast snacks to service members and civilians serving at Camp Barber, but the moniker "Holy Joe's" isn't an entirely new name to forward-deployed service members.

The café at Camp Barber derived its name from the Holy Joe's Café project, which was started in 2006 by the First Congregational Church in Wallingford, Conn., as a coffee drive, providing military chaplains in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait the opportunity to further support U.S. service members deployed overseas.

In an effort to support her fellow service members in what she calls "a little piece of home," Navy Lt. Karen J. Rector, the Combat Logistics Battalion 3 chaplain, collected matted flooring, put up camouflage netting for shade, and gathered benches and tables to give coffee and tea-drinking patrons a comfortable and appealing place to take a break. CLB-3 Sgt. Maj. Danny Duvall volunteered a bit of his spare time and artistry, decorating the café's tables and benches with an eclectic holy-Hawaiian-desert-patriotic motif to make things interesting for the patrons as they enjoy their "cup of Joe" or tea.

"Coffee in the morning helps you face the adversities that you're going to face that day," said 1st Lt. Jason D. Ryan, the supply officer assigned to Headquarters Company, CLB-3. "If you get a bad cup of coffee, you know it's going to be a bad day," joked Ryan.

Ryan said his day would be incomplete if he wasn't able to get his cup of coffee and feels it's an important part of his morning.

"Holy Joe's has the best coffee on Camp Barber," Ryan said. "There are some things in Afghanistan that are always tough, but it should never be your first cup of coffee."

Coffee isn't the only sustenance provided at Holy Joe's. The café also provides juices, cereal and cold milk and various breakfast foods to start off the day.

Rector attributes much of the café's success to the donated supplies she receives through the "Adopt-a-Chaplain Program" and the individuals who donate their time and effort to support the troops through the chaplains' services.

Holy Joe's recently held its official grand opening April 20, 2009, announcing its place in the camp and all that it has to offer. Those who participated in the social event were welcomed with a barbeque picnic, refreshments and a raffle of prizes to top the night.

Combat Logistics Battalion 3 is the logistics combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan whose mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations, and train and mentor the Afghan national police.

Story by Spc. Kiyoshi Freeman

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Volunteer income tax assistants received certificates of appreciation from Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, commanding general, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and Air Force Brig. Gen. Brian T. Bishop, commanding general, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, here April 29.

Volunteers at the tax center here helped service members and civilian contractors save approximately $1.7 million this tax season.

"This was a resource that's truly appreciated by all the Soldiers," said Lally, whose own tax return was filed at the volunteer tax center. "Each of you [volunteers] is a credit to your own organization and to yourselves."

From Feb. 2 to April 30, 36 volunteers at the tax center processed more than 1,300 tax returns free of charge, saving service members another $140,000 in estimated service and filing fees.

Wearing a shirt with "I survived tax season 2008" emblazoned on the front, Spc. Jaclyn M. Mims, a paralegal specialist from Palmer, Mass., and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerol Boyce were the driving force behind the program.

Mims said the pair started in October, taking certification classes and contacting the Internal Revenue Service, which had to approve the program. They scrounged up computers, supplies, even a building to establish operations.

Mims' only previous experience was her volunteer work at a tax center last year.

"I think we topped ourselves," she said. "I think we did a lot more than we thought we could do."

A greater challenge was finding and training volunteers as military tax preparers, and then figuring out how to work around their schedules, Mims said. Some volunteered for the recognition, she admitted, while others did it for the simple satisfaction of helping someone else. One volunteer, a flight surgeon, she said spent two hours a week at the tax center for no other reason than he liked doing taxes.

Even with full-time jobs, Lally said most volunteers worked 12-20 hours a week at the tax center. It was a level of devotion he said impressed him and everyone involved.

"I've made really good friends working here," Mims said, adding that two volunteers were already invited to her wedding this September when they return to the United States.

After Boyce redeployed back to the United States, Mims said she essentially ran the tax center on her own. It was hectic, she said, trying to juggle her job as a paralegal specialist and her responsibilities at the tax center. She received phone calls all day long from volunteers with questions and did the record-keeping on her own.

"It was a little crazy at times, and I ended up getting some anxiety issues in the middle of it," she said with a smile.

Still, between the one-star general and the service members who walked in with boxes of receipts, wondering what they could deduct, Mims said the entire effort was worth it.

"I would do it a million times over if they asked me," she said. "The recognition is cool, but it's the satisfaction in knowing I was a part of something really great here."

By Staff Sgt. David Hopkins

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- The Soldiers who man Combat Outpost Lowell near the Pakistan border see combat action almost daily. Army Pfc. Timothy Gustafson is one of these Soldiers and his story of his time at COP Lowell is about survival and brotherhood. However, he will tell you he's just like any other American Soldier, fighting for his country and the Afghan people.

Gustafson, a cavalry scout with 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, has been living and fighting at the remote outpost since early July 2008 and has many stories about what he's done and seen.

The broad-shouldered, battle-worn Soldier leaned back against a stack of sandbags during a much-needed rest at Forward Operating Base Bostic as he explained his first days at COP Lowell.

"On my second day there I spent the night in a C-hut with the finance guys and some KBR employees. I woke up to the sound of gunfire. At first, I didn't know what it was and then bullets were coming through the wood walls. I couldn't believe it was happening," Gustafson said, shaking his head. "I ran through the building to make sure everyone else was getting up. I found a KBR guy sleeping. He must have thought it wasn't real or he's a heavy sleeper. I grabbed him and pulled him up. Right when I lifted him a bullet landed where he was lying. It was very intense."

The day's events seemed a lifetime away from the 22-year-old's hometown of Phoenix, Ariz., where his wife Katheryn waits for him to return at the end of his deployment.

"I miss a lot of things being out at Lowell, but I would have to say I miss my family and friends the most," Gustafson said.

Gustafson enlisted in the Army to take care of his family and have a stable life, but his start in the Army was a little rough.

"I joined the Army in 2006, but was medically discharged from Basic Training after an injury on the Victory Tower," Gustafson said, but he was determined to serve his country and after a year of rehabilitation he was ready to give it another try. He enlisted again in 2007 and that time made it work.

Gustafson worked hard to build himself back up and dedicated himself to serve in the Army and fight. He considers himself a hard worker and feels that's what helps him make it through the hard days on the front lines.

He said he takes comfort in the days where he and his fellow cavalrymen are able to fight off an attack or save someone who was hit in an attack.

Gustafson still isn't sure if the Army is going to be a career for him, but he knows what he wants to do after the Army.

"I just want to get stable when I get out," Gustafson explained. "When I get out I plan to go to college and be an electrician journeyman. I want to start my own business."

Until the day Gustafson gets out of the Army, he said he will continue to work hard and make a difference in the lives of the Afghan people and his brothers in arms.

"I feel we are helping the Afghan people have a better life," Gustafson said, "and it feels good to make a difference. I will keep doing this for the rest of the deployment. It isn't easy, but knowing that my friends and battle buddies are out there makes me do this every day. We are a family out there...brothers."