Afghanistan on assignment
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CentCom commander has concerns about sharing Syria intelligence with Russians
News / Military By Howard Altman / Tampa Bay Times / July 15, 2016 PHOTO: A family walks amid the rubble of destroyed buildings following a reported air strike in April on the rebel-held neighborhood of al-Kalasa in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. {Getty Images) BAGHDAD — Two top U.S. commanders in the war…
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U.S. general briefs CentCom visitors on Iraqi military progress with attack on Mosul looming
News / Military By Howard Altman / Tampa Bay Times / July 14, 2016 PHOTO: Shell casings lie on the ground as Iraqi government forces gather around the Qayyarah airbase, which was seized by Iraqi forces last week from Islamic State militants. (Getty images) BAGHDAD — A recent battle to retake the village of Nasir…
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Votel sees cause for concern as U.S., Iranian ships share tight space
News / Military By Howard Altman / Tampa Bay Times / July 11, 2016 PHOTO: Army Gen. Joseph Votel speaks with a Navy sailor during a visit to the USS New Orleans. Over Votel’s shoulder, approaching the American ship, is an Iranian war vessel. (Howard Altman | Times) ABOARD THE USS NEW ORLEANS — The…
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CentCom commander’s videoconference reveals how new drones help turn tide in Afghanistan
News / Military By Howard Altman / Tampa Bay Times / July 9, 2016 PHOTO: Army Gen. Joseph Votel, head of Tampa-based U.S. Central Command, listens as Army Gen. John Nicholson, new commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, discusses progress in efforts to stabilize the country during a roundtable at Nicholson’s headquarters in Kabul. (Howard…
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Gen. Votel leaves MacDill HQ for fifth tour of troubled CentCom region
News / Military By Howard Altman / Tampa Bay Times / July 8, 2016 PHOTO: Army Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, briefs reporters on his way to Kabul, Afghanistan, for a a visit to the CentCom region. (Howard Altman | Times) KABUL, Afghanistan — During his early years in office, President Barack…
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Building a nation, one village at a time
CHARKUSA, Afghanistan – Shortly after 1 p.m. on a searing hot, dusty day, three armored trucks begin a trip out beyond the security of the 12-foot concrete walls surrounding their military base. Just before the convoy turns onto a rutted dirt road into bad-guy country leading to the village of Charkusa, an alert sounds on…
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St. Pete soldier handles organized chaos of Afghanistan
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan In a busy office in a busy shack at the headquarters of Special Operations Task Force South, a staff sergeant from St. Petersburg is the man to see if you want to get from Point A to Point B. “It seems too easy to move personnel and cargo,” says the Sergeant, a graduate…
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Special Forces recall fallen comrades
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan The men and women of the 7th Special Forces Group don’t wait for Memorial Day to remember fellow commandos killed in action. The names are always on their minds. What’s more, there’s a daily reminder in the hallway leading to the headquarters of the outfit that this Florida-based group is assigned to –…
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Special Forces’ mission: Build ties between Afghans
ZHARAY DISTRICT, Afghanistan – As a small white bus bounces through the swirling dust of a hot Tuesday morning, a man known as the Chief points to a series of buildings in the distance. “That’s Tarnak Farms,” says the Chief, who has spent 11 years with Army special forces. “That’s where Osama Bin Laden set…
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Altman: Reporter heads to Afghanistan for first-hand look
Every week, I write at least one story, but usually more, about something happening 8,000 miles away in Afghanistan. It’s only natural. I cover the military and Tampa is home to several commands that pay close attention to that landlocked nation in the middle of Southwest Asia. U.S. Central Command oversees military operations in that…