An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Oct. 10, 2006

Security Force Stops Pakistani Smugglers

By Cathrin Fraker

KABUL, Afghanistan – On Sept. 25, Camp Phoenix Security Forces (SECFOR) raided a nearby compound capturing 18 men suspected of pilfering U.S. connexes in route to Camp Phoenix.

Soldiers from SECFOR received tips that connexes were being opened and contents were stolen prior to their arrival to Camp Phoenix and other Coalition locations. Intel suggested this was happening frequently as Pakistani truck drivers made contact and stopped on the way so smugglers could pilfer the connexes, reseal and send them onto their final destination. The stolen goods are then sold at various locations.

Spc. Richard Newberg, of Roseburg, Ore. and Pfc. Carl Schotthoefer of Grant's Pass, Ore. were working in a guard tower that evening. As soon as they saw the suspected vehicles moving into a compound they alerted the Base Defense and Operations Center (BDOC).

The BDOC redirected a dismounted patrol to assist in the raid. Sgt. Justin Dorn of Medford, Ore. led the members of his patrol to include some members of the Afghan National Police (ANP) to the compound. Mounted forces from the Ready Reaction Force (RRF) and Quick Reaction Force (QRF) were sent out to cordon the area to prevent the escape of any suspects. The command to move in was given and Alpha Company, 1st Platoon, 4th Squad entered the compound and apprehended the thieves. 

Due to the tower guard's ability to maintain visibility of the situation and willingness of several local nationals to help, all the suspects were captured and taken to a local ANP Station for further questioning.

"Relationships built in the community were directly responsible for this success mission," 2nd. Lt. Scott Marman, SECFOR Intelligence Officer, said.

Soldiers of Task Force Phoenix SECFOR have a feeling of accomplishment after eliminating this recurring security threat. "They felt it was what they were sent here to do and they get great satisfaction from it," Marmam said. "Professionalism and proficiency were the order of the day."

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Air National Guard civilian firefighters, assigned to the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department, pose in front of the fire truck that was the first on scene, South Burlington, VT, June 4, 2025. These firefighters provided the first fire truck on scene to a local fire.
Vermont Air Guard First on Scene of South Burlington Fire
By Airman Raymond LaChance, | June 4, 2025
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – Doireann Chesbrough, a civilian firefighter for the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department, was sitting next to the radio in the dayroom of the station as the sun began to set over the Green...

Paratroopers from the Colorado National Guard and the Jordanian Armed Forces stand together before the first joint Colorado-Jordan airborne Friendship Jump, Watkins, Colorado, April 23, 2025. Members parachuted from a CH-47 Chinook as part of an event to strengthen interoperability and deepen the partnership between the two forces.
Airborne Operation Strengthens Colorado Guard, Jordan Partnership
By Senior Airman Melissa Escobar-Pereira, | June 4, 2025
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – In a display of cooperation and capability, Soldiers from the Colorado Army National Guard and the Jordanian Armed Forces recently conducted a joint airborne operation in Watkins, Colorado.The April 23...

Army Guard Soldiers assigned to Regional Command-East of the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission, also known as KFOR, host a multinational non-commissioned officer academy, referred to as the Jungleer Academy, at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, May 8, 2025. 11 Sergeants Major from seven countries shared their experience with the soldiers, and many nations showcased their weapons, gear, vehicles and took a flight or hoisted in the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
Army Guard Soldiers in Kosovo Host Inaugural Event for Non-Commissioned Officers
By Sgt. Cheryl Madolev, | June 4, 2025
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – National Guard Soldiers assigned to Regional Command-East of the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission recently hosted an inaugural multinational event for non-commissioned officers (NCOs), focusing on...