Subscribe
By Sgt. Brandon Aird,
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Paratroopers in 2nd Platoon, Able Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) conduct tactical check points on a near-daily basis on the only road leading into the Korengal Valley.
The Pech River Road is one of two paved roads in all of Kunar province, Afghanistan. The road allows easy travel in an area dominated by mountains from the Hindu Kush Mountain Range.
Second Platoon works side-by-side with Afghan national police and the Afghan national army to keep the road safe for local Afghans, stop the smuggling of illegal goods and prevent movement of Taliban extremists.
"Were basically here to be a deterrent against those activities," said Spc. Trevor Petsch, a 25-year-old paratrooper from Nebraska.
The platoon is strategically located at Forward Operating Base Michigan. The base is located at the mouth of the Korengal Valley.
Paratroopers from the platoon conducted a two hour 'snap' traffic control point, Jan. 11, to look for weapons and ammunition intelligence reports indicated would be coming into the Korengal Valley on the Pech River Road.
The spot chosen this day served two purposes: to try to intercept contraband and also to make a statement.
"We set up the TCP in an ambush spot to show the Taliban we can't be bullied," said Staff. Sgt. Dawayne Krepel, a squad leader in 2nd Platoon from New York.
The TCPs involve searching trucks, cars and motorcycle for ammunition, weapons and materials that can used to make weapons. The results of the tactical check points vary from day to day.
"Sometimes we find stuff and sometimes we don't," Petsch explained. "One time we got a call about some guys about to place an [improvised explosive devise] on the road. So we set up a TCP and pulled over a car with four guys in it -- all four were from different areas. They had a video camera and $80,000 cash on them."
While the snap TCP held Jan. 11 didn't produce any weapons or ammunition, the Soldiers did gather valuable intelligence they will be able to use in future missions.
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2008 08:16 |
| Story ID: | 15527 |
| Location: | KUNAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 381 |
| Downloads: | 333 |
This work, Able Company 'snap' TCPs disrupt illegal activities, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT