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Combined Joint Task Force-82
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan national army commandos from 2nd Company, 205th Kandak, advised by coalition forces, conducted a four-day operation to disrupt insurgents activity in the volatile Tag Ab Valley of Kapisa province, Jan. 19-23.
The Tag Ab Valley has been an insurgent stronghold where villagers have lived in fear from insurgents supporting the Hizb-e-Islami-Gulbuddin terrorist organization.
The goals of the operation were to deny insurgents' support bases in Kapisa province, demonstrate the capabilities of the newly formed commandos having Afghan forces secure a foot-hold in the southern part of the valley, and facilitate support operations establishing security checkpoints throughout the region.
The 205th commandos patrolled the Naghlu Reservoir to the village of Jangali in order to disrupt insurgent activities in the center of the valley as the combined force moved north.
Many suspected insurgents were observed fleeing to the north and east through the Chine Gar pass, but no enemy combatants were captured during the multi-day operation.
This operation served as a graduation exercise to providing confidence in the abilities of the newly-formed Commando Kandak. The company trained for nearly three months and focused on small-unit and special operations tactics, techniques and procedures.
"It's clear that our men were well prepared for this mission," said the 205th Commando Kandak sergeant major. "The morale and the enthusiasm of the men were outstanding. The Soldiers and the NCOs (non-commissioned officer) all did their jobs very well."
Commando operations differ from conventional Afghan national army operations in the degree of risk, the operational techniques employed, independence from friendly support and dependence on detailed operational intelligence, according to Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a coalition spokesman. Commando operations will fill the security gap in remote high-threat locations where limited or no regular Afghan national security forces are available.
"Afghan commandos are a rapidly deployable, highly mobile, light-infantry unit that is organized and trained to conduct complex operations," said Belcher. "These operations can be in coordination with, or in support of, other Afghan national security forces."
"The 205th Kandak performed their tasks extremely well during this operation in Tag Ab Valley," Belcher continued. "They were able to validate their training and demonstrate their readiness to conduct future combat operations. We stressed their combat logistics elements, the combat employment of the company, and we stressed their leadership to maneuver those companies in enemy terrain. The commandos did very well and met all our expectations."
The commandos accomplished their mission disrupting insurgent activity throughout Tag Ab Valley, Belcher commended.
"The commandos are Afghanistan's premier military force," explained Belcher. "They are committed to removing insurgents from Afghanistan, protecting Afghan citizens from insurgent intimidation and criminal activity, and supporting the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's reconstruction and development programs to make life better for Afghan citizens."
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.25.2008 14:58 |
| Story ID: | 15788 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 361 |
| Downloads: | 343 |
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