Afghan engineers reinforce the Pir Kowti Valley

Courtesy Photo | Afghan National Army engineers raise the Afghanistan National Flag on a D7 bulldozer near the village of Manikandow, April 28, 2013, to show all bystanders that the Afghan Government is expanding into the Pir Kowti Valley to improve security in the area. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Douglas Mize, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment)  

ORGUN, AFGHANISTAN

05.20.2013

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

By U.S. Army Capt. Douglas Mize
2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Pir Kowti Valley lays in relative proximity to Pakistan, skirting the eastern edge of Paktika province, Afghanistan. The Taliban historically use the valley as a supply route from Pakistan into Paktika. The valley is laden heavily with Taliban activity, and in addition to a limited Afghan security force presence, it is a hotbed of violence.

The Afghan National Army engineers combined with their coalition force advisors developed and executed Operation Pamier to change all of that. The push into the region helped to establish a government presence, disrupt enemy supply lines, and provide the residents protection from violence.

“The Engineers from the ANA 4th Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 203rd “Thunder Corps” performed superbly conducting planned construction and ‘on the fly’ rapid route repair,” said 2/10 Security Forces Assistance Brigade engineer adviser Capt. Carlos Brown.

The operation opened when the engineers began improving the roads along a steep mountain path. Upon reaching the summit, they conducted clearing and grading operations to improve the area for what would become an Afghan Border Patrol checkpoint near the village of Manikandow.

Simultaneously, ANA soldiers conducted “clear and hold” operations throughout the surrounding villages while the ABP and Afghan National Civil Order Police force provided security in occupied observation points and established temporary checkpoints. The soldiers on the ground searched all personnel and vehicles as they entered into the area, which kept the engineers free to work on the checkpoint.

“The area felt as secure as any Forward Operating Base minus all the physical barriers,” said Brown. “You couldn’t turn in any one direction and not see soldiers actively pulling security.”

Once the combined force completed the ground work, the engineers constructed a hardened compound of earth-filled Hesco bastions, sandbags, and pre-fabricated buildings to protect the ABP soldiers assigned to the checkpoint.

Additionally, the combined force selected two of the observation points to be transitioned into permanent facilities. The selected OPs provide early warning of enemy activity in the area and screen dismounted movements on the flanks of the checkpoint. The ANA engineers also reinforced their position with “Hesco” barriers and sand bags to defend against enemy attackers. The terrain forced the engineers to carry the materials for the observation points to the top of the mountain without a vehicle and assembled the finished project manually.

The end result of a hard day’s work paid off in the form of hardened living quarters and fighting positions. As the Manikandow ABP checkpoint and permanent observation points were completed, the engineers and ANCOP soldiers created a new road to another ANCOP checkpoint, just a few kilometers away. The newly constructed road allows the two checkpoints to mutually support each other.

“The new road between the two checkpoints instills courage for checkpoint soldiers knowing we can support each other quickly,” said one ABP officer.

Operation Pamier was a complete success, especially from an advisor’s point of view. The ANA made the proper coordination with the ABP, ANCOP, and CF advisors, and ensured all elements were integrated into the planning process. The resulting well planned operation met all of the defined objectives.

“The ANA engineers felt the lion’s share of the burden for the construction of the check points and they performed superbly with minimal guidance from CF advisers. This operation is a prime example of the leaps and bounds that the Afghan National Security Forces have made in their ability to continually secure their country and citizens,” said Brown.

• Date Taken: 05.20.2013
• Date Posted: 06.03.2013 13:53
• Story ID: 107969
• Location: ORGUN, AF