Freedom of Movement in southern Afghanistan

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Aubree Rundle | Coalition ground forces pull security immediately after dismounting the back of a CH-47F Chinook helicopter from Company B, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment during a deliberate operation infilling ground forces into an objective area in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. Deliberate operations supported by rotary-wing assets provides ground forces with freedom of movement into objective areas throughout southern Afghanistan.  

URUZGAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

11.05.2009

Story by Sgt. Aubree Rundle 

82nd Combat Aviation Brigade

URUZGAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan—The number one threat to International Security Assistance Forces and Afghan national security forces in southern Afghanistan comes from improvised explosive devices.

As the leading cause of casualties and injuries suffered by ground forces and Afghan local nationals, the counter-IED mission continues as the primary focus of U.S. force rotary-wing assets responsible for route clearance, aerial reconnaissance, combat support, and facilitating freedom of movement.

The 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, (Task Force Pegasus) responds to this continued threat by supporting coalition and Afghan ground forces' operational movement and sustainment of security throughout the battle space.

Outfitted with AH-64 Apache helicopters and OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters, TF Pegasus is capable of disrupting IED-emplacers and assisting in the clearance and security of ground force movement on established routes throughout the southern region.

"Task Force Pegasus provides around the clock armed reconnaissance with Kiowa Warrior and Apache attack helicopters focused on disrupting insurgent IED cells from unimpeded placement of IEDs along the key main economic corridors and main supply routes that are vital to the economic as well as reconstruction efforts across southern Afghanistan, "said Col. Paul W. Bricker, 82nd CAB Commander.

Nearly 2000 attack and reconnaissance missions have been executed by 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd CAB (Task Force Saber) and 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, 82nd CAB (Task Force Wolfpack) in response to the counter-insurgency and counter-IED operational demand in provincial areas in Regional Command-South.

Freedom of movement provided by Task Force Pegasus' rotary-wing assets from 2nd Battalion, 82nd Avn Regt. (Task Force Corsair) and 3rd Battalion, 82nd Avn Regt. (Task Force Talon) is made possible by the continued execution of deliberate operations and air assaults inserting and extracting troops from objective areas.

"Mitigating the threat of IEDs and nearly eliminating it is the reason why we are here," said Chief Warrant Officer Bert Shober, CH-47F Chinook helicopter maintenance test pilot, Company B, 3rd Bn, 82nd Avn Regt. (Task Force Talon). "We make it easier for ground forces to move around the battlefield and engage the enemy."

The Fox-model Chinook's arrival into Regional Command-South, as one of a number of flight companies within the first brigade-sized aviation element deployed to southern Afghanistan, has increased maneuverability of forces throughout harsh, enemy terrain; areas difficult to travel by ground convoy or saturated with the threat of IEDs.

With the ability to carry more than 30 combat-ready Troops internally, the Chinook has made possible the insertion of hundreds of Troops into objective areas—most notably beginning with the air assault insertion of the US Marines into Helmand this past spring.

"By using [less than a handful of] Chinooks we have the ability to insert a company-sized element of fighters into objective areas in one pass," said Shober.

Since Task Force Pegasus' arrived in southern Afghanistan this past April, nearly 150 deliberate operations have been successfully executed.

Task Force Pegasus also executes deliberate operations and insertions by means of UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters as well. A number of aviation missions include Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters' insertion of ground forces into objective areas simultaneously.

"We make is possible for ground forces to travel to more remote areas quickly and provide the ground force commanders more flexibility of their element on the battlefield," said Shober.

Task Force Pegasus has strategically placed aviation assets throughout southern Afghanistan allowing the counter-IED mission to be executed in provincial areas such as Uruzgan, Zabul, Kandahar, and Helmand Province.

"We team with coalition and Afghan security forces to provide aerial surveillance, early warning, and close combat attacks along critical routes to minimize the effects of IEDs on coalition and Afghan freedom of movement," said Bricker.

Whether ground force commanders call in close air support and aerial security on their convoy, or mission planning requires the support and movement of troops by means of rotary-wing assets; Task Force Pegasus continues to expand it's footprint throughout southern Afghanistan, supporting their brethren on the ground.

• Date Taken: 11.05.2009
• Date Posted: 11.05.2009 04:29
• Story ID: 41126
• Location: URUZGAN PROVINCE, AF