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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Operation ‘Omid Char’, hope four, drove a wedge in the middle of Taliban operations in Gereshk District.
The operation was the largest and most extensive planned by the command element of the 3rd Brigade, 215th Corps, with the help of elements of the partnered Brigade Advisory Group, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards. The focus of the operation was to build a better security posture and a higher presence of the Afghan government.
“This is a very important security position for the Gereshk District,” said Capt. Mohammad Tahir, the company commander of the 1st Tollay, 3rd Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 215th Corps. “If we build a strong presence in this region we will be able to provide better security for the Gereshk District and stop the Taliban traffic through the area.”
As the operation began, soldiers from the Afghan National Army and their British mentors pushed through the village of Sa’idan towards an area designated for the patrol base to be constructed.
“The first day we found a lot of improvised explosive devices going through Sa’idan and we had one IED strike in which four ANA soldiers were injured,” said Capt. Ashley P.R. Hough, the officer in charge of the British mentoring team from the Royal Gurkha Rifles attached to 1st Battalion, Irish Guards. “That didn’t slow us down too much the ANA were actually excellent. We extracted the casualties and they carried straight on so we were up on to the hill exactly as planned.”
Pushing through the difficulties of performing an operation did not end with the first day. As the service members continued the rest of the four-week operation, the lack of shelter and other basic comforts of life made staying the course all the more difficult. The ANA were especially susceptible to these conditions because they were not use to being out for such a long period of time. This is another testament to the increasing commitment and desire the soldiers have to provide the proper security for their people and their country.
As the operation came to an end, the soldiers have increased their security posture in the region and closed down the large open area available to the Taliban for freedom of movement.
“I see the next couple of months spent getting to know the locals, getting to know the ground, understanding the dynamics of what’s going on here, where the Taliban and how we can isolate them from the population,” said Hough, 27, from Ongar, Essex, England. “You have two large villages here Dagian and Sa’idan and there is very little GIRoA presence here at the moment, so its to stop the Taliban influencing locals and win them on our side.”
Having the patrol base established and more soldiers from the Irish Guards coming to partner with the ANA there are high hopes for the small area in the Gereshk area.
“We can’t predict the future,” said Capt. Mohammad Tahir. “But I think the future is very bright for us because of the continued support of the people in the area and because of the determination our soldiers have in building security.”
Soon planning for operation ‘Omid Pange’ will begin with even more help from members of GIRoA and the 3rd Brigade of the 215th Corps.
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2010 13:08 |
| Story ID: | 60171 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 128 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
This work, Closing the gaps keeps Taliban out, by Cpl Jeremy Fasci, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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