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SPINPIR VILLAGE, Afghanistan – Coalition forces are flushing out Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan by installing barriers in various locations in an effort to funnel everyone through security checkpoints and compounds.
In a once volatile area of the country, insurgent activity is reduced, even on this unseasonably warm day along Highway One.
“We used to see a lot of contact here,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Allen Anders, Distribution Maneuver, Headquarters, Headquarters Company 2-502, 101st Airborne Division. “In the past we would not be walking out here. Now it’s pretty safe.”
The team puts up about 30-40 barriers every day. Their biggest day so far is 68 barriers. Commerce is also going up along with the barriers.
“The people are happy,” said Anders. “They give us the thumbs up when they drive by and we’re seeing a lot more activity at the bazaar and famers’ market.”
The task of getting the barriers installed has been a long process, but the team works every day to make this region of Afghanistan safer for the local population and coalition forces.
“We’ve been at this since October,” said U.S. Army Spc. Kyle Marlin, HHC 2-502, 101st ABN Div. “Some of the farmers were irritated at first, but now we give them PVC pipes to go under the barriers for water irrigation.”
Anders agreed and said people did complain at first, but now they understand. Afghans noticed less IED's and more commerce so they definitely see the benefits of these barriers now. Also, insurgent activity is down, which is always a good thing.
| Date Taken: | 01.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2011 04:32 |
| Story ID: | 64505 |
| Location: | SPINPIR VILLAGE, AF |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Flushing out Taliban, by TSgt Kevin Williams, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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