ANA Commandos, USSF complete step towards peace in Perong Valley

WARDAK, AFGHANISTAN

02.18.2011

Story by Senior Airman Ryan Whitney 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

CAMP MOREHEAD, Afghanistan— Afghan National Army Commandos and a contingent of U.S. Special Forces team members recently completed a mission in the Wardak province’s Perong village, in the Onkai Valley, where more than 40 possible insurgents were detained by the Commandos for further questioning.

The mission to the rural village came on the heels of a meeting between Special Forces members and the Wardak Provincial Gov. Mohammad Halim Fidai earlier in the month. During this meeting, the SF team outlined their thoughts on how to bring peace to the troubled Onkai Valley.

“I believe we have the types of forces necessary to achieve our goals: the Afghan National Army Kandaks, Special Forces, U.S. Special Forces and U.S. Army,” the governor said, closing the meeting. “There are many opportunities, provided that we work as a strong team, and that efforts do not become a victim of a political agenda or the victim of competition [between allied forces].”

Less than two weeks later, the members of 1st Company, 6th Commando Kandak and their U.S. Special Forces counterparts have put the plan, outlined by the governor, into action, performing the operation that was designed to clear the village of insurgent forces and start down a path that will bring peace and stability to the area.

“The Commandos entire purpose for being is to help bring stability and peace to rural village’s like this where you are far-removed from the regular population,” said a Commando team sergeant to a villager. “In order for us to be successful we must work together to remove those opposed to peace in our land.”

In addition to the removal of suspected insurgent forces during the operation, the Commando team sergeant and USSF performed a key-leader engagement to assess the village condition, gather valuable information on the area, and ease the village elders minds that the Commandos were there not too bring harm, but peace to the area.

“We know that the majority of you want nothing more than to live in peace, but in order to root out those few that do not feel that way, it is important that we all work together to remove those individuals for the sake of peace,” said the USSF team commander. “My team and the Commandos are all here to help you obtain the peace you so desperately want, and with your help, we can be successful in achieving it.”

• Date Taken: 02.18.2011
• Date Posted: 02.18.2011 12:46
• Story ID: 65687
• Location: WARDAK, AF