Guards survey site for new security position

Photo By Cpl. Jeremy Fasci | British soldiers from 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards take a knee while moving into position for an operation in the town of Pasab, Afghanistan, early on the foggy morning of March 5. Moving into the area before the sun came up allowed the different elements of the small operation to take the insurgent positions by surprise.  

GERESHK, AFGHANISTAN

03.13.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Fasci 

Regional Command Southwest

GERESHK, Afghanistan – British soldiers from 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards performed reconnaissance of a possible site for a new patrol base in the town of Pasab, March 5.

Pasab is a town near Forward Operating Base Kharn Nikah, which controls the key routes used by local nationals to get to Gereshk. It was also a stronghold for Taliban forces upon 2nd Company’s arrival in the area almost six months ago.

“The local nationals have been asking for security there for about three years and we haven’t been able to deliver it because of a shortage of resources, but we are intending to put a patrol base there,” said Maj. Alex Turner, the commanding officer of 2nd Company.

The small operation involved a few different elements performing various tasks. Vehicles were deployed to provide cover, while another element performed the site survey. Another group pushed into the green zone where Taliban groups are strongest. Pushing into this area was designed to draw the Taliban into a fight.

However, only a small burst of fire was seen throughout the entire morning. 2nd Company moved into position before the sun came up, preventing Taliban forces from getting into fighting positions.

“It’s kind of a win-win for us when we do that kind of operation because if he fights, we defeat him and if he doesn’t fight, he looks weak,” said Turner, 36, from London.

Controlling the area in and around Pasab gives the British forces an opportunity to limit Taliban activity and provides the Afghan people in the area protection. Taliban intimidation and taxation takes a toll on the people who are forced to use the routes through this area to make their way to Gereshk.

“The reason why it’s so important down there is because these are the local nationals that are between us and the Taliban,” said 2nd Lt. Ralph Gore, platoon commander of 5th Platoon, 2nd Company. “It’s nice to put a strong [patrol base] there and have a presence which we can show to the local nationals that we are here and we are going to stay. By putting a [patrol base] there, it means the Taliban can’t tax them as they cross the bridges or force them to go a different direction.”

• Date Taken: 03.13.2011
• Date Posted: 03.13.2011 06:26
• Story ID: 66963
• Location: GERESHK, AF