Photo By Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith | Cpl. Scott Edelblute, a radio operator and designated marksman for Company B, 3rd...... read more read more
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MALOZAI, Afghanistan – The small farming community of Malozai, just north of Sangin, is quiet and peaceful. The sounds of the night feature chirping of crickets and the bark of dogs as the Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines of Company B, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, move quietly on patrol through the fields of corn and dirt paths cutting through the community.
The local population can only notice the presence of the patrols as they awake the next morning by the sounds of a loud speaker from a local compound announcing the arrival.
Operation Sing Sing had begun.
The operation, planned and led by the soldiers of the Afghan National Army’s Heavy Weapons Tolay from the 2nd Kandak, and supported by the Marines, was intended to bring the government to the people of this town through meetings with local officials and give them an opportunity to stand up against the insurgency.
The ANA were the first to display their commitment to the cause. Bracing a ladder against a rusted electrical pole in the middle of the compound, one soldier began to climb, embracing the national ensign of Afghanistan in his hands. Using the makeshift flagpole, he put his nationalism on display. The insurgents in the area didn’t like this. The crack of AK-47 fire from a nearby compound and the whiz and hiss as bullets passed the solder, was evidence enough of the tough fight for the trust and confidence of the local population.
“When that flag went up, you could feel the pride the ANA soldiers had. The first day of any operation in this area is usually the most kinetic,” said Capt. Russell Thomas, the leader of Civil Affairs Team 3 in support of 3rd Recon. “Because of this, the attendance level for any meeting is a concern.”
Using key leader engagements and shuras, or meetings, with the elders from the city, the ANA discussed the need for the locals to be free from insurgent intimidation.
“The largest concern on the minds of the local elders is the security situation,” said Sgt. Sadiq Yar, a soldier with the Afghan National Army. “The [insurgents] intimidate the villagers in this area; threats of violence if they help us are how they keep a hold of the people.”
The government also sent a sign of goodwill to the local population through a drop of 18,000 pounds of humanitarian assistance supplies. The Marines of the 2nd Marine Air Wing provided the muscle and lifting power as they brought the supplies in during the evening hours of the first day of the operation.
“The small roads of this area made it necessary for the supplies to be brought in by helicopter,” said Thomas, a Wilmington, Del. native. Under the cover of darkness, the helicopters brought in the supplies “sling loaded” underneath the aircraft. This was the first time supplies were brought for the people of Malozai.
The next morning, another announcement was made through the loud speaker asking the local elders to meet again with the ANA and Marines to begin the hand out of the supplies. This call went unanswered.
“The key thing was the security,” said Yar. “The people didn’t think there was enough security during the daytime, that’s why the people didn’t come.”
As the evening sky began to fill the air of Malozai, the Marines put the loudspeaker message to work again. This time the citizens began to come out. The local elders and the ANA met at the compound to figure out the distribution of the supplies. During the meeting, the truth was heard on why the first call went unanswered.
“The [insurgents] blocked all the entrances from the villages and they held the people there,” said Yar. “They said no one could get the stuff or they would kill them. So, that’s why we did it at night time.
The ANA and local elders came up with a plan to distribute the supplies during the evening to prevent the insurgents from interfering. Together, the soldiers and elders spread the word to the villagers and the plan was set in motion.
“Before dispersing, we talked with all the elders to make a plan how we were going to do it,” said Yar. “We decided we could disperse it at night time. The elders helped us out and they had other helpers.”
The time was set and word was spreading throughout the village.
“We assured the people that we would have enough security, that’s why everyone came in and got their share,” said Yar.
Right away more than 30 local citizens arrived and began collecting their share of the supplies. As the word spread, more and more people arrived.
“Everything went well and everything was successful,” said Yar. “Everyone got their share…young man, old man, kids and elders.”
Five hours later, the distribution was completed and more than 100 families in the local area had received their share of cooking oil, beans, rice, clothing, as well as dental and medical supplies.
“These supplies are going to go a long way,” said Thomas. “They only get about two dollars per day per male. The food and winter clothing will definitely take them well into the late fall and early winter and allow them to prepare for the future.”
Another shura was held the following evening. Approximately 45 men, old and young, made their way to the Marine-secured compound.
“The shura was positive,” said Thomas, a 2002 U.S. Naval Academy graduate. “The people were pleased to receive the supplies and thankful to the ANA and the District Community Council for their participation. The people thirst to see their government in action. They are starting to see projects in the area and want to get face-to-face with their officials. This mission was a good first step.”
“I’ve been here for seven months and I can tell there is a lot of progress going on here,” said Yar. “There used to be a lot of mines, a lot of shooting, a lot of [insurgents], but with the help of the Marines and the ANA doing a lot of patrols, they are seeing a lot of progress. In the next coming year, this will be a better place to live with more schools and roads … there will be a better future for these people.”
| Date Taken: | 08.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.30.2011 14:38 |
| Story ID: | 76184 |
| Location: | MALOZAI, AF |
| Web Views: | 678 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Operation Sing Sing: ANA, 3rd Recon make strides toward governance in Upper Sangin Valley, by SSgt Ryan Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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