Afghan Police show force in untouched area of Helmand

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PAYNE, AFGHANISTAN

12.21.2011

Story by Cpl. Daniel Wulz 

Regional Command Southwest

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PAYNE, Afghanistan – In the Afghan-led operation Eagle Hunt, Afghan Border Police conducted patrols in an area of the Helmand province, Afghanistan, between Tahgaz and Dishu Ferry, alongside Marines and sailors from Dec. 7 to Dec. 13. The ultimate goal behind the operation was to bring Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan law to the area west of Tahgaz where no coalition forces or Afghan National Security Forces have been.

“It was a successful mission,” said Gunnery Sgt. Charles D. Arnold, operations chief, Border Advisory Team 2. “They went to establish GIRoA law and a presence and let the locals in the area know that they aren’t exempt.”

GIRoA law is the set of rules which regulate the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. It was set in place to mirror the rule of law in other societies.

“GIRoA law is basically like our laws in the United States. It’s a set of rules you live by. It’s set in place to prevent things like killing and stealing,” said Arnold, who hails from Belleview, Fla.

Eagle Hunt was planned entirely by the Afghan Border Police and carried out through four phases by the ABP and BAT 2. The first of these phases was moving into the area between Tahgaz and Dishu Ferry, in the Helmand river valley, Helmand province, and setting up a temporary camp for the 2nd Kandak (Afghan Border Patrol) and the Marines and sailors of the advisory team to operate out of throughout the week.

Phase two included patrolling more than 30 kilometers during a three-day period through the area west of Tahgaz, allowing the border police a chance to search more than 150 Afghan houses and compounds for materials or machinery used to grow poppies, detain members of the Taliban, provide locals with knowledge about GIRoA law and search for improvised explosive devices. During their patrols Marines and sailors from BAT 2 also treated the wounds of three locals, two of which had been injured by improvised explosive devices.

“There had been a lot of Taliban in area prior to us arriving,” said Capt. Brian D. Vukelic, officer in charge, BAT 2. “Phase two was anticipated to be kinetic but luckily it turned out not to be. We never took fire and had no casualties. That allowed the ABP to complete their mission without interference from the enemy.”

The Afghans who led the operation, took the lead in patrols throughout the entire operation, walking in front of the Marines and sailors or on the flanks.

“Quite often we found ourselves trying to catch up with them,” Vukelic said, a native of Steubenville, Ohio. “At one point Col. Ali Jan, commander of 2nd Kandak, ABP said to me, It’s our country. It’s our duty to fight first and die first. It’s our responsibility to protect the Marines.”

Throughout the mission, Afghans were not just leading the way on patrols, they were fully responsible for the logistics, ensuring that Marines and sailors as well as the ABP were properly equipped and supplied, handling the nightly task of bringing gear and packs from their temporary camp to Marines in the field.

“Most coalition forces believe we support Afghans,” Vukelic said. “During the operation we relied on them completely for food, water and our packs because there were too many canals to traverse and the roads were too small for our trucks to pass through.”

Phase three of Eagle Hunt was two-fold: conduct key leader engagements and look for future Afghan Border Police and Afghan Uniformed Police station positions.

At the beginning of phase three the troops returned through the villages they visited previously during phase two. Jan, commander of the 2nd Kandak, took time to sit down with the locals and talk to them face-to-face.

“The enemy has been telling people that there is no government,” Jan said. “We gave the locals a message that the government is here and the ABP intends on enforcing the laws. A lot of these people didn’t know about the government before we arrived. They are still under some oppression and afraid of the Taliban.”

After speaking with locals, Jan and his men surveyed the area for a good location for a police station.

“We should have a permanent post here to prevent future poppy growth and the insurgency. The local people here need to feel safe under GIRoA law. A permanent position could help us provide them with that security.”

By the end of phase three, ABP and BAT 2 had patrolled more than 52 kilometers on foot throughout the five days in which phase two and three were conducted. Phase four was withdrawal. The advisory team and the ABP tore down their temporary camp and returned to Patrol Base South Station, from where they had set out a week earlier.

“I am pleased with the performance of my men on this operation,” Jan stated. “The Marines were really happy with the work. The Marines are down to earth. I really like working with them too.”

“This whole operation was Afghan planned and Afghan led,” said Vukelic. “We assisted with the planning process and provided capabilities that the Kandak couldn’t, but really did this all on their own. That is a huge step forward for [the Afghan National Security Force] and the ABP.”

• Date Taken: 12.21.2011
• Date Posted: 12.23.2011 08:16
• Story ID: 81722
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE PAYNE, AF