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LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Nurah Lam valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains with villages built precariously on the sides. The citizens have never seen a security presence here due to the treacherous terrain and the ever-present threat of insurgents.
Afghanistan has been struggling through one of the harshest winters seen in over 20 years. In the midst of the cold winds and sub-freezing temperatures, the Afghan National Army continues to pursue insurgents and conduct missions to make their presence known.
The ANA, with support from the 1st Battalion, 179 Infantry, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Ponca, led a clearance operation and conducted key-leader engagements with village elders in isolated places they’ve never been able to before, giving the locals a chance to see their government at work.
"We’ve expanded our reach and the reach of the Afghan government,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Craig McCullah, native of Topeka, Kan., and Company A, 1st Bn., 179 In., commander. “We support the locals. We’re not just concerned about people in major cities like Kabul or Jalalabad, but Afghans everywhere.”
The mission kicked off with the ANA and TF Ponca conducting the largest air assault either battalion has ever done, with nearly 350 troops spread throughout the valley and surrounding mountains.
“Not only was this the largest air assault, it was the farthest east any coalition force has ever been able to go in this valley,” said McCullah. “Our ANA are some of the best trained in Laghman. This mission set the conditions for the ANA to do more operations in the valley.”
“It was very successful. We gained a lot of information, especially when talking with the elders,” an Afghan soldier stated.
Troops disrupted the activities of a mid-level Taliban commander, known to frequently travel the remote valley and believed to be responsible for up to 75 percent of all improvised explosive devices placed in the area.
“We sent the insurgents running scared,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Harsha, the ground force commander on the mission, and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 179 Infantry, 45th IBCT commander.
The ANA and coalition forces gained the support of local villagers by showing their ability to potentially improve the security throughout the area.
“We did searches and the people were happy because they felt safer,” said an Afghan soldier.
“Insurgents were unable to demonstrate any control while we were there,” said McCullah. “They know we will go wherever they are.”
Positive effects were visible immediately due to the lack of an enemy threat or insurgency resistance during the operation.
“In the past, this was a very violent area and the most significant thing about this operation was that there were no shots fired, no one got hurt,” said McCullah. “The work we’ve put in is making a difference and making Laghman safer. This is progress you can see.”
| Date Taken: | 02.09.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.18.2012 06:25 |
| Story ID: | 84049 |
| Location: | LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 527 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ANA presence in Nurah Lam pushes insurgency out, by SPC Shanna Harrison, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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