News: ABP lead successful operation in southern Afghanistan
Story by Sgt. Brendan Mackie
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Staff Sgt. Brendan Mackie Afghan Border Police members line up prior to exploiting a possible improvised explosive device cache site during Operation Southern Strike II in Yaro Kalay, Afghanistan, June 4, 2012. The ABP-led operation focused on disrupting enemy formations in the vicinity of major passes, exploiting areas of interest as well as positive interactions with the local populous.
COMBAT OUTPOST LAKARAY, Afghanistan – Afghan Border Police and International Security Assistance Force members participated in Operation Southern Strike II in the Spin Boldak district, June 2 to June 16.
The operation, led by the 3rd Kandak of the ABP, focused on interacting with the local populous as well as disrupting enemy formations in the vicinity of major passes in the area.
“The major areas of focus were the Ganjitsu Pass, then the P’sha Pass and obviously the Wonake or Enjergay Pass,” said Capt. Sean Nolan, commander of Company C, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. “These are the major passes in our area that the enemy uses to push supplies and equipment and men through to support their fight both in the Spin Boldak area and in Afghanistan proper.”
During the operation, 17 insurgents were killed, four suspects were detained and numerous caches of explosives and weapons were discovered.
Among the recovered contraband includes more than 1,400 pounds of explosives, 19 personnel mines, 12 pressure plates, four rifles, two rocket launchers, two directional fragmentation charges, one pistol and numerous rounds of ammunition.
Miscellaneous components of improvised explosive devices also recovered include 12 cell phones, 13 power sources, eight blasting caps, eight motorcycles, 18 feet of detonation cord and 50 feet of lamp cord.
Although these statistics are important, the biggest accomplishment resides in the performance by the ABP, said Nolan.
“This was our first major operation with them and we were unsure how things would go at a larger level,” he continued. “It was just impressive on all ends.”
During the operation the ABP was able to provide a continuous level of support to include providing themselves with water, food, fuel as well as the ability to perform at a tactical and strategic level not seen before in this district.
“I was very impressed by them,” he continued. “What was really exciting to see, as the operation commenced, [was when] they took more and more of a lead role.”
Early in the operation, the ABP and ISAF forces exploited areas that were identified through intelligence sources. In those villages, locals were able to provide the ABP with valuable information about the enemy and their movements.
“By midway to the end they [ABP] were pointing out objectives,” Nolan added. “They were taking the lead and telling us, ‘we need to go here and do this and that,’ to the point where we were actually having to hold them back to coordinate assets. It was very impressive to see them really take leadership and ownership within their own area.”
Looking forward, the biggest thing to understand is how ready the Afghans are in taking over the mission, said Nolan.
“They’re just looking for us to enable them to win,” he said. “It’s no longer the old days of us having to drag them to the objective and show them what right looks like. They want to go. They know where to go. They know what to do when they get there.”
Although this was the first operation between Nolan’s company and the local ABP, he looks forward to the next installment.
“It excites me for the remainder of my tenure here, and our tenure here as a company, knowing that we have partners who are just chomping at the bit, and all we’ve got to do is enable their success, and that’s really where we want to be.”
Connected Media
Date Taken:06.16.2012
Date Posted:06.18.2012 00:19
Location:COMBAT OUTPOST LAKARAY, AF
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