Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Hohman | Strykers with C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Soldiers with C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division established an over-watch position during clearance operations in the Shah Wali Kot district, Afghanistan July 7-10.
“The purpose of the mission was to disrupt the insurgency in southern Shah Wali Kot,” said Cpt. Lincoln Ward, who serves as commander of C Battery. “This operation was driven by both the ANA we are partnered with and the district police chief.”
Despite having a well prepared plan, actions during the operation forced them to extend the mission by 24-hours.
“My guys are pretty good when it comes to staying professional and keeping motivation. It’s not false motivation,” said 1st Lt. Frank Foss, platoon leader with 3rd Platoon, A Company, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd SBCT.
“My guys stay motivated and they stayed focused on the mission and were well prepared.”
Third Platoon is attached to C Battery to assist in its ongoing operations. The battery’s ability to quickly adapt and overcome stems from their strong junior leadership.
“The junior leadership did a great job at keeping everything together,” said Foss. “Yes as the platoon leader I am the man in charge, but it is a [non-commissioned officers] led platoon as it should be.”
Foss uses his non-commissioned officers to provide direct leadership and guidance to his soldiers.
“It is definitely essential to have good squad and team leaders to provide that leadership,” said Foss. “You have that small span of control, and if that fails to function you get disarray and the platoon can quickly fall apart.”
Non-commissioned officers often have the most direct interaction with soldiers and bring with them years of operational experience that enables them to adapt to a number of scenarios.
“When we got tasked with the extra 24 hours my squad didn’t really complain,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Brown, who serves as 2nd squad leader, 3rd Platoon. “Before every mission I take my guys aside and discuss with them my own mission brief and we go over everything that could happen.”
By doing this Brown hopes to instill confidence within his squad.
“I want my guys to feel a sense of pride in what they are doing,” said Brown. “A lot of guys get worn out, they get tired of the long days, they get tired of the heat, not a lot of people can do what we do and I want them to be proud of that.”
Non-commissioned officers like Brown take their responsibilities to their soldiers seriously as it can make the difference between mission success and failure.
“I feel my job is important,” said Brown. “It is important that we lead during the hard times and not just the easy.”
With the support a strong non-commissioned officer corps, C Battery and its ANA and AUP partners were able to execute a successful clearance operation.
“During the operation we were able to find a home explosives lab, where they were manufacturing anti personnel IEDs,” said Ward. “Our leaders were very adaptive throughout the mission. Communication was key between not only [our] soldiers, but the ANA and AUP as well.”
| Date Taken: | 07.15.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.16.2012 04:00 |
| Story ID: | 91593 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 839 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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