Stalwart Soldiers support TF Southwest

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

04.04.2018

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghan. – Members of 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division conducted ground defense area patrols as part of their mission as members of Task Force Southwest to protect the area of operation from enemy operations.

Task Force Southwest is a joint organization of advisors who train and advise Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.

First Lt. Nicholas Shearin, platoon leader, Company D, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg, explains that success during ground defense area patrols involves planning and preparation.

“Everything we do to get ready for a patrol is part of a planning process,” said the Clayton, North Carolina native. “We get a notification of a mission ... and we start planning the whole operation from start to finish.”

As part of the process, Sgt. 1st Class Ramon Arias, platoon sergeant. Company D, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg., assists his platoon leader with preparing the Soldiers for combat operations.

“Before we push out, we make sure to conduct all the necessary rehearsals and check our supplies,” said Arias. “We check all our equipment, get a personnel count, maneuver out to the site and interact with the locals we find.”

When on mission Arias said he noticed many of the younger Soldiers receive a culture shock when seeing the living conditions of the local people of Afghanistan.

“During our last patrol we found a tent that had a Family of ... people living in it,” said Pvt. Theodore Zimmer, medic, Company D,, 1st Bn., 41st Inf. Reg. “Even though they didn’t have much of anything, they still offered the whole platoon bread and tea, it meant a lot.”

Shearin said he likes to see the positives that come out of the patrols.

“Patrols are vital when it comes to protecting (our area of operation) from external threats like (indirect fire),” he said. “And it’s great to see how positive people are with our presence in the area, being here makes the whole area safer.”

• Date Taken: 04.04.2018
• Date Posted: 04.30.2018 05:22
• Story ID: 274992
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF
• Hometown: KANDAHAR, AF
• Hometown: FORT CARSON, CO, US