Traffic control point disrupts Taliban movement

Photo By Chief Master Sgt. Jill LaVoie | A man detained under suspicious circumstances, during the traffic control point mission, is separated from his companions while he awaits further questioning. He, and his companions, were released after there story was verified.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

03.22.2009

Story by Tech. Sgt. Jill LaVoie 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — In an effort to reduce improvised explosive device emplacements and restrict Taliban movement in southern Afghanistan, several traffic control points were recently conducted.

During the TCP operation, which took place over a three-day period, U.S. Soldiers and Afghan national police searched more than 60 cars travelling through the area.

"We are trying to slow down Taliban movement of weapons and people to prevent them from massing on us during the spring offensive," Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles Quintanilla, a platoon sergeant from Agat, Guam, said. "We are hoping to cripple their supply routes."

The TCP was set up in a location where 1st Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Soldiers had visibility several kilometers to the south, in an effort to prevent IED placement in an area known for being littered with IEDs.

"There were no reports of IEDs in the three days we were out there," Quintanilla said.

Though this TCP was set up in a specific, pre-planned area in an effort to work with the ANP, this is not always the case. Delta Company often sets up "snap" TCPs when they see a vehicle or person of interest based on intelligence they've received. A snap TCP is set up to allow units to respond quickly to possible enemy vehicles.

"This is such a vast open area. If [militants] see us, they find a way around," said Quintanilla. "That's why we do snap TCPs."

The 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment Soldiers perform about a dozen snap TCP missions a month.

"If we change it up, keep it random; it keeps [militants] on their toes," said Army Spc. Kris Gould, infantryman from Saginaw, Mich. "It gets them scared."

• Date Taken: 03.22.2009
• Date Posted: 03.22.2009 08:28
• Story ID: 31447
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF