Subscribe
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — An integral mission to establish a new Afghan combat outpost in the Zormat District of the Paktya province in eastern Afghanistan was conducted April 9 — 15 through joint efforts of the Afghan national army's 1st Company, 1st Kandak of the 203rd Corps, the Afghan national police, and the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.
"This is not an attack on Kalagu, on the village or the people. This is a seizure of key terrain, so that we can bring security, development and governance in Kalagu, change the environment, and make a place where the Taliban are not welcome," Lt. Col. Robert Campbell, commander of the 1-40th, reiterated to the team members just prior to the kickoff of the mission.
A series of rehearsals assured that each team member, from the command group to the infantry Soldiers on the ground, fully comprehended the intent of the mission.
"We are on a mission to set up an AFCOP near the city of Kalagu, hopefully to stabilize the area and take away the last stronghold for the Taliban," said Spc. Randy Bedingfield, an infantryman who played the vital role of the entry point security guard for the duration of the operation.
The mission involved a complex series of planning meetings and rehearsals, and was sub-divided into seven segments: two helicopter air assault missions to seize terrain near the village of Kalagu, two sets of security elements to maintain defensive integrity of the area, a quick reaction force to respond to enemy contact, a leadership group to interface with the populace, and the structure team responsible for the construction of the AFCOP.
The planning phase of the operation was extensive, and included a multitude of command group members from U.S. forces, ANA, ANP, as well as nongovernment contractors. The diligence of these commanders proved essential in the mission success.
"The preparation occupied three weeks to a month of our time. It was very intensive," said A Troop 1st Sgt. Derek Heavener.
"A lot of joint planning and preparation went into it and that contributed in the end to a very successful mission," added A Troop commander Capt. Brian Johnson.
Despite the careful considerations of the command, many challenges presented obstacles, for the both the commanders and the Soldiers, to maneuver through and overcome.
First Lt. Matt Yarnall, the platoon leader for 1st Platoon, led Team Pathfinder on the first air assault to establish an overwatch location and maintain the observation post north of Kalagu.
"Our biggest challenge was the weather factor. We had a lot of rough weather on the OP, it was quite muddy, rainy and cold," he explained. "We didn't have a lot of supplies to help support us. Our guys had to suck it up through the weather. But our 'Doc' did a good job out there. The guys took care of themselves and we made it through our six days."
In addition to the wet and cold conditions, Soldiers faced interaction challenges, crossing cultural barriers while attempting to create a cohesive team between the U.S. forces, ANA and ANP.
"Obviously its challenging working across cultural and language boundaries, but our guys have been working with this ANA unit as long as we have been here, so they know a lot of these guys and they trust them. I think that was evident in how they worked during contact that we received, with both units operating together," Johnson said.
The Soldiers on the ground agreed.
"Leadership on both sides has been productive. I believe Captain Johnson has done an excellent job working alongside the ANA, and leading his Soldiers supporting the ANA to be successful in Kalagu," said 2nd Lt. John Mark Close, a transportation officer who was responsible for the logistical coordination of the operation.
Circumstances often magnified the cultural and tactical variations of the units, but the Soldiers carried out their tasks and accomplished the mission regardless.
"Where you find some friction, is in the differences between our units. But the soldiers are very good, when they are asked to do things, they'll attack, they'll fight. The ANA and ANP also understand the culture here and they respect it, so they're not just warriors that go into villages and clear out buildings, they talk with the people, connect with the people. My Soldiers do the same thing, they've been training very hard for a year in that way, so I think at least in that respect, we get along very well," said Campbell.
The 1/1 Kandak commander, Lt. Col. Atauallah, agreed with his counterpart, and attributed much of the success of the mission to the soldier's attitudes.
"I am feeling that Col. Campbell and his staff have the same ideas for the people of Kalagu. When I have a Shura with them, he comes with his Soldiers and has the same feeling to help and support the people of Afghanistan. They are respecting our culture, traditions and religion, so the people of Afghanistan are very happy from them," he explained.
The positive local interaction with the people of Kalagu was constantly mandated by the command prior to, and throughout, the mission.
"To create an environment in southwest Zormat where the enemy is not welcome, we have discussed the majority of the key tasks for the different elements, but I want to emphasize the importance of our interaction with the population and our consideration of the culture of the Afghan citizens," Johnson repeated to his men during their last rehearsal.
Their efforts were rewarded, as all of the elements received minimal enemy contact, a contrast to the intelligence information disseminated prior to the operation.
"It is obvious that they did a good job with talking to the elders and the local leaders, convincing them that we were here to help and not to make problems worse. That is evidenced by how little contact we had during the operation," Johnson said, speaking of Campbell's and Attauallah's interactions with the area locals.
"The enemy were not able to plant explosives for us because the people would not partner with them. We did not have too much enemy activity because we had good Shuras and good communication with the people of this area, because we had good relationship with the elders," Attauallah added.
Additionally, the plethora of fire-power and intensity of troops contributed to keeping the enemy at bay.
"We came in here with overwhelming power so the enemy would have been a fool to try to go up against us. I thought it was very successful, I was very pleased with it," said Campbell.
While the people of Kalagu expressed initial hesitation to the emplacement of the AFCOP due to the potential for increased violent activity and enemy threats, through a series of Shuras and meetings with locals, their receptiveness to the presence of the Afghan forces continues to progress.
"By the Afghan forces responsibility of the district, with us coming here, the situation is getting better day by day. The people are cooperating with us, and most of the people are very happy from presence of ANSF and coalition forces," said Attauallah.
Through the challenges with weather, Soldier cohesion, and assuring the villagers of the integrity of the purpose of the AFCOP, the mission was accomplished efficiently and effectively, and success was achieved.
"The biggest indicator of success was that we were able to build an Afghan COP in a previously very dangerous area, with a minimal amount of contact and violence. Really that's an indicator of success for us if we can decrease the level of violence in an area," Johnson said.
The enemy contact that was received was handled proficiently, and demonstrated the capacity of the Soldiers to function within their roles of the joint operation.
"The most impressive thing, I thought, was that we acted in support of the ANA and ANP. They were actually on the ground maneuvering and we supported them with indirect fire, close air support, and illumination. Everything that they asked for we gave them, and more. They were the ones that were actually on the ground, and that's the way it ought to be, we should be working towards that more and more. I thought in regards to that, it went very well, and on their side, they think the same. So that's progress," said Heavener.
Alongside the successes in reacting to the enemy and encouraging the locals, the construction of the AFCOP was completed in a quality and timely manner.
"We got all the walls up for the COP much faster than we anticipated due in large part because we had a plan coming in here," said Heavener. "Through all the rehearsals that we had, the Soldiers knew exactly what they had to do, and they did it exceptionally well."
The around-the-clock hard work put in by the Soldiers, whether in the capacity of construction, security, or assistance for the ANA and ANP, served as the backbone for the success of the mission. The A Troop Soldiers simply solidified an already astounding reputation for their efforts and abilities that consistently result in accomplishment.
"Company A did a phenomenal job. They did great, they came in here, conquered the hill, set up security immediately, the OP has been over watching, and within a day they had the perimeter for this AFCOP put up and secured." said Bedingfield.
Establishment of the AFCOP has already shown beneficial progress in the area, and has arranged an ideal headquarters for the Afghan forces.
"They are situating very well to their COP. Overall, I think everything is going smoothly. This is good," said Pfc. Jeremias Arroyo, a transportation specialist who assisted in bringing in supplies, and helped the Afghan forces organize and set up those supplies.
While the initial installation of the AFCOP was immensely successful, there is still much work to be completed.
"We are going to assure that the contractor gets going on making this a more permanent and liveable outpost. We are going to make sure the ANA finishes establishing their security here so they can focus more on interacting with the people," said Johnson. "Then in the long term we'll be doing a lot of joint operations with the ANA and ANP based out of AFCOP Kalagu."
Lt. Col. Atauallah said he was extremely pleased with the operation, the response of the people of Kalagu, and the dedication of the Soldiers to support the Afghan forces.
"Colonel Campbell and his Soldiers are helping and respecting Afghanistan. I am sure the people of Afghanistan will not forget that, they will always remember what the Soldiers are doing. I appreciate from Colonel Campbell, his Soldiers and their families, and the minister of defence of the U.S., thank you." Attauallah said.
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2009 09:06 |
| Story ID: | 34275 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 409 |
| Downloads: | 284 |
This work, Afghan national army, ISAF establish new base, by PFC Andrya Hill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
