ANSF, TF Thunderbird secure southern Laghman

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Afghan National Security Forces conducted joint operations in the southern portion of Laghman province recently. The joint operation is the largest Air Assault mission by the 45th IBCT in Afghanistan. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Leslie Goble)  

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

08.12.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 1 - Afghanistan

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – With Afghan National Army in the lead, Task Force Thunderbird recently conducted a combined air assault, securing southern Laghman province.

The 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, soldiers with the Afghan National Army’s 1st Brigade, 201st Corps and members of the Afghan Uniform Police secured several valleys surrounding Bad Pakh District.

U.S. Army Capt. Brent Weece, commander of Company C, 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry, said this was the first battalion-wide combined operation with their Afghan partners.

“They have a great advantage here,” said Weece, referring to Afghan forces taking the lead in navigating through the terrain. “That’s why we are partnered.”

The units air lifted in and made their way down the mountains to search villages for improvised explosive device making materials, small-arms caches and illegal drugs. The mission was to search the valleys for illegal activity and to re-establish security.

A fire fight broke out early in the operation resulting in five insurgents killed by air strikes. No civilians received injuries during the week-long operation that resulted in the confiscation of several weapons caches, more than 200 pounds of opium, and IED and suicide vest material.

In another valley, combined forces spoke with local village leaders about the safety and security of the region. Weece said village elders were humble and allowed the Afghan forces to search the villages for caches. The leaders in the shura also discussed expanding basic amenities deeper into the rural areas in the valleys. The elders spoke of needing roads, electrical power and a medical clinic when the area becomes more secure.

Agribusiness development and provincial reconstructions teams, who are responsible for sustainable infrastructure, are planning for a research and development farm and a district center in the area.

The 45th IBCT also conducted the largest aerial resupply since arriving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They flew in more than two tons of water, food and supplies for coalition and Afghan forces in several different locations. U.S. Army Capt. John Fagan, the Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 179th Infantry logistics officer, said crews on ground along with UH-60 Black Hawks worked night and day to make sure the units were properly resupplied throughout the operation.

“Resupply is the lifeblood of the operation,” he said “Without being resupplied, soldiers cannot stay in the field for more than a few days.”

• Date Taken: 08.12.2011
• Date Posted: 08.11.2011 20:24
• Story ID: 75215
• Location: LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AF