Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Farrukh Daniel | A combined team of soldiers from the 6th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 205th "Hero" Corps and...... read more read more
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MOLLA DUST, Afghanistan – The Panjwa’i district in southern Kandahar province is a dangerous place. Considered the birthplace and spiritual home of the Taliban, the villagers who live there have long understood the strategic value of the area. The Afghan National Security Forces also fully understand the Taliban’s desire to regain control of the district. In order to prevent this from happening, Afghan forces must not only remain vigilant in defending the area, but also must maintain a constant, positive presence among the local residents.
On April 1, soldiers from Weapons Company, 6th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 205th “Hero” Corps dropped out of the sky in helicopters from the Afghan Air Force, Kandahar Air Wing into the village of Molla Dust in southern Panjwa’i during a joint operation with officers from the Afghan National Police, accompanied by advisors from Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment. During the operation, the troops provided security, while the police officers searched and cleared three compounds, and met with residents to discuss security, Taliban presence and poppy eradication, as well as to hear their concerns.
Capt. Mohammed, the Weapons Company commander said, “This is a new policy. The ANA provides security, while the police go inside the compounds.”
The U.S. troops, meanwhile, observed from the sidelines. While Afghan forces were inside the compounds, the American troops waited more than 200 meters away. Although they have been training together all year, since the transition to Afghan led operations, with the American forces taking a backseat, the progress has been remarkable.
Capt. Chris Zagursky, C Company commander, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry said, “This is 100 percent Afghan led. We are only here in an advisory and assistance role. They might ask us if they need more technical help with clearing an area, but otherwise they’re competent.”
1st Lt. Matthew Millsaps, also from C Company, said, “Even from a month ago, they have dramatically improved. Once we went to 100 percent Afghan operations, they realized that they have to do it all themselves. We won’t be here forever. They’re doing well.”
Capt. Mohammed also believes that his men are rapidly improving. “Day by day, security is getting better,” he said. “Now we are working independently and always improving.”
This operation demonstrated another improvement. “I was very happy that we had the ANA helicopters today, and we inserted without any problems.”
The operation went off without a hitch. Everyone did their jobs correctly and everyone came home safely. When asked if his men will be ready to take over once U.S. forces leave, Capt. Mohammed simply smiled and said, “No problem.”
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2012 14:56 |
| Story ID: | 86184 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 248 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Afghan National Security Forces keep the peace in Southern Kandahar province, by PO1 Farrukh Daniel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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