Chosen Company spreads their presence in Nuristan

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers of 3rd squad, 2nd platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, make their navigate their way through very rocky terrain during a patrol of the Jamchgal Khwar Valley on March 1.  

NURISTAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.09.2008

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

By Sgt. Henry Selzer
Combined Joint Task Force -82

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Just after sunrise on the first day of March, Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, set out for a long day of patrolling the mountains around their base in search of any signs of enemy activity in the area.

Third Squad set out from Forward Operating Base Bella and moved throughout the valley of Jamachgal-Khwar to begin a long day of traversing the steep mountains of the valley. They completed their patrol late in the afternoon after what looks like a 3-kilometer (1.86-mile) trek on a map, but in reality it was much longer.

These patrols have a purpose. The Soldiers of 3rd Squad conduct these patrols to put boots on ground in the hard-to-reach areas of the valleys and show the Afghans they are available for assistance.

"The purpose of these patrols is to keep the enemy off balance and provide FOB Bella with more security." said Staff Sgt John Oftinoski, 26, of Middleton, Conn., a squad leader in 2nd Platoon.

By conducting the patrols in the valleys surrounding their FOB, the Soldiers of 3rd Squad are providing the base with more separation from the enemy and strengthening relationships with Afghans in the area.

"We like to make our presence known and let the locals know that we are not going anywhere and we are here to help," said Spc. James Schmidt, 26, of Decatur, Ill., a gunner and radio-telephone operator for 3rd Squad.

Although the Soldiers of 3rd Squad did not see much activity during the day's patrol, it helped them become more familiar with the area they will be protecting throughout the summer.

"As the summer gets closer and enemy activity becomes more frequent, the length and amount of patrols we will be conducting will increase," said Oftinoski.

• Date Taken: 03.09.2008
• Date Posted: 03.10.2008 16:10
• Story ID: 17205
• Location: NURISTAN PROVINCE, AF