Photo By Pfc. Zackary Root | A U.S. Soldier with Task Force Bronco, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, looks out...... read more read more
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NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Three years ago, Combat Outpost Kahler and Observation Post Topside, located near Wanat, a small village that straddles the border between Nuristan and Kunar provinces in the Waygul Valley, was the target of a Taliban attack that left nine U.S. soldiers dead, 27 others wounded and Wanat void of any coalition force presence - until now.
Soldiers from Task Force Bronco, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, and the Afghan National Army conducted a two-day mission to disrupt insurgent activity in and around Wanat Village Sept. 20-22.
“We went into the enemy’s backyard easily, and we were able to operate there freely,” said Lt. Col. Colin Tuley, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, whose soldiers took part in the ANA-led mission.
Conducted as part of border-wide effort to disrupt movements of insurgents throughout the area, the mission in and around Wanat was a response to insurgent activity reported in the area and carried what Tuley called a clear message about ANSF and coalition capabilities.
“The Taliban and the enemy networks understand there is no place to create a safe haven,” said Tuley. “The ANSF and coalition [forces] can reach out and touch them anywhere.”
According to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Gary Volesky, Combined Joint Task Force-1 and Regional Command-East Deputy Commanding General – Maneuver, sending this message was important in dispelling the myth that some areas of the country were off-limits to Afghan and coalition forces.
“A lot of people were worried that Nuristan and northern Kunar [provinces] was an area where the enemy had free movement,” said Volesky.
Volesky and Tuley both say this isn’t the case, highlighting this mission as further evidence that ANSF can increasingly lead security efforts wherever they need to.
“The real significance was bringing our Afghan counterparts,” said Volesky. “They led the clearance and proved their security forces can go anywhere as well.”
On this particular mission, Afghan commandos took the lead in searching houses and looking for signs of insurgent support in the village of Wanat. The soldiers of Task Force Bronco played a supporting role, settling down in a fire-support position on a hillside, providing overwatch for their Afghan partners in the village.
To clear up any confusion about the intent of their presence, ANA and coalition forces handed cards to villagers with the printed words, “We are back,” a message that leaves little doubt according to those who carry it like Pfc. Deken Marmen, a rifleman assigned to 2nd BN., 35th Inf. Reg.
“We are still willing to push forward and continue the mission to help the Afghan people,” said Marmen, “and let the Taliban know we are not afraid of them.”
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2011 00:37 |
| Story ID: | 77801 |
| Location: | NURISTAN PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 359 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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