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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors with 2nd Marine Division (Forward) spent 2011 deployed to Helmand and Nimroz provinces, Afghanistan, leading Task Force Leatherneck in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during a pivotal period in southwest Afghanistan.
The ground combat task force engaged in an evolution across the battle space brought about through counterinsurgency operations, removing enemy insurgents, working side-by-side with Afghan National Security Forces, developing infrastructure, and beginning the transfer of security responsibility to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Defeating insurgents operating within the division’s area of operations laid the foundation for further success. One of many clearing operations during the division’s tenure in Helmand brought together Marines with Regimental Combat Team 8, Afghan National Army soldiers with the 215th Corps, and Afghan National Police to clear known insurgent hotbeds along Afghan Highway 611 as part of Operation Eastern Storm. The roadway, held by the enemy and riddled with improvised explosive devices, connects many northern villages to the provincial government in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.
The operation forced insurgents to relinquish their grasp on the area and cleared the route of IEDs, allowing residents safe travel to conduct business in the provincial capital and providing thousands of farmers access to larger markets, ultimately increasing commerce in southwestern Afghanistan. The operation also re-established the presence of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Kajaki district, a strategic region housing the Kajaki dam, which provides hydroelectric power and water to much of the district.
“The people of the Upper Sangin Valley and Kajaki district asked us to help them rid their homes of the insurgency,” said Plano, Texas, native Col. Eric M. Smith, commanding officer of RCT-8. “The area immediately surrounding the dam will no longer be just a bubble of security. Opening Route 611 allows the people to visit the markets in Sangin and Gereshk and travel to the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah. They are as much our allies in this operation as is the Afghan soldier fighting alongside the Marine riflemen.”
Partnered efforts such as Eastern Storm have been key for Marines and sailors working with local and national Afghan security forces to eliminate the insurgent threat and provide a secure environment, acting as the foundation for future progress in the province.
“Security comes first. It is important for [Afghans] to take care of themselves, and it is vital that when there are no coalition forces assisting them [in the future], they are able to protect the local people who live throughout the region,” said Dacula, Ga., native 1st Lt. Chiraag Dave, Afghan National Security Forces coordination officer for 2nd Marine Division (Forward). “We want them to be successful and be able to protect themselves. They are starting to take ownership and responsibility. They are starting to rely less on Marines and use their own judgment and intuition when reacting to different situations.”
Marines and sailors began to function more as advisers this year while working with Afghan National Security Forces, taking a step back as Afghans stepped up to fill the gap and take responsibility for the safety and security of their people.
The city of Marjah is a perfect example of the Afghan government making progress. Formerly an insurgent stronghold teeming with illicit activity only two years ago, Marjah now exists as a beacon of progress.
“They are doing a fantastic job,” said Snohomish, Wash., native 1st Lt. Douglas L. Price, a platoon commander with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, formerly deployed to Marjah.
“They handled search procedures, dealt with detainees, worked with local leaders and interacted on their own. They need a little help with communications and gear, but where they are now, they are ready to do what they need to do.”
“Every day our security is improving,” said Mohammad Rasoul Barakzai, the deputy district governor of Marjah. “Our afghan Local Police have had a great result, and everyone in Marjah, village wise, has security.”
In another part of the province, ANSF exhibited their capabilities on a larger scale during Operation Eagle Hunt. The entirely Afghan-led mission was a four-phase shaping operation to clear the Taghaz area of insurgent activity in southern Helmand.
“The enemy has been telling people that there is no government,” said Col. Ali Jan, commander of 2nd Kandak, Afghan Border Patrol, which patrolled during the operation. “We gave the local [residents] a message that the government is here and the ABP intends on enforcing the laws. A lot of these people didn’t know about the government before we arrived.”
Much of the insurgent force in the area has now been eliminated and a strong foundation of security has been established. The increased security has allowed Marines time to interact with local residents as the units work hand-in-hand with GIRoA to revitalize an interest in education, provide community services, and improve infrastructure.
Insurgents closed and destroyed schools during the Taliban’s reign, eliminating educational opportunities and causing widespread illiteracy. However, the education sector has begun to flourish in Helmand during the last year with local Afghan security forces in place to deter insurgent activities and division units providing support.
Student registration rose in Marjah alone by approximately 600 percent in 2011. In the Sangin district, a former insurgent hotbed, the number of registered students rose from 267 to more than 2,000. In the Musa Qal’eh district, the number of registered teachers rose to 53, responsible for educating 2,436 students. Local Afghan leaders are working to refurbish primary schools and construct more high schools to meet the needs of the growing influx of interested school children.
“People like education,” said Mohammad Sharif Sharifi, the district governor of Sangin. “For the past 35 years [Sangin residents] have lost interest in education because of the enemy. With the cooperation of the international community, they have gained their interest back.”
The Afghans’ interest to excel also extends beyond the classroom. One of the largest challenges facing Afghans within Helmand is the continued growth of poppy, an illicit crop used in making heroin and other illegal opiates. Insurgents often pressure local farmers to grow poppy as a way to fund terrorist activities.
In order to combat its cultivation, Afghan officials and Marines have worked together to establish a wheat seed distribution program as a way to encourage farmers to grow licit crops. The program is part of the Food Zone Program, which allows GIRoA to distribute thousands of bags of wheat seed and fertilizer to farmers throughout the province.
“The wheat seed distribution [program] … is a way to get licit crops, such as wheat and different types of fruits and vegetables, into the hands of local Nawans,” said Forest Hill, Md., native Capt. Corey Bafford, the assistant team leader for the civil affairs team attached to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, formerly deployed to Nawa district, Helmand province. “They get their wheat seed with a co-pay, so they pay a little bit of money, then they get [the seed] at a reduced cost. [It’s] a way to get them to grow these licit crops as opposed to poppy, and it’s contributed in big ways to preventing poppy growth and other illegal crops from being grown.”
The battle against insurgents intimidating Afghan farmers to grow illegal crops continues, but Afghan officials and Marines have already seen success throughout the province.
“Nawa had a lot of poppy and opium growth; ... it was everywhere,” said Bafford. “Now, when you go out on patrols, you really don’t see poppy and opium being grown in mass quantities like before 2009, when 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, came into the area. So, I think the proof is right there.”
The increased security and progress across the battle space during the division’s yearlong deployment has allowed task force units to focus more attention on advising and supporting Afghan forces while supporting development efforts. The division also transferred security responsibility from coalition forces to GIRoA in several districts. At the end of 2011, Nawa, Nad ‘Ali and Marjah districts transferred responsibility of security to Afghan forces and have since continued to see progress.
“The district community councils have begun taking over the [development] projects,” said Roy, Utah, native Staff Sgt. Joseph Spencer, the development chief and education officer for the Civil-Military Operations section of 2nd Marine Division (Forward).
“Elders will [now] go to the Afghan government before going to the Marines. The [council] will then have a [meeting] to talk about the best way to fund the project. The people are going to GIRoA and asking for things, and GIRoA is producing and providing [support] without our help.”
For more information on progress in Southwestern Afghanistan, view video interviews with key Afghan officials at “New series gives voice to Afghan leaders” or visit the division’s unit page at the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System.
Editor’s note: Second Marine Division (Forward) heads Task Force Leatherneck. The task force serves as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Force and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces, and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.
| Date Taken: | 02.05.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2012 08:13 |
| Story ID: | 83345 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, HELMAND PROVINCE , AF |
| Web Views: | 1,029 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Evolution of war: A year in Helmand with 2nd Marine Division (Forward), by Sgt Jeff Drew, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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