DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled

Operation Cat Fury interdicts terrorist movement

Photo By Staff Sgt. Matt Leary | A Soldier from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat...... read more read more

04.11.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

By Army Spc. Matthew Leary
Task Force Fury Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE BERMEL, Afghanistan - Soldiers from Task Force Fury, with the support of the Afghan National Army, conducted Operation Cat Fury, March 29-April 2, a five-day mission along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, aimed at interdicting the movement of terrorists and munitions into Afghanistan.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division led the effort, setting up vehicle checkpoints, conducting dismounted patrols along mountain ridgelines and destroying enemy shelters.

"The purpose of Operation Cat Fury was to get back into the areas the enemy has historically operated from," said Army Capt. Jason Dye, commander of Company B, 2-87th Inf. Regt. "We wanted to get a head start on this operational season."

The Soldiers of 2-87th Inf. Regt. were well versed with the operational area, having spent the past 14 months in Afghanistan, a factor which increases their proficiency in conducting operations like this, said Army Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Hall, a squad leader with Co. B.

Although Soldiers conducted numerous vehicle checkpoints, a large portion of the mission consisted of dismounted patrols.

"You've got to have people on the ground, walking the area," Hall explained. "Your objective cannot be completed without ground forces."

This required the troops to scale steep mountains, a task that brought numerous obstacles.

"The terrain is deceptive," Dye said. "It doesn't look too bad, but the area is large, mountainous and inhospitable."

Taking the time to search these remote areas is crucial during missions, Hall said.

In one area, inaccessible to vehicles along the border, multiple rudimentary living structures were discovered and subsequently destroyed.

Shelters such as these were used by enemy fighters to camouflage themselves from aircraft, Afghan National Security Force elements and International Security Assistance Forces, Dye said.

The assistance of the ANA during the operation was a benefit to both militaries, Dye added.

"Using them in our operation, gives us additional combat power and gives them an opportunity to work side-by-side with us and increase their military professionalism," he said.

Also, with their familiarity of the area, the ANA is capable of noticing elements of the terrain that are out of place or simply do not look right, Dye said. This type of information can be crucial during combat operations.

While no significant enemy activity was discovered, the mission allowed the troops to establish their presence in the area and deter future activity, Dye said. The border areas have traditionally been areas that terrorists operate out of.

"They know we're not scared to go into their house," confirmed Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Greeson, acting 3rd platoon leader for Co. B. "It should keep them from re-establishing in the area."