Articles: Spartan route clearance team clears way to better commerce in Wardak
ANSF, ISAF forces target insurgent strongholds
ISAF kills 18 insurgents in Konar
KABUL, Afghanistan (April 12) – Eighteen insurgents were killed during a pre-emptive defensive strike by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Konar province on the evening of April 10.
ISAF service members were on patrol throughout the day along a known insurgent infiltration route in the Pech District. The force then established a patrol base and deployed out an observation team.
Approximately 26 insurgents with weapons and lights walked within six feet of the observers, giving the
As the group of insurgents moved toward the patrol, the observers radioed back to the patrol base. The patrol leader then repositioned his personnel to engage the militants.
After the initial fire fight, close-air support and attack helicopters were called to support the ground forces.
Following the engagement, the platoon collected enemy supplies including 10 AK-47s, Rocket-propelled grenade launchers with ammunition, five radios and two hand grenades.
The incident resulted in no civilian or ISAF casualties.
Spartan route clearance team clears way to better commerce in Wardak
Written by Army 1st Lt. Christopher Stachura, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 11, 2009) -- The responsibility of making Afghan roads safe for civilian and military traffic is a daily reality for Soldiers of the route clearance team attached to 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, known as Task Force Catamount.
A subordinate unit of TF Spartan, TF Catamount has undertaken several projects in Wardak designed to stimulate and facilitate economic growth.
“Our route clearance activities allow freedom of movement along main traffic routes and separate the insurgency from the population,” said Army Capt. Andrew Harris, TF Catamount assistant operations officer. “Their operations strengthen commerce and bolster local economies by allowing local residents to travel safely to bazaars and conduct business.”
There are two main traffic ways through the mountainous terrain of Wardak province. Highway One extends north to south from the Afghan capital of Kabul to beyond Kandahar in southern Afghanistan.
The Jalrez Highway stretches west to east from the border of Iran to Kabul. It travels through the Jalrez Valley, linking several villages together.
The local economy is mainly agrarian, however in the villages of Markazi Behsood and Hesa Awal Behsood there is significant production and trade of items such as rugs, carpets, jewelry, and shawls.
Agriculture is the main source of income for 43 percent of the population in Wardak province and approximately 80 percent of the rural population own or manage agricultural land or garden plots, according to research by the former unit and TF Catamount.
The terrain in Wardak is a challenge for route clearance operations. Approximately 30 percent of roads are accessible year-round, while more than 50 percent are periodically passable, depending on the season.
Other difficulties include seasonal mud slides, flash floods, and the fact that less than 12 percent of Wardak is made up of flat land; however the transportation infrastructure is fairly well developed. All district centers are connected by dirt road to the provincial capital of Maydan Shar and approximately 80 percent of villages are accessible by road.
The route clearance team’s platoon leader, Army 1st Lt. Alvin Cavalier said, “Our mission is essential because it provides Coalition forces as well as the local national population assured mobility throughout Wardak. We’ve encountered considerable success thus far, effectively neutralizing several improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnances. Continually building on our success permits us to apply increasing pressure on the enemies of Afghanistan.”
According to TF Catamount’s intelligence officer, Army Capt. Joseph Reagan, “They set the conditions to safely operate along main and ancillary routes in the province. Their success permits accelerated economic growth and continued humanitarian aid delivery to the population.”
ANSF, ISAF forces target insurgent strongholds
KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops conducted operations in the Sangin District of Helmand province on April 8 and 9.
The operations focused on Improvised Explosive Device (IED) networks in the area as well as targeting an IED facilitator who sourced a range of IED components to construct the deadly devices.
The precise ISAF operations took place in three isolated compounds near Sangin, Northern Helmand. The compounds were associated with the production of IEDs, used to target both the people of Afghanistan and ISAF service members in Northern Helmand. Prior to the operations, extensive checks were undertaken to ensure no civilians were in the vicinity.
As a result of the operations, IED components, narcotics and a weapon were discovered, and four suspected insurgents were detained.
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