Manning of Outpost Thomas
(July 24, 2010) |
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| | KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (July 20, 2010) – The back of the Chinook opened and
the small team of scouts, mortarmen and infantrymen exited over knee-high piles
of Meals Ready to Eat and bottled water into the darkness of Helicopter Landing
Zone Hawk, July 7. |
U.S. Army Pfc. David W. Wilson of Salisbury, N.C., a
grenadier with 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 327th
Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, stacks sandbags in
an effort to improve a fighting position at Combat Outpost
Thomas above the Marawarah District here July 7, 2010. The
soldiers continuously work to improve their fighting
positions while ever mindful of the extreme weather
conditions that surpass 100 degrees daily. Coalition forces
pushed insurgents out of the district only days earlier and
are setting up permanent outposts to prevent insurgents from
returning to the area. |
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Days earlier, some of these same Soldiers from Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry
Regiment, Task Force No Slack, helped expel insurgents from
the valley below during Operation Strong Eagle. Now they
were back to ensure insurgents did not return by helping the
Afghan National Army build a permanent outpost high above
the Marawarah District.
“This particular ground is important because it allows us to
provide over-watch and security,” said Maj. Eric D.
Anderson, the executive officer of 2nd Bn., 327th Inf. Reg.,
stationed out of Fort Campbell, Ky. “We are also denying the
enemy the ability to use that terrain. Time and time again
throughout history, the enemy has rushed to the high ground |
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[during military operations].” |
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There are no hardened buildings; no dining facilities; no
morale, welfare and recreation centers; and no bathrooms on
this new OP. Despite the lack of amenities, the Soldiers
enthusiastically make do and carry on with their mission.
ANA and U.S. Soldiers begin working early before the
temperature surpasses the 100-degree mark. U.S. Army Staff
Sgt. Oretheous O. Reed, of Blakely, Calif., a squad leader
with 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, 2nd Bn., 327th Inf. Reg., Task
Force No Slack, fills sandbags alongside his squad and ANA
soldiers.
“We are helping the ANA secure their area,” said Reed.
“Helping them to build better fighting positions. They get
excited when we work with them.”
The Soldiers build their fighting positions with sandbags,
large rocks and indigenous vegetation. They maintain
situational awareness of both the elements and possible
enemy movement in the area.
“Safety is number one,” Reed said. “We pick safe times to
work, like when it's overcast. When the sun comes back out,
we are back down again. We never stop drinking water.”
He also takes time to mentor the ANA soldiers when needed.
The ANA, in turn, show their appreciation by sharing a
traditional Afghan lunch of cooked rice, potatoes and beans
with the American Soldiers.
During the long hot days, the Soldiers do their best to keep
morale up with occasional debates about the best actors,
movies and singers.
Evenings present new challenges. Soldiers create guard duty
rotations and double-check their night time optical devices
before being completely enveloped in darkness. The winds
pick up considerably and temperatures drop substantially.
There are no mattresses. Soldiers do their best to find a
comfortable spot in the dirt, ignoring the tiny rocks that
poke at them through the night.
One Soldier showed ingenuity by constructing a small blanket
from material found during the day and 550-cord. Some use
empty MRE boxes, uniform tops and poncho liners to provide
additional protection from the wind.
Although, the valley below is almost completely desolate,
the Soldiers understand the importance of being alert during
their shifts.
“You do not want to let your buddy down,” said U.S. Army
Pfc. Frank K. Copass, of Thomkinsville, Ky., a radio
telephone operator with the scout platoon.
“You don't want someone to sneak up on you because you
weren't scanning your sector,” said Copass.
When daylight breaks, the Soldiers start the process all
over. For four days they continue improving fighting
positions, pulling guard duty, keeping cool during the
scorching day and keeping warm at night.
“Local nationals have ownership of security, static posts,
patrolling and the town itself,” said Anderson. Eventually
this OP will be turned over completely to Afghan National
Security Forces.
Until then, the Soldiers continue their rotations high above
the District of Marawarah. |
Article by Army Spc. Albert Kelley
Combined Joint Task Force 101
Copyright 2010 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
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