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View Full Version : Operation Spartan Strike: Combat Air Assault



SgtJim
04-30-2011, 08:29 AM
ISAF Regional Command South
Story and photos by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Coffman
(as always photos are hi-res with descriptions)
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ZHARAY DISTRICT, Afghanistan - Deep in the territory where the Taliban still maintain significant influence, on the southern border of Zharay District, Afghanistan, Charlie Company, which goes by "Charger" Company, were tasked with searching for improvised explosive devices and clearing houses, buildings and ruins throughout an area about a mile across.

During "Operation Spartan Strike," Capt. Gary Flowers, commander of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), led the men of 2nd Platoon on a mission of importance. Flowers' primary objective was to combat air assault into a hostile landing zone and search for Taliban high-value targets April 21.

The area had a small community that included about 30 houses, compounds and abandoned buildings centered on ruins that appeared to have been hundreds of years old, and it was set in scenic farm land of grape vineyards, wheat fields and poppy field in full bloom interwoven with the vineyards and also in vast fields of their own.

The mission actually began before Charger Company soldiers landed on the objective. It involved the planning stage, the rehearsals, and the oversized "rock drill," which resembled a large map laid out in the dirt behind the headquarters building.

It included all the map features, including rivers, roads, every house and the helicopter landing zones, complete with blast cards that were dropped on the HLZs during the proper timing during the briefing to simulate airdropping ordnance to clear an area for the helos to land and yet provide a clearing for Charlie Company to safely disembark and taking up a fighting position until daybreak.

Two days before the actual mission, the key elements were rehearsed on a field next to the airfield on the forward operating base. Beginning with a short briefing by Flowers, an Airborne Ranger, who set the tone of the mission with the words, "If it sounds commando, it is what it is." From there, they began the daylight rehearsals with a walk through that included disembarking mock Chinook helicopters. That evening, they repeated the exercise by using actual Chinooks. Soldiers of the Afghan National Army were interwoven within the ranks of the company, conducting the rehearsals side-by-side, despite the language barriers, their interpreter never far away.

Shortly after midnight, Flowers met with his noncommissioned officers just outside their tent, and gave one last go / no go on the mission. They would be leaving within hours; all they had to do now was wait for the Chinooks to arrive. All geared up for a 24-hour mission, including enough water to get through what would turn out to be temperatures that reached 114 degrees, they were ready and headed to the airfield.

The approach of the Chinooks in the distance confirmed that the mission was on and Charger Company was ready. Filling in on both side seats first, to follow up with a row sitting tightly on the floor, the Chinook was now full, to include one military working dog named Blackie and his handler. Minutes later, the tail gunner took his seat and the helicopter lifted off to their objective. Before long, the tail gunner turned, holding up five fingers and yelled, "five minutes," which was echoed throughout the helicopter. "Three minutes"…"One minute." The gunner lowered the rear deck in preparation for the landing.

As fast as the Chinook landed, within seconds, after everyone was off, it lifted off. The soldiers with mine detectors began their work of widening the area and dropping orange chemlights everywhere they found something, expanding all the way to the clay wall, which would serve as cover until daybreak.

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Communications were established and fighting positions were taken up along the wall. Flowers advised command that they had arrived and were setting up as planned to make contact on the first compound as soon as lighting permitted.

Just before sunrise, Flowers ordered the grass field in front of the house to be cleared of possible mines, with the use of minefield clearing explosives. It was set up on the edge of the field and launched over it resulting in clearing an area equivalent to a football field, while everyone listened for sympathetic detonations produced by hidden improvised explosive devices. None were heard, but the field was now cleared.

Shortly after the detonation, a helicopter flew overhead to check for activity from what was for the residents a wake up call and to alert the group to any reaction or hostile threat.

First out were the soldiers from the Afghan National Army, working their way through the irrigation rows of the poppy fields to the front door of the first house of the day. Using a bullhorn, they advised everyone to come out of the house.

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Initially, the father came out and was searched, and then he called for his three sons to join him outside. Charger Company approached the house, clearing very narrow pathways to walk, while no one deviated from the invisible cleared path until the residence walked around and eventually led the column through his property and to the next nearest house. This process continued, until they reached the middle of the village.

Safely escorted to the next house by the elderly gentleman, he knocked on the front door and introduced Flowers with the aid of an Afghan interpreter. This appeared to be the center of the village. The middle- aged man, with a thick black beard, black vest and long dark turban spoke of the importance of the ruins in the distance in between being questioned about Taliban activity, weapons caches and IEDs.

The rest of the community came out to see what was taking place. Several boys joined the men by the stream while the girls maintained their distance. Initially shy and peeking around corners, it wasn’t long before they were all smiles and heading for the soldiers.

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With nearly a dozen children running around, having depleted everyone’s supply of bubble gum, Charger Company was a little more at ease while exploring the edge of the ruins. The man from the second house who was escorting Flowers and his men, made his way to a high mound on the edge of the ruins as if he was giving a speech and was joined by some of the Afghan soldiers and the interpreter. Off to the north, one could make out the mountain fort built by Alexander the Great, around 330 B.C. The fort was built on Kataw Ghar or Kataw Mountain. This was the region where Alexander married a local chief’s daughter named Rokhsana and established his empire in Afghanistan.

Charger Company now made it’s way to one of the more fortified compounds, while the poppy fields now started to transition into vineyards. The compound looked like a mini fort, complete with flags flying from the four corners of the structure. The group was invited in to stay through the hottest part of the day. Security was quickly established around the house as it provided protected observation points from the roof and additionally around the perimeter.

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Flowers, joined by his senior leadership, sat in the shade with the men from the surrounding houses and had tea as they held a discussion about Taliban activity and the possible locations of weapons. All the while, the children were watching from a distance or walking about taking care of chores or minding the infants.

Prior to leaving, all the adult males were photographed and their fingerprints scanned for biometric enrollments.

With the majority of the mission being complete, it was now time to start making their way to the pickup point where they would wait until darkness fell. Out of the north, the first of four Chinooks quickly landed in the far corner of the field and was rapidly followed by three more taking up opposite corners. All soldiers safely boarded the Chinook, which indicated the mission was successfully complete.