bobdina
10-09-2009, 03:49 PM
With their Canadian mentors from the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team in Task Force Kandahar, soldiers from Kandak 6, 1st Brigade 205 Corps Afghan National Army (ANA) recently participated in Operation SPIN ARWA I, near Howz-e-Madad in Zhari District, in conjunction with the ISAF Regional Battle Group (South), which is based on the Black Watch (3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland), and Canadian soldiers from Task Force Kandahar’s Counter IED and Psychological Operations teams.
The aim of Operation SPIN ARWA I was to disrupt insurgent activity in an area used to mount attacks on ISAF and Afghan tactical infrastructure, and to prepare ambush attacks launched against convoys on Highway 1.
The operation began at night with four waves of airmobile insertions, including an airmobile company assault into a hot position. As the troops in the first wave landed, they heard gunfire from helicopters attacking insurgents near their objective. The other two companies and the tactical headquarters of Regional Battle Group (South) landed elsewhere and marched through the night to reach the areas where they were to conduct clearing operations. Once daylight arrived, the British and Afghan troops began to find sizeable quantities of insurgent equipment and supplies, including improvised explosive devices, home-made explosives, small arms, a recoilless rifle, a grenade launcher with grenades, radios and motorcycles. Controlled explosions could be heard all day as insurgent caches and equipment went up in smoke.
Although they were caught off guard, the insurgents counter-attacked in several locations. These contacts were quickly silenced by the joint use of manoeuvre, supported by ISAF aviation assets and the RBG(S) mortar platoon, which responded quickly to requests from the companies on the ground. That night, the rifle companies received fresh supplies of water, food, ammunition and whatever else they needed for the next day. Cleared compounds were used for sleeping and to maintain a security perimeter.
The second day was more of the same. The troops on the ground cleared objectives in their areas of responsibility, destroying enemy equipment and offensive positions. By nightfall, the units were ready to begin a passage of lines that would move them into nearby ISAF and Afghan strong points to reorganize and prepare to continue clearing their areas of responsibility.
Through it all, the Afghan soldiers performed brilliantly. It was Ramadan, a period when they cannot eat or drink during the daylight hours, breaking their fast only twice during each 24-hour period: once immediately after sundown, at around 1830 hrs, and the second time just before first light, at around 0330 hrs. Despite these restrictions and the heavy loads they had to carry, the ANA soldiers not only kept up with their ISAF counterparts, they were also responsible for finding most of the insurgent equipment. They also maintained communications throughout the operation, reporting regularly to their commander, who was co-located with the commander of the Regional Battle Group (South) — an arrangement that facilitated co-ordination and passage of information between the forces.
All the soldiers, whatever their nationality, were proud and happy when they reached the strong points. After keeping the insurgents on the run for three days, and dealing them the terrible blow of taking away much of their locally available equipment, the soldiers could sleep in relative safety and prepare for further operations in their areas of responsibility. At that point, the soldiers of Kandak 6 and their Canadian mentors prepared to return to base while Kandak 1 and its mentors took their place for the last three days of the operation.
By the end of the first day of Operation SPIN ARWA I, it was already clear that the aim had been achieved: the insurgents were caught off guard and unable to secure their equipment and positions against the speedy advance of ISAF and Afghan forces. Their will find their ability to conduct operations in the Howz-e-Madad area seriously degraded for the near future. Meanwhile, the mentors and soldiers of Kandak 6 returned from the operation filled with a sense of accomplishment, having rendered the area safer for ISAF and Afghan troops and, most important, for the people who live there.
The aim of Operation SPIN ARWA I was to disrupt insurgent activity in an area used to mount attacks on ISAF and Afghan tactical infrastructure, and to prepare ambush attacks launched against convoys on Highway 1.
The operation began at night with four waves of airmobile insertions, including an airmobile company assault into a hot position. As the troops in the first wave landed, they heard gunfire from helicopters attacking insurgents near their objective. The other two companies and the tactical headquarters of Regional Battle Group (South) landed elsewhere and marched through the night to reach the areas where they were to conduct clearing operations. Once daylight arrived, the British and Afghan troops began to find sizeable quantities of insurgent equipment and supplies, including improvised explosive devices, home-made explosives, small arms, a recoilless rifle, a grenade launcher with grenades, radios and motorcycles. Controlled explosions could be heard all day as insurgent caches and equipment went up in smoke.
Although they were caught off guard, the insurgents counter-attacked in several locations. These contacts were quickly silenced by the joint use of manoeuvre, supported by ISAF aviation assets and the RBG(S) mortar platoon, which responded quickly to requests from the companies on the ground. That night, the rifle companies received fresh supplies of water, food, ammunition and whatever else they needed for the next day. Cleared compounds were used for sleeping and to maintain a security perimeter.
The second day was more of the same. The troops on the ground cleared objectives in their areas of responsibility, destroying enemy equipment and offensive positions. By nightfall, the units were ready to begin a passage of lines that would move them into nearby ISAF and Afghan strong points to reorganize and prepare to continue clearing their areas of responsibility.
Through it all, the Afghan soldiers performed brilliantly. It was Ramadan, a period when they cannot eat or drink during the daylight hours, breaking their fast only twice during each 24-hour period: once immediately after sundown, at around 1830 hrs, and the second time just before first light, at around 0330 hrs. Despite these restrictions and the heavy loads they had to carry, the ANA soldiers not only kept up with their ISAF counterparts, they were also responsible for finding most of the insurgent equipment. They also maintained communications throughout the operation, reporting regularly to their commander, who was co-located with the commander of the Regional Battle Group (South) — an arrangement that facilitated co-ordination and passage of information between the forces.
All the soldiers, whatever their nationality, were proud and happy when they reached the strong points. After keeping the insurgents on the run for three days, and dealing them the terrible blow of taking away much of their locally available equipment, the soldiers could sleep in relative safety and prepare for further operations in their areas of responsibility. At that point, the soldiers of Kandak 6 and their Canadian mentors prepared to return to base while Kandak 1 and its mentors took their place for the last three days of the operation.
By the end of the first day of Operation SPIN ARWA I, it was already clear that the aim had been achieved: the insurgents were caught off guard and unable to secure their equipment and positions against the speedy advance of ISAF and Afghan forces. Their will find their ability to conduct operations in the Howz-e-Madad area seriously degraded for the near future. Meanwhile, the mentors and soldiers of Kandak 6 returned from the operation filled with a sense of accomplishment, having rendered the area safer for ISAF and Afghan troops and, most important, for the people who live there.