Operation Purge

Guys this is the official story from the Army of what happened, my 2 cents will come tomorrow. The uy who wrote it is a good guy. My version will be longer and more like my other blogs.

1-503d, Afghan Army Conduct Air Assault in Chak

By Army Staff Sgt. Bruce Cobbeldick
Task Force Bayonet Public Affairs


WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan (25 SEP 2010) – The Paratroopers of Task Force Talon, Task Force Brawler and their Afghan National Army partners conducted a clearing operation in the Chak District of Wardak Province, known as Talon Pakawul (Purge), the largest air assault mission conducted during this deployment by the Sky Soldiers of the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

Task Force Talon’s staff, in coordination with planners from 3d Kandak, 1st Brigade, 201st Corps, the 6th Afghan Commandos, Task Force Brawler, 2d Platoon of TF Rock’s Battle Company, and other units who supported the operation, planned the most extensive Air Assault mission of this deployment in just over 48 hours. Coalition Forces (CF) also worked closely with Afghan National Security Forces partners (ANSF) to ensure their participation and integration in the plan. The planners worked almost non-stop during the 48 hour period to develop an operation that would maximize success while mitigating to threat to coalition and ANSF participating in the operation.

The commanding officer of Task Force Talon, Lt. Col. Matthew McFarlane, and his staff conducted a back-brief to Brig. Gen. Townsend, Deputy Commanding General-Operations of CJTF-101 and RC-East to gain approval to conduct the operation, and all units involved in the operations participated in communications and map rehearsals prior to execution.

The combined action operation involved more than 340 Afghan National Security Forces and TF Talon Paratroopers interdicting insurgents in Chak to facilitate ANSF security operations. They inserted ground forces using four CH-47 and two UH-60 helicopters from TF Brawler at five landing zones across the district in the span of five hours.



McFarlane said, “due to the untiring efforts of the entire combined team, including multiple SOF, aviation, and ground units, the Task Force was able to successfully execute a complex mission with minimal time for planning. The people of Chak Valley and Afghan Government leaders were pleased with the removal of key insurgents and an increased Afghan security presence in Chak.”

McFarlane pointed out that residents in Chak witnessed their Afghan Commandos and Afghan National Army fight and protect them. Wardak Afghan Uniformed Police and elements of the Afghan Army increased their continuous presence in Chak to build upon the success of this operation. In the coming months, TF Talon will continue to work with the ANSF to increase their capacity for securing the people and Afghan Government efforts in Chak.

“The operation demanded a lot of the Paratroopers, NCOs and officers involved,” said Maj. Damien Fosmoe, the Talon Operations Officer, “but it was a great feeling to see the professionalism with which the officers, NCOs, and Troopers developed, rehearsed and executed a complex and dangerous mission on such short notice, as if it was routine.”

“I have the good fortune to work with many outstanding Troopers, NCOs and officers. It would be hard single out individuals who were more important or more impactful to this operation. The operation was a team endeavor, and could not have succeeded without the efforts of all involved,” he said.

“The plans officers worked long hours to develop the plan; the scouts spent two days on a cold windy ridgeline providing eyes on for the ground forces below; the ground forces forced the insurgents into hiding, capturing equipment and inflicting losses while not taking any themselves; the aviators moved the ground forces to HLZs, some difficult and dangerous to land at, so the ground forces were in the best position to conduct the operation; and the attack aviation, both fixed and rotary wing, provided air support to ground forces throughout the operation.” Maj. Fosmoe, from Davenport, FL, elaborated.

Army 1LT, Platoon Leader, 3d Platoon, Attack Company, from Boston, MA said, “It was exciting to be part of such a large operation. Because of the assets provided for a mission of this size, I feel that my platoon was able to accomplish more than we would have on our own. In addition, I felt confident focusing on one area of Chak, knowing that on all my flanks I was covered by my fellow Sky Soldiers.”

“In the background, Troopers in the tactical operations center coordinated and synchronized all support for the ground forces and the logistical support personnel executed resupply to the ground forces. None of the individual elements or units would have succeeded without the help and support of the others,” said Fosmoe.

The results were undeniably felt by the enemies of the Afghan government. A senior insurgent leader in Wardak Province and several of his subordinates were killed during the first day of the operation.

The insurgents operating in Chak received a strong message that CF and ANSF can and will execute operations to ensure the enemies of Afghanistan cannot operate in their "safe haven" with impunity.

Army Sgt. Bradley Mora, Squad Leader, 3rd Squad, Second Platoon, Attack Company, said, “It is one of those things that we came in there secured key locations and fought it out with the Insurgents without backing down. They have to realize that we can and will go into any area in this country and defend the Afghan people’s ability to pursue democracy. Mora, from Las Vegas, NV, said the impact was definitely felt in Chak. Coalition forces will support the Afghan people and we will not allow the insurgents to effect elections for Afghanistan.

Playing a large part in the operation was Attack Company, commanded by Captain Kevin Ward of River Forest, IL. Ward controlled three rifle platoons, a Company Headquarters, and attached ANSF forces during the Operation. He air assaulted into Chak Valley and remained on the ground throughout the operation.

Attack Company’s Commander, Cpt. Ward said, “this operation is served as another reminder that I am extremely fortunate to find myself in the company of the best that our nation and that of Afghanistan has to offer. I am humbled by the bravery, endurance, and abilities of the men of Attack Company, the attached 2nd Platoon from Battle Company, and our partnered Afghan Forces. Down to the lowest level, every member of our element faced extreme danger with no reservation or hesitation. With the unmatched dedication and efforts of Soldiers and leaders such as this, there is no mission to difficult and no opposing force that can stand against them.”

While the long-term effects are yet to be seen, the enemies of Afghanistan will likely hesitate before acting as boldly as they previously have. The insurgents now know that ANSF and CF have the strength and resolve to insert directly into their base of operations in Wardak, controlling the area and inflicting losses.

The insurgents learned a hard lesson that attacks on our ANSF partners and attacks to threaten the stability and efforts of the GIRoA will be met with overwhelming response from ANSF and CF.