Operation Omid Sey – clearing the road to Gereshk

Following the success of Operation Tor Shezada in southern Nad-e Ali, where ISAF forces cleared numerous IEDs from key routes and installed new checkpoints, the Afghan National Security Forces have led an almost identical operation in central Helmand Province.

The Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, working together on a major operation for the first time ever, at one point found IEDs at the rate of one an hour in Helmand’s second largest town, Gereskh.

ANA and ANP plan together for Op Omid Sey

The aim of the operation was also to drive insurgents out of the densely populated area with the support of ISAF troops and to build two new permanent police checkpoints to enhance security for local people.

Afghan counter-IED teams were brought from as far afield as Sangin and Nad-e Ali to search for roadside bombs which have been threatening the lives of civilians, soldiers and police alike in Helmand’s second largest town, Gereskh. One day they found eight in eight hours. The next day they found seventeen between dawn and dusk.

Most had been laid on a road alongside the canal, leading to an existing police checkpoint which had been attacked repeatedly in recent months. The road was also the direct route to market for the locals.

They hadn’t used it for months but were keen to see it reopened.

One Gereskh resident, Ali Mohammed, said: “The road is completely blocked by IEDs and we have to carry goods to market through the fields. I now have a really bad back as a result. We can’t wait to be able to use it again.”

ANP officer searches for roadside bombs as his commander watches on, with the support of ISAF troops

ISAF troops have attempted to use it but at their peril.

Warrant Officer John Waring, of 1 Mercian Regiment, said: “My vehicle had an IED strike here. A sizeable device, buried underneath the road. This device was believed to be a remote controlled device specifically designed to disable or destroy vehicles.”

The ANA Brigade Commander for 3/215 Brigade, Colonel Sheerin Shah, said: “Our mission is to open this route, clear all the IEDs and help keep it secure so that local people can use it.” But this was the first time the ANA and ANP had collaborated on an operation of this size. Both the ANP and ANA provided counter-IED search teams, trained by ISAF forces, and committed men and resources to protecting the counter-IED mission and the building of the two new checkpoints along the canal.

The ANA built them for the ANP, with British Army Engineers offering advice and support.

ANA Lieutenant Colonel Jangbaz said: “The ANA has equipment and this is the reason that we are building checkpoints for the ANP with the support of ISAF forces, for the local nationals.

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Herbert, the Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots), who also heads the Task Force Helmand Brigade Advisory Group, said the operation had been a huge success.

“The ANA and ANP proved they can do anything that ISAF can do,” he said. “The numbers say it all. They had 600 troops on the ground and we had just 100 offering support and advice. They seized the task with both hands and fulfilled it well. It is a great model for the future.”

Photos: Sarah Yuen/MOD 2010

Afghan forces raise the country’s flag above Sayedebad, Helmand as the Decisive Phase of Op TOR SHEZADA comes to a close

Members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) have raised the country’s flag above the town of Sayedebad, which is now under ISAF and ANA control.

Sergeant Sheraga from the Afghan National Army said, “We are proud, as we have now taken control of this area. Before this area was under the control of the Taliban. They disturbed all the people. Now we are very happy. We appreciate the International Security Assistance Force in helping us with this mission.”

Sergeant Sheraga of the Afghan National Army standing in front of a recently raised Afghan flag in Sayedebad.

At the same time, forces from Corunna Company, the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment completed their clearance of the road from Nad-e-Ali to Sayedebad and met up with their sister company, Somme, who had held the town since Monday 2 August.

Lieutenant Colonel Frazer Lawrence OBE, Commanding Officer of 1LANCS on his arrival in the town to see troops and the progress made said, “The operation has been a huge success. There really hasn’t been much fighting at all. There has been a tiny bit of harassing fire from the insurgents, but effectively we have stolen the town of Sayedebad.”

Soldiers from Somme Company were treated to a cooked meal of fresh rations, before Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence patrolled through the town with his troops. On the way he spoke to locals, asking them about the arrival of ISAF and the ANA.

He commented, “It is a huge step forward for [the population]. The trick is now to secure the town with our Afghan partners and that will set the conditions for reconstruction and development to take place but importantly, for the District Governor to get down here, meet his people, confirm their needs, and then start to improve their quality of life.”

The Officer Commanding Somme Company, Major Darren Newman briefing the Commanding officer of the 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Lt Col Frazer Lawrence OBE on the current situation on Sayedebad.

Working with the District Council and the District Governor over the coming weeks, ISAF will look to conduct development projects in the region. “The aim is to improve the school, get the school working again. To clean out irrigation ditches and to meet the other needs that [the population] are bound to have.” said Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence.

Somme Company extracted by Chinook helicopter as daylight broke on the 6th day of the operation after handing the security of the town over to Corunna Company and the Afghan National Army.

A community shura took place on 09 August 2010 involving more than 60 key leaders, tribal elders and members of the Security Council and Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Lt Col Frazer Lawrence, District Governor Habibullah and a senior representative from the Ministry of Education were in attendance to discuss the progress and how the area will move forward now that the security has improved. Numerous stabilisation and reconstruction projects were discussed and will begin in earnest in the next few days whilst the Check Points are being fortified. There will remain a continuous ANSF presence in the region to continue to provide the security to allow freedom of movement and to permit economic development.

Photos: Cpl Barry Lloyd RLC/MOD 2010

Afghan security forces conduct joint operation to clear areas of threat around Lashkar Gah, Helmand

Afghan security forces from the Afghan National Army (ANA), Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan Border Police (ANBP), Afghan Civil Order Police (ANCOP) and ISAF soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Scots Guards acting as part of the Brigade Advisory Group, the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh and the Counter IED Taskforce have completed a clearance operation around Lashkar Gah in southern Helmand. The operation was jointly planned by Afghan security forces with guidance from ISAF advisors.

Afghan National Army and ISAF Commanders discussing plans before the operation.

Lieutenant Peter Foster, 1st Battalion The Scots Guards and commander of the Brigade Advisory Group attached to the detached Kolay of the 4th Kandak, Afghan National Army said, “This morning’s operation was basically planned and conducted by Afghan security forces. There was a small ISAF contingent there to help with the planning and execution of the operation…..The operation was good. It pretty much fulfilled what it was meant to do. It got Afghan security forces working together, which is extremely good.”

The operation was part of an initiative by the Provincial Governor, Governor Mangal, to clear key areas close to the provincial capital of Lashkar Gar which he considered to be a threat. It involved 300 Afghan security forces and 40 ISAF troops who amassed on the start line to the west of the city in the early hours before stepping off at first light. ISAF forces attached to the troops provided mentoring and guidance to the advancing Afghan forces and their commanders. The aim was to enhance the effectiveness of the overall operation and develop the skills of Afghan forces.

Soldiers from the Afghan National Army lined up with their impressive arsenal of weaponry before the operation starts.

“We plan operations jointly. We give them as much as advice as possible as to how to make it an effective operation and how we can interact our assets with their numbers and their face. Essentially we’re looking to give an Afghan face as much as possible, because the Afghan people want to see Afghan soldiers,” said Lieutenant Foster.

He continues, “Out on the ground my job is to specifically mentor the commander. I’ll give him advice and direct him where he needs directing to further develop his soldiering skills. In terms of controlling his troops, that is his job. I am merely there to advise him.”

Supported by Counter IED teams, Warrior armoured fighting vehicles and aviation support if the troops faced significant resistance, the ANP and ANA patrolled south down two separate geographic corridors. Both the ANA and ANP contingents were able to reach their objectives without incident, although the Counter IED Taskforce was deployed to deal with potential IEDs. After the operation, the Afghan security forces took part in a debrief session with ISAF troops to review how the operation how gone.

Operations of this nature which are jointly planned and use partnered troops are the next step as ISAF moves towards Afghan-led security in and around Lashkar Gah.

Photos: Cpl Barry Lloyd RLC/MOD 2010

Afghan security forces conduct joint operation to clear areas of threat around Lashkar Gah, Helmand

Afghan security forces from the Afghan National Army (ANA), Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan Border Police (ANBP), Afghan Civil Order Police (ANCOP) and ISAF soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Scots Guards acting as part of the Brigade Advisory Group, the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh and the Counter IED Taskforce have completed a clearance operation around Lashkar Gah in southern Helmand. The operation was jointly planned by Afghan security forces with guidance from ISAF advisors.

Afghan National Army and ISAF Commanders discussing plans before the operation.

Lieutenant Peter Foster, 1st Battalion The Scots Guards and commander of the Brigade Advisory Group attached to the detached Kolay of the 4th Kandak, Afghan National Army said, “This morning’s operation was basically planned and conducted by Afghan security forces. There was a small ISAF contingent there to help with the planning and execution of the operation…..The operation was good. It pretty much fulfilled what it was meant to do. It got Afghan security forces working together, which is extremely good.”

The operation was part of an initiative by the Provincial Governor, Governor Mangal, to clear key areas close to the provincial capital of Lashkah Gar which he considered to be a threat. It involved 300 Afghan security forces and 40 ISAF troops who amassed on the start line to the west of the city in the early hours before stepping off at first light. ISAF forces attached to the troops provided mentoring and guidance to the advancing Afghan forces and their commanders. The aim was to enhance the effectiveness of the overall operation and develop the skills of Afghan forces.

Soldiers from the Afghan National Army lined up with their impressive arsenal of weaponry before the operation starts.

“We plan operations jointly. We give them as much as advice as possible as to how to make it an effective operation and how we can interact our assets with their numbers and their face. Essentially we’re looking to give an Afghan face as much as possible, because the Afghan people want to see Afghan soldiers,” said Lieutenant Foster.

He continues, “Out on the ground my job is to specifically mentor the commander. I’ll give him advice and direct him where he needs directing to further develop his soldiering skills. In terms of controlling his troops, that is his job. I am merely there to advise him.”

Supported by Counter IED teams, Warrior armoured fighting vehicles and aviation support if the troops faced significant resistance, the ANP and ANA patrolled south down two separate geographic corridors. Both the ANA and ANP contingents were able to reach their objectives without incident, although the Counter IED Taskforce was deployed to deal with potential IEDs. After the operation, the Afghan security forces took part in a debrief session with ISAF troops to review how the operation how gone.

Operations of this nature which are jointly planned and use partnered troops are the next step as ISAF moves towards Afghan-led security in and around Lashkar Gah.

Photos: Cpl Barry Lloyd RLC/MOD 2010

Stabilisation in Afghanistan: winning the population from the insurgent

It is often said that in a counter-insurgency campaign ‘the people are the prize’ and it is this mantra that perhaps best describes the driving force behind the Military Stabilisation Support Group – or MSSG. Report by Tristan Kelly.

A Grenadier Guards Battle Group foot patrol in the bazaar area of Shawzad, Helmand province, along with elements of a Military Stabilisation Support Team
Picture: SSgt Mark Jones
Crown Copyright/MOD 2010

The MSSG is based in Gibraltar Barracks, Camberley, and is led by Colonel (soon to be Brigadier) Greville Bibby. He is an expert in stabilisation who was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his work as deputy commander of both the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and Task Force Helmand in 2009.

Colonel Bibby explained why the MSSG is working in Afghanistan:

“In terms of trying to provide security to what is a very volatile and insecure situation, we are operating amongst people. We are operating in a province that is fully populated by people with both large and small communities, all very closely linked by roads, canals and rivers and the rest.

“So we are trying to secure the population because that is what it comes down to. Because an insurgent, his fighting ground, his battlefield, is the population.

“It is all about influencing the population and using the population to his own ends and therefore it is not as straight forward as killing the insurgent, it is much more complex than that, it is about outwitting and out-influencing the insurgent.”

Read the full story here