41.9 F
Clarksville
Monday, March 18, 2024
HomeNewsTask Force No Slack Continues Clearing the Ghaki Valley

Task Force No Slack Continues Clearing the Ghaki Valley

Photo By U.S. Army Spc. Albert L. Kelley, 300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Fort Campbell KY, 101st Airborne Division PatchKunar Province, Afghanistan – U.S. and Afghan National Security Force members cleared the village of Chenar from Taliban control during Operation Strong Eagle II, July 19th.

The objective of the operation was to clear Chenar of insurgents, deny them safe haven and extend the reach of Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and development into the Ghaki valley.

The Ghaki Valley, which is in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province, had become a place where insurgents could not be touched said Capt. Joseph L. Holliday, of New York, NY, the battalion intelligence officer with 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack stationed at Fort Campbell, KY.

U.S. Army Capt. Thomas Whitfield, of Fort Campbell, KY, the company commander of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, reviews tactical details of Operation Strong Eagle II with Afghan National Security Forces commanders at Forward Operating Base Joyce, July 18th. Capt. Whitfield's company was the lead element during the operation. The goal of the operation was to clear insurgents from the village of Chenar, deny them safe haven and extend the reach of reach of Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The operation took place in the Ghaki Valley in eastern Afghanistan's Kunar province and involved approximately 425 Coalition Forces. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Albert L. Kelley, 300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
U.S. Army Capt. Thomas Whitfield, of Fort Campbell, KY, the company commander of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack, reviews tactical details of Operation Strong Eagle II with Afghan National Security Forces commanders at Forward Operating Base Joyce, July 18th. Capt. Whitfield's company was the lead element during the operation. The goal of the operation was to clear insurgents from the village of Chenar, deny them safe haven and extend the reach of reach of Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The operation took place in the Ghaki Valley in eastern Afghanistan's Kunar province and involved approximately 425 Coalition Forces. (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Albert L. Kelley, 300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

“It had become a rest, refit and training spot,” said Holliday. “The biggest threat is that they were within striking distance of the Asada Bad, the capital of Kunar province.”

“The Taliban came in and pretty much roughed people up and took control of the village,” said Maj. William A. Rockerfeller, the battalion operations officer with 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. “Village elders expressed a desire to be part of the [GIRoA] government but felt they were unable to resist the Taliban’s control.”

U.S. and ANSF forces were able to clear the entire village in four hours according to Capt. Thomas Whitfield, the commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Bulldog stationed at Fort Campbell, KY.

“Strong Eagle I dealt a strong blow to the Taliban network in the area,” said Whitfield, “They did not have the ability to mass forces against us.”

Immediately following the operation, a Shura convened on the outskirts of nearby Daridam village. Present were Kunar Provincial Governor Wahidi, District Sub-Govenor Pachgul, ANSF military leaders and village elders.

In fiery speeches, Governor Wahidi and District Sub-Governor Pachagul informed the residents that ANSF and ISAF cleared the of INS, encouraged residents to return to their homes and to not let them fall in the hands of Taliban.

They also discussed distribution points for human aid that had been donated to Marawara residents in the form of rice, tea, beans, flour and oil.

No INS, ANSF or U.S. forces were reported killed or wounded in action while four individuals were detained.

RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles