The incoming cmdr, Polish Brig. Gen. Reudowicz, said that the 8th rotation is well prepared for the mission. "The people of Ghazni Prov. will benefit from this great team,” said Campbell as he welcomed Reudowicz.
Gov. Musa Khan, said that Przekwas leaves Afghanistan as a friend to the people of Ghazni. He also wished success to the new Polish cmdr. "We met in Poland; he's a very experienced general," said Khan. "We know we didn't manage to complete everything we wanted, but we can also proudly say that we didn’t waste our time here," Przekwas said. He went on to wish his successors all the best. "The future of the Afghan people, who became so close to our hearts, depend on their efforts,” said Przekwas. "This is a challenge for us," Reudowicz said. He pointed out that the unit has spent nearly a year preparing for this mission. The soldiers got to know the operating environment, learned about the needs of the people, and also benefited from the experience of predecessors and allied forces.KUNAR PROVINCE – The combined SECFOR of ANSF and ISAF Soldiers from 1st Bn, 327th Inf Regt, finished clearing ops in the western Pech River Valley, Nov. 3.
The latest reports indicate that 3 more insurgents have been killed, bringing the total for the operation to 8. The ANSF and ISAF had no casualties. The clearing uncovered several caches, which contained weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammo, IED-making materials, and materials used to make homemade explosives.
GHAZNI PROVINCE – TaF Iron Rakkasans continue to thwart insurgent activities, as 3 platoons took part in an air assault op into Shamshay Village, Andar District, Oct. 29.
Shamshay Village is a frequently used staging area for insurgent attacks against CF, as well as ANSF. Intel reports targeted several houses as commonly used bed-down locations for insurgent leaders.
Soldiers from 1st Plt, C Co, 3rd Bn, 187th Inf, were the first into the village, and rapidly cleared the north side of Shamshay, establishing blocking positions to prevent the insurgent leaders from fleeing. 2nd Plt, B Co, and 3rd Plt, C Co, were immediately behind 1st Plt. Along with the ANA, they completed the isolation of the village, and began systematic searching of the suspected insurgent locations. The overwhelming numbers of American and Afghan forces in the village prevented the insurgents from coordinating a counter attack, the historical tactic of the enemy in eastern Ghazni. Instead, they relied on sporadic fire from the surrounding area. The Soldiers of 2nd Plt, B Co, attempted to maneuver on the enemy. However, their progress was hindered by terrain, and a rapidly approaching storm system. Visibility was reduced to 100 meters, due to the combination of sand and rain at the same time. “It’s unfortunate that the storm moved in as quickly as it did,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Ward, plt leader of 2nd Plt, B Co. “Storms like this one are rare, and we don’t expect to be so hindered on the next op.”This combined op comes on the heels of a successful mission concluded earlier this month, also in the Pech River Valley, resulting in the death and capture of numerous insurgent fighters, their weapons and bomb-making materials. Ops are ongoing.
“We believe that health promotes social and economic progress, and realize the dream of providing a foundation for a strong and healthy future for Iraq’s children,” he said.
“We come out here and provide support for the people,” said a member of the Red Crescent. “We're still hoping to get more toys for the kids as well.” The Red Crescent also facilitated the attendance of a doctor for the mission, to distribute medicine to the people.“With a doctor from the Red Crescent, and with 3 sheiks from the local area,” McGovern said, “they came up with this concept. We’ve resourced it, and are supporting it with security. The importance of all this is that you've ISF and the INP working with local community leaders and the Red Crescent. These are 3 real power brokers in the community coming together, forging relationships and accomplishing the mission for the people.”