Battle field report - 10/29/08
This was written by my good friend and team member. Most fights I've been in have been on the ground in agricultual areas and the last thing we were worried about were pictures. Sorry no photos of POWs or dead zombies, I don't want to deal with that. Thought some of you may want to hear a war story and see a little bit.
Oregon ETT Fights in Lashkar Gar, by SFC Mark Browning
On October 14th the Afghanistan based Oregon National Guard combat advisor team and our Counter Narcotics Infantry Kandak (CNIK) received the order to report immediately to Lashkar Gah. The mission was to defend the city and drive out the Taliban who had massed and were threatening to take control.
Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Provence, was receiving nightly rocket fire while daily violence increased. Afghan National Police (ANP) checkpoints and outposts were being over run with increasing regularity while local schools were destroyed. In response, the Afghan government knew it had to take immediate action to stabilize and secure the city.
On October 15th nine of us and our Afghan soldiers arrived in Lashkar Gah armed with MRAP Cougars, machine guns, grenade launchers and a strong desire to get some payback for the death of a beloved team member and two interpreters who were killed by an IED in late September. It would not take long before we got our opportunity.
Shortly after arriving, our team found ourselves spearheading the fight. On a clearance patrol our team intercepted a complex Taliban ambush intended to overrun an Afghan National Police (ANP) checkpoint. Machine gun and RPG fire initiated the attack and a three-hour fight followed. While dismounted ANA soldiers advanced on the Taliban strong holds, the Oregon mentors maneuvered our vehicles into tactical positions that would allow the heavy guns to cover the ANA and destroy the Taliban. The ANA attacked fearlessly pushing the Taliban back. Despite RPGs exploding overhead, and bullets ricocheting off the vehicles, gunners SFC Walker, SFC Hagen and MSG Glesmann placed pulverizing fire on the enemy killing at least twenty. In a final desperate attempt the Taliban managed to place mortar rounds among the vehicles causing no damage. The US guns quickly silenced them.
According to SFC Williams, �Our presence (US) encouraged the ANA and gave them confidence to push forward.�
�The ANA have come a long way and are looking like true soldiers. They give me hope for Afghanistan.� stated SFC Walker.
During the fight, CPT Dyer and MSG Glesmann provided immediate medical attention to wounded ANA and ANP. SFC Hagen later treated local civilians wounded by the Taliban.
In the words of CPT Dyer, �In the middle of the fight while treating a gunshot wound I looked over my right shoulder to witness our ANA unit conducting battle drills that Mark (Browning), Bruno (De Solenni) and I had taught them up at PB Attal. It was very rewarding and for the first time I began to see our efforts come full circle.�
As the four day mission continued into its second week, more US and ANA teams arrived and began to reinforce the area. Our Oregon mentor team continued to patrol our sector until we were interrupted by an IED strike. As the smoke and dirt cleared small arms fire broke out. I responded with the 50 cal machine gun, killing three and quickly ending the fight. Amazingly, all the crewmembers, MSG Glessman, SFC Williams and 1LT Tuck, walked away with minor injuries and were able to continue the fight. We are always prepared for an ambush following an IED strike. We try to get them before they can get us.
SFC Hagen and MSG Glesmann both lead dismounted patrols in the area resulting in two very productive arrests.
�It was important to immediately search the area. Prisoners can provide critical information that will help prevent future attacks.� According to MSG Glessman.
Ironically, our team was preparing to end its tour in Afghanistan and return home in barely more than a month. Team leader LTC Keith Ensley stated, �We thought our tour was done in Afghanistan and this mission came as a complete surprise. The men didn�t let up. The Oregon combat advisor team fought one last, hard battle beside our Afghan soldiers.�
This is what the battle looked like from my turret during slow time in the fight.
[img][IMG]http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l198/Rogue280/20080705025.jpg [/img][/img]
A cloud burst from a RPG fire by our Afghan boys.
[img][IMG]http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l198/Rogue280/20080705026.jpg [/img][/img]
I took this photo after the battle. In the distance is the police check point where we were first ambushed.
[img][IMG]http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l198/Rogue280/20080705054.jpg [/img][/img]
Oregon ETT Fights in Lashkar Gar, by SFC Mark Browning
On October 14th the Afghanistan based Oregon National Guard combat advisor team and our Counter Narcotics Infantry Kandak (CNIK) received the order to report immediately to Lashkar Gah. The mission was to defend the city and drive out the Taliban who had massed and were threatening to take control.
Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Provence, was receiving nightly rocket fire while daily violence increased. Afghan National Police (ANP) checkpoints and outposts were being over run with increasing regularity while local schools were destroyed. In response, the Afghan government knew it had to take immediate action to stabilize and secure the city.
On October 15th nine of us and our Afghan soldiers arrived in Lashkar Gah armed with MRAP Cougars, machine guns, grenade launchers and a strong desire to get some payback for the death of a beloved team member and two interpreters who were killed by an IED in late September. It would not take long before we got our opportunity.
Shortly after arriving, our team found ourselves spearheading the fight. On a clearance patrol our team intercepted a complex Taliban ambush intended to overrun an Afghan National Police (ANP) checkpoint. Machine gun and RPG fire initiated the attack and a three-hour fight followed. While dismounted ANA soldiers advanced on the Taliban strong holds, the Oregon mentors maneuvered our vehicles into tactical positions that would allow the heavy guns to cover the ANA and destroy the Taliban. The ANA attacked fearlessly pushing the Taliban back. Despite RPGs exploding overhead, and bullets ricocheting off the vehicles, gunners SFC Walker, SFC Hagen and MSG Glesmann placed pulverizing fire on the enemy killing at least twenty. In a final desperate attempt the Taliban managed to place mortar rounds among the vehicles causing no damage. The US guns quickly silenced them.
According to SFC Williams, �Our presence (US) encouraged the ANA and gave them confidence to push forward.�
�The ANA have come a long way and are looking like true soldiers. They give me hope for Afghanistan.� stated SFC Walker.
During the fight, CPT Dyer and MSG Glesmann provided immediate medical attention to wounded ANA and ANP. SFC Hagen later treated local civilians wounded by the Taliban.
In the words of CPT Dyer, �In the middle of the fight while treating a gunshot wound I looked over my right shoulder to witness our ANA unit conducting battle drills that Mark (Browning), Bruno (De Solenni) and I had taught them up at PB Attal. It was very rewarding and for the first time I began to see our efforts come full circle.�
As the four day mission continued into its second week, more US and ANA teams arrived and began to reinforce the area. Our Oregon mentor team continued to patrol our sector until we were interrupted by an IED strike. As the smoke and dirt cleared small arms fire broke out. I responded with the 50 cal machine gun, killing three and quickly ending the fight. Amazingly, all the crewmembers, MSG Glessman, SFC Williams and 1LT Tuck, walked away with minor injuries and were able to continue the fight. We are always prepared for an ambush following an IED strike. We try to get them before they can get us.
SFC Hagen and MSG Glesmann both lead dismounted patrols in the area resulting in two very productive arrests.
�It was important to immediately search the area. Prisoners can provide critical information that will help prevent future attacks.� According to MSG Glessman.
Ironically, our team was preparing to end its tour in Afghanistan and return home in barely more than a month. Team leader LTC Keith Ensley stated, �We thought our tour was done in Afghanistan and this mission came as a complete surprise. The men didn�t let up. The Oregon combat advisor team fought one last, hard battle beside our Afghan soldiers.�
This is what the battle looked like from my turret during slow time in the fight.
[img][IMG]http:/
A cloud burst from a RPG fire by our Afghan boys.
[img][IMG]http:/
I took this photo after the battle. In the distance is the police check point where we were first ambushed.
[img][IMG]http:/
"Good looking short bald guy" ![[Linked Image]](http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l198/Rogue280/20080705074.jpg)