A view of the two main buildings at Patrol Base Sullivan, Nawa District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 11. 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3, whose mission is to conduct counter insurgency operations in partnership with the Afghan national security forces in southern Afghanistan. Photo by Lance Cpl. John McCall

Marines possess an uncanny ability to call any place “home,” whether it’s a mixture of sand and gravel, or in this instance, a Taliban compound.

Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, have been operating out of what Marines refer to as “the mansion” here, since Aug. 1.

According to what local Afghans have told Marines, the compound belonged to a drug lord who was having it built to house his entire family. However, the construction was never completed because he was arrested and taken to prison.

Marines were sent to the compound to clear it out, believing it was a Taliban stronghold. They expected resistance when taking over the compound, but were met with an empty home in need of some landscaping.

“It was a real mess when we first got here,” said Cpl. Jacob Mikesell, 22, a mortarman from Papillion, Neb. “There was grass growing up to our chests, the buildings had mounds of dust covering everything and trash was thrown all over the place.”

A view of the front gate at Patrol Base Sullivan, Nawa District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 11. 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3, whose mission is to conduct counter insurgency operations in partnership with the Afghan national security forces in southern Afghanistan. Photo by Lance Cpl. John McCall

The compound consists of two, three-story buildings, which Marines and Afghan national army soldiers inhabit.

The two main buildings are made out of mostly marble and concrete, wooden window frames and doors with designs carved into them. Colored tiles cover the outside. The compound is surrounded by gigantic walls, giving it the look of a castle from outside. Marines can’t help but call their home a mansion.

“After we moved in, locals told us that most of the Taliban in the area had run away,” said Sgt. Nicholas Hine, a squad leader with Weapons Co., 1/5. “But we know there are still some here who are trying to coerce the population to go against us.”

Marines conduct foot patrols and vehicle mounted patrols daily to keep the surrounding area safe.

Other Weapons Company forward operating positions rely on being supplied with food and water from the mansion. During local village visits, Marines promise to provide security and help them the best that they can with their issues and concerns.

“We collect a lot of census information and atmospherics too. We try to get to know people by talking to them, learning where they live and understand what problems they have,” said Hine, a 24-year-old from Mohnton, Pa.

DVIDS
Story by Lance Cpl. John McCall

I’m posting this primarily because os the name of the Danish unit involved. How very cool is the unit name the “Jutland Dragoons”?

Security has been improved north of Laskar Gah. The Afghan National Army (ANA) supported by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces established a vital police checkpoint during Operation Attal.

From January 10-19, elements of the ANA’s 1st and 3rd Brigades of 205th Hero Corps, commanded by General Mohaiyodin Ghori, struck against the Taliban stronghold of Spin Masjid, defeating insurgents, seizing weapons and equipment, discovering scores of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and there by improving security in the area.

Their aim was to build a security checkpoint at a canal crossing point and construct a new Patrol Base, allowing the Afghan National Police (ANP) to better control the movement of people through the area.

January 11, a company of Afghan Warriors (the Afghan term used to describe their riflemen), advanced towards a crucial road junction, supported by Danish infantry, mortars and Leopard 2 tanks from The Jutland Dragoons, British counter-IED specialists from 59th Commando Royal Engineers and the British Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLT). The engineers discovered seven IEDs that day, and an additional five were discovered in the area by the end of the operation.

“It is great to work together with the British OMLT and we developed a good friendship. Our goals are the same: clear the area from the Taliban and give the local Afghans a chance to return to their homes so they can return to a normal and peaceful living,” said 1st Lt. Sharif Idin, Platoon commander, 1st Coy 205th ANA Battalion.

On January 19, the operation was successfully completed. The discovery of nearly 30 IEDs served to protect both security forces and civilians from danger and the ANA had demonstrated their growing capability and capacity to plan and carry out large-scale operations, extending security and gaining important consent for the legitimate forces of the Afghan government.

“This operation has been hugely significant in the development of the ANA’s 3-205 Brigade. It has been the first time that they have commanded a multinational Brigade-level operation of this complexity; with their British Mentors from 1st Rifles they have brought in Canadian, and Danish ground forces, and a whole array of multinational aircraft and artillery,” said Major Ben Tomkins, 1st Rifles, Chief of Staff OMLT and British Ground Commander.

ISAF