Two related stories from the Marine operation in southern Afghanistan.

Afghan National Police assisted by International Security Assistance Force troops have restored government control in the town of Khan Neshin, July 6.

The mission was part of ISAF’s ongoing mission, Operation Khanjar, designed to provide stable conditions for the Afghan people by disrupting insurgents’ lines of communication and freedom of movement in Helmand province.

Afghan National Security Forces accompanied by approximately 500 US Marines have moved into the Khan Neshin area, located in the Rig District, near the part of the Helmand River known as “The Fishhook.” This is the first time international forces have had a sustained presence so far south in the Helmand River valley. Khan Neshin had been an insurgent stronghold for several years before ANSF and ISAF troops arrived and began discussions with local leaders several days ago.

The mission to secure Khan Neshin was part of a larger operation undertaken by ANSF and ISAF and to stabilise towns along the Helmand River Valley in order to connect local Afghans with their legitimate government while establishing secure conditions for national elections scheduled for August.

ISAF

After a 10 hour bumpy, dusty drive through the desert, the United States Marine Corps has now secured one of the southernmost points of operations in Helmand Province and begun construction on what will be the largest Combat Outpost (COP) ever built by Combat Logistics Batallion-8 from Camp Lejuene, North Carolina.

“This is the tip of the spear,” said Capt. Chris Annunziata. “Everything that happens south of the river depends on us.”

Within minutes of bulldozer and excavators being unloaded from flatbed trucks, construction began on COP Payne which overlooks the Helmand river valley. Annunziata, the onsite officer in charge of the construction project said building the COP will take just 96 hours to complete. The COP will serve as a logistical centre for all operations that will eventually take place south of the river along the border with Pakistan.

By the end of the first day of construction, a ten foot wall of dirt and gravel surrounded the 600 foot by 600 foot compound and a burn pit was dug for disposing of garbage. As the same time, other crews are working on a fording site across the Helmand River and fortifying Khan Necsion, a former insurgent stronghold that will now be handed over to the district governor.

“I have the best equipped and most motivated Marines,” said Annunziata. “These men and women are true professionals and I couldn’t be more proud of them.” The Marines carried out their work under the oppressive Afghan sun with temperatures soaring above 50 degrees centigrade.

Across the river, a curious lone rancher and his herd of cattle watched as COB Payne took shape. He was the only Afghan seen since departing Forward Operating Base Dwyer the night before.

“I wasn’t expecting any contact with insurgents on the drive down here,” said convoy commander, Lieutenant Tabitha Pinter. “This was a complete surprise. The enemy had no idea we were coming and they had no idea we’d take the route we took.” The convoy of 35 trucks and armoured vehicles drove through 112 kilometre of barren desert where no roads currently exist.

The Marines are not letting the quiet beauty of the river valley catch them with their guard down.

“All was quiet when we built Fire Base Thunder. It was three or four days later the insurgents learned we were there and that’s when they started their attacks,” said Annunziata.

ISAF