U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew D. Strand
2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment
FORWARD OPERATING BASE ORGUN-E, Afghanistan (March 26, 2013) - Soldiers assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2/10 Security Forces Assistance Brigade, and a Security Force Advisory Team both stationed at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E, Afghanistan, linked up with the 5th Kandak Afghan Border Police and Afghan Uniformed Police stationed at the Wali-Was border check point to help improve base defenses and advise patrolmen, March 26.
The U.S. Soldiers divided and partnered with the ABP and AUP conducting base defense improvements and a police patrol focused on searching known enemy hot spots.
Leading the fight against the Taliban the ABP and AUP detained five individuals during the patrol who are suspected of being affiliated with the Taliban.
Upon the patrols return, many of the policemen and U.S. Soldiers who were conducting base defence improvements greeted the returning patrol with great excitement, cheering and singing Afghanistan's National Anthem.
Security Force Advisory Team members were enthusiastic with their partner's success, seeing the Afghan forces taking the fight to the enemy while securing the Afghan people.
"I would fight beside any of the 5th ABP Kandak guys!" said U.S. Army Spc. Issac Rodriguez, a reconnaissance infantryman attached to Company D, 2-14 Infantry.
While mission execution is paramount, base defence is equally important, and while half of the force was on patrol, the other half worked to bolster security.
Under the advice and mentorship of the U.S. Soldiers, the ABP constructed the first of a series of obstacles. By the end of the day, Afghan forces were constructing their own obstacles to standard with no coalition oversight.
"It really shows their willingness to learn and the eagerness of their leadership to take ownership of the situation," said U.S. Army Capt. Jason Buckingham, Security Force Advisory Team Leader, assigned to Company D, 2-14 Infantry.
Across the country, Afghan fighting forces are meeting the Taliban and other insurgents head on; each success proves the Afghan Security Forces and people are ready and eager to defend their country unassisted by coalition forces.
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