TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan (Nov. 28, 2012) -- A major Afghan National Security Forces, or ANSF, operation to clear insurgents from the southern Afghanistan province of Uruzgan during Nov. 4 to 20, once again demonstrated ANSF's ability to operate independently.
Kalak Hode VII, translated as "determined strike," was the final in a series of six successive operations designed to prepare Afghan security forces to operate independently before the 2012 winter.
According to Maj. Gen. Abdul Hamid, the Afghan National Army's 205th Corps commanding general, the operation resulted in the discovery of 43,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and more than 700 kilograms of explosives. Additionally, approximately 500 improvised explosive devices were found and rendered safe.
"We are proud of our army; we have shown the ability to perform independent operations in three southern provinces successfully. We had a few casualties but our enemy had many," Hamid said. "I share my deep condolences with their families; they were the real sons of this country who sacrificed themselves for the security and for prosperity of this country."
"Compared to previous Kalak Hode operations, coalition forces provided limited support," said Australian Lt. Col. Craig Madden, the operations officer advisor of the 205th Coalition Advisory Team. He said Afghan forces provided a higher percent of the support and logistical assets in this operation versus previous Kalak Hode operations.
Madden said one of the highlights of the operation was the successful participation of the Kandahar Air Wing's aircraft and crews in the clearing mission.
"One of many success stories is the Kandahar Air Wing, which was able to conduct seven to eight separate missions, including aero-medical evacuations, ammunition and logistic resupply and an Afghan air assault. (It) shows that the ANSF can plan and execute a reasonably complex operation in their own backyard," Madden said.
"Another significant operational achievement was the combined effort and cooperation of the police," said Afghan Police Col. Anayatullah Ahson, the operations officer for the 404th Zone Maiwand.
"Currently, we have to work together shoulder by shoulder," Ahson said. It doesn't matter if you're ANP, AUP, ANA or ISAF, we should all work together to solve the insurgent issues or problems that we have in this country right now."
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