Successful air assault eliminates three insurgents

PAKTIYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Soldiers with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conducted an air assault operation into Karabine village, Afghanistan, killing three insurgents and recovering multiple munitions, May 10.

The combined forces air assaulted into the village during the late morning hours and immediately came into enemy contact.  After confirmation of insurgent activity, and just 16 minutes after the operation began, three insurgents were dead.

“This mission was a devastating blow to enemy forces who seek safe haven in Karabine,” said U.S. Army Capt. Joshua Powers, from Atlanta, Company A, 3-187th commander. “Combined forces effectively destroyed the capabilities of this cell, which we believe consisted of 10 (militant) fighters.”

A thorough search was conducted through the village by the combined forces leading to the confiscation of several AK-47 rifles, a machine gun, rocket propelled grenade rounds, hand grenades and detainment of three militants.  During the search they also destroyed unstable munitions.

 “The [ANSF] were directly involved in clearing the village, blocking positions and detaining and tactical questioning of the detained personnel,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jim Ferguson, Company A, 3-187th Infantry Regiment fire support officer, from Phoenix. “They were directly responsible for detaining three (insurgents) and numerous weapons and grenades.”

Rogers said he is very pleased with the successful outcome of this operation and that he expects that this air assault will greatly disrupt the insurgents’ ability to operate in the Yosef Khel District for the next month.