Battle in the Mountains, But Using More than Force
Sept. 11, 2006 -- -- Two 155m Howitzer artillery guns stand guard at Camp Blessing, their muzzles aimed at the high mountain peaks that surround the small forward operating base deep in the Pech River Valley.
"The name of gun one is 'Osama Bin Lob In'" says Capt. Joe Hansen, commander of Blessing. "You always name your guns just like you name your ships. It brings good luck and makes them more accurate."
The guns need to be accurate. Part of Operation Big North Wind, they fire day and night, supporting U.S. troops who are fighting in the mountains and valleys along the Pech River. Located in Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan, the area is just 20 miles from the Pakistan border, offering easy access for enemy fighters coming from outside the country.
"These mountains, based on our equipment and the lodes we carry, sometimes these mountains give us some problems," says Hansen. "Some of the fighters that we are facing are very astute in going through these mountains and we've got a challenge going after them. And they know they've got some home terrain here."
For years the area has operated as a safe haven and training ground for al Qaeda and Taliban fighters. Moving in small bands of up to 15 or 20 people, the insurgents rely on the support and shelter from the local population.
Today the guns are aimed at the near-by Korangal Valley, an area where the people continue to reject the authority of the Afghan government and support the insurgency. In June of 2005, 16 American service men where killed in the Korengal when their helicopter was shot down. The helicopter was operating in the area in support of the attempt to rescue four Navy SEALs who had been ambushed. Only one of the SEALs survived.
"We fight the Korengal fighters pretty much on a daily basis," says Hansen.
The area is governed by District Governor Mohammed Rachman. Just 29 years old, he is called "Little Karzai" by his supporters as he tries to pull together the various factions and tribes that live in the area under his responsibility. For Rachman, ending the fighting in his area does not depend on a military solution alone. Negotiation and politics can play a role as well.
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