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For Afghan civilians, Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Force personnel traveling throughout Afghanistan, clearing routes of improvised explosive devices is necessary to keep everyone safe and alive.
Soldiers assigned to Task Force Slugger's "Apache" Troop, 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, conducted route clearance and route
reconnaissance in the Maiden Shahr and Nerkh districts of Wardak Province Nov. 18. Nothing was unique about that day's mission; these
soldiers clear Afghan roads of insurgent-emplaced IEDs day in and day out.
"(For) overall mission success, I believe route clearance is very important. If we weren't out there doing it every day, there would obviously be more IED attacks," said U.S. Army Pfc. Matthew Morris, a cavalry scout from Orlando, Fla., assigned to Apache Troop. "(Insurgents) would see that we are not out there checking that stuff, so they could hit us anytime. It keeps us soldiers safe, keeps our convoys safe and we get our job done. It's extremely necessary."
During the mission, Apache soldiers searched the routes for suspicious items that might be cause for concern. The soldiers, who spend hours in full combat gear while looking for anything suspicious, are ready and confident in their abilities.
The searching could take countless hours without traveling much distance. U.S. Army Spc. Jeffrey Bryant, a cavalry scout from Phoenix
assigned to TF Slugger's Troop A, said he understands that taking more time means missions are more successful.
"(Soldiers performing route clearance) are definitely trying to take their time," Bryant said. "They have to be careful because they don't
want any casualties, (and) they want to make sure the entire route is clear."
On Troop A's Nov. 18 route-clearing mission, the cavalry soldiers escorted an engineer who conducted a quality assurance-quality control
mission, checking culverts for damage and proper craftsmanship. The engineer said damage to culverts along Afghan roads mostly results from substandard work or insurgents' attempts to emplace IEDs in them.
"(We check) to ensure our troops can still pass on that road," Bryant said. "If the culvert is about to give way, you're not going to drive
down that road."
In addition to clearing routes and escorting engineers, TF Slugger soldiers interact with Afghan villagers along their routes. Nearing the
end of their mission Nov. 18, the soldiers passed through a village and made headway in relationship building with villagers who live around
Forward Operating Base Airborne.
"Something that inspired me yesterday is a lot of the kids came up and talked to us," said Capt. Jason Gilchrist of Dallas, Troop A commander. "A lot of them are asking for pens and paper and stuff like that. We do have opportunities to help aid in schools.
"When the kids come up and talk to us like that, it is a positive. It shows that we are not a negative influence," Gilchrist said. "We still
have to (change) a lot of minds (about why we are here), but I think we are getting there."
Along with making an impression on the children, the soldiers spoke with leaders in the village. When questioned about the Provincial Development Fund, the elder told Gilchrist he was not involved but would like to be.
"That gives me an opportunity, because he's close to the Maiden Shahr district; and I can make sure he's pulled into the PDF process, which
ultimately brings him into the (Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan)," Gilchrist explained. "Interaction with all people is
important. Elders are really important, because we see it is where he goes, the village goes."
At the end of the mission, the soldiers got in their vehicles and returned to FOB Airborne. With another mission in the books, Apache
Troop soldiers could rest easier knowing they performed their jobs well and civilians and military personnel alike can travel safely with less
fear of being hurt.
"I'm really proud of our guys..." Gilchrist said.
For Afghan civilians, Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Force personnel traveling throughout Afghanistan, clearing routes of improvised explosive devices is necessary to keep everyone safe and alive.
Soldiers assigned to Task Force Slugger's "Apache" Troop, 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, conducted route clearance and route
reconnaissance in the Maiden Shahr and Nerkh districts of Wardak Province Nov. 18. Nothing was unique about that day's mission; these
soldiers clear Afghan roads of insurgent-emplaced IEDs day in and day out.
"(For) overall mission success, I believe route clearance is very important. If we weren't out there doing it every day, there would obviously be more IED attacks," said U.S. Army Pfc. Matthew Morris, a cavalry scout from Orlando, Fla., assigned to Apache Troop. "(Insurgents) would see that we are not out there checking that stuff, so they could hit us anytime. It keeps us soldiers safe, keeps our convoys safe and we get our job done. It's extremely necessary."
During the mission, Apache soldiers searched the routes for suspicious items that might be cause for concern. The soldiers, who spend hours in full combat gear while looking for anything suspicious, are ready and confident in their abilities.
The searching could take countless hours without traveling much distance. U.S. Army Spc. Jeffrey Bryant, a cavalry scout from Phoenix
assigned to TF Slugger's Troop A, said he understands that taking more time means missions are more successful.
"(Soldiers performing route clearance) are definitely trying to take their time," Bryant said. "They have to be careful because they don't
want any casualties, (and) they want to make sure the entire route is clear."
On Troop A's Nov. 18 route-clearing mission, the cavalry soldiers escorted an engineer who conducted a quality assurance-quality control
mission, checking culverts for damage and proper craftsmanship. The engineer said damage to culverts along Afghan roads mostly results from substandard work or insurgents' attempts to emplace IEDs in them.
"(We check) to ensure our troops can still pass on that road," Bryant said. "If the culvert is about to give way, you're not going to drive
down that road."
In addition to clearing routes and escorting engineers, TF Slugger soldiers interact with Afghan villagers along their routes. Nearing the
end of their mission Nov. 18, the soldiers passed through a village and made headway in relationship building with villagers who live around
Forward Operating Base Airborne.
"Something that inspired me yesterday is a lot of the kids came up and talked to us," said Capt. Jason Gilchrist of Dallas, Troop A commander. "A lot of them are asking for pens and paper and stuff like that. We do have opportunities to help aid in schools.
"When the kids come up and talk to us like that, it is a positive. It shows that we are not a negative influence," Gilchrist said. "We still
have to (change) a lot of minds (about why we are here), but I think we are getting there."
Along with making an impression on the children, the soldiers spoke with leaders in the village. When questioned about the Provincial Development Fund, the elder told Gilchrist he was not involved but would like to be.
"That gives me an opportunity, because he's close to the Maiden Shahr district; and I can make sure he's pulled into the PDF process, which
ultimately brings him into the (Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan)," Gilchrist explained. "Interaction with all people is
important. Elders are really important, because we see it is where he goes, the village goes."
At the end of the mission, the soldiers got in their vehicles and returned to FOB Airborne. With another mission in the books, Apache
Troop soldiers could rest easier knowing they performed their jobs well and civilians and military personnel alike can travel safely with less
fear of being hurt.
"I'm really proud of our guys..." Gilchrist said.
