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10th Mountain uses know-how to help CJTF-HOA fight terrorism

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 6/13/2003

Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (June 12, 2003) -- After a grueling month providing their combat skills in the mountains of Afghanistan, soldiers from the U.S. Army's Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Regiment, 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y., are here supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with their counter-terrorism expertise.

According to Staff Sgt. Bryan F. Wells, squad leader and acting platoon sergeant, the light infantry company learned a lot from participating in Operations Anaconda and Polar Harpoon while in Afghanistan.

The purpose of Operation Anaconda was to destroy Taliban and Al Qaeda forces fortified in the mountains near Bagram.

"Our mission during Operation Anaconda seemed to change every hour," said 1st Lt. Matthew Cloud. "We were inserted into our position by helicopter and established an overwatch position for our sister company (Co. A)."

While Co. A swept through the valley below, Co. C, positioned on top Takur Ghar Mountain, engaged the enemy forces operating in caves and dwellings.

Cloud added, "We received both direct and indirect fire and took several POWs (prisoners-of-war) during the eight days we were out there."

After returning from the mission, the soldiers of Co. C embarked upon a secondary operation.

Both Companies A and C were tasked to clear Takur Ghar, towering more than 10,000 feet over Afghanistan, and Upper Shahikot Valley during Operation Polar Harpoon.

The operation was named in honor of 4th Bn., 31st Regiment's nickname, "Polar Bears."

Wells, of Chicago, explained, "We were involved in Operation Polar Harpoon for two or three days. We did a lot of patrolling in the mountains looking for the enemy." Encountering hostile forces was not the only concern the companies faced.

"When we were climbing the mountain, the soldiers were experiencing shortness of breath. The altitude was hard to adjust to at first," he said.

However, that didn't stop them from finishing the job.

The companies were triumphant in capturing and destroying enemy weapons, munitions and equipment as well as clearing several caves and bunkers.

"It was hard to determine if we were successful or not while we were out," Wells added, "but once we got feedback on what we actually did, that's when we were able to say that we had accomplished the mission."

More than a year later, Co. C is back in action aiding in the Global War on Terrorism here for a period of six to 12 months. Its mission is to provide light infantry support to CJTF-HOA in order to defeat transnational terrorism in the Horn of Africa region. This support ranges from a quick reaction force to providing security to the camp if need be.

This time the company is better prepared than prior to the fighting in Afghanistan, according to Spc. Jacob H. Brown, rifleman.

The Saint Elmo, Ill., native went on to say he learned a lot from his time in Afghanistan, including to have faith in his leaders' judgment.

"If they say to do something, I've learned not to ask why. I just do it. There's no need to ask why because they know what they're doing," he said.

The company is building upon what they found out in previous assignments in the Global War on Terrorism.

"Since we've been in Djibouti, we've had a lot of time to train. When we were in Afghanistan, we didn't," he said. "We've done raids, MOUT (Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain) training, battle and weapons proficiency drills."

Cloud affirmed if the time comes for his soldiers to participate in any number of missions while supporting CJTF-HOA, they would be more than ready.

"We hope to engage terrorists while we're here," he said. "Until that time, we're going to prepare."