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'Operation Blue Candle' aids Mizan

Army News Service

By Sgt. Jeremy A. Clawson

MIZAN DISTRICT, Afghanistan (Army News Service, July 15, 2004) -- During the seven days of "Operation Blue Candle," Soldiers conducted combat and presence patrols, air assault operations, and cordon and search operations in the Mizan District of Afghanistan.

The Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment provided humanitarian aid to citizens of numerous communities within Mizan District, a mountainous region in south-central Afghanistan.

Mizan again has a doctor, a school and a light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to the "Cacti Battalion" as 2nd Bn., 35th Inf. Rgt. is known.

Task Force Cacti and its subordinate elements accomplished two things. "We pushed the enemy out and reinforced the local government," said Capt. Peter Farrell, Company A, 2nd Bn., 35th Inf. Rgt., commander.

Recent intelligence indicated that anti-Coalition militants, including Taliban, al-Qaeda and resistance fighters, had been harassing the populace there.

"The primary mission at battalion level was to disrupt ACM forces," said Farrell. "Alpha Company's role was the air assault arm, to cordon and search wherever we had intelligence that there were ACM forces operating."

"Mizan is a remote district. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere. It's been a sanctuary," Farrell said. "By denying that to the anti-Coalition (militants), it causes them to fracture into splinter cells. It doesn't give them the support they need to operate."

Blue Candle had virtually no direct engagement with the ACM, yet it did stymie their movement, officials said.

"We stopped 14 days of violence, of fighting. There has been no fighting in that region since Blue Candle," said Farrell. "The doctor moved back, so now they have some limited form of health care. The school reopened in that district. People obviously felt safe and happy while we were there but I think it will have a lasting effect as we continue to return in Mizan."

The 400 task force Soldiers were able to capture numerous weapons during Operation Blue Candle.

"If you look at it in terms of enemy equipment, we captured a lot," said Farrell. "We got about 60 blasting caps, which in terms of numbers, that's approximately 60 IED's; 10 assorted rifles; two RPG's with numerous rounds. We captured quite a bit of low-grade C-4, blasting wire, improvised timers - we got about three of those - and thousands of rounds of small arms ammunition."

"This type of operation makes it untenable for the people to harbor and assist the Taliban in their area," said Farrell.

Operation Blue Candle helped to reinforce the provincial governor's role and accomplish his objectives for Mizan District, officials said, adding its success will likely spread throughout the surrounding districts to have a positive impact on the rest of the country.