“I have watched the leaders and Soldiers within my company grow into a unit that is able to operate with little guidance and overcome any obstacle that is in (its) way.”
— Capt. Keith Haire
By 1st Sgt. Torren Kern
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan — Spc. Kyle Mueller, an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducts a radio check April 28, 2018, while pulling guard duty in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. (Courtesy photo)
TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan — The combat outpost known as Tarin Kowt, located in the Uruzgan Province of Afghanistan and once used by NATO Special Forces, was cleared and secured by the Soldiers of Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team “Red Warriors,” 4th Infantry Division.
The outpost supports the mission for Train, Advise, Assist Command-South (TAAC-South), which includes Soldiers from the 40th Infantry Division, California National Guard, and 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div. The mission for TAAC-South is to train and advise Afghan security forces and assist in counterterrorism operations.
To support the mission, Soldiers secured the outpost for the 2nd Battalion, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), which operates in the TAAC-South region.
The 1st SFAB was activated earlier this year and is solely dedicated to advising and assisting foreign forces from the tactical to ministerial level. The SFAB took the lead on advising and assisting partner nations to enhance Army readiness by allowing brigade combat teams to reduce security force assistance operations and refocus on preparing for decisive action, according to the official U.S. Army webpage.
The SFAB operates independently in remote locations for short durations, said Command Sgt. Maj. Joel A. Baker, senior enlisted leader for 2nd Bn., 1st SFAB.
TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan — A Soldier with 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, digs a hole to clear and secure the remote combat outpost April 17, 2018, in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. (Courtesy photo)
“For persistent expeditionary advisory platforms, (we) need external support in securing the operations base to be able to advise, assist, enable and accompany our Afghan counterparts at the brigade and Kandak (an Afghan battalion) levels,” said Baker. “The (Soldiers of 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT) were instrumental in clearing and securing the area in order for (us) to operate.”
The Soldiers provided 24-hour perimeter security, enabling mission planning and sustainment operations, they conducted airfield resupply operations that brought personnel, equipment and supplies needed to sustain advisory operations and established a quick reaction force to assist in hostile situations on and off the camp.
During the initial stages of the outpost, Staff Sgt. Greg Rochefort, platoon sergeant, Company B, 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT, said adaptability was their biggest success in establishing the area.
“In our current area of operation, we have fewer Soldiers to conduct buildup, security, airfield operations and various other tasks,” said Rochefort. “The leaders here are challenged daily, and they must adapt and overcome in order for mission success.”
The work the Soldiers did and are currently doing to ensure the camp is adequate for the advisers of the 2nd Bn., 1st SFAB, have not gone unseen by leadership.
TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan — 1st Lt. Kyle Barry, left, platoon leader, and Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Banks, platoon sergeant both with 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, work together to clear and secure the remote combat outpost April 17, 2018, in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. (Courtesy photo)
“Throughout our train-up and the occupation of the combat outpost we reside in, I have watched the leaders and Soldiers within my company grow into a unit that is able to operate with little guidance and overcome any obstacle that is in their way,” said Capt. Keith Haire, commander for Co. B, 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., 2nd IBCT. “Without their hard work and determination, it would be very difficult to conduct advisory missions. I am very proud of each and every Soldier under my command.”
According to the leaders of Company B, the goal is to continue improving the security plan for the outpost and to increase the partnership between the U.S. forces and Afghan security to provide lasting stability.
Established in 2015, Resolute Support is a NATO-led, non-combat mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, who assumed nationwide responsibility for Afghanistan’s security following the conclusion of the previous NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission.
Its purpose is to help the Afghan security forces and institutions develop the capacity to defend Afghanistan and protect its citizens in a sustainable manner.