OP: AXE HANDLE - 18th May 2012 to 20th May 2012
genre : Modern
AO :
HIGGENS
OPCOM : CWO2 Matthew Fisher
DESERT OP - DESERT OP - DESERT OP
12:01AM BST 02 Jun 2007 - Operation Lashtay Kulang - "axe handle" - The 1Bn the Royal Anglians is spearheading a multi-national force of 2,000 troops - half of them British - pushing up the Sangin Valley, a Taliban stronghold where well-armed insurgents terrorise the populace.
The British are supported by paratroopers from the 82 US Airborne division, along with Danish and Estonian soldiers. For the last two days they have been engaged in heavy fighting in Operation Lashtay Kulang - meaning "pick axe handle" - Darkness is descending as A Company, nicknamed the Fighting Ninth, dances its way through ditches and around the thick mud-brick compounds until we come upon the enemy position. Trees are splintered and walls pockmarked by the orgy of gunfire that has hammered into its target.
The latest battle has lasted four hours, closing a day which started as dawn broke over the Sangin Valley. "Without doubt, we are going into one of the most hazardous environments in Afghanistan," Major Dom Biddick, the commander of A Company, Royal Anglians, had told his men.
"It's going to be very cheeky out there." A classic line, worthy of Wellington. "The enemy are well armed, but so are we. We have a serious amount of firepower to call on. But be proportionate in your engagements and sensitive to collateral damage."
Operations will include -
- Counter insurgency raids for HVTs
- Downed aircraft CSAR
- Counter IED OPs
- Convoy duty in hostile terrain
- Relief of besieged OP
This Cimmerian OP is a 3 day OP with Night evolution on Firday Night and Morning EVO on Sunday. Operators must be completely self sufficient for food water and shelter. We will be camping at a remote desert location. At dinner on Saturday night everyone will contribute "potluck" style. Please sign up and note what you are bringing.
AO Location North of Reno NV - 20 miles.
LOADOUT - BLUFOR - Any desert cammo - ACU, DMarpat, and Multicam preferred.
OPFOR - OD green or local tribal garb.
Military uniforms are required for the whole OP both on and off the field of battle. We encourage operators to dress the role, but of course any military uniform is allowed. If you have "both" bring both, we may need you to adjust force levels.f you do not have modern gear, no problem! We have had several inquiries from participants who want to come to the OP but aren't sure they have an "authentic uniform". Don't worry! Uniform authenticity is not critical. Attitude is more important.
Try your best. It is easy to put together a uniform at little expense. Do your best, be creative, and that will be fine. If you have a full authentic uniform that is great, bring it out and be a star!
WEAPONS -
All modern weapons accepted. We strive to re-enact the battle more than to be strict with gear.
MILITARY VEHICLES -
All mil vehicles are welcome. Be aware when moving in the AO, visibility is limited.
12:01AM BST 02 Jun 2007 - Operation Lashtay Kulang - "axe handle" - The 1Bn the Royal Anglians is spearheading a multi-national force of 2,000 troops - half of them British - pushing up the Sangin Valley, a Taliban stronghold where well-armed insurgents terrorise the populace.
The British are supported by paratroopers from the 82 US Airborne division, along with Danish and Estonian soldiers. For the last two days they have been engaged in heavy fighting in Operation Lashtay Kulang - meaning "pick axe handle" - Darkness is descending as A Company, nicknamed the Fighting Ninth, dances its way through ditches and around the thick mud-brick compounds until we come upon the enemy position. Trees are splintered and walls pockmarked by the orgy of gunfire that has hammered into its target.
The latest battle has lasted four hours, closing a day which started as dawn broke over the Sangin Valley. "Without doubt, we are going into one of the most hazardous environments in Afghanistan," Major Dom Biddick, the commander of A Company, Royal Anglians, had told his men.
"It's going to be very cheeky out there." A classic line, worthy of Wellington. "The enemy are well armed, but so are we. We have a serious amount of firepower to call on. But be proportionate in your engagements and sensitive to collateral damage."
Operations will include - - Counter insurgency raids for HVTs
- Downed aircraft CSAR
- Counter IED OPs
- Convoy duty in hostile terrain
- Relief of besieged OP
This Cimmerian OP is a 3 day OP with Night evolution on Firday Night and Morning EVO on Sunday. Operators must be completely self sufficient for food water and shelter. We will be camping at a remote desert location. At dinner on Saturday night everyone will contribute "potluck" style. Please sign up and note what you are bringing.
AO Location North of Reno NV - 20 miles.
LOADOUT - BLUFOR - Any desert cammo - ACU, DMarpat, and Multicam preferred.
OPFOR - OD green or local tribal garb.
Military uniforms are required for the whole OP both on and off the field of battle. We encourage operators to dress the role, but of course any military uniform is allowed. If you have "both" bring both, we may need you to adjust force levels.f you do not have modern gear, no problem! We have had several inquiries from participants who want to come to the OP but aren't sure they have an "authentic uniform". Don't worry! Uniform authenticity is not critical. Attitude is more important.
Try your best. It is easy to put together a uniform at little expense. Do your best, be creative, and that will be fine. If you have a full authentic uniform that is great, bring it out and be a star!
WEAPONS -
All modern weapons accepted. We strive to re-enact the battle more than to be strict with gear.
MILITARY VEHICLES -
All mil vehicles are welcome. Be aware when moving in the AO, visibility is limited.
BACKGROUNDER BRIEF: OP: AXE HANDLEJoint US-NATO Offensive - Feb 2010
Operation AXE HANDLE was a ISAF pacification offensive in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. It involved Afghan and troops of several ISAF-members in addition to the USMC and U.S. Army units.
Canadian soldiers from 3 Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry began training Afghan National Army units for the operation. Since coalition forces had launched smaller "shaping operations" to prepare for the main assault on February 13. One of these operations was a series of "find, fix, strike" raids by four-man SAS teams and U.S. Navy SEALS at night. These resulted in the deaths of 50 Taliban leaders in the area.
In another operation, the Scots Guards and Grenadier Guards captured a bomb factory and defused 20 IEDs. The Afghan public was warned of the upcoming operation, in line with new rules of engagement for British forces, called "courageous restraint." The tactic, conceived by U.S. General Stanley McChrystal and British Major General Nick Carter[39] , required soldiers to "use brain-power rather than fire-power" and hoped to reduce damage to the Afghan population (in terms of collateral and life cost) by using fewer munitions and support measures. 11 Light Brigade, the main British formation in Helmand for use in the counter-insurgency role tested the doctrine in some of the more heavily populated areas in Helmand.
The operation was the first in Helmand since the surge of 30,000 U.S. troops and additional British reinforcements in late 2009/early 2010. Soldiers from 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group, 1 Grenadier Guards Battle Group, 1 Royal Welsh Battle Group and elements of the United States Marine Corps and United States Army were involved in the action, alongside Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police forces.
British Forces focused on the Lashkar Gah district and Nad Ali district, and U.S. forces on the town of Marja. The operation also intended to cut the opium trade. Its main aim was to ensure that captured ground can be held by British and American troops, enabling the Afghan government and civilian aid agencies to work more effectively in the province.