KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Feb. 7, 2005 — “America’s Battalion,” 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, completed Operation Spurs this week as part of a combined Coalition and government of Afghanistan offensive against terrorist threats in Afghanistan during the winter months.

Leaping from CH-47 Chinook helicopters hovering just above the jagged, snow-covered mountains that ring the Korangal Valley, Marines from both India and Lima Companies inserted into different parts of the valley; they quickly cordoned and searched several houses believed to be hideouts for mid-level Taliban and terror organization Hizb-I Islami Gulbuddin (HIG) leaders and fighters.

“We flew in fast and low and jumped off just outside one of our main target’s house,” said 2nd Lt. Caleb Weiss, a Lima Company platoon commander. “They couldn’t have had more than a few moments to react to having entire platoons dropped on their heads.”

The Marines charged into the village and quickly established a presence, preventing the possibility of their targets escaping. The Marines then detained several men suspected of being members or supporters of anti-government forces without having to fire a single shot.

With helicopter pilots performing precarious two-wheel landings over the treacherous mountain terrain and the Marines and Sailors willingness to eagerly take the fight to the enemy no matter the “clime or place,” America’s Battalion sent a clear message that security threats to Afghanistan will not be tolerated or allowed to remain in the Korangal Valley.

The battalion has maintained its high operational tempo despite harsh weather conditions, in an effort to disrupt the activity of anti-government forces here during a time when Taliban and Al Queda elements operating in Afghanistan have, in the past, taken time to reorganize and recuperate. Insurgents preparing for renewed attacks on Afghan and Coalition targets in the

spring, using heavy snowfall and plummeting temperatures to mask their activity, will continue to be sought out by Marine-driven initiatives throughout the harsh Afghan winter said 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines Commander, Lt. Col. Norm Cooling.

“Regardless of how difficult the terrain and weather might be, we have the training, equipment and commitment to take the fight to those continuing to sponsor and conduct terrorist activities in the Kunar Province and that is precisely what we are doing. We are not going to sit around and worry about them exploiting the local populace and attacking us. We are going to keep them worried about us bringing the attack to them,” said Cooling.

If insurgents hiding there were distressed to see the arrival of the Marines, many residents of Korangal happily welcomed the Marines and Navy Corpsmen of the battalion. With the assistance of Afghan doctors, soldiers from the Asadabad Provincial Reconstruction Team, and female military police officers from the 58th MP Company, 25th Infantry Division, they distributed winter coats, medication and offered medical help to nearly 500 sick villagers and their children throughout the Korangal area.

“It’s great to be able to help the people by giving them medicine and supplies they need,” said Army Spc. Dayna Urbank, military police officer from Uniontown, Ohio. “We’re not here just to search houses and detain people. If we show them respect and help them, they’ll see that their government can offer them a much better way of life than any of the terrorist groups can.”

Several Lima Company Marines also met with the Korangal village elders, who expressed thanks for the medical supplies and coats. One of the elders, who fought the Russians with the mujahedeen, said that the new peace in Afghanistan was a welcome change and he looked forward to a time when it wouldn’t be necessary for Marines and the Afghan National Army to look for terrorists in his village.

“We are happy to have the security here and to receive the medical attention you provide us,” said one of the elders who hosted the Marines for a meal in his home. Coalition forces hope to further solidify support among the village elders of the Kunar province by continuing to improve conditions there and eliminate the threats they face from insurgents.

Operation Thunder Freedom continues as America’s Battalion and Combined Joint Task Force 76, in conjunction with the government of Afghanistan, assess and seek to eliminate threats along the Afghan-Pakistan border.