This is just one of the combat patrol I went on, and to be honest, each one is usually different from the other depending on the mission objectives.
Our patrol to the nearby village of Laui Kalay was pretty straightforward and it fell into the task of the 2nd Platoon, Baker Company, 2-12 Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. We left the base at 0430 when it was still dark. Everyone was using Night Vision Goggles except for me and I was trying hard not to stumble and fall on the very uneven rocky dirt road. We linked up with elements of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and their US Marines trainers at OP Dallas. The village wasnt too far from Dallas and the ANA were to provide cover for us in case of contact with the enemy.
The platoon split into three squads: one went to Laui Kalay itself, one went up to an abandoned house as an over watch element (I was attached to them) and the other stayed with the ANA. Our squad took cover inside the house, set up fire position and had a sniper watch the next hill for any enemy activity.
So we sat around in the chilly morning air, scanned the surroundings, whispered and waited. I never found out what the squad that went into Laui Kalay did. After more than an hour we got the word to exfil. Suddenly there was a whoosh and an explosion to our east! Thank God it was friendly 155mm artillery! They called a fire mission to deter anyone out there and then pop a couple of smoke rounds in addition to their smoke grenades. We ran as fast as we can down the slope and discovered that its a pretty steep drop to the road! Soon we were engulfed with our own smoke and had to jump best as we can. The first guy pretty much did a face plant as he couldnt see through all the smoke, was choking on it and was carrying an AT-4 rocket in addition to his M203 and the ammo. I grabbed and protected my camera best as I could, jumped and then ran like hell back to OP Dallas. Hell of an interesting ride!
Our patrol to the nearby village of Laui Kalay was pretty straightforward and it fell into the task of the 2nd Platoon, Baker Company, 2-12 Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. We left the base at 0430 when it was still dark. Everyone was using Night Vision Goggles except for me and I was trying hard not to stumble and fall on the very uneven rocky dirt road. We linked up with elements of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and their US Marines trainers at OP Dallas. The village wasnt too far from Dallas and the ANA were to provide cover for us in case of contact with the enemy.
The platoon split into three squads: one went to Laui Kalay itself, one went up to an abandoned house as an over watch element (I was attached to them) and the other stayed with the ANA. Our squad took cover inside the house, set up fire position and had a sniper watch the next hill for any enemy activity.
So we sat around in the chilly morning air, scanned the surroundings, whispered and waited. I never found out what the squad that went into Laui Kalay did. After more than an hour we got the word to exfil. Suddenly there was a whoosh and an explosion to our east! Thank God it was friendly 155mm artillery! They called a fire mission to deter anyone out there and then pop a couple of smoke rounds in addition to their smoke grenades. We ran as fast as we can down the slope and discovered that its a pretty steep drop to the road! Soon we were engulfed with our own smoke and had to jump best as we can. The first guy pretty much did a face plant as he couldnt see through all the smoke, was choking on it and was carrying an AT-4 rocket in addition to his M203 and the ammo. I grabbed and protected my camera best as I could, jumped and then ran like hell back to OP Dallas. Hell of an interesting ride!