Operation SLIPPER: Stories from Afghanistan
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Stories from Afghanistan
Operational Success in Southern Afghanistan
Afghan and Australian Forces are currently conducting Operation Baz Panje in the Mirabad Valley in Southern Afghanistan creating stronger relationships between Afghan locals and the Afghan and coalition forces.
Soldiers from the Afghan National Security Force (ANSF), Afghan National Army (ANA), the 2nd Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF – 2), Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and coalition partners have commenced a series of operations as part of Baz Panje, steadily advancing counterinsurgency strategies in line with ISAF Commander General McChrystal’s guidance.
Operation ‘Baz Panje’, meaning ‘Falcon’s Talon’, is a critical step in spreading the coalition’s influence into the Mirabad area by building a new patrol base, conducting shuras and providing basic medical support to the local communities.
The overriding objective of Baz Panje is to gain and maintain the support of the local Afghan population by demonstrating coalition and ANSF ability to protect them, and offering an achievable, positive alternative to continued Taliban domination.
As one of the largest air mobile operations in recent times into Oruzgan Province, this event has been hailed a huge success. Upon arrival of the forces a series of meetings with key local leaders were held to understand local issues and help build strong relationships.
These village meetings, or shuras, are a vital means of reassuring the community of the Afghan and Australian soldiers’ determination to prevent a resurgence of Taliban influence, intimidation and violence in the area. The shuras also paved the way for direct community assistance in the form of basic medical clinics.
Though only small steps, these clinics have made a real difference to the wellbeing of many in these communities, and have provided tangible evidence that the health issues of women and children were also recognised as important by coalition forces.
Months of intense and carefully applied pressure on insurgent sanctuary areas by the ANSF, SOTG and their partners in Uruzgan province have helped pave the way for a permanent ANSF Coalition and presence in the province’s Mirabad region.