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U.S. Troops Describe Clearing Afghan Caves, Bunkers
Sunday, March 28, 2002
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service

SSG Kevin A. Schiedeck, 24, described Operation Anaconda to Pentagon reporters from his viewpoint as an infantry squad leader. He was one of three soldiers who gave the press a telephone interview March, 27, 2002, from Bagram, Afghanistan.
Image Credit: U.S. Army Photo.

"What we were looking for was caves, mortar positions, caches of ammunition and 'AF' -- al Qaeda or Taliban forces still in the area," Army Staff Sergeant Schiedeck said. "We were going basically on a 'search and attack (mission)' to clear the positions as we went along and destroy any enemy forces that posed a threat to us.”

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
U.S. troops sent in to mop up enemy bunkers in eastern Afghanistan at the tail end of Operation Anaconda were well trained, well equipped and ready to tackle whatever they encountered in the challenging mountainous terrain.

During a telephone interview from Bagram, Afghanistan, infantrymen 1st Lt. Richard C. Phillips, 27, Staff Sgt. Kevin A. Schiedeck, 24, and Spc. Jeffery E. Reen, 21, described to Pentagon reporters what Anaconda was like on the ground.

After a five-and-a-half-month deployment in the Kuwaiti desert, the three men of Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, went into the mountains of Afghanistan. They were to clear the caves of any remaining enemy fighters, equipment, weapons and ammunition they encountered.

"I took my platoon out there with three squads and we've done what's been asked," said Phillips, a platoon leader from Lake City, Fla. He said the combat missions at times seemed "just like a live-fire exercise."

"When we're out there, everything runs smooth and calm," he said. "People are focused. They know their job and what they have to do."

Cold weather didn't faze the well-equipped troops, but the rugged terrain presented a big challenge, the lieutenant said. Troops in some units broke ankles and twisted knees climbing the steep inclines, he noted.

"You just have to pace yourself and not overdo it," he said.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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