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Coalition forces defend base, thwart enemy

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Renni Thornton
  • 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan --  Coalition security forces at Kandahar Airfield repelled attempts by insurgents to penetrate the perimeter and collectively defended the base May 22.

Enemy forces began their assault on KAF using indirect fire, said Lt. Col. Anthony Maisonet, commander of the 451st Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

IDF is the use of rocket-propelled grenades, mortars or other explosive devices to engage an area.

The enemy also attempted to gain access to the base by using small arms fire on security forces posted along the perimeter of the base.

"The first indication that enemy forces were using other tactics besides IDFs was when we began receiving reports from different combat elements posted throughout the base that they were receiving small arms fire," said Australian Squadron Leader Chris Hatch, Joint Defense Operations Center, KAF.

At that point, a ground attack was declared by KAF officials.

The joint defense plans in place on KAF defeated the enemy's attempts to inflict damage and injuries.

"As things unfolded during the attack, we were prepared to use different phases of our defense plan to deter the enemy," said Colonel Maisonet.

"This time, there were multiple IDFs in succession. Because we had a plan in place, we immediately advanced our defense plan to prepare for what was likely to follow," he said.
While coalition forces were defending the perimeter of the base, Air Force members
were securing Air Force operational areas on KAF.

At Air Force operational areas, security forces members and Airmen across the wing immediately secured areas of responsibilities, personnel and resources, said Master Sgt. Byron Ginn, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Anti-Terrorism Officer.

Even though under attack, the flying mission was not halted.

"I am extremely proud of our Airmen. Even though the base was under ground attack, they kept the mission on track," said Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh, commander, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing.

Security teams on KAF are completely capable of defending the perimeter of the base, said Squadron Leader Hatch.

He added that the rest of the base population must be vigilant too.

"There is a tendency to lapse into a peacetime mentality when you are afforded small
comforts. Rocket attacks are the enemy's way of trying to hurt us and stopping our mission. We cannot let that happen.," said Squadron Leader Hatch.

Royal Air Force Flight Leftenant Robb Pitt, also assigned to the JDOC, echoed his coalition partner's concerns.

"This is still a combat zone--the enemy does not want us to complete the mission. They will continue to try and stop us and therefore we must be prepared," he said.

"We've got a very robust system in place but we need everyone to help themselves.

Whether we give instructions to wear body armor or get in the correct dress state or take cover."

"We are in pretty good position because we constantly go through the plans. We review them and practice them frequently. Most of the plans implemented that day were using the assets we have for force protection--various police units, flight line security, all of them.

Overall, the joint security teams are pleased with the way they collectively defeated the attempts on May 22.

"We saw coalition forces coming together under one command and defeating a common enemy," said Colonel Maisonet. "Everyone coming together was great--we were truly a team. All the different countries, all the different training environments we train in but yet we were together on that one accord-defending the base.

"There's no better proof of a plan than to use it to defeat the enemy--they did not penetrate our defenses. All the practices proved themselves worthy," he said.