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NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan, June 9-13, 2011 - Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Panther, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Bronco and supporting units, kicked off Operation Oqab Behar VII from Forward Operating Base Connolly, Afghanistan, June 9. According to 2LT Samuel P. Fortch, Bravo Troop, 1-61st Cavalry Regiment fire support officer, the operation increased security in the villages through western Nangarhar and enhanced cooperation between the Afghan National Security Forces, coalition forces and residents of Memlah, Wazir and Surkh Rod Villages. He said operations like OB VII counter the insurgency by moving into areas of historic enemy activity and removing insurgent forces through a series of smaller, complex tasks like meeting with village elders and conducting patrols. "We're working with our ANSF partners, pushing insurgents to areas we can detain them and stop the increasing flow of improvised explosive device making materials," said Fortch, from Longmeadow, MA. "We'll set up key leader engagements to try and get information on where the Taliban beds down and who are known IED makers in the area." Coalition forces took preliminary measures before Oqab Behar VII. Combat engineers conducted a route clearance operation which they said was an important factor in mission success, given the increased number of IEDs throughout the area of operations. "We clear the way for the infantry so they can go to the village and do what they do," said SGT Jacob Kennedy, a heavy equipment operator, from Pensacola, FL, with the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT. TF Bronco soldiers said they worked closely with villagers to purge suspected insurgents. Coalition and ANA soldiers conducted door-to-door searches, and spoke with Afghan leaders providing phone numbers for the coalition-run anonymous tip line for people to anonymously report insurgent activity. "We tried to talk to the villagers because it's an intense
IED area. We held Shuras and brought in elders to talk to,"
said SGT Jeffery Pettee, a combat medic with Attack Troop,
1-61st Cavalry Regiment, from Iron, MN. "We try to help
them so they can help us." 
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