B*N*S*N4

1-38 Cav. thwarts Taliban threats during Operation Gryphon Hold

May 13, 2011

By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski, 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Photo Credit: Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski, 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

Capt. Jon Cochran, platoon leader, Charlie Company, 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, scans an area in the Mazgarey Mountains in Nawa Valley, Afghanistan, for caves that may contain Taliban weapon caches, April 26, 2011. Cochran led his platoon in Operation Gryphon Hold, aimed at clearing the Mazgarey Mountain complex of Taliban activity.


NAWA VALLEY, Afghanistan, May 13, 2011 -- Soldiers assigned to 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, hindered Taliban activity in the Mazgarey Mountain Range during operation Gryphon Hold, April 25-27, 2011.

The squadron operation was spearheaded by Charlie Company, with its long range surveillance assets. Alpha and Bravo troop, elements of Bravo Troop, 4th Squadron, 70th Armored Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 720th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company also participated to ensure Taliban forces could not deter clearing operations in the mountains of Nawa Valley.

"The mountain range was reported as a Taliban safe haven with weapon caches, bed-down locations and training facilities for improvised explosive devise, or IED, operations in the valley and Spin Boldak," said Capt. Jon Cochran, platoon leader, Charlie Company, 1-38 Cav., 525th BFSB.

During the mission, the squadron, based at Fort Bragg, N.C., discovered a large weapons cache and detained three suspects connected to an IED cell.

"We expected most of the Taliban to run to locations in the mountains or into Nawa Valley's village populations, so our best hope was to look for the weapon caches," said tCochran.

Cochran's platoon partnered with the Afghan Border Police and began clearing their objectives.

"This was a good opportunity for the ABP (Afghan Border Police) and U.S. forces to conduct a mission together," said Sgt. 1st Class Brian Baumgartner, platoon sergeant, C Company. "They know the local customs and know how to approach villagers who are more willing to talk to them."...

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