ESTCOY-16 carries out first operation in Afghanistan

Photo: Raigo Pajula.

The Estonian infantry company ESTCOY-16 that was deployed to Afghanistan at the beginning of May carried out its first operation in the Nad-e Ali district of the southern Helmand province.

The aim of the two-day operation was to split up anti-government elements operating in the area and hinder their activity so local residents could safely go about their daily business.

During the operation that lasted for almost 36 hours the company moved from the Camp Bastion base to the operation area where it seized and secured a building complex suitable for a temporary checkpoint. After setting up the checkpoint the infantrymen and the mortar unit started patroling different parts of the area to communicate with the local residents, demonstrate the presence of coalition troops and check suspect buildings.

The commander of ESTCOY-16, Maj. Meelis Loik, rated the first operation of the company a success. "The outgoing week was a bad time for Afghanistan's anti-government insurgents in the Nad-e Ali area as in addition to the ESTCOY operation units of both the coalition forces and Afghan security forces were active in the same area," he said.

In his words, the company coped well with its first task and it's only the hot weather that is taking some getting used to.

Before embarking on their first operation members of ESTCOY-16 underwent a week's additional training at Camp Bastion to get to know the local conditions. Experiences were shared with them by the previous Estonian contingent ESTCOY-15 and British allies.

"This is where the final improvements in and additions to training can be made," Loik said. "We're especially pleased with the training patrols organized for squad- and platoon-size units by the previous company because they gave the soldiers the most experience and ability to cope with situations occurring in the field."

ESTCOY-16 took over responsibility in Helmand on May 14. The second to last Estonian combat contingent in Afghanistan is made up mainly of Scouts Battalion members. It is based at Camp Bastion and serves as a maneuver unit of Task Force Helmand in its entire operations area.