Overall classification of this brief is: UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
BGen Roger B. Turner Jr.
TASK FORCE SOUTHWEST
30 MAR 2018
Task Force SouthwestReflections
Version 2– 20180316Action Officer: LtCol Gary McCullar
TFSW J-3 Operations Officer
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Afghanistan Overview
2Version 2 – 20180316
https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/afghanistan_admin-2009.jpg
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Helmand Overview
3Version 2 – 20180316
https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/afghanistan_admin-2009.jpg100 km
Lashkar Gah
215
XXX
1/215
X
X
2/215
505
Garm SerReg-e-Khan
Neshin
Marjah
Nad ‘Ali
WasherNow Zad
Nahr-e-Saraj
Maiwand
Ghorak
Lashkar Gah
Panjwa’i
Kajaki
3/215X
4/215X
N
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Key Lessons
• The Afghan National Defense Security Forces, properly enabled, can and will defeat the Taliban at the point of attack.
• The Afghan center of gravity is their confidence to conduct offensive operations against the enemy.
• Advising is a non-kinetic effect used to enhance the task force’s warfighting capability by, with, and through the partnered force.
• Accompanying ANDSF on missions can reverse momentum and create dependency on US forces.
4Version 2 – 20180316
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Operations Maiwand (2 – 10) Overview
Sangin EAP – MAIWAND 2 (21-25 May)• Kandak from ORC RIP’d into SanginMarjah – MAIWAND 3 (11 Jun – 7 Jul)• Corps level Op to resupply Kandaks in Marjah• Relieved Lashkar Gah pressure; Taliban lost initiative6
Improvements to 215th Corps’ Disposition
Expanded Central Helmand Security Belt; Start of offensive mindset and joint MOD/MOI operations
Start of Winter Campaign & Preparation for 2018 Fighting Season
Nawa – MAIWAND 4 (14 Jul – 1 Aug)• Seized Nawa DC and expanded Lashkar Gah security• First ANDSF significant success since 2014Nawa – MAIWAND 5 (15 Aug – 14 Sep)• Expanded security from Nawa DC to Garmsir DC• Enemy fled Nawa; CATK in GereshkGereshk & Nad ‘Ali – MAIWAND 6 (19 Sep – 18 Oct)• Defense of Gereshk and expand Nad’Ali security• Response to Taliban attacks on GereshkNad ‘Ali – MAIWAND 7 (12 Oct – 12 Dec)• Expanded Lashkar Gah’s close-in security belt• Established new checkpoints in Nad ‘Ali
Marjah– MAIWAND 8 (16 -19 Nov)• Resupplied ANDSF kandaks in Marjah• backhauled damaged equipmentSangin – MAIWAND 9 (1 – 22 Dec)• Expanded security south and west of the Sangin &
Garmser District CentersMarjah – MAIWAND 10 (23 Dec – 3 Jan)• RIP of kandaks stationed in Marjah• Maintains Operational Readiness Cycle• Establishes Corps reserve kandak
6
7
8310
4 5
5
N
29
ANDSF Security Belt
Version 2 – 20180316
Shorabak
Gereshk
Lashkar GahNad’Ali
Bost
Marjah
Nawa
Garmsir9
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Task Force Southwest – Enabling ANDSF (OV-1)
F-16 MQ-1C
Scan Eagle
Expeditionary Advisor Package (EAP)
ANDSF Maneuver Element w/ Afghan National Tracking
System (ANTS)
Operational Coordination Center – Province (OCC-P)
TFSW Joint Operations Center (JOC)
The JOC maintains and updates the COP. Provides TFSW CG with timely and accurate information
to make decisions.
B-52
AH-64
C-12
BLUF: TFSW conducts full spectrum operations in a complex and dynamic environment that requires significant coordination, management and battlespace deconfliction of strike assets.
High Mobility Artillery Rocket
System (HIMARS)
6
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Version 2 – 20180316
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Discussion and Questions
7Version 2 – 20180316
