JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Nov. 9, 2005 — U.S. Marines and sailors assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Corps Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, conducted Operation Pil in the Watapor Valley of the Kunar Province, Afghanistan, Oct. 16 through 23 in order to improve security and assist in stabilizing the government in the troubled region.
"As the main effort we were tasked with ascending a mountain in order to cordon and search the village of Tsangar. This village was an [enemy] safe haven for planning attacks against coalition forces. The Marines and sailors did a stellar job accomplishing the mission."
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Chuck Siedlecki Jr.
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Operation Pil was the latest mission launched by the Marines and sailors aimed at improving security within the problem areas of the Kunar province. "We didn't find much during this operation, but it was still good to show the villagers an Island Warrior presence," said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Curtis D. Magee, machinegunner, from Collins, Miss. "For our part of the mission we had to hike up over 5,000 feet to a mountaintop, but it was good for us to do that stuff. It's what we need to do as infantry, staying out in the field and accomplishing whatever mission we're assigned." The Marines encountered little enemy contact throughout the operation with the exception of Camp Blessing, the farthest Marine Corps outpost in Afghanistan.
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