U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth Sandoe, onboard the fast combat support ship USS Camden, operates the winch boom to carry fuel lines across to the USS Kearsarge in the North Arabian Gulf, June 3, 2005. The Camden is currently conducting refueling operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and supporting maritime interception operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Ansarov
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole Cirino shares a laugh with safety Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Meyers while under instruction to observe winch operator procedures onboard the fast combat support ship USS Camden in the North Arabian Gulf, June 3, 2005. The Camden is currently conducting refueling operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and supporting maritime interception operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Ansarov
Navy Corpsman David Stanfield watches a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter descend into a landing zone to drop off aid supplies for Marines to distribute during Operation Celtics in Afghanistan's rugged Torah Bora mountains. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rick Scavetta, USA
Afghan National Army troops and U.S Marines launch from the rear of a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan's rugged Tora Bora mountains to deliver civic assistance to remote villages. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rick Scavetta, USA
Marines Return to Tora Bora for Operation Celtics
By Sgt. 1st Class Rick Scavetta, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
JALALABAD, Afghanistan, May 31, 2005 – When the U.S. Marine Corps' 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, ventured into the Tora Bora mountains recently to hunt down enemy fighters, they instead found Afghans eager for a brighter future.
The mission, dubbed Operation Celtics, began as an offensive in an enemy sanctuary - the rugged mountains of Nangahar province that stretch along the Pakistan border. It was one of several missions launched last week by coalition troops to locate insurgents. Afghan National Army soldiers took part in the operations. "Lima" Company Marines were prepared for a fight, but found themselves sipping tea with village elders.
In the first few days of the operation, the Marines distributed roughly eight tons of civic aid. And not a shot was fired.
"It's a sign of success that we're not getting shot at," said Capt. Eric Kelly, Company L commander.
Insurgents operating in the area would likely rely upon local villagers for support while transiting through the high-altitude passes, Kelly said. Marines patrolled into remote villages, set up security and talked with local citizens to assess their needs and gain information on enemy activity.
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