1/5 Marines conduct, teach LPOP 

Marines brought their Afghan National Army counterparts with them to conduct a partnered listening post and observation post, LPOP,  May 9.

The overnight LPOP enabled 2nd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, to limit the enemy movement by establishing a fresh vantage point on areas of Sangin and  train ANA soldiers.

When Marines temporarily inhabit buildings outside the friendly lines of their patrol base they are able to limit the enemy by augmenting the base security. By pushing out and looking at their area of operations from a new angle, they are able to observe farther into the Sangin River Valley and focus their attention on specific areas where the enemy could exploit terrain around them.

“The LPOPs give us a different vantage point on the battle space,” said Cpl. James E. Leitch, a radio operator for 2nd Plt. “This is crucial because sometimes you catch things and see things the enemy is doing at night when they don’t expect it.”

While posting up for the night is important to the security of Sangin, the Marines knew they had to train their ANA counterparts to do the same as part of the long term goals for the success of Afghanistan and Afghan National Security Forces.  Afghan soldiers stood watch and helped Marines guard the compound throughout the night as a stepping block toward being able to run an LPOP independently in the future.

The Marine squad leader sat down with the ANA soldiers to teach them about holding security in an LPOP and the fundamentals of establishing posts to provide 360-degree security.

It is important that they understand what the squad is doing so they are able to mirror what the Marines do and know why they need to perform those essential tasks, said Pfc. Zak Lara, 20, a designated marksman with 2nd Plt., from Victorville, Calif. If the ANA soldiers have a solid grasp on the fundamentals, it will allow them to conduct themselves more efficiently as a military and ultimately enable them to be self-sufficient.

This type of independence will only be achieved in Sangin if Afghan soldiers learn how to operate on their own through the example set by the Marines and practice alongside coalition forces, said Lietch, 26, from Orlando.

While the operational experience the ANA gain from working alongside the Marines is undoubtedly important, the Marines were able to show the soldiers trust and wanted this to be a collaborated effort.

“We are showing them that we trust them by giving them their own posts,” said Sgt. Kevin W. Zarefoss, 25, a squad leader for 2nd Plt., from Strongsville, Ohio. “Ultimately we are showing them that we trust them enough to watch our backs and that improves our partnership in Sangin.”