Sangin
Encyclopedia
Sangin is a town in Helmand province
of Afghanistan
, with population of approximately 14,000 people. It is located on 32°4′24"N 64°50′2"E in the valley of the Helmand River
at 888 m altitude, 95 km to the north-east of Lashkar Gah. Sangin is notorious as one of the central locations of the opium
trade in the south of the country, and is also a town that has traditionally supported the Taliban. Sangin also houses the main bazaar for Sangin District
.
On 31 July 2005 a United Nations
convoy of six vehicles came under attack by Taliban forces lying in ambush some 2 km south of the town. All personnel including the international UN staff member managed to escape by reversing their route only to come under fire by a US Army patrol of Humvee vehicles that were advancing to the location of the fire fight. Two Afghan personnel, one driver and the armed guard commander from the Ministry of Interior were wounded by the friendly fire and evacuated by helicopter to Kandahar
. The armored vehicle that the UN worker was traveling in was unable to be driven due to being hit with approximately fifteen rounds of fire including two rounds from a .50 caliber machine gun. The retreating Taliban were identified crossing the nearby river some 1,500 meters to the West and were killed by a single 500 lb bomb delivered by air support from a USAF B-52 bomber.
In March of 2006 units of the 3/124th Infantry American Security Force teams and their Afghan counterparts began the construction of FOB Wolf on a plateau over looking the Sangin green zone. The base immediately became a bulls-eye for all the local militants and poppy growers in the area. FOB Wolf would soon be renamed FOB Robinson
in honor of Staff Sergeant Christopher L. Robinson, 36, of Brandon, Mississippi. Robinson was killed while on mission "Carpe Diem" with the 20th Special Forces group in the valley center.
In late March a resupply convoy to the FOB struck a IED outside of Hyderabad and six Afghans were killed. Later that night a large group of militants attacked the FOB and during the melee that followed American Sergeant first class Robert Stone and Pte. Robert Costall, a Canadian soldier was killed in action. After a lengthy investigation it was found that both soldiers were killed by friendly fire. In April the unit was relieved by another SECFOR team from the 207th RCAG from Shindand, the units battles are chronicled in the book "The Poor Bastard's Club" By SSG Paul Mehlos a SECFOR team leader.
On June 2nd 2006, the base and all its contents were signed over to the British 3rd Parachute Regiment. After being warned against the "Platoon house" strategy the British became engaged in heavy fighting with Taliban insurgents and allied opium
traffickers deep inside the green zone. A number of British and Canadian troops were killed during fighting in the town, including Cpl Bryan Budd
(3 PARA) who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross
.
In 2008 without the support of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), members of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines
, were sent to Sangin to assist the British. Within a month of their arrival, 3rd Platoon had branched out from FOB Tangiers and established FOB Wishtan. From June to October 2008 Echo company suffered numerous casualties, to include Cpl. Richard Weinmaster, who despite grievous wounds continued to fight until losing consciousness. His actions on that day earned him a Navy Cross, one of two that 2nd Battalion 7th Marines
awarded during their deployment in Afghanistan. On August 14, 2008 two separate IED attacks within a few hundred meters and twenty minutes of one another claimed the lives of Lcpl. Jacob Tovez, Cpl. Anthony Mihalo, and Lcpl. Juan Lopez-Castenaeda. In October 2008 Echo Company pulled out of Sangin, after handing FOB Tangiers and FOB Wishtan back over to the British. 2nd Battalion 7th Marines
received a Navy Unit Commendation
for their actions in Afghanistan.
In June 2010 Third Battalion Seventh Marines entered Sangin to aid british forces and eventually take over. 3/7 flooded the green zone with Marines apon arrival and controlled area's from Highway 611 to the Helmand River in a months time.In September 2010, Liam Fox
, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Defence
, announced that northern Helmand would be transferred to the US Marines. A third of all British deaths in Afghanistan, (approximately 100), occurred over four years of occupation in Sangin . The British troops withdrew on September 20, 2010 to be replaced by 3/7.
3/7's Marine combat units aggressively pursued Taliban in and around Sangin in 2010 and 2011 until they were replaced by 3/5 in early October 2010. Twenty six Marines were killed in the first four months of occupation.
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
of Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, with population of approximately 14,000 people. It is located on 32°4′24"N 64°50′2"E in the valley of the Helmand River
Helmand River
The Helmand River is the longest river in Afghanistan and the primarily watershed for the endorheic Sistan Basin....
at 888 m altitude, 95 km to the north-east of Lashkar Gah. Sangin is notorious as one of the central locations of the opium
Opium
Opium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy . Opium contains up to 12% morphine, an alkaloid, which is frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. The latex also includes codeine and non-narcotic alkaloids such as papaverine, thebaine and noscapine...
trade in the south of the country, and is also a town that has traditionally supported the Taliban. Sangin also houses the main bazaar for Sangin District
Sangin District
Sangin is a district in the east of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Its population, which is 100% Pashtun, was 50,900 in 2005. The district centre is the town of Sangin.-References:* , dated 2002-12-01, accessed 2006-08-04 .-External links:*...
.
On 31 July 2005 a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
convoy of six vehicles came under attack by Taliban forces lying in ambush some 2 km south of the town. All personnel including the international UN staff member managed to escape by reversing their route only to come under fire by a US Army patrol of Humvee vehicles that were advancing to the location of the fire fight. Two Afghan personnel, one driver and the armed guard commander from the Ministry of Interior were wounded by the friendly fire and evacuated by helicopter to Kandahar
Kandahar
Kandahar is the second largest city in Afghanistan, with a population of about 512,200 as of 2011. It is the capital of Kandahar Province, located in the south of the country at about 1,005 m above sea level...
. The armored vehicle that the UN worker was traveling in was unable to be driven due to being hit with approximately fifteen rounds of fire including two rounds from a .50 caliber machine gun. The retreating Taliban were identified crossing the nearby river some 1,500 meters to the West and were killed by a single 500 lb bomb delivered by air support from a USAF B-52 bomber.
In March of 2006 units of the 3/124th Infantry American Security Force teams and their Afghan counterparts began the construction of FOB Wolf on a plateau over looking the Sangin green zone. The base immediately became a bulls-eye for all the local militants and poppy growers in the area. FOB Wolf would soon be renamed FOB Robinson
FOB Robinson
FOB Robinson is a Forward Operating Base in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. It is located next to the Helmand River, near the town of Heydarabad....
in honor of Staff Sergeant Christopher L. Robinson, 36, of Brandon, Mississippi. Robinson was killed while on mission "Carpe Diem" with the 20th Special Forces group in the valley center.
In late March a resupply convoy to the FOB struck a IED outside of Hyderabad and six Afghans were killed. Later that night a large group of militants attacked the FOB and during the melee that followed American Sergeant first class Robert Stone and Pte. Robert Costall, a Canadian soldier was killed in action. After a lengthy investigation it was found that both soldiers were killed by friendly fire. In April the unit was relieved by another SECFOR team from the 207th RCAG from Shindand, the units battles are chronicled in the book "The Poor Bastard's Club" By SSG Paul Mehlos a SECFOR team leader.
On June 2nd 2006, the base and all its contents were signed over to the British 3rd Parachute Regiment. After being warned against the "Platoon house" strategy the British became engaged in heavy fighting with Taliban insurgents and allied opium
Opium
Opium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy . Opium contains up to 12% morphine, an alkaloid, which is frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. The latex also includes codeine and non-narcotic alkaloids such as papaverine, thebaine and noscapine...
traffickers deep inside the green zone. A number of British and Canadian troops were killed during fighting in the town, including Cpl Bryan Budd
Bryan Budd
Bryan James Budd VC was a Northern Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
(3 PARA) who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
.
In 2008 without the support of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), members of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines
2nd Battalion 7th Marines
The 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines is a light infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They are based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and consist of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors...
, were sent to Sangin to assist the British. Within a month of their arrival, 3rd Platoon had branched out from FOB Tangiers and established FOB Wishtan. From June to October 2008 Echo company suffered numerous casualties, to include Cpl. Richard Weinmaster, who despite grievous wounds continued to fight until losing consciousness. His actions on that day earned him a Navy Cross, one of two that 2nd Battalion 7th Marines
2nd Battalion 7th Marines
The 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines is a light infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They are based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and consist of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors...
awarded during their deployment in Afghanistan. On August 14, 2008 two separate IED attacks within a few hundred meters and twenty minutes of one another claimed the lives of Lcpl. Jacob Tovez, Cpl. Anthony Mihalo, and Lcpl. Juan Lopez-Castenaeda. In October 2008 Echo Company pulled out of Sangin, after handing FOB Tangiers and FOB Wishtan back over to the British. 2nd Battalion 7th Marines
2nd Battalion 7th Marines
The 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines is a light infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They are based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and consist of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors...
received a Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
for their actions in Afghanistan.
In June 2010 Third Battalion Seventh Marines entered Sangin to aid british forces and eventually take over. 3/7 flooded the green zone with Marines apon arrival and controlled area's from Highway 611 to the Helmand River in a months time.In September 2010, Liam Fox
Liam Fox
Liam Fox MP is a British Conservative politician, Member of Parliament for North Somerset, and former Secretary of State for Defence....
, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Defence
Secretary of State for Defence
The Secretary of State for Defence, popularly known as the Defence Secretary, is the senior Government of the United Kingdom minister in charge of the Ministry of Defence, chairing the Defence Council. It is a Cabinet position...
, announced that northern Helmand would be transferred to the US Marines. A third of all British deaths in Afghanistan, (approximately 100), occurred over four years of occupation in Sangin . The British troops withdrew on September 20, 2010 to be replaced by 3/7.
3/7's Marine combat units aggressively pursued Taliban in and around Sangin in 2010 and 2011 until they were replaced by 3/5 in early October 2010. Twenty six Marines were killed in the first four months of occupation.
External links
- BBC: Where does the Afghan war go now?
- Video of Canadian troops engaged in a firefight near the village
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhLn1gR92pk Video of Americans fighting in Sangin